Around the State: Baylor BSM building campaign progressing

The building campaign to raise the initial $3 million toward a new Baptist Student Ministry center on the Baylor University campus has passed the halfway mark, Texas Baptist Missions Foundation President Jerry Carlisle reported to the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board. So far, more than $1.7 million has been given or pledged toward the project. Once the foundation has received gifts and pledges totaling $3 million, Baylor University will legally convey property at the corner of 4th Street and Daughtrey Avenue in Waco to Texas Baptists. After the initial goal is met, the foundation will continue to raise the additional $4 million needed to complete construction of the facility. For more information, click here.

Dallas Baptist University appointed Jeremiah J. Johnston as senior fellow for Christian origins in its Institute for Global Engagement. Johnston is president of the international Christian Thinkers Society, the author of 15 books and host of a podcast. He completed his doctoral residency in Oxford in collaboration with Oxford Centre for Missions Studies and received his Ph.D. from Middlesex University in the United Kingdom. He also earned advanced degrees in theology from Acadia University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His role at DBU will include editing an upcoming academic journal housed within the Institute for Global Engagement, expanding the reach of the university and engaging with students through speaking at chapel, lecturing and teaching courses.

Houston Christian University announced plans to launch a Master of Science in Leadership program in fall 2024, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Offered through HCU’s online division, the new advanced degree is designed to teach leadership skills in alignment with Christian values and prepare individuals for effective leadership in a diverse range of industries and organizations. The 30-credit hour program helps students develop strategic thinking, influential communication, organizational behavior, ethical judgment and a global mindset. “The challenges that the students will face are many, but we hope that by being principled and taught strong Christian leadership values, their leadership will shine in the marketplace,” said Mike Rome, dean of the Archie W. Dunham College of Business at HCU.

Baptist University of the Américas will host a Congreso Experience on March 2 in partnership with Texas Baptists. Other recent Congreso Experiences at Wayland Baptist University and East Texas Baptist University offered opportunities for local Hispanic youth to meet current university students, tour the campus and engage with each other through discussions, worship and community service. During the event at ETBU, for example, students assembled hygiene kits Texas Baptists’ River Ministry will distribute along the Texas-Mexico border.

The Howard Payne University Alumni Association Virtual 5K is scheduled March 23. Individuals can participate by running or walking from anywhere. Last year, more than 100 individuals participated from 25 cities and four states. Brownwood-area residents are invited to the HPU campus to participate in person. Registration for the 5K is $40 per adult and $10 per student. A portion of the registration will be used to support HPU student-focused events and scholarships. Registration is open until March 6. Each participant will receive a race packet, which includes a t-shirt and race bib. Participants are encouraged to submit their race times to the alumni relations office March 23, and the top three finishing times will receive prizes. To register for the Virtual 5K or sign up as a sponsor, visit hputx.edu/alumni/hpu-virtual-5k/ or contact the HPU alumni relations office at alumni@hputx.edu or (325) 649-8007.

Baylor University will host the 2024 Collegiate Day of Prayer at 7 p.m. on Feb. 29. The Collegiate Day of Prayer is an evening worship and prayer service focused on college-aged students. The event—promoted internationally—will originate from Waco Hall on the Baylor campus. The livestream will be available on the Baylor Facebook page, its YouTube channel and the Collegiate Day of Prayer website.

First Baptist Church in China Spring will host a First Blessing event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on March 23. First Blessingis a ministry that enables churches to provide shoes for schoolchildren. Church volunteers interact with families seeking shoes, escorting the parents through the process as their children are properly fitted for shoes and allowed to select a pair of their choosing.