Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission was recognized March 4 by the Texas Senate, in the 89th Legislative Session, with a resolution commemorating 75 years of the CLC. Baptist General Convention of Texas President Ronny Marriott opened the day’s session with prayer. Later, Senator Bob Hall (R-Edgewood)—who has been a close ally in the CLC’s efforts to illuminate the illegal expansion of gambling in Texas, left unchecked by the Texas Lottery Commission—submitted and read the resolution, Senate Resolution 197. The approximately 100 Advocacy Day participants watching in the third-floor gallery then were asked to stand to be recognized.
Students at Houston Christian University participated in the university’s spring Ignite Spiritual Emphasis Week with the theme “The Marks of a True Disciple.” Afshin Ziafat, lead pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, preached four messages from 1 Thessalonians to invite students to explore all the dimensions of walking in true discipleship to Jesus. HCU alumna Sarah John and the worship team for The Gathering at Tallowood Baptist Church led worship for the services. In Ziafat’s first message, “Grounded in the Gospel,” he shared his own story of how God brought him to faith in Christ out of his Muslim background. He challenged students to see that the gospel is fuel for all of discipleship and missions. True faith will evidence itself by following Jesus, he said. During the week, Ziafat also spoke about practicing spiritual disciplines in light of the gospel, how to fight against sin and endure suffering through community in the church and how God has a place for every believer in his global purposes. At the conclusion of each service, several students put their trust in Christ for the first time and dozens indicated a desire to surrender their lives more fully to God.
Howard Payne University recently formed Gold and Blue Partnership programs with Carroll Independent School District in Southlake and Santa Fe Christian School in Santa Fe, N.M. The partnerships will provide automatic acceptance for students from each school who graduate within the top 50 percent of their respective classes and have a 3.5 GPA. The Gold and Blue Partnership Scholarship, valued at $60,000 over eight semesters, also will be provided to graduates in the top 50 percent of their classes from each school. All Carroll ISD and Santa Fe Christian School students will be offered free application to HPU. Additionally, students whose academics meet other merit scholarship levels will be afforded those opportunities. HPU will provide ongoing support to students through financial aid, admissions, degree counseling, work-study mentorships and peer mentoring. Cory Hines, HPU president, and Jeremy Glenn, CISD superintendent, signed the memorandum of understanding to formalize the CISD partnership. Hines and Principal Tiffany Torres signed the agreement for Santa Fe Christian School.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced an anonymous $1 million gift has been added to the Loye White Bray Endowed Scholarship. Since its establishment in 2014, the scholarship has provided full tuition for two UMHB nursing students each year. This gift will provide another full tuition scholarship annually. Graduates of UMHB’s Scott & White School of Nursing program score consistently higher pass rates on the licensing exam than the state and national averages. The mission of the Scott & White School of Nursing is to prepare excellent professional nurses who contribute to the health and welfare of individuals, families and communities in diverse health care environments.
The East Texas Baptist University Hilltop Singers were invited to perform a showcase concert at the Texas Music Educators Association annual conference, Feb. 12-15, in San Antonio. The 11-voice ensemble, which serves as the outreach arm of ETBU’s choral music program, was selected through a competitive application process reviewed by TMEA leadership. In addition to their performance, the students engaged in workshops, attended concerts and interacted with more than 25,000 music educators and All-State student performers from Texas and beyond. The TMEA annual conference is one of the largest music education events in the world, drawing educators, performers and students to celebrate musical achievement and collaboration.
Charles Baylis, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of Baylor University’s Spectrum Management with Adaptive and Reconfigurable Technology Hub, testified recently before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, in a full committee hearing titled America Offline? How Spectrum Auction Delays Give China the Edge and Cost U.S. Jobs. Baylis, an expert in wireless communication, leads SMART Hub’s research and technology development efforts. SMART Hub, launched in 2024 through a $5 million congressional appropriation, is a Department of Defense Spectrum Innovation Center to conduct multifaceted spectrum research to meet national defense needs. Housed at Baylor University, SMART Hub is comprised of 25 multidisciplinary researchers across 15 institutions. “It was truly an honor to have a seat at the table before leaders and policymakers, and to share the work we have been blessed by God to do at Baylor University,” said Baylis, who directs SMART Hub from his laboratory in the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative.
Wayland Baptist University students Alice Conely and Dylan Dodd earned first-place awards at the annual Texas Academy of Science meeting. Conely won first place for her oral presentation in STEM Education, while Dodd secured first place in the Cell and Molecular Biology section. The two were among four Wayland students who presented research across five sections at the meeting held Feb. 27 through March 1 at McLennan Community College and Baylor University in Waco. Eleven Wayland students and five faculty members attended the meeting. The Texas Academy of Science annual meeting showcases undergraduate and graduate STEM research, with presentations judged by faculty and industry experts. Wayland students Haley Fossett and Jaitlynn Sherman also presented research.
The Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching announced registration is now open for this year’s African American Preaching Conference, scheduled Sept. 23-25 in Waco. Early bird special registration at a discounted rate of $69 runs until March 31. Register here.
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