Around the State: UMHB presents Easter pageant; TBM serves at UTD and Huntsville

A dozen Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers served chicken fajitas to students at the University of Texas at Dallas. Volunteers worked in partnership with the UTD Baptist Student Ministry to provide the free meal to 1,000 students as part of the school’s Springapalooza event to welcome students back to campus after spring break. BSM students used the opportunity to share their faith with their peers.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presented its 79^th annual Easter pageant March 28. Together, the three pageant performances drew 5,000 to the Belton campus, and another 1,000 viewed them as they were streamed live online. The student-led production featured a cast of about 300 UMHB students, along with the children and grandchildren of students, faculty and staff. The drama portrayed scenes from the life of Christ, including his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, trial before Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death and resurrection. Each year, President Randy O’Rear selects a student to serve as the pageant’s director, overseeing the cast and production, as well as choosing students for the roles of Jesus and his mother, Mary, primarily on the basis of their strong Christian faith and character. Jacob Chesser of Boerne directed this year’s pageant. Rebekah Prince of Arlington portrayed Mary, and Matthew Langford of Colleyville filled the role of Jesus.

Hardin-Simmons University recently inducted four individuals into its Hall of Leaders—Bruce Evans of Columbus, Ohio, senior vice president and chief customer officer of American Electric Power; Elta Joyce McAfee of San Angelo, philanthropic supporter of the arts and education; the late Elwin L. Skiles, president of Hardin-Simmons University from 1966 to 1977 and former pastor of First Baptist Church in Abilene; and Ivan I. Smith Jr. of Shreveport, La., philanthropist and chief executive officer of Ivan Smith Furniture.

A Texas Baptist Men chainsaw crew from Collin Baptist Association and TBM disaster relief volunteers from other parts of North Texas and Northeast Texas worked in Walker County after straight-line winds caused damage in the Huntsville area. Volunteers completed 46 chainsaw jobs and installed temporary roofs on seven homes, as well as performing heavy equipment work.

The East Texas Baptist University volleyball team spent spring break in Eastern Europe as a part of the Tiger Athletic Mission Experience program. The group of 16, led by Vice President for Athletics Ryan Erwin and his wife, Kristy, along with head volleyball coach Keely Peterson, partnered with two ETBU alumni currently serving overseas. The ETBU student athletes engaged in outreach by hosting volleyball clinics, teaching English and competing with local club teams. They spent evenings at a community center playing games and sharing their faith with neighborhood teenagers. The Tiger volleyball team also coordinated a scavenger hunt through downtown involving eight teams and more than 35 people.

Erin Broussard was named senior executive director for Buckner Children and Family Services of Houston, effective April 2. In her new role, she will oversee two Buckner Family Hope Centers and a Buckner Family Pathways ministry. She previously served as deputy director and chief operating officer of Northwest Assistance Ministries in Houston. Prior to that, she was program manager for Odyssey House in Houston. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran who earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Capella University. She and her husband Joseph are the parents of two college-age children.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will sponsor a Stop the Bleed awareness event at 10 a.m., April 2, in the Bawcom Student Union. Stop the Bleed is a national initiative, created in the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, dedicated to saving lives through the training of potential bystanders. Certified trained instructors will demonstrate the use of tourniquets and other methods of stopping traumatic blood flow. The event is free and open to the public.

Christian vocalist Cynthia Clawson, recipient of a Grammy Award and five Dove Awards, will present a concert at 5 p.m., April 15, at Westbury Baptist Church in Houston.

Anniversaries

15^th for Michael Holster at Second Baptist Church in Levelland. He served nine and a half years as associate pastor of music and senior adults, and he has been pastor five and a half years.

40th for Second Baptist Church in Levelland. The church was formed when two congregations in Levelland—Morningside Baptist and Trinity Baptist—merged. An anniversary service and reception will be held April 7-8. Guests include former staff and their families, including the daughters of the first pastor, the late David Evetts. Special events include the reading of a proclamation from Levelland Mayor Barbra Pinner and special recognition from the Baptist General Convention of Texas presented by regional representative Charles Davenport. Former Pastor Jerry Howe, now pastor of First Baptist Church in Dumas, will preach. Michael Holster is pastor.