Around the State: DBU sends groups on mission to Spain

This summer, Dallas Baptist University sent a group of Ford Village students on a sightseeing/mission trip. A few weeks later, a group of female students traveled to Denia, Spain, to serve with Alfa y Omega. Alfa y Omega is one of the only Christian schools in Spain, and many unbelievers enroll in school and summer camps each year. During the Ford Village trip, the students explored Barcelona, Valencia, Calpe, Javea and Denia and shared a devotional with the volunteers at Alfa y Omega. The female students in the second group traveled to serve at Alfa y Omega for the entire week. Many kids who never have heard the gospel attend summer camps and programs similar to Vacation Bible School at the school. DBU’s group focused on spending time with the kids as they hosted an Olympic-themed camp with rotations in crafts, sports and Bible stories. Both groups visited DBU alumna Shelby Weatherly at Alfa y Omega. Weatherly, a 2018 and 2023 DBU graduate who previously served as the director of global missions at DBU, fell in love with Alfa y Omega during a trip to Spain as an undergraduate student. After graduation, she returned to Spain, where she met her future husband, Tyler.  After they married, the couple began working full-time at Alfa y Omega, where they now lead the school’s international Christian volunteer program. Shelby translated the story of Alfa y Omega for the DBU students, as one of the school’s directors told how it was founded by some of the first Christian missionaries in Spain.

Baptist Student Ministry student leaders from Houston Christian University gathered for a leadership retreat in partnership with student leaders from Students for Christ at the College of the Mainland in Galveston on Aug. 16 and 17. The partnership is part of Texas BSM’s “Reach the Campus, Reach the World” initiative, which points to nine strategic locations across the United States where students need to hear the gospel. The retreat, hosted by the Galveston BSM, was designed to foster spiritual and leadership development with sessions covering the gospel, evangelism and discipleship. Participants also received hands-on practice “tabling,” or gaining experience in effective outreaches that create opportunities for gospel conversations through free giveaways or experiences, like henna or stickers. Nathan Mahand, director of HCU’s BSM, said: “When we get everyone together for a retreat like this, it is like a family reunion at the start of the semester. We partner with strategic locations in order to help foster growth and a sense of Christian community. Our hope is that everyone would understand that what God is up to is bigger than what is happening on our campus.”

Although the closest beach is 672 miles away, Wayland Baptist University’s Plainview campus celebrated National Beach Day, Aug. 30. The university soon will have a competition-ready “beach,” where the Pioneers will compete in their newest sport. In June, WBU Athletics announced the addition of women’s beach volleyball. The inaugural season will be spring 2025. “We are excited to be adding women’s beach volleyball,” said Athletic Director Jim Giacomazzi, who will coach the sport. “We look forward to competing in the spring season, and we expect to compete right away.”

Howard Payne University will host Homeschool Day on Sept. 18. This preview day will target homeschool students and their families for an opportunity to visit campus and learn more about all aspects of the HPU student experience. “We have seen an increase in the interest among homeschoolers over the last year,” said Megan Proctor, transfer admission counselor, who homeschooled her children and currently has two daughters attending HPU. Check-in on Sept. 18 will be held outside of Grace Chapel at 8:45 a.m. The schedule for the day includes a welcome session where families will hear from members of the Admissions Team and an academic panel, an HPU chapel service, a campus tour and lunch in the dining hall. After lunch, preview students will be able to sit in on a class, while parents gather with Proctor for a workshop entitled, “College how-to’s from a homeschool mom, turned university admission counselor.” Parents will learn about high school graduation requirements, scholarship ideas, when to start applying and other tips on how to prepare for college. Any prospective student is eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship on the Yellow Jacket Preview Day if he or she brings a friend and applies for enrollment in spring or fall 2025 while on campus. Additional preview days will be held on Oct. 19 and Nov. 25.

Baylor University launched its new institutional television commercial for 2024-2025, which showcases the authentic Baylor experience and supports one of the university’s fastest-rising graduates in the entertainment industry. The commercial features the beauty of the Baylor campus and the vibrancy of the Baylor student experience. Enhanced by the soundtrack of Waco-based Christian recording artist, songwriter and producer, Forrest Frank—whose original song “Never Get Used to This” features JVKE—the university’s ad lays claim to “vibiest” institutional commercial this fall. The commercial made its TV debut at halftime in Baylor football’s season opener against Tarleton State at McLane Stadium, Aug. 31 as part of the ESPN+ broadcast of the game. With faith-forward lyrics that include “See yourblessings every day, Thankful that your kingdom’s on the way,” and “From the mornin’ to the evenin’ I could sing yourpraise all day,” Frank provides testimony to Baylor’s student experience being grounded in its Christian mission—to prepare Baylor graduates to lead and serve around the world. Amid a sold-out national tour promoting the August release of his debut Christian album “Child of God,” Frank has risen to international fame. Previously touring and performing as a member of the viral hit-producing duo, Surfaces, Frank followed his calling to produce a Christian album that would resonate with and inspire young people to know the love of Christ. “Child of God” hit the top of the album charts—not just for Christian music—but in the No. 1 spot on iTunes across all genres within days of its release.

Anniversary

First Baptist Church in Tow is celebrating 170 years of faith, hope and love, Oct. 12 and 13. Ed Walker is pastor. The celebration will include music, fellowship and devotionals from The Cherrys, Mike Holster, Richard Ray and Talon Keeney and Stacy Nobles. Festivities will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday—with a sandwich dinner at 6 p.m., followed by continued music and devotionals from 6:45 until 8:45 p.m. Sunday events will include guest speakers and take place from 10 a.m. until noon, with lunch and cake with punch to follow. All activities will be held at 16529 R.R. 2241 in Tow in Llano County.