Around the State: Bounce awarded by Texas governor

Texas Baptists’ Bounce Student Disaster Recovery has been named a recipient of the 42nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, one of the State of Texas’ highest honors recognizing exemplary volunteer service. Bounce received the Rebuild Texas Disaster Impact Award, which recognizes organizations that do an exceptional job of utilizing volunteers to meet the needs of Texas communities during all phases of disaster. Presented in collaboration with OneStar Foundation, the Governor’s Volunteer Awards celebrate Texans whose service demonstrates the power of volunteering to bring people together, address pressing community needs, and create lasting change. “From the inception of Bounce, it has been our joy to have mobilized thousands of students to restore hope, rebuild communities, and reflect Christ. Mobilizing students for hands-on construction service not only improves the quality of life for the residents we serve, but also changes the lives of the students we mobilize,” said Bounce Director David Scott. Award recipients are celebrated during National Volunteer Month in April at a special reception hosted at the Texas Governor’s Mansion, honoring their service and the ripple effect it creates throughout Texas communities.

Wayland Baptist University will host high school choir students from across the South Plains on Saturday, April 18, for a day of music and learning during the Clay and Freada Warren Memorial Music Symposium. The day will begin with Catalyst, a choral clinic led by Christian singer-songwriter and pianist Ken Medema, who will work with students and directors from area high schools. Hosted by Wayland’s School of Creative Arts, the Warren Symposium brings together students, directors, and Wayland choirs for a shared experience focused on musical growth and inspiration. “Catalyst gives students and directors a chance to step away from the pressures of contests and performances and simply focus on the joy of making music together,” said Stephanie Burton, interim director of choral activities at Wayland. “Students grow as musicians while also being inspired by someone who has dedicated his life to sharing music with others.” Students participating in the clinic will also be involved in a concert at 7 p.m. that evening in Harral Memorial Auditorium, where Medema will perform alongside Wayland choirs and the visiting high school singers. The evening concert is free and open to the public.

Houston Christian University students Olivia Brown and Karessa Shaw were awarded two of the three Don Smith Scholarships awarded at the Christian Counselors of Texas Conference in Pflugerville. To receive this $5,000 scholarship, a student must be a member of CCT, pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, and working toward licensure in a counseling program that integrates a faith-based framework. Both Brown and Shaw are pursuing Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at HCU. 

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor hosted the 27th annual spring revival, a three-day student-directed event. Hundreds of students gathered inside a large white tent at the heart of campus. This year’s theme was “The Potter and The Clay,” and Shane Pruitt, the North American Mission Board’s National Next Gen Director, was the featured speaker. Crescent City Worship, a collaborative team of students, staff, and alumni of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, led worship for the event.

Hardin-Simmons University hosted its first LiveSent trip March 8-11. Students, faculty, and staff served at Mission Arlington and in the Texas Hill Country. Teams in Arlington helped with outreach and backyard Bible clubs, while others in the Hill Country assisted with flood relief efforts, repairing homes, clearing debris, and supporting families as they rebuild. LiveSent is a new HSU initiative inviting the campus community to live as ambassadors of Christ through service. 

Creekside Community Village, a 4-year-old project of Mission Waco to provide long-term support for Waco’s unhoused community, is celebrating 28 churches—26 local, one in another city, and one out of state—have given $982,221, or almost 10 percent of the total estimated cost of Phase 1, to build 25 of 35 “tiny homes,” plus donations for infrastructure, above-ground needs, and/or for a few undesignated needs. In addition, there is a $750,000 matching grant for the project’s Welcome Home Center. Creekside Community Village is scheduled to open the third week of April 2026. All 35 homes have vetted residents awaiting their completion.