Around the State

Posted: 5/25/07

Around the State

• The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will offer an English-as-a-second-language class for adults who want to improve their English skills in preparation for entering university-level classes in the fall. Registration is June 4, and classes begin June 6. For more information, call (254) 295-4556.

• East Texas Baptist University awarded 102 degrees during its spring commencement ceremony.

• Dallas Baptist University granted 337 undergraduate degrees and 201 graduate degrees at its spring commencement ceremony. Dallas entrepreneur David Moon also received a doctor of humanities degree. Moon is the founder of Sam Moon Trading Company. He has served as a deacon at Korean First Church in Dallas since 1984, now called NewSong Church. He also serves on the DBU board of trustees and has established a scholarship fund for Koreans and Korean-American students attending seminary and Christian universities.

• San Marcos Academy’s freshman sprinter Theresa Nealon won first place in the 400-meter race at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state track meet held at Baylor University. She ran a 60.91-second race, winning by .03 of a second.

• Wayland Baptist University has honored several employees in recognition of their commitmennt and years of service. Faculty and staff receiving awards for service and scholarship were Estelle Owens, Mark Hilliard, Tim Kelley, Joel Byrd, June Hogue, Adam Reinhart, Freda Provence, Hope English, Marilyn Koelder, Lisa Kerbo, Tommy Thompson, Sherrie King and Claude Lusk. Professors receiving emeritus status were Harold Temple, Fred Meeks, and Georgia Flanagan. Gerald Thompson was noted for his 40 years of service, and Candace Keller reached the 30-year mark. Twenty-five-year service awards were presented to Bobby Hall, Jennie Lynn Hodges, Gary Manning and Freda Provence. Geoff Wells has marked 20 years.

• Howard Payne University awarded an honorary doctor of humanies degree to Gary Elliston during the university’s commencement ceremony. He is a member of Park Cities Church in Dallas. A trial lawyer, he served on HPU’s board of trustees from 1993 to 2002 and was chairman two years. He also served on the board of the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom from 1996 to 2002. During the 2006-2007 year at the university, he endowed the moot court program and also made possible the renovation of the campus wellness center in 2001.

• Faculty promotions at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor include Christina Ballard, associate professor of psychology; Betty Clark, professor of psychology; Barbara Dalby, associate professor of management/marketing; Ann Eubanks, associate professor of management/marketing; Karen Grant, associate professor of biology; John Hancock, professor of art; Kathy Harden, associate professor of library reference; David Holcomb, associate professor of history; Elizabeth Mallory, associate professor of library reference; Sue Pardue, associate professor of modern foreign languages; Brady Peterson, associate professor of English; Ann Price, assistant professor of library services; David Sloan, professor of education; Shirley Walker, professor of social work; and Jessye Whitis, associate professor of music.

Kris and Misty Ellis		Ron and Kari Harmon
Joe and Megan Brewster		Severa Treviño

• Seven people with Texas ties have been appointed missionaries by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Joe and Megan Brewster will serve in South America, wher he will be a strategy coordinator. She is a native Texan, born in Lubbock. They have one child, Susanna, 23 months, and are expecting another in July. Kris and Misty Ellis will serve along the Pacific Rim, where he will be a church starter. He is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and serves as a student assistant there. First Church in Dallas is their home church. They have one daughter, Moriah, 11 months. Ron and Kari Harmon will work in central, eastern and southern Africa in field support. Both are native Texans, and consider Wedgwood Church in Fort Worth their home church. She previously was a missions intern with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and worked as an event scheduler at Prestonwood Church in Plano. Severa Treviño will work in central and eastern Europe as a church starter. She is a Texas native. Silent Friends Chapel in Dallas is her church.

Anniversaries

• Corey Hines, 10th, as pastor of administration and education at Ferris Avenue Church in Waxahachie, May 3.

• Springlake Church in Paris, 50th, June 2-3. A reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The celebration service on Sunday will begin at 1:30 p.m. Michael Redus is pastor.

• Leopoldo Mata, 20th, as pastor of Comunidad Casa del Alfarero in Houston, July 3.

Retiring

• Robert Horton, as pastor of First Church in Kyle, May 5. He served the church more than 31 years.

• Jim O’Dell, as pastor of Frio Canyon Church in Leakey, July 1. He has served the church nine years and 29 years in ministry. He also was pastor of First Church in Cross Plains and Northview Church in Humble, associate pastor and minister of education at First Church in Houston, dean of the School of Business at Howard Payne University and academic vice president at Dallas Baptist University. He will be available for supply and interims. He can be reached at (830) 232-5219.

Deaths

• Chuck Stevenson, 80, March 4 in Irving. He was minister of education at First Church in Irving 18 years. He also served at First Church in Mansfield, First Church in Alvin and Clarendon Drive Church in Dallas. After his long tenure in Irving, he became director of church services for Tryon-Evergreen Association. He later came back to work at Sunnyglen Church in Dallas, which had been Clarendon Drive. After retirement, he returned to First Church in Irving as a member but soon was asked to serve as minister of missions, where he helped start six churches and other community programs. He is survived by his wife, Raleigh Mae; daughters, Amy Stevenson and Susan House; son, Gary; and one grandson.

• Guy Greenfield, 75, in Amarillo, May 13. A pastor in Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and New Mexico for 25 years, he also taught at a number of universities, including Hardin-Simmons University and Wayland Baptist University. He also spent 11 years as a professor and department chair at Southwestern Seminary. He was the author of seven books.

• Kenneth Andress, 74, in San Angelo, May 16. He was pastor of Buford Church in Buford, First Church in Westbrook, Westside Church in Big Spring, Hillcrest Church in Carlsbad, N.M., First Church in Monahans, First Church in Snyder, First Church in Killeen and Southside Church in Palestine, where he retired after after 48 years of ministry. In retirement, he moved to Abilene, where he served several churches as interim pastor and also was chaplain for Hospice of the Big Country for eight years until last December. He was preceded in death by his brother, Oscar. He is survived by his wife, Betty; sons, Mike and Vance; daughter, Paula Bowden; sisters, Melva Everett and Olien Elmore; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Events

• Blake Bolerjack will sing at Pioneer Church in Valley View at 10:45 a.m. June 3.

• Elliott Church in Hearne will hold homecoming services June 10 to commemorate 118 years of service to the community. A lunch and special music will follow the morning service. Dale Wells is pastor.

Ordained

• Christy Craddock and JonMark Shillington to the ministry at Calvary Church in Waco.

Revival

• First Church, Rule; June 4-8; evangelist and pastor, Russell Stanley; music, John Pike