Graduate students from the Master of Business Administration program at Houston Christian University recently spent 10 days immersed in Spain and Portugal, where they explored how companies across Europe are navigating growth, innovation and global strategy. The program, held in May, was co-led by Pauline Akatsa-Hinga, assistant professor of international business and Eduardo Borges, assistant provost for student affairs and director of the Spahr-Tan Center for International Education. In Barcelona, students engaged in a live strategy challenge with Veritas, an organic grocery chain focused on sustainability and marketing innovation. Among other international business experiences, the students met with executives at the Barça Innovation Hub, where they learned how FC Barcelona applies research, analytics and technology to performance and fan engagement. Cultural highlights included visits to La Sagrada Familia cathedral, Park Güell and Montjuïc Castle in Barcelona, as well as São Jorge Castle, the Monastery of St. Jerome and the Belém Tower in Lisbon.
Wayland Baptist University honored Ashley Sacriste, chief executive officer of Laurel Ridge Treatment Center, with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for the San Antonio campus during commencement exercises held June 13 at Trinity Baptist Church. D. Glenn Simmons, executive director and campus dean for the San Antonio campus presented the award. Sacriste began her educational journey at Wayland’s San Antonio campus, where she earned her bachelor’s degree before pursuing graduate studies in health care administration. She now leads one of San Antonio’s most respected behavioral health facilities and has become a recognized advocate for mental health access and reform. She is deeply engaged in the community, partnering with local organizations to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. She believes sustainable progress in health care requires collaboration between providers, policymakers and the public. Beyond her local impact, Sacriste advocates for systemic change as a member of the Texas Hospital Association Behavioral Health Council and the Patient Safety and Quality Council.
Howard Payne University named Adam Bright as the new director of athletics. Bright brings almost 20 years of leadership experience to the role with a background in athletic administration, coaching and business. He will begin the new role on July 14. Bright joins the HPU staff after serving as associate athletic director at Sam Houston State University. He previously served as athletic director at high schools in Buena Vista, Durango and Granby, Colo., as well as assistant commissioner for Colorado High School Activities Association in Aurora, Colo. Additionally, he worked in nearby Winters Independent School District and with minor and major league baseball teams. Bright served as director of corporate sales for West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, a Double A minor league baseball team; as general manager of Greenville Bluesmen Baseball, a Single A minor league baseball team; and in corporate sponsorships for Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Save the date: Baylor University’s Collaborative on Faith and Disability will host author Amy Julia Becker Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, for a conversation on reimagining church life with disability. Registration details for the free workshop to come.
The “Beyond us … From Neighborhoods to Nations” Missions Conference will be held Oct. 6-8 in Waco. The conference is sponsored by Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary, Church Under the Bridge and Baylor Spiritual Life. It will include a wide range of missional topics, including the unreached in local communities and across the world who never have heard the name of Jesus. There will be workshops on: mobilizing Christians, discipleship and evangelism training, Bible translation; empowering those with disabilities, advocacy for the marginalized, church planting, reaching refugees and international students; ways to offer basic needs like clean water, food and justice; business as mission, micro-loans and engineering, all for the kingdom of God. Several workshops will be offered in Spanish. For more information, including confirmed speakers, sponsorship opportunities and a registration link, visit https://beyondusconference.org or email jimmymdorrell@gmail.com.
Registration for Camp Fusion, sponsored by Texas Baptists Multicultural Ministry, is now open through June 30. The July 22-26 camp held at Latham Springs Camp & Retreat Center, aims to connect second-generation multicultural students in grades 6 through 12, to help them grow in their faith. The camp theme is “Converge,” focused on Galatians 3:28. More information can be found here.
San Antonio Baptist Association’s Campus of Seminario Teologico Bautista L.A.C.Y. has its first graduating class with a Diplomado en Doctrina Cristiana. SABA is a campus for Seminario Teologico Bautista L.A.C.Y. located in Oaxaca, Mexico. Mario Diaz Caballos leads the L.A.C.Y. extension campus.
Ordination
Felix Chavez to Christian ministry on June 22. He is pastor of Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Pearsall.
Anniversary
Adamsville Baptist Church of Lampasas invites former members and guests to its 150th anniversary celebration on July 27. The service begins at 10:45 a.m. with a free meal and presentation to follow. Nathan Feinberg is pastor.
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