Baylor University and Texas Baptists representatives held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Baptist Student Ministry building that will be built on the corner of South Fourth Street and Daughtrey Avenue in Waco. “[The new building is] going to benefit our students, contribute to their spiritual growth and prepare them to be effective Christ-followers while they’re at Baylor and then long beyond that as they go out into the world,” said Baylor President Linda Livingstone.

Fellowship Southwest, a regional ministry launched by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in 2017, has rebranded as FaithWorks to reflect its expanded scope both geographically and denominationally. The organization, incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 2021, takes its new name from James 2:14. The name FaithWorks, leaders said, removes any geographical constraint and clarifies they are action-oriented and faith-based.

Dallas Baptist University will host its second Global Religious Freedom Gathering Oct. 20 and 21. Pastors from Texas and advocacy experts from around the world will share their motivation as Christians to advocate for people around the world. Representatives of persecuted Christians from Turkey, Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan will provide insight on suffering taking place due to religious beliefs.

Houston Christian University board of trustees voted Sept. 16 to approve the repurchase of University Place, a residential complex adjacent to its main campus. The repurchase is set to take effect in or about July 2026, under the terms of a right of repurchase agreement with Memorial Hermann Health System.

A reception at Wayland Baptist University for painter Zhuocai Ouyang, celebrating the opening of Tranquility and Being as the newest exhibit at Abraham Art Gallery, is set for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4. The reception will be held in the gallery with refreshments served in the atrium. The exhibit includes his original paintings and will be open to the public through Dec. 5. The gallery is located on the lower level of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Learning Resources Center on Wayland’s Plainview campus.

Howard Payne University will host the inaugural James Shields Speaker Series in spiritual formation on Oct. 21 and 22. This series, named for the former professor of Christian Studies, will be centered on the theme of spiritual formation. The lectures will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center and Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. during HPU’s chapel service in Mims Auditorium.

The Texas Tech Baptist Student Ministry will celebrate 100 years of ministering to Texas Tech on Oct. 3 and 4 in Lubbock. Texas Tech University first opened its doors to students in October 1925 with an enrollment of just over 1,000 students. Texas Tech BSM was organized that same month and has been a vital student ministry ever since. It is the oldest continuous religious student organization on the Texas Tech campus. The anniversary celebration will include a Friday night fellowship and a luncheon program on Saturday.

Wayland Baptist University has been selected to be featured in an upcoming episode of Empowered, hosted by Meg Ryan, a nationally broadcast Public Television program that showcases institutions and individuals blending relevant academics with value-driven learning. A production crew will be on campus Wednesday, Oct. 8, to film major portions of the show. The feature will highlight Wayland’s approach to education—integrating relevant academics with Christian values, guiding students toward lives of purpose and service and fostering a sense of community that sets it apart from secular universities.

Hendrick Hospice Care, a service of Hendrick Health, offers two bereavement programs in Abilene, serving children and teens grieving from the death of a loved one. The weeklong summer camp, Camp Courage, gives kids a chance to grieve through activities such as yoga, breathing exercises, outdoor carnival games and a visit to the Abilene Zoo. Club Courage, the precursor to the summer camp program, is a support group offered twice a year for children and teens. Volunteers are trained to lead children in small groups based on age and to engage them in exercises, grief education and ways to express themselves. The group meets one evening a week for six weeks.

Howard Payne University celebrated 135 years of the student experience in recognition of the first day of classes held in Brownwood Sept. 16, 1890. The morning began with 135 minutes of prayer from 7:45 a.m. to 10 a.m., which led into a chapel service for Encounter Week. Alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends were invited to utilize a prayer guide during that time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past, pray for the current student body and administration, and look to the future of what God will do.

Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary announced an all-time enrollment record for the fall 2025 with 476 students enrolled in for-credit, graduate-level classes at the school. It represents an increase of more than 18 percent over last year, which underscores a sustained four-year trend of fall-to-fall enrollment growth. According to statistical data provided by Truett’s Office of Student Services, Truett Seminary enrolled 117 students in the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program this term. Truett Seminary also reported an 11 percent increase in Master of Divinity (MDiv) enrollment as compared to last year. Todd Still, dean of Truett Seminary, said that Truett Seminary is “committed to theological education for the long haul.”

“Truett Seminary is committed to theological education for the long haul, both ‘in season and out of season. Yet, we are thrilled regarding the record-shattering enrollments, both in the entering class as well as in overall headcount, we are enjoying this fall. This continues an upward enrollment trend for Truett and is attributable to any number of factors, including the good work and good will of so many. We are grateful for the strategic opportunity and sacred stewardship of preparing in increasing numbers God-called men and women for gospel ministry in and alongside Christ’s Church by the power of the Holy Spirit,” Still added.

Houston Christian University announced record-breaking enrollment for the fall 2025 semester, with 954 freshmen, up from 701 in fall 2024 and a 6 percent increase in new transfer students. New data from the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities confirmed “30 evangelical colleges and universities showed significant year-over-year enrollment increases in 2024.”

Preacher and retired seminary professor Joel Gregory will be the featured speaker at Parakaleo Leadership and Calling Conference at Wayland Baptist University Monday, Sept. 29. Breakout sessions will address student ministry, evangelism, discipleship, technology in worship and caring for those facing difficult issues. A special track will guide high school and college students exploring a call to ministry. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the conference runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wayland’s Plainview campus. The $20 registration includes lunch from Weekends BBQ. Scholarships are available and admission is free for students.

Houston Christian University students Logan Henderson and Lyssa Ann Buerano were awarded national Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society scholarships. Delta Mu Delta scholarships are highly competitive with only around 50 awarded nationally each year based on academic excellence, character, leadership, and the quality of the application.

Howard Payne University will celebrate seven individuals for their accomplishments and service during Homecoming, Oct. 10-11. The honorees for 2025 are Trey Oakley, distinguished alumnus; Marshal McIntosh, outstanding young graduate; Donnie Auvenshine, medal of service; Tim Whetstone, grand marshal; Joanne (Cunningham) Crawford, coming home queen; Salome Guzman, José Rivas distinguished service award; and Candy Smith, JAM faithful servant award.

Hendrick Medical Center rededicated its Millard Jenkens Chapel on Sept. 15. Jenkens had the vision of what a mission-driven healthcare institution could be. The chapel’s four art glass windows were a gift from First Baptist Church of Abilene, where Jenkens served as pastor. The rededication included a new plaque outside the chapel.

Hardin-Simmons University invites the community to experience Legacy of the West, a new exhibition at the Ira M. Taylor Memorial Gallery that celebrates the enduring spirit of the American frontier. The exhibition is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 9. Timed with HSU’s annual Homecoming, the exhibition brings together six Texas artists—Jack Moss, David Godfrey, Matt Rush, Gary Ward, Bob Penny and Charlie Bullock—whose paintings, drawings and bronze sculptures pay tribute to the grit, grace and grandeur of Western life.

Wayland Baptist University student Joslyn Salazar of Lubbock recently was recognized as a recipient of a $4,000 scholarship from the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, South Plains Chapter. Salazar, an accounting major, was honored during the chapter’s Sept. 16 meeting held at the Texas Tech University McKenzie Merket Alumni Center in Lubbock.

Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen framed remote home builds in their parking lot for transportation to families in the Rio Grande Valley Saturday, Sept. 20. The home build is a part of Buckner’s Healthy Housing Program. Church members built a four-bed, two-bath home for a family of seven, and a three-bed, one-bath home for a family of four.

Representatives of Corteva AgriScience joined Wayland Baptist University students, faculty, staff and administrators Aug. 5 to dedicate a new recycled-material bench on the north side of the Mabee Laboratory Sciences Building. The bench was made possible through Corteva’s donation of plastic lids collected by employees at the Plainview facility, along with financial support to cover transportation and production costs. The project reflects a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility between the university and Corteva.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announced a $1 million gift to establish the Marek-Smith Special Education Endowed Scholarship by donors who wish to remain anonymous. The scholarship will support UMHB Bachelor of Science in Education students seeking special education certification. The university opened the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation in spring 2024. This state-of-the-art facility houses innovative classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology, resources, equipment and tools for training special education teachers.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, UMHB is hosting the 10th annual Latino Fest on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus. The Fiesta en la Calle event is hosted by UMHB Kingdom Diversity and Hispanic Student Association.

Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas has partnered with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Baptist Student Ministry to host Career Coaching, an annual event where Park Cities members offer career guidance to students in both a classroom setting and one-on-one meetings. Some one-on-one sessions have resulted in mentorship after the students graduated. The Park Cities team will be on-campus for career coaching on Nov. 11-14.

Howard Payne University is pleased to announce the creation of the Center for Faculty and Student Research. This new center embodies HPU’s mission to equip the whole person for intellectual inquiry, integrity and service to God and humanity. Dennis Gibson, director of research and associate professor of chemistry, will oversee this new initiative. The Center for Faculty and Student Research is designed to elevate the student educational experience by cultivating a vibrant culture of critical thinking and innovation.

Hardin-Simmons University and Baylor University were recognized among the nation’s top academic institutions, earning a spot on The Princeton Review’s list of “Best Colleges: Region by Region” for 2026. They were among only 41 colleges in the Southwest—spanning Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas—to earn this distinction. In total, The Princeton Review recognized 631 colleges across seven zones (Northeast, South, Southwest, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, West and International), representing about 26 percent of America’s four-year institutions.

Howard Payne University announced the creation of the Center for Faculty and Student Research. The new center embodies HPU’s mission to equip the whole person for intellectual inquiry, integrity and service to God and humanity. Dennis Gibson, director of research and associate professor of chemistry, will oversee this new initiative. The Center for Faculty and Student Research is designed to elevate the student educational experience by cultivating a vibrant culture of critical thinking and innovation.

Delesa Franklin, School of Education online department chairperson and assistant professor in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Houston Christian University, has been honored with the Houston Texans’ BOLD Award—recognizing her as a Bold Outstanding Leader and Doer in the Greater Houston Community. As part of her selection, Franklin and four fellow award recipients will have a chance to direct a $5,000 donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

Christina Sandlin, senior business administration major at Wayland Baptist University, has been named the first intern at Western Bank’s new Plainview location. WBU and Western Bank have partnered to create new opportunities for students. Frances Barerra, president of Western Bank in Plainview, serves on Wayland’s Board of Trustees and the financial institution has many ties to the university.

Houston Christian University Master of Fine Arts students, Julia Marcucci-Wood and Chloe Hudspeth, were selected to showcase their work in Future Forward, a prestigious juried exhibition spotlighting emerging artists from across Texas. Selected through a competitive statewide open call, the HCU art students were among 15 emerging undergraduate and graduate artists recognized for their innovative exploration of material, identity and narrative, working across a diverse range of disciplines including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and textiles.

Skye Perryman is the 2026 award recipient for the T.B. Maston Foundation. Presented every two years, the award honors individuals or groups demonstrating leadership in Christian ethical practice. The Foundation recognizes Perryman for her work as president and CEO of Democracy Forward, a national legal organization advancing democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, education, and regulatory engagement. The Foundation promotes the life and ethical teachings of Jesus Christ as exemplified by Maston. The award will be presented at the T.B. Maston Foundation Awards Dinner, scheduled Feb. 26 at First Baptist Church of Arlington.

Texas Baptists’ Memorials Committee creates a video each year for the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting to honor recently deceased Texas Baptists. The committee has asked Texas Baptists to submit names and photos for consideration. Friday, Sept. 26 is the last day to submit an entry.

Abraham Art Gallery on Wayland Baptist University’s Plainview campus opens the 2025-2026 season with Something Like a Hello: Celebrating the Picture Book Art of Loren Long. The exhibit from the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature features 83 original acrylic paintings and colored pencil and graphite sketches is open through Sept. 27. Located on the Atrium level of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Learning Resources Center, the Abraham Art Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday; and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday.

Lauren Daigle’s Sept. 12 concert at Baylor University’s Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion is officially sold out at Waco’s new premier concert venue. On the heels of her latest single, “Let It Be a Hallelujah,” Daigle will take to the stage at Foster Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, as the headline event for Family Weekend. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

As part of Dallas Baptist University’s annual Student Welcome and Transition (SWAT) week, the newest class of Patriots stepped beyond University Hill and into the Dallas-Fort Worth community for a day of service. On Aug. 22, 700 new Patriots, joined by upperclassmen leaders, partnered with local ministries and organizations across the Metroplex. From painting and yard work to sorting donations and offering a listening ear, students worked together to meet practical needs while reflecting Christ’s love in action. Service sites included Beautiful Feet Ministries, Mid-Cities Women’s Clinic, Mission Arlington and Soaring Eagle.

Linda Livingstone, Baylor president, will preach for Church Under the Bridges’ 33rd anniversary service on Sunday, Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m., under the Interstate 35/South 4th Street underpass. Guests are requested to park nearby in Baylor’s Hurd Center. Shuttle available to the bridge if needed. There will be a meal served for everyone after the service.

Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing student Valerie Moon participated in the “Mercy Ships: inaugural cohort of its mission-driven internship program in July and August. Mercy Ships, a global nonprofit organization, delivers healthcare to communities in medical deserts by operating volunteer-staffed hospital ships that provide free, life-changing surgeries and medical care.

Howard Payne University will host Homeschool Day on Wednesday, Sept.10. The preview day is open to homeschool students and their families for an opportunity to visit campus and learn more about the HPU student experience. Check-in on Sept. 10 will be held outside of Grace Chapel at 8:45 a.m. The schedule for the day will include a welcome session with the admissions team, an academic panel, an HPU chapel service, a campus tour and lunch in the dining hall. Prospective students are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship on the Home School Day if they bring a friend and apply for enrollment in spring or fall 2026 while on campus.

Houston Christian University held its opening convocation with a record freshman class of 967 students and 18 faculty. Jonathan Lee, senior vocal performance major, led the singing of the processional hymn, and Angel Romero, a new instructor of vocal performance, sang Malotte’s setting of “The Lord’s Prayer.” Robert B. Sloan, HCU president, extended a charge to the university from Romans 12 to live transformed lives of worship through transformed thinking as they come to share in the mind of Christ.

Wayland Baptist University hosted The Pastor’s Common “The Art of Preaching Lab” on Aug. 28.  The one-day event was presented by The Pastor’s Common and led by alumnus David Foster, director of the Millennial/Gen Z Network with Texas Baptists’ Center for Ministerial Health. The lab brought together 80 pastors from across West Texas, including the Panhandle, South Plains and Permian Basin for practical training, fellowship and professional encouragement.

The Jesse C. Fletcher Seminary has added new courses for graduate and certificate students. Heidi Baxter will be teaching Interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures at both the graduate and certificate levels. Louwrens Scheepers and Gerda Scheepers will teach the Compassionate Conversations courses. John Arndt will teach Theological Foundations for the Coach Approach, a 9-week certificate course. Classes begin the week of Sept. 15 and registration is now open.

Hardin-Simmons University announced the launch of LiveSent, a new initiative mobilizing students, faculty and staff to serve on mission. The strategic effort is to prepare Christ-centered leaders who are equipped to serve with purpose, compassion and conviction.

Ordination

Abby Villagrana to the gospel ministry at First Baptist Church in Temple on Aug. 17.

Retirement

Lester Griffin as director of missions at Caprock Plains Baptist Association, effective Dec. 31.

When floodwaters surged through Central Texas during the Fourth of July weekend, two nursing students from Wayland Baptist University’s Ben and Bertha Mieth School of Nursing in San Antonio didn’t hesitate to act. Valerie Hedenland and Elizabeth Santos, both enrolled in Wayland’s Licensed Vocational Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, volunteered their time and medical expertise to assist with search and recovery efforts in Leander, one of the hardest-hit areas. The two, both military veterans and close friends, responded through Intrepid Care, a veteran-run nonprofit that mobilized quickly to support first responders on the ground.

Wayland Baptist University students arrived on campus for Koinonia, the university’s four-day welcome celebration held Aug. 15 to 18. Koinonia is a New Testament Greek word meaning fellowship, community, and shared purpose. Designed to help new and returning students connect with each other, faculty and staff, Koinonia blends Wayland traditions with plenty of opportunities for fun.

Buckner International is kicking off a Fall Farm Fest on Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Buckner Family Hope Center at Oak Cliff. The celebration offers a safe way for neighbors to come together and enjoy games, children’s activities, food and raffles. The event will raise awareness about Buckner services as well as community resources for family health and other support services.

Buckner Children and Family Services has announced two promotions and addition its staff. Andi Harrison, who served for 13 years as regional director of foster care for Buckner, was promoted to senior director for domestic foster care and adoption. Monocra Burroughs was named executive director of Buckner Children and Family Services in Houston. Burroughs has served Buckner Children and Family Services in Beaumont more than 26 years as a foster care case manager, foster care and adoption supervisor, program director, and most recently as the interim executive director. Christie Moreno was named executive director of Buckner Children and Family Services in Lubbock. Moreno joins Buckner with mote than15 years of nonprofit experience in ministry, education, children and family services.

Dallas Baptist University baseball accepted an invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference as an affiliate member on July 1, 2026, with the Patriots’ inaugural Pac-12 season set for 2027. In spring 2027, DBU will compete alongside six established programs, a group that includes national champions Oregon State and Fresno State, as well as Washington State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Texas State University.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor celebrated the beginning of the school year and welcomed more than 700 new freshmen to campus during its 180th fall convocation Aug. 13. The student body consists of 2,779 undergraduate and 497 graduate students attending classes at UMHB, for a total fall enrollment of nearly 3,300. This year, UMHB is offering an elementary classroom music class designed specifically for homeschooled first-, second- and third-graders this fall. Beginning Sept. 12, the class will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Each class will include 30 minutes of activities, games, and study aimed at learning basic music concepts. Experienced classroom music teachers will lead the class, and UMHB music education majors will assist in instruction and activities.

Hardin-Simmons University held its fall convocation Aug. 26 where keynote speaker Neal Jeffrey shared words of encouragement. Once an All-American quarterback at Baylor University and an NFL draft pick with the San Diego Chargers, Jeffrey presented his personal story of perseverance and faith. Overcoming a stuttering impediment, he embraced the way God made him and found his calling as a public speaker sharing the gospel.

Anthony King, a professor at Wayland Baptist University, is returning to restart the university’s instrumental music program, stepping back into a position he had to leave in December 2020, when the program was canceled. He first joined Wayland in 2012 as an adjunct instructor and became full-time in 2013 while finishing his doctorate at Texas Tech University. King played with the Disney World Band while earning a five-year Bachelor of Music Education degree from University of Central Florida. He first joined Wayland in 2012 as an adjunct instructor and became full-time in 2013 while finishing his doctorate at Texas Tech.

The Marsh Institute for Chaplains and the Digital Theological Library announced a strategic partnership to translate The Heart of a Chaplain: Exploring Essentials for Ministry, 2nd Edition, into multiple languages. This initiative brings together the Marsh Institute’s experience in chaplaincy formation and DTL’s cutting-edge digital infrastructure, multilingual publishing capacity and global accessibility platforms, according to Jim Browning, director of the Marsh Institute.

Howard Payne University student Bailey Nobles, a sophomore biomedical sciences major, spent two weeks in Hue, Vietnam as part of the FutureDocs Abroad. The FutureDocs Abroad program is an honors program that allows undergraduate students training in medicine before they attend medical school. The purpose of the program is to motivate and direct students who aspire to have careers in the medical field.

Texas Baptists will host a Higher Education Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Churchill Baptist Church in San Antonio. The event is open to middle and high school students, parents and church leaders.  The fair will feature keynote speaker Fabian Ramírez, a national communicator. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with representatives from nine Baptist universities and colleges. The event also will include workshops designed for all three groups. In addition to the informational sessions, the fair will offer giveaways and prizes. Lunch will be provided for the first 200 people who register. For more information and to register, visit educatetexas.org or contact Gabriel Cortés at gabriel.cortes@txb.org or 214-828-5375.

Hardin-Simmons University will host the Fletcher Lecture Series, bringing nationally recognized leaders to the institution to share ideas at the intersection of business, science, faith and public life. Speakers for the fall session will include Jim Mcingvale, owner of Gallery Furniture on Sept. 2; Dowell Stackpole, co-founder of Texas Quantitative and Cyber Forward on Oct. 2; Mayor Jeff Williams of Arlington, president and CEO of Graham Associates on Oct. 7; and Mark Lovvorn, chairman of Providence Bancshares on Oct. 28.

Wayland Baptist University is one of 60 institutions selected for membership in the prestigious FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26. FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, provides a three-phase framework designed to help institutions scale holistic first-generation student success, transforming the student experience, strengthening academic and co-curricular outcomes, and building inclusive institutional structures. Since its launch, 489 institutions—including two statewide systems—have joined the network, spanning 49 states and the District of Columbia. FirstGen Forward members engage in monthly workshops, peer learning opportunities, and professional development sessions while contributing to a nationwide knowledge-sharing community.

Baylor University’s board of regents now includes Joseph C. Parker, a Baptist General Convention of Texas regent, who has served for more than 30 years as senior pastor at Austin’s David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Parker earned his Master of Divinity degree from Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary in 1997. He currently serves on the board of directors for the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and previously served on the BGCT Executive Board.

Houston Christian University honored 183 students during its summer commencement ceremony Aug. 9. Among the graduates were students from several of HCU’s newest academic programs, including cybersecurity and learning, technology, and design. With this ceremony, the university has awarded a total of 27,577 degrees since its inaugural commencement in 1967.

Anniversary

First Baptist Church of Henderson will celebrate its 175th anniversary in September with a weekend-long festivities, displays of historical artifacts and the debut of a newly remodeled sanctuary.  A street party will take place Sept. 27 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. followed by an unveiling of the new sanctuary and plans for Sunday morning and evening celebrations and worship within the new facilities. David Higgs is pastor.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students participated in Love CTX as part of Welcome Week on Aug. 9. For the sixth year, UMHB’s Love CTX event supported One More Child, providing Christ-centered services to vulnerable children and struggling families. Nearly 450 UMHB students packed 28,000 meals and wrote notes for Belton schoolchildren. The local H-E-B in Belton donated all food items for the meals, totaling more than $16,000 in-kind donations.

East Texas Baptist University announces the opening of the William B. Dean, M.D. Center for Language and Literacy Development, a no-cost clinic offering speech-language pathology services to the East Texas community. Located at Synergy Park in downtown Marshall, the clinic will begin serving clients Aug. 25, providing care for individuals of all ages with communication, language-literacy, speech and cognitive challenges. Appointments will be available Monday through Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings at the Dean Center housed in Synergy Park. The clinic will offer no-cost evaluation and treatment for written expression, reading comprehension, autism, social interaction skills, executive functioning difficulties, stuttering and other needs.

Hardin-Simmons University has launched phase one of its Equine Assisted Services, incorporating hippotherapy, to expand therapeutic services for adults and children in the Big Country while providing experiential learning through community service. Hippotherapy integrates the movement of horses into physical and speech therapy sessions, enhancing HSU’s mission of faith, service and academic excellence. While services are currently free, donations are encouraged to maintain its facilities and care for its horses. HSU also is expanding its clinical mental health counseling, communication sciences and disorders and speech-language pathology programs.

A group of Texas Panhandle and South Plains educators have returned from a month-long immersion in

Costa Rica. The summer trip was the centerpiece of a $103,754 Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grant awarded to Wayland Baptist University in 2024 by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the U.S. Department of Education. Led by Joshua Mora, Joachim Endowed Professor of Spanish, the program provided 12 pre-service and in-service teachers from rural school districts an intensive training experience in both ESL strategies and Latin American cultural studies. In addition to classroom instruction and school visits, participants immersed themselves in Costa Rican life through daily meals prepared by local hosts, fresh native fruits, and cultural excursions throughout the region. Each participant received a certificate acknowledging completion of the Fulbright-Hays study tour.

Houston Christian University will launch an online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree this fall through its College of Science and Engineering. The 33-credit graduate program is designed for students with technical backgrounds and provides advanced training in areas such as machine learning, neural networks, robotics and natural language processing. The institution also received a $150,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to help the nursing school implement an Individual Simulation Competency Evaluation Program to address the shortage of RNs and qualified faculty through an innovative approach to nursing education, recruitment and retention.

Hardin-Simmons University students Jake Atherton, Andrew Bin, Luke Jun and Tyler Merchant were recognized as All-American Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America in August.

Texans on Mission will host a disaster relief training at First Baptist Church in Amarillo on Saturday, Oct. 25. Training sessions will include shower and laundry, mass feeding, fire and flood recovery, using chainsaws and other areas of need. Check-in will take place at 8:15 a.m. Plans for a second round of training for spring 2026 are tentative.

Howard Payne University held Jumpstart, a new summer bridge program designed to introduce students to college and the resources available to them before starting their first semester. Jumpstart was created as part of the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education. During the week, students heard from current students, faculty members and staff from the offices of career services, financial aid, business and registrar. Students enjoyed time at Riverside Park where they kayaked and played games and at HPU’s Outdoor Recreation Complex where they played pickleball and climbed the rock wall. All the participants are incoming students at HPU this  fall.

Crusader students move into their residence halls at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Aug. 6, for the start of this year’s Welcome Week. Students will settle into their rooms, participate in many traditions and build lasting friendships as they join the UMHB family. The week is designed to ensure students feel at home before beginning class Aug. 11. Events for the week include opportunities to explore student organizations, connecting with local churches, serving Belton schoolchildren in a service project and experiencing a ceremony where they are dubbed “Crusaders Forever.”

Wayland Baptist University is expanding its academic offerings with new degrees and certifications for the 2025-26 academic year. The new degrees and specializations are included in the following programs: the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Christian Studies, The Don A. Williams School of Education, the School of Humanities and Leadership, The Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and The Sciences, and Ben and Berth Mieth School of Nursing. Plainview Classical Academy also is expanding grades 9 through 12 to WBU’s campus.

Buckner Retirement Services named Bonnie Loglisci as the new executive director of The Stayton at Museum Way by Buckner, effective Aug. 1. As executive director of the senior living community, Loglisci will oversee community operations, regulatory compliance and resident and associate relations. Loglisci is certified as a dementia practitioner, trainer and manager by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and holds a degree from Charron Williams Business College in Miami. Last year, Buckner Retirement Services acquired The Stayton at Museum Way, a Fort Worth senior living community. The Stayton is the seventh senior living community owned and operated by Buckner Retirement Services in Texas, including Ventana by Buckner in Dallas.

The Buckner Family Hope Center at West Dallas brought summer fun to the youth in their community. Program participants ages 7 through 12 enjoyed daily arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, laser tag, field games and more. Led by Xiomayra Guevara, children and youth coordinator, Buckner staff and volunteers focused on biblical principles like respect, healthy esteem, teamwork, positive relationships, communication, problem solving, and health and wellness.

At the end of the spring semester at Howard Payne University, Kim Rosato, adjunct professor of kinesiology, took her surfing class on a road trip to Encinitas, Calif. In addition to surfing lessons and surfing, the class also went on hiking trips around the area and participated in a service project. During the trip, the class camped at San Elijo State Beach, visited Swami’s Botanical Meditation Garden, La Jolla and Pirates Cove in Newport, as well as hiked Annie’s Canyon Trail and Torrey Pines. The service project this year was picking up trash on the beach. The surfing class has been offered each spring semester for more than 15 consecutive years, except in 2020 due to COVID-19. Classes like surfing are offered through the HPU kinesiology department to fulfill the general education activity course requirements.

The Smith Organ in Belin Chapel at Houston Christian University served as a featured teaching venue for Houston’s Pipe Organ Encounter, a national program that welcomed 18 middle and high school piano and organ students from across the country. Hosted by the Houston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the weeklong event took place July 20-25, offering students lessons, education and performances on many of Houston’s finest pipe organs. Designed for students ages 13 to 18—whether beginners or more advanced

players—the Pipe Organ Encounter provided hands-on opportunities to play a variety of instruments, attend organ concerts, and learn about the history, design, construction, and maintenance of pipe organs. University Organist John Kirk joined distinguished faculty from Rice University, the University of Houston and the University of St. Thomas, along with other area organists, to instruct these talented young musicians. Several students received their first organ lessons in Belin Chapel.

Will Klotz has been named president of Miracle Farm Boys Ranch, an affiliate of Children at Heart Ministries, effective Aug. 4. Klotz spent his mid-teen years at a boys’ ranch ministry similar to Miracle Farm that his parents founded. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Christian Leadership University in New York, he later obtained a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He was founding pastor of New City Fellowship in Manassas, Va.

Dallas Baptist University announced a $5 million gift from The Nation Foundation and longtime friends and supporters, Jim and Sally Nation of Dallas, to the Don and Linda Carter School of Business. Their donation is part of DBU’s “Stand Firm—Stand Out” campaign for the Carter School of Business, an initiative to advance the mission of Christ-centered education and prepare students to lead with faith and integrity in business.

Retirement

Dan Wooldridge retires after 30 years as pastor of Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown and more than five decades in ministry. Wooldridge will deliver a special message of reflection and encouragement to the congregation on Aug. 3. Following the services, the celebration will continue with a community block party in Manor, marking both his retirement and the launch of Crestview Manor, a new campus of Crestview Baptist Church located at 11805 Johnson Road, Manor.

Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, the Ben and Bertha Mieth School of Nursing at Wayland Baptist University has completed significant upgrades to create a state-of-the-art simulation lab at the university’s San Antonio campus in Live Oak. The new technology is now operational, equipping nursing students with advanced tools to sharpen clinical skills and prepare for the evolving demands of the healthcare workforce. The grant funded the addition of a virtual reality-based simulation environment designed to immerse students in a variety of patient-care scenarios, ranging from routine interactions to high-acuity emergencies. The Mieth School of Nursing serves a diverse student population, many of whom are first-generation college students and Pell Grant recipients. With the simulation lab now fully operational, these students can gain critical hands-on experience in a safe, supportive and technologically advanced setting.

A team of archaeologists, led by Baylor University’s Davide Zori, San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project principal investigator, has uncovered a rare, intact Etruscan chamber tomb in central Italy—a discovery hailed as one of the most significant finds in recent decades for understanding the ancient pre-Roman civilization. The sealed chamber tomb at San Giuliano—a site located approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Rome—dates back 2,600 years, according to Zori, who also serves as associate professor of history and archaeology in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core in the Honors College. Inside the undisturbed tomb, the remains of four individuals lay on carved stone beds surrounded by more than 100 remarkably well-preserved grave goods, including ceramic vases, iron weapons, bronze ornaments and delicate silver hair spools. Preliminary analysis of the tomb objects suggests the buried individuals might be two male-female pairs, but further conclusions await anthropological, isotopic and genetic study of the remains.

Houston Christian University announced the launch of the Master of Science in Human Resources Management—People Analytics degree program in the Archie W. Dunham College of Business beginning this fall. This STEM-designated program blends traditional human resources leadership with advanced data analytics.  Students will have the option of enrolling in a fully online or residential/hybrid format. Designed for working professionals, the fully online format offers flexibility, requiring no campus visits and providing access to virtual networking, faculty engagement and hands-on learning opportunities. Students can enroll in courses across multiple terms throughout the year, allowing for customized pacing while balancing professional commitments. The residential program’s hybrid approach is a 60 percent classroom and 40 percent online for each class.  The residential hybrid approach provides students the advantages of an in-person educational experience while allowing maximum flexibility.

Print and digital materials for the Week of Prayer for Texas Missions—scheduled for Sept. 14-21 this year—can be ordered at iamtexasmissions.org/order. Materials also may be ordered by phone at (214) 828-5150 or by email at wmutx@texasbaptists.org. The Week of Prayer for Texas Missions is a time for churches and individuals to pray for more than 70 Texas Baptists ministries and missionaries dedicated to serving and sharing the gospel across the state.This year, WMU of Texas’ Mary Hill Davis Offering goal is $3.5 million to support these mission efforts. To learn more, visit iamtexasmissions.org/allocations.

Anniversary

Bob Ray has served 60 years as pastor of Fairy Baptist Church in Hico. The congregation will celebrate Aug. 31, with a 4 p.m. worship service followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.

In the tiny village of Ninilchik, Alaska—where the road ends and Cook Inlet begins—Wayland Baptist University students, Donnie Brown and Marcos Hinojos Jr., brought more than sports skills and service projects this summer. They brought joy, encouragement and the hope of the gospel. Led by Brown, director of spiritual life, and Hinojos, offensive line coach for Pioneers football, the team partnered with Alaska Missions to host a weeklong sports camp for local children in one of the state’s most remote communities. The camp combined afternoon sessions of football and basketball drills with spiritual moments. Eight children responded by placing their faith in Christ. Alaska Missions is following up with those students, connecting them with local churches to foster discipleship and growth. Wayland students experienced their own spiritual transformation through the week. Wayland has a long-standing partnership with Alaska Missions, led by Brenda Crim.

Hardin-Simmons University has earned multiple honors from Colleges of Distinction, a national resource for guidance counselors, parents, students, and hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States. For the 11th consecutive year, HSU has been named a College of Distinction—an honor that highlights universities demonstrating excellence in undergraduate education through engaged students, excellent teaching, vibrant campus life and strong student outcomes. HSU is one of only five universities in Texas recognized this year as an Affordable College of Distinction, reflecting the university’s deep commitment to making Christ-centered education both accessible and attainable.

Stark College and Seminary hosted historian and author Beth Allison Barr of Baylor University on The Stark Difference Podcast to speak on calling, ministry and her newest book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife.

Texans on Mission continues to respond to disaster response needs in the Hill Country after devastating flooding on July 4. The organization has established a webpage specific to this relief. Visit the page to make donations, volunteer to help with relief efforts or request assistance.