Around the State: Car show at Richardson church; Buckner seeks shoes for Guatemala

Stephen Giles of North Dallas won Best of Show for his 1957 Buick Roadmaster at The Heights Church annual car show in 2016.The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson will hold its 10th annual car show, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 8, with proceeds to benefit the Network Food Pantry of Richardson. In nine years, the show has displayed 2,423 cars and donated $47,720 and 6,405 pounds of food to Richardson-area food pantries, show organizer Brian Ratcliff said. Last year, the show featured a record-setting 425 cars, and this year, the display area in the church parking lot has been expanded to accommodate up to 500 cars. Judges will award 46 trophies in 22 classes. To enter the competition, registration is $20 per car or 20 canned food items. There is no cost to attend. For more information, click here. 

Buckner International’s Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry is seeking to collect 5,000 athletic shoes for Guatemalan boys and girls sizes 1-5 and men sizes 7-8 by April 3. Many of the vulnerable children Buckner serves in Guatemala depend on the ministry to provide new shoes when they outgrow or wear out a pair. Unless the children have shoes, they will not be permitted to attend school. Mail new shoes to Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, 5405 Shoe Dr., Mesquite, TX 75149 or contribute financially by clicking here. 

Texas Baptists’ River Ministry is asking churches, groups and individuals to donate seeds for community gardens and family gardens along the Rio Grande. River Ministry coordinators will distribute donated vegetable seeds to churches along the Texas/Mexico border in time for spring planting. Churches use the garden ministry to develop relationships that create opportunities for them to share the gospel in their communities. A $25 donation of seeds can provide enough for one community garden. Specific seeds requested are tomato, jalapeno, watermelon, lettuce, squash, carrot, pinto beans, cantaloupe, green beans, cilantro, spinach, bell pepper, chili pepper, corn, cucumber, garlic, okra, cabbage and onion. Seed packets should be mailed before March 31 to the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Attn. River Ministry, 7557 Rambler Road, Suite 1200, Dallas TX 75231-2388.

Currie-Strickland Scholars honored by Howard Payne University are (left to right) Kindell Hill, Jordan Pitman, Daniel Palacios, Joseph Flanigan, pictured with Derek Hatch, associate professor of Christian studies at HPU. (Howard Payne University Photo)Howard Payne University recognized four students as Currie-Strickland Scholars in Ethics and Theology. They are Kindell Hill, a junior from Salado; Jordan Pitman, a junior from Bangs; Daniel Palacios, a senior from Kaufman; and Joseph Flanigan, a junior from Round Rock.

The McNeills, a musical family from Northeast Texas, will present a concert of Southern Gospel, bluegrass and country gospel favorites at 6:30 p.m. March 18 at Heart of Texas Baptist Camp in Brownwood. There is no admission charge, but an offering will be collected. Guests are asked to register in advance at by clicking here. 

Anniversary

Wingate Baptist Church in Wingate will celebrate its 125th anniversary March 19. David Hardage, executive director of Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be the keynote speaker. Bill and Ruth Jones of Merkel will present the music. The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and concludes with a barbecue lunch. Pastor Price Mathieson invites former members and staff to participate.