Texas Tidbits

Posted: 8/17/07

Texas Tidbits

Memorials committee seeks names. The Baptist General Convention of Texas at its annual meeting honors Texas Baptists who have died during the preceding year. The memorial committee invites Texas Baptists to identify individuals whose lives made a contribution to their churches and to the state. Call (214) 828-5348 or email debbie.moody@bgct.org before Oct. 1.

BGCT leadership leader takes seminary post. Reggie Thomas, director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas congregational leadership team, is leaving the Texas convention to head the Southern California campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. BGCT Chief Operating Officer Ron Gunter will serve as interim director of the congregational leadership team until a new director is named. In other staff moves, Josue Valerio, director of the BGCT missions team, was named interim director of BGCT Border/Mexico Missions, filling the vacancy left when Dexton Shores moved to Buckner International.

Foundation benefits disaster relief. The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio disaster relief committee is providing $50,000 to assist flood victims in D’Hanis, near Hondo, with half of the amount directed to the Baptist General Convention of Texas for Texas Baptist Men to help rebuild homes in the community.

Foundation grants scholarships.The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio granted $73,800 to the Baptist Health System School of Health Professions to provide summer school scholarships for 87 students enrolled in the school’s nursing and allied health educational programs.

BUA reaches matching gift goal. Baptist University of the Américas reached a $3 million fundraising goal for its new campus development campaign—and doubled its money in the process. The family of John Baugh will match the gift, in keeping with a pledge made by the late Houston philanthropist two years ago.

Estate gift benefits Baylor ministry guidance program. Baylor University received a $4 million gift from the estate of Allene Hubler that will establish the endowed Raymond O. Hubler chair of ministry guidance, the endowed David Slover professorship of ministry guidance and the Raymond and Allene Breech Hubler endowed scholarship fund to benefit ministry guidance students within Baylor’s department of religion.

Wayland nursing program receives state approval. Wayland Baptist University recently received state approval for its new nursing program, enabling the school to provide a complete bachelor of nursing degree from its San Antonio campus. This will be the third bachelor degree program for nurses in San Antonio. The new nursing program will begin with about 15 students in the fall semester, and 15 more will be accepted in the spring of 2008. Local capacity for the program when all the classes are full will be up to 400.