East Texas Baptist University has partnered with Marshall Independent School District to create the Mav PATH Program. The agreement, signed Feb. 28, will give selected paraprofessionals the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in elementary education. Marshall ISD will identify 15 paraprofessionals who have served within the district at least one year to enroll in the program and will pay each student’s tuition and course fees. The pathway allows paraprofessionals in the district the opportunity to acquire job-embedded experience as a classroom teacher while completing college credits through ETBU to obtain a college degree with teacher certification. “The most exciting part of MAV Path is the multi-dimensional impact of this educational opportunity for children, teachers, schools and communities, not to mention the impact on the livelihood of these graduates for years to come,” said Tommy Sanders, vice president and provost at ETBU. “This program is a family and community systems changer.”

Hardin-Simmons University’s Cowboy Band marks its centennial anniversary April 28-30. Events include a reunion banquet, a panoramic photo of returning band alumni, a concert at Paramount Theatre and a worship service at Logsdon Chapel, along with other meal functions and informal gatherings. Cost is $50 per person, which includes the cost of breakfast at the band hall, the Cowboy Band celebration dinner at the Motis Building and a commemorative T-shirt. The registration deadline is April 14. To register, click here.

“Mercy triumphs over judgement,” Katie Frugé, director of Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission, told students, faculty and staff during a March 8 chapel address at Wayland Baptist University. Using John 8:3-11 as her Scripture text, Frugé—who also directs Texas Baptists’ Center for Cultural Engagement—told listeners, “Mercy has the ability to cut into the human heart and transform it.”

The Texas Baptist Women in Ministry board named Jill Hudson as the organization’s new coordinator, effective April 3. She is a 2005 graduate of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary and also holds a master’s degree in education and educational psychology from Baylor. She was ordained by Crosscreek Baptist Church in Pelham, Ala. She and her husband Brandon, pastor of First Baptist Church in Abilene, have two children.

 Jennifer Eames, founding director of the physician assistant program at Hardin-Simmons University, was named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. The distinction is earned by less than 2 percent of the academy’s membership. Eames has led multiple global medical mission trips with students, serving most recently in Kenya. She is an elected board member of the Physician Assistant Education Association and a past president of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.

Retirement

Gary Morgan as pastor of The Cowboy Church of Ellis County in Waxahachie, where he has served since May 2001, and after 34 years in the gospel ministry. His retirement party is scheduled at 5 p.m. on April 2 in the church’s worship building.

Buckner Children and Family Services marked the opening of its Buckner Family Hope Center in Midland with a Feb. 28 ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception. The Family Hope Center offers classes and services to strengthen families in the Permian Basin region. Midland Mayor Lori Blong presented a proclamation declaring Feb. 28 as Buckner Family Hope Center in Midland Day. “Buckner builds families, and families are where we believe children belong and where God intended them to be,” Buckner Children and Family Services President Henry Jackson said. “The Family Hope Center works on three levels—engage, equip and elevate. The result is that we are teaching parents to break generational cycles of poverty and neglect. Our model emphasizes building sustainability for our families to move them from dependence to independence.”

East Texas Baptist University hosted a Feb. 18 Congreso Experience in partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The event included a worship rally featuring a sermon by Sergio Ramos, president of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas. “Texas Baptists’ Congreso collaborates with universities like East Texas Baptist University to reach the next generation for Christ by equipping them with tools and resources to share the gospel,” said David Gonzalez, Congreso coordinator for Texas Baptists. “Students are able to get a taste of what the main Congreso event has to offer by attending this free one-day event.” Each year, Texas Baptists host the three-day Congreso conference for Hispanic youth and young adults. “ETBU is always excited to partner with Congreso in advancing the kingdom,” said Jeremy Johnson, vice president for enrollment. “The Congreso Experience provides an opportunity to live our mission of shaping Christ-centered servant leaders.”

Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone will be the next chair of the American Council on Education board of directors. Her term will begin April 2, after the council’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. She succeeds Michael Rao, president of Virginia Commonwealth University, and will serve until September 2024. Livingstone currently serves as vice-chair.  “It is a privilege to take on this important role at ACE, a dynamic organization which serves the entire diverse landscape of American higher education. I look forward to promoting the generational impacts that our colleges and universities have on so many people, as well as on cities, regions and states across the country,” Livingstone said. ACE is the major coordinating body for the nation’s higher education institutions, with a diverse membership of more than 1,700 colleges and universities, related associations and other organizations in America and abroad.

Nurses holding registered nurse certification soon will be able to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree online from Wayland Baptist University in less than one year. The RN to BSN degree program is one of 26 academic programs recently approved. Based at the university’s San Antonio campus, the Wayland School of Nursing now extends its global reach with this program, which is entirely online.

Dallas Baptist University marked the release of two books by Travis Dickinson, professor of philosophy, during a recent book signing held on campus. Dickinson discussed putting into practice a Christian worldview and finding faith amid doubt, the subjects of Logic and the Way of Jesus and Wandering Toward God.

East Texas Baptist University students participated in three days of worship, prayer and reflection during the annual Spiritual Renewal event, Feb. 20-22. With Ephesians 6:11-12 as the Spiritual Renewal focus and “Stand” as the theme, guest speaker Chad Poe, lead teaching pastor at Grace Bible Church in Lake Jackson, challenged students to cling to Jesus in resisting temptation. Songwriter Jared Wood from Dallas led in worship.

Baylor University dedicated the Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice during a March 3 event honoring the clinic’s namesake, Mary Jo Robbins, and her husband, William K. “Bill” Robbins, of Houston, who made the lead gift in her honor. The new Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice is part of a $2.5 million expansion  of Baylor’s Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic, part of the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. The clinic—located on the second floor of the Cashion Academic Center—will support individuals whose lives have been affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. “We celebrate the continued generosity of Bill and Mary Jo Robbins, and we are grateful for their support in expanding Baylor’s resources for Autism Spectrum Disorders research. This wonderful space will enhance the academic experience for our faculty and students while benefiting the community for generations to come,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone.

Three University of Mary-Hardin Baylor alumni—a surgeon, an attorney and a physical therapist—discussed their career journeys as part of the university’s Vocaré Week. Dr. Zayde Radwan, an orthopedic surgeon in Houston, talked about the daily reminder of his calling written in the back of a Bible he received when he graduated from medical school: “I treated them, but God heals them.” Radwan, a 2009 UMHB graduate, said he prays for his patients every night, and he asks God to guide him as he scrubs in for surgery each morning. Other Vocaré speakers were Kirstie Wallace, an attorney in Dallas, and Dr. Hannah John, who works as a physical therapist in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Dallas. “I feel like God has given me big dreams in this area, and I feel his purpose for me inside it,” John told students. “But my calling is to glorify God, and that is so much bigger than my job.” UMHB launched the Vocaré: Meaningful Life Initiative in 2015 to help students explore and find their calling and purpose in life using their unique gifts, talents and abilities. The vision of Vocaré is to enable students to live meaningful lives that fulfill God’s will and contribute to the common good, which Wallace emphasized in her presentation. Finding meaning and purpose is a “lifelong pursuit,” she stressed. “Trust God, yourself, your mentors and your loved ones,” Wallace said. “You’ll find your way, and the journey—no matter how circuitous—is a critical part of the process.”

The School of Music at Baylor University received the largest gift in its 100-year history. Harold W. Dunn of Ballwin, Mo., an alumnus and retired elementary music teacher, gave the entirety of his estate—valued at about $6 million—to support the Baylor School of Music’s Center for Christian Music Studies. In recognition of the gift and in memory of Dunn, who died last December, Baylor announced the naming of the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies. “We are humbled by Harold Dunn’s transformational generosity,” said President Linda Livingstone. “We honor his life of incredible impact, and we celebrate his purposeful planning that inspired him to leave his estate to Baylor to support Christian music education for future generations. This gift leaves an incredible legacy that honors his decades of music teaching and his family’s commitment to Christian education. We are truly grateful for Harold’s generosity, and we are honored to share its impact with our Baylor Family.”

East Texas Baptist University inducted 71 students into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society during a Feb. 21 ceremony. Invitations to join the national honor society are extended only to students who obtain a 3.5 GPA or higher during the first semester of their freshman year. The university has inducted 202 members since the installation of the ETBU chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta in March 2021. “Conventional wisdom and research show that when students start strong in their first semester and year, they are more likely to finish and finish strong,” Provost Tommy Sanderssaid. “ALD celebrates the strong start of our freshmen students.”

Anniversaries

10 years for Wes Terry as lead pastor of Broadview Baptist Church in Abilene.

20 years for Toby Henson as pastor of First Baptist Church in Clyde on March 23.

Baylor University released a detailed rendering of an addition to Founders Mall called the “Monument to the Unknown Enslaved.” The design is inspired by the limestone used on the original Baylor campus in Independence—likely built at least in part by enslaved people. A limestone wall will form the monument’s outer ring, made of stacked stones with intentional voids between, meant to represent both the unknown enslaved and gaps in Baylor’s history. The smaller, inner ring of the monument will feature a ground-level map of eastern Central Texas, with shaded areas on the map indicating the enslaved population density, circa 1860. The amphitheater-style Resonance Garden between Draper Hall and the monument will allow students and other visitors to reflect on the information presented in other areas of the monument through engravings and QR codes. The additions to Founders Mall are being created by the Sasaki architectural firm with input from Baylor’s campus experience project team and student representatives. It grew out of a report and recommendations to Baylor’s board of regents from the Commission on Historic Campus Representation at Baylor.

East Texas Baptist University’s School of Education received full accreditation and commendations from the State Board for Educator Certification, which oversees all aspects of public school educators’ preparation, certification and standards of conduct. ETBU’s School of Education is one of only 75 fully accredited educator preparation programs in Texas. “East Texas Baptist University has long been known for excellence in educator preparation. The results of our accreditation are a reflection of many years of student-centered leadership and our current commitment to maintaining that level of excellence,” Dean Amber Daub said. ETBU received “Rigorous and Robust Preparation” commendation for its first-test pass rate in English Language Arts and Reading on the Accountability System for Educator Preparation annual performance standards. With numerous ETBU alumni employed in rural schools, the School of Education also received the commendation for “Preparing the Educators Texas Needs.”

Collin Baptist Association sold its building to Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen. “We are grateful for the opportunity to purchase this building and use it to further our mission of reaching people with the gospel,” said Scott Sanford, executive pastor of Cottonwood Creek Church. “We look forward to seeing all God does in and through this partnership.” Proceeds from the sale of the property will enhance Collin Baptist Association’s ability to help plant churches, strengthen existing churches and encourage ministers. “We are thrilled to be able to sell our building to Cottonwood Creek Church,” said Matt Henslee, associational missionary. “Their passion for doing whatever it takes to reach people with the gospel and commitment to excellence and glorifying God in all they do makes this a no-brainer. We are confident this building will continue to be a beacon of hope and a center of gospel-centered ministry under their leadership. We are overjoyed that it’ll stay in the family of Collin Baptist Association.” The association will rent office space at 7300 TX-121, Suite 300, McKinney, TX 75070.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced the largest planned gift in the university’s history. The future estate gift from a Central Texas family who wish to remain anonymous will be unrestricted and currently is valued at $50 million. “The magnitude of this planned gift to UMHB is overwhelming. We are grateful to God for how he continues to bless Mary Hardin-Baylor through friends like this family who love the university and believe so passionately in Christian higher education on our campus,” said UMHB President Randy O’Rear. “I’ve never met more humble people, and I thank God for their unbelievable generosity. This family wants to ensure that our university’s future is strong, and this transformational gift will unquestionably impact UMHB students for generations to come.”

The board of governors of B.H. Carroll Theological Institute approved a statement on diversity for the institution, which is slated to be embedded within East Texas Baptist University as B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. In part, the statement declares each human being to be “a unique creation of God regardless of gender, ethnicity, level of wealth, religious creed, nationality, or physical or mental disability.” Since the faculty and staff of the institution do not share “a single, uniform opinion on the role of women” in pastoral ministry, the statement says, “Those differences of understanding the scriptural qualifications for pastor are purposefully excluded as barriers to fellowship with churches of differing perspectives.” The statement says the school “abides solely by the biblical witness with respect to its understandings of human sexuality and marriage as reflections of biblical cosmology and biblical morality, as well as the historic witness of the church faithfully teaching both.” It declares marriage as “a God-ordained institution solely between one man and one woman.” President Gene Wilkes said the statement was necessary to satisfy the requirements of the Association of Theological Schools, the institution’s accrediting body. ATS requires the statement to be readily accessible to students, staff, faculty and members of the general public as part of its standards on institutional integrity. B.H. Carroll’s diversity statement was adopted by the seminary’s academic council after a lengthy drafting and editing process. It then was disseminated to a larger group of faculty, staff and students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and genders for review and comment.

Dallas Baptist University named Jonathan Fechner as executive director of The Institute for Global Engagement. In addition to his administration of the institute’s lecture series and digital resources, Fechner also will assist President Adam C. Wright as the university’s chief of staff. Prior to his new leadership roles at DBU, Fechner served nearly five years as the executive director of BridgeBuilders, where he will continue as president. BridgeBuilders is a nonprofit organization that provides after-school programming, career development and transitional housing for South Dallas. He holds a Master of Arts degree in international studies from DBU and currently is working on his Ph.D. in leadership studies at DBU. He and his wife Casea have one daughter, Collins.

Texas Baptist Men has named David Hardage, who recently retired as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, to lead the missions organization’s efforts to engage churches in TBM ministries. Hardage will help churches across Texas serve through TBM, including disaster relief ministries, water impact efforts, volunteer builder projects and discipleship initiatives. “Dr. Hardage is widely respected for his passion to help congregations take the gospel into their communities, across the state and around the world,” said TBM Executive Director/CEO Mickey Lenamon. “We are blessed to have him and excited about the future as more and more people share God’s love through TBM ministries.” As Texas Baptists’ executive leader, Hardage helped more than 5,000 churches focus on the Great Commandment of loving God and loving others, as well as the Great Commission to share the gospel—guiding principles that shape TBM. “For years, I have supported and encouraged people to get involved in TBM ministries,” Hardage said. “TBM volunteers are the first to meet needs after disasters. They follow God’s calling to give people access to clean drinking water around the world. They share the gospel wherever they are. That’s what Christ calls his followers to be about. I’m excited about joining TBM in their mission to share God’s love.” Hardage was BGCT executive director from 2012 to 2023. Previously, he was director of development for Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, led Waco Regional Baptist Association and served as pastor of several churches in Texas and Oklahoma. Hardage earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kathleen have two grown children.

Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers are serving at several sites in Central Texas after the ice storms that paralyzed the state for several days. On Feb. 6, five chainsaw crews and several large equipment operators were working in Austin, Round Rock, Canyon Lake, Temple and surrounding areas. A shower and laundry unit, a feeding team, assessors and a site coordinator were deployed to Manchaca Baptist Church in Austin to support the chainsaw crews.

The 2023 Martin Luther King Commemorative Council in Lubbock recognized Ray Travenia and his business, R&J Detail Shop, for outstanding longevity and continued service to the community. Travenia is pastor of St. John’s Baptist Church in Littlefield.

Anniversary

100th for First Baptist Church in Santa Rosa on March 19. A catered lunch will follow the 10:30 a.m. worship service. All former pastors, former members and other guests are invited to the homecoming celebration. Reservations are requested. Call the church office at (956) 636-1603, Lowell Bookout at (956) 200-4852 or Marie Bookout at (956) 373-0007.

Retirement

Michael Holster as pastor of Second Baptist Church in Levelland, effective March 31. He completes 20 years at the Levelland church on March 16, and he retires after 40 years in the gospel ministry.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who also served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency, spoke at Dallas Baptist University Jan. 26 as part of the Leadership Lecture Series. The event was sponsored by DBU’s Institute for Global Engagement, in partnership with the World Affairs Council of DFW. Liz Brailsford, president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of DFW, served as moderator for a discussion focused on Pompeo’s new book, Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love.

Todd von Helms, author of Before You Leave: For College, Career and Eternity, will deliver the 2023 Willson Lectures at Wayland Baptist University. The annual lecture series begins at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21 with an invitation-only dinner at the university’s Plainview campus, where von Helms will speak on “Embracing the Gift of Prayer.” It concludes with a chapel lecture at 11 a.m. on Feb. 22, in Harral Memorial Auditorium on “Made for Eternity.” The chapel lecture is open to the public. In addition to the featured addresses, von Helms is scheduled to present lectures to classes in the School of Languages and Literature and School of Christian Studies. He is a Senior Fellow at The King’s College in New York, an adjunct professor and the Presidential Scholar of Christianity and Culture at Dallas Baptist University and a Senior Fellow for the Center for Faith and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.

East Texas Baptist University entered a Christian education partnership agreement with Colegio Bautista de Temuco in Chile. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn and Colegio Bautista de Temuco Rector Juan Luis Salinas Urrutia signed an agreement Jan. 26 providing students from the Latin American school a pathway to pursue an education at ETBU. Founded in 1922, Colegio Bautista de Temuco began with 20 students on a property outside of Temuco, Chile. Today, it serves 1,024 students with 100 teachers and 80 staff.

Houston Christian University—formerly Houston Baptist University—is among the first of eight universities offering mentorship opportunities to students through PartnerUp Houston. Greater Houston Partnership launched the regional initiative in collaboration with Mentor Collective, a national mentorship organization. The program pairs students one-on-one with industry professionals from companies that have agreed to help students achieve their career aspirations. “Our mission at HCU is to instill in our students a passion for academic, spiritual and professional excellence, and our conviction is that interpersonal relationships and mentoring are indispensable to that kind of holistic formation,” President Robert Sloan said.

Anniversary

25 years for Raymond McHenry as pastor of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church in Beaumont on Feb. 12.

Retirement 

Joe Bailey after 20 years as pastor of Speegleville Baptist Church in Waco and 38 years in the gospel ministry, effective Feb. 26.

Buckner International announced two leadership promotions with Buckner Children and Family Services. Effective Jan. 1, Henry Jackson was named president, and Samela Macon was promoted to vice president of operations. Jackson has worked for Buckner since 1989, most recently as senior vice president of Buckner Children and Family Services. His additional roles included area vice president of international operations, administrator, director of residential services and human resources manager. Prior to Buckner, he was a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears in the National Football League. He earned an undergraduate degree from Angelo State University and a Master of Science degree from Amberton University. He is a licensed child care administrator and an ordained minister. Macon has about 25 years of child welfare experience, including 21 years with Buckner. Her most recent role was vice president of domestic programs and support services for Buckner Children and Family Services. She also served as foster home developer, foster home development supervisor, and program director of foster care and adoption. She earned her undergraduate degree from Lamar University and a Master of Science in leadership and human resource development from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Macon is a licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator, and she received the Buckner Leadership Award in 2014.

Within 24 hours after an outbreak of tornadoes in the Houston area and Southeast Texas, two Texas Baptist Men disaster relief crews already were serving, and multiple assessors were working throughout the region. A regional chainsaw team was removing limbs and fallen trees from structures in the Orange area. A box unit was distributing containers to help homeowners in Deer Park gather and contain their possessions. TBM anticipated deploying additional crews to the area.

In partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, two Texas Baptist universities are hosting Congreso Experiences in early February. An event is scheduled Feb. 4 at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview and Feb. 18 at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall. Specifically designed for Hispanic students grade six and older, the Congreso Experience will encourage students to live out the call of God in and through their lives now and in the future. Activities include workshops, group activities and worship. There is no cost to participate. To learn more and register, click here.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor entered a partnership with the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University. The collaborative initiative allows medical students to earn a Master of Public Health degree from UMHB while completing their Doctor of Medicine degree requirements at TCU’s medical school. “We could not be more excited about partnering with the Burnett School of Medicine to assist in training future physicians who value a preventative, proactive approach to medicine necessary in a world plagued by chronic disease,” said Ariane Secrest, director of the UMHB public health program. UMHB’s Master of Public Health degree is a 42-credit hour program.

Students from Baptist University of the Américas, Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, Hardin-Simmons University, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Wayland Baptist University, Stark College and Seminary, and the Baptist Studies Center at Abilene Christian University participated in a Young Maston Scholar retreat sponsored by the T.B. Maston Foundation for Christian Ethics. M. Daniel Carroll (Rodas) from Wheaton University and Graduate School led the students in examining what the Bible says about immigration. Students learned about ministries of San Antonio Mennonite Church to immigrants and refugees, and they talked with Jesús Romero about Fellowship Southwest’s Educational and Legal Immigration Ministries program. Lorenzo Ortiz, director of El Buen Samaritano Migrante, told students about ministry to migrants, and the Young Maston Scholars helped sort supplies for the ministry. They also served dinner to homeless individuals at Communities Under the Bridge in San Antonio.

David Hardage, who retired recently after 11 years as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, received the Pro Ecclesia Medal of Service from Baylor University. Baylor presents the award annually to individuals who have made an immeasurable impact through their broad contributions to Christian ministry. Before he was BGCT executive director, he was director of Waco Baptist Regional Association, director of development for Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary, and pastor of several churches in Texas and Oklahoma. Alan and Vicki Keister of Amarillo received the Pro Texana Medal of Service from Baylor, which recognizes individuals whose contributions in the public or nonprofit sector further Baylor’s mission. He is an internal medicine physician with Amarillo Medical Services, and she worked as a physical therapist before taking a leave from practice to focus on raising the couple’s four daughters. His volunteer service in providing free health screenings at Amarillo schools made community leaders more aware of the lack of health care in the area. That led to creation of the Heal the City free clinic.

Dallas Baptist University students volunteered at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas for a Day of Service on Jan. 16 to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteer coordinator Barbara Biddle and Pastor Chris Simmonsdirected the service project, as students sorted and organized items for the church pantry and served lunch to the community. Following the Day of Service, students, staff and faculty participated in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk and prayer service on the DBU campus. Pastor Bertrain Bailey of St. John Baptist Church in Dallas recited King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The East Texas Baptist University athletic department received a community service award from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators. ETBU was named the One-Time Project award winner for a clean-up effort in the Gilmer area after a spring 2022 tornado. The service project involved the ETBU football team, as well as the men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and tennis teams. “For our student-athletes to sacrifice their time and energy to serve and love others during a difficult time is exactly what Tiger Athletics is about,” said Ryan Erwin, vice president for student engagement and athletics. “ETBU continually strives for excellence within all of our programs and this award highlights that commitment from our coaches and student-athletes, while highlighting our Christ-centered program in the community.” The national association will make a $1,000 contribution to the general scholarship fund at ETBU.

The Program for the Future Church at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary awarded subgrants to three projects designed to engage and empower the future church. The subgrants are made possible by a major grant to Baylor from the Lilly Endowment. “The landscape that surrounds ministry and theological education is changing rapidly,” said Dustin Benac, director of the Program for the Future Church. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support three catalytic projects that are helping us imagine and resource a hopeful future for the church.” Stephanie Boddie from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work and Truett Seminary and Kevin Magill with the School of Education received a grant to redesign and redefine the “Education from a Gardener’s Perspective” course at Truett Seminary. John White and Brian Gamel with the Faith and Sports Institute at Truett Seminary, along with Andrea Ettekal at Texas A&M University, received a grant for a project on “Measuring Love as a Virtue in Adolescent Christian Athletes.” David Wilhite of Truett Seminary received a grant for his project on “Re-imagining Diversity and Belonging in Christian Communities.”

Ordinations

Ken Ferguson, Blayne Alaniz, Josh LaMotte, Luther Frobish, Matt Meece, Charlie Moehlenbrock, Danny Webband Michael Jereb as deacons at First Baptist Church in Belton.

Retirement

Benny Mayo after 63 years in a variety of ministry roles. He served most recently as minister to senior adults at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill.

East Texas Baptist University’s Tiger softball team traveled to Australia in December for the university’s 14th Tiger Athletic Mission Experience trip. Led by Lisa Seeley, director of global education and Great Commission Center, Vice President for Athletics Ryan Erwin and Head Softball Coach Janae Shirley, 41 athletes and staff partnered with the International Sports Federation. The team participated in a 23-and-under tournament in Adelaide hosted by Softball Australia, finishing the tournament with six wins. Players also led a softball clinic at Hills Christian Church and Community School, where they taught softball skills and shared their faith with more than 30 children. The ETBU group also partnered with Mission Australia and SecondBites, a Christian ministry in Sydney that seeks to minimize food waste and provide groceries to alleviate hunger and food insecurity. The team packed more than 950 meal bags for the Christmas holiday weekend. The team also served in Sydney at the Living Hope Church at Camperdown. Half of the student athletes helped wrap Christmas gifts for church members, while the others canvassed neighborhoods, inviting people to the church’s food pantry and other outreach activities. Since 2016, ETBU has sponsored Tiger Athletic Mission Experience trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Serbia, Israel, Jamaica, Slovakia, France, Japan, Greece and Scotland.

The National Association of Social Work posthumously awarded its Pioneer Award to Diana R. Garland, founding dean of the School of Social Work at Baylor University that now bears her name. Although the award initially was announced in 2021, the ceremony was postponed until last October due to the COVID pandemic. Laine Scales, who chaired the committee from the Garland School of Social Work who submitted Garland’s nomination for the award, accepted the award on behalf of the school. “Dean Garland was exactly the kind of social worker the NASW Foundation seeks to honor,” Scales said. “She was a true pioneer in social work, particularly in the area of church social work, and when we first learned of the award, we knew she would be an excellent candidate.”

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will speak at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Dallas Baptist University at an event sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and DBU’s Institute for Global Engagement. Pompeo will deliver the lecture in the Hillcrest Great Hall of the John G. Mahler Student Center. Ticketed attendees will receive a copy of Pompeo’s most recent book, Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love. Before he became secretary of state in 2018, Pompeo was director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Previously, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the founder of Thayer Aerospace, where he served as CEO more than a decade. He later became president of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment manufacturing, distribution and service company. For more information on this special evening event and to purchase tickets, click here.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s College of Visual and Performing Arts has several events planned throughout January. The art department is showcasing the Deb Barnes memorial art exhibit Monday through Friday through Feb. 9, with a reception and gallery talk at the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts at 5 p.m. on Jan. 12. The music department will host the Meehan/Perkins Percussion Duo for a guest artist concert at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the Sue and Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center. Tickets are required for the show and are available at the box office. Call (254) 295-5999 for information.

Hardin-Simmons University named Bob Brooks as senior development officer. Brooks most recently was director of choral activities and ensemble arts in the College of Fine Arts at Dallas Baptist University. Brooks was founding dean of the Graduate School of Ministry at DBU. He previously served as dean of the College of Fine Arts at HSU from 2011 to 2013, and he was an assistant professor of church music at HSU from 1998 to 2001.

Dallas Baptist University named Sue Kavil as 2022 Piper Outstanding Professor of the Year. The university presents the award to a professor who displays the mind of a scholar and the heart of a servant, both inside and outside the classroom. Kavil teaches doctoral-level research and leadership classes and serves as associate dean and director of research in DBU’s Cook Graduate School of Leadership. She and her husband Steve served previously as Southern Baptist missionaries in Thailand. In addition to working with a women’s prison ministry, she helped develop Thai Country Trim, a business that enables Thai women to help provide income for their families by selling handcrafted ornaments to suppliers overseas. The Kavils are members of Matthew Road Baptist Church in Grand Prairie and volunteer with Mission Arlington.

Baylor University named Daniel J. Pack as dean of its School of Engineering and Computer Science, effective June 1. Since 2015, Pack has served as dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and he is a 2005 Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year. Previously, he was professor and the Mary Lou Clarke Endowed Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio and of electrical and computer engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Pack received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, a Master of Science degree in engineering sciences from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He also spent a year as a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Lincoln Laboratory.

At its winter commencement, Dallas Baptist University awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Shirley V. Hoogstra, president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. Hoogstra has served in that role since 2014. The organization represents more than 185 colleges and associations around the world that share four common distinctives—faculty and staff who integrate their Christian faith into all classes; rigorous intellectual engagement; Christian formation of students; and a commitment to global service. During her tenure as CCCU president, Hoogstra has led initiatives in developing an online course-sharing consortium and has focused on expanding ethnic diversity, accessibility and inclusion on Christian campuses. She serves on the steering committee for the Washington Higher Ed Secretariat, is a leader for the Evangelical Immigration Table, and serves on the boards of the American Council on Education, the National Association of Evangelicals and Trinity Forum.

After more than 72 years of broadcasting to the greater Plainview area, Wayland Baptist University’s radio station—KWLD, 91.5 FM—has gone global with Christian music, Wayland sports and other programing. The radio station is now available on the RadioFX college radio app. KWLD now can reach more then 60,000 alumni and friends of Wayland, plus attract new listeners. Licensed in 1948, Wayland began broadcasting as KHBL in 1950. The station later switched call letters to KWLD.

First Baptist Church in Crowley will host the Waypoint Conference, Feb. 3-5. The conference is designed to help churches navigate current cultural issues. The program features Todd Pylant, pastor of First Baptist Church in Benbook; Katie Frugé, director of Texas Baptists’ Center for Cultural Engagement and Christian Life Commission; Katie McCoy, director of women’s ministry with Texas Baptists; Jonathan Smith, director of church health strategy for Texas Baptists; Tom Howe, director of church starting for Texas Baptists; David Hardage, recently retired executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas; and Matt Queen, evangelism professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information, click here.

Christian James Vaughn is the first Wayland Baptist University student to graduate with the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree. He graduated with a dual degree—a Bachelor of Christian Ministry and a Master of Divinity. Vaughn, who is married and has a small child, completed the five-year accelerated program in four and a half years while also serving as the youth and university pastor at First Baptist Church in Plainview and playing football for the Wayland Pioneers. He finished the program early because Wayland accepted dual-credit courses he took while in high school in Houston. The accelerated program is “a win-win for the school and the student,” said Stephen Stookey, dean of Wayland’s School of Christian Ministries. “The accelerated bachelor’s degree allows the student to proceed from one degree to the next seamlessly and allows them to be efficient with their hours and efficient with their money. It doesn’t compromise the degree at all, because it is the full 72-hour Master of Divinity degree. It just allows us to not duplicate courses along the way,” Stookey said. Students working on a bachelor’s degree earn graduate-level credit for their junior- and senior-level courses, he explained. “These courses transfer directly into the master’s program, shortening the length of time needed to complete the degree. The program allows students the opportunity to trim up to two years off the traditional seven-year college and seminary path,” Stookey said. He also noted the accelerated timeline allows students to save on tuition while offering mentored ministry experiences that enhance classroom learning.

Baylor University senior Lauren Jarvis from Boerne was selected as one of only 40 students nationwide—and one of only two students from Texas universities—to receive the 2023 Marshall Scholarship. Evaluated on academic merit, leadership and ambassadorial potential, Marshall Scholarship recipients can pursue graduate study for up to three years at a university of their choice in the United Kingdom. Jarvis will pursue a Master of Science degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in political thought at the University of Exeter. She wants to position herself for a life of public service leadership on issues of human flourishing, humanitarian aid and the plight of refugees. Jarvis is Baylor’s sixth Marshall Scholar and third since 2015. She is a University Scholar in Baylor’s Honors College and a member of the Model UN team. She completed internships at the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Information Center, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Leah Heather Akridge of Lufkin received the President’s Award from East Texas Baptist University at fall commencement. The President’s Award is presented to the graduating ETBU student who is considered the best representation of a Christian leader, scholar and servant. Akridge, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education, was a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and previously was recognized by the American Southwest Conference as a Community Service Athlete of the Year. She served as a Thrive mentor for underclassmen and as a Bible study leader at Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall. Dawn Buckingham, recently elected Texas Land Commissioner and a state senator the past six years, delivered the keynote address at commencement. ETBU conferred 116 undergraduate degrees and 46 graduate degrees.

ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presented an honorary doctorate to Harold (Hal) Lee Cornish, a supporter of ETBU more than 30 years and former chair of the board of trustees. Gifts from Cornish and his wife Joyce have helped to fund student scholarships, the Ornelas Student Center, the Marshall Grand/School of Nursing, the Great Commission Center and ETBU Tiger Athletics. Cornish Soccer Field is named in their honor.

Anniversary

20th for Joe Bailey as pastor of Speegleville Baptist Church in Waco.