The Sedwick Soccer Field House is the new home of Dallas Baptist University’s women’s team. The facility opened for the season opener. In addition to a locker room that holds 30 customized wooden lockers, it also has a state-of-the-art press box, team meeting room, coaches’ offices and a grandstand of 400 chair-back seats and two covered patio decks.

Houston Baptist University’s women’s softball and Houston Baptist University’s inaugural “Paws for a Cause” raised more than $1,200 to fight cancer.basketball teams led the school to hold its inaugural “Paws for a Cause” event. It raised more than $1,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer Society. More than 70 people brought their dogs for a one-mile trek around the campus. Prizes were awarded for best costume, waggiest tail, best owner-dog lookalike and the person who brought the most dogs.

B.H. Carroll Theological Institute will hold its fall colloquy, “Celebrating B.H. Carroll: Life, Legacy and Vision,” Nov. 10-11. Monday—at the Arlington campus—Alan LaFever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection, and Jim Spivey, Alan LaFeverCarroll Institute professor of church history, will present papers that explore the life and legacy of B.H. Carroll. Tuesday, participants will take a bus ride to Waco. The group will meet William Pitts, retired history professor of Baylor University, for tours of Oakwood Cemetery, where Carroll is buried, and First Baptist Church in Waco, where he was pastor. The day will conclude with a lunch with speaker Daniel Aleshire, executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, on “The Future of Theological Education.” The event will feature a B.H. Carroll beard-growing contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best naturally grown beard and the best faux beard.

Howard Payne University’s band fraternity and sorority chapters transformed Members of Howard Payne University’s band fraternity and sorority recently upgraded the trailer that transports their equipment and instruments.the trailer that carries equipment and instruments for the Yellow Jacket Band. The groups dedicated the trailer in memory of two students who died while members of the band—Chris Jones and Jeremy Lewis. The upgraded trailer features a vinyl wrap that depicts images of the band and commemorates the lives of Jones and Lewis.

Anniversaries

Rodney Hobbs, fifth, as pastor of Stonegate Church in Midlothian.

Lee Evans, fifth, as pastor of West Lake Baptist Church in Chandler, Oct. 26.

Mike Lawson, 15th, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Sherman, Nov. 8.

Revival

Belmore Baptist Church, San Angelo; Oct. 5-9; evangelist, Gary Newman; pastor, Toby Irwin.

First Baptist Church, Center; Oct. 12-15; evangelist, Jim Goforth; pastor, Michael Hale.

Howard Payne University is exhibiting the work of Brownwood photographer Roger Levesque through Nov. 21 in the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery in the Doakie Day Art Center. His work focuses on the use of digital photography and manipulation to explore artistic possibilities.

Dallas Baptist University will hold a Columbus Day About 50 Wayland Baptist University students gathered beneath the flag on the steps of Gates Hall prior to sunrise for prayer and worship at the annual See You at the Pole event. Patriot preview for prospective students and the parents Oct. 13. Included is a tour of the campus, meetings with faculty and administrators, and information about admissions, financial aid and campus organizations. The event is free for the student and up to two guests. For more information, click here. 

JoAnn Cole has been named vice president of Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services. The last three years, she has been vice president of Buckner Children and Family Services.

The East Texas Baptist University debate team took third place at the opening tournament of the year. The 10-member team competed against teams from Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Dakota Hiltzman took second in the professional division.

Retiring

Earl Oglesbee, as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Denison.

Anniversary

Lino Castaneda, 15th, as pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Sherman.

First Baptist Church in Thorndale, 125th, Oct. 5. Former pastors Larry Griffith and Jerry Zucha will speak. A meal will follow the morning service. Jeremy Shepherd is pastor.

Brian Able, 20th, as youth minister at Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont, Oct. 12.

Event

Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont will hold homecoming services Oct. 12to mark 67 years of service to the community. A meal will follow the morning service. Jim Fuller is pastor.

Revival

First Baptist Church, Thorndale, Oct. 5-8; evangelist, Brett McNew; music, Joe Horan; pastor, Jeremy Shepherd.

Texas Baptist Men’s military fellowship and disaster relief feeding unit provided food and fun for “Family Day” of the U.S. Army’s 94th Combat Support Hospital Bravo Company in Seagoville. Dallas Baptist Association provided two bounce houses and a snow cone machine. A TBM husband and wife team donated stuffed animals for the children. Sixteen TBM volunteers prepared hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings for almost 400 people. The team was comprised of veterans from the Navy, Army, National Guard and seven churches.

Katie Rose Bonner

Katie Rose Bonner of Lytle represented Howard Payne University this summer as a participant in The Fund for American Studies internship program in Washington, D.C. She received a full scholarship from the Hatton W. Summers Foundation and an expense stipend from the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy. She was recognized as the top student in ethics and leadership with the outstanding student award. Through the program, she interned for the American Chemical Council. She was selected as the student speaker at the annual Congressional Student Awards Dinner which garnered more than 400 senators, lobbyists, CEOs and program sponsors.

Anniversary

First Baptist Church in Flomot, 100th, Aug. 24. Nathan Mulder is pastor.

The fourth annual Barefoot Run, benefiting Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 a.m. at Bachman Lake in Dallas. The 5K-run and 1-mile fun run are open to children and adults of all ages, while both barefoot and shoe-wearing runners are encouraged to participate. Interactive games, activities, live music and food trucks also will be on hand. A new event this year is a free Barefoot Dash for children 7 and under. Prizes will be awarded to the first male and female runners overall, in addition to the fastest runners in each category. Additional prizes will be awarded for the fastest dog and stroller, most spirited runner, liveliest water station and more.

Buckner Children and Family Services will present a free foster-care and adoption information meeting Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at 5200 Buckner Blvd. in Dallas. Participants will receive an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children and domestic infant adoption programs. For information or a reservation to attend, click here. 

Many of Howard Payne University’s incoming freshmen, along with Michael Bailey, an HPU sophomore from Georgetown, helped clear brush and debris from around Lake Brownwood. (HPU Photo)several returning students and staff members, spent the last Saturday before classes started serving the Brownwood community. About 140 volunteers completed community service projects at locations including the Brownwood Area Community Garden, the Corinne T. Smith Animal Shelter and Lake Brownwood.

The Texas Church College Ministers’ Retreat has been set for Nov. 6-7 at the T Bar M Resort and Conference Center in New Braunfels. Bruce Venable, who has more than 25 years experience in college ministry, will be the primary speaker. The cost is $45 until Oct. 8 and $55 after that date. Spouses are free and meals are included. To register, click here. Lodging is separate, and reservations can be made here. Mention the BGCT Collegiate Ministry Retreat to get the group rate.

Howard Payne University has added nine new faculty members. They include Scott Eddy, instructor of mathematics; Richard Fiese, dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts and professor of music; Adrian Gil, director of HPU’s El Paso center and associate professor of business; Debra Powell, assistant professor of business administration; Alexia Riggs, dean of libraries and associate professor of library science; Nancy Romig, assistant professor of English; Shawntay Sparks-Hubbard, director of nursing program and associate professor of nursing; Kay Teague, instructor of mathematics; and Shannon Turner, instructor of academic services, learning assistance and academic recovery.

Anniversaries

Northwest Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, 20th, Aug. 25. The day also marked the 20th anniversary of founding pastor Ines Ramon.

Billy Ray Parmer Jr., 10th as pastor of First Baptist Church in Wilson, Sept 1. It also marked his 20th years in ministry.

Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 60th, Sept. 21. The celebration service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 North 6th Street. Joel Gregory will be the guest speaker. The church orchestra will present special music for the occasion and a video highlighting the history of the church will be shown. The video includes stories from former pastor Jack Ridlehoover and Micky Castle, who has been a member of the church since its founding. Stan Allcorn is pastor.

First Baptist Church in O’Donnell, 100th, Oct. 4-5. A sandwich fellowship will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. A catered meal will follow Sunday’s celebration service. An afternoon service of testimonies and singing is scheduled. Taylor Wood is pastor.

Bois D’Arc Baptist Church, midway between Athens and Palestine, 100th, Oct. 11-12. At 6 p.m. Saturday, a gospel music concert featuring the Greenes will be held. Sunday will begin with doughnuts and coffee at 9:30 a.m., followed by a reading of the church history and comments from former pastors. Former pastor Mike Jones will preach the 11 a.m. service. A barbecue brisket and sausage meal will follow. Mike Drinkard is pastor.

First Baptist Church in Rio Hondo, 100th, Oct. 18-19. The theme for the anniversary is “Our Father’s Family.” A homecoming fellowship will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and the celebration service will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. A book chronicling the church’s history will be available. Gene Horton is pastor.

First Baptist Church in Wilson, 100th, Oct. 18-19. Former pastors and ministers are expected to attend. Billy Ray Parmer Jr. is pastor.

Fred Sain, 65th, as pastor of Prairie Hill Baptist Church in Prairie Hill, Oct. 20. The church also will celebrate its 129th anniversary that day.

Revival

Southside Baptist Church, Tyler, Sept. 21-28; evangelist, Tim St. Claire; pastor, Mark Price.

Wayland Baptist University has announced the creation of the Lloyd and Betty Morton Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will provide assistance for music majors and minors, as well as members of the Wayland golf team, reflecting the interests of the couple. The creation of the scholarship was celebrated simultaneously with the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary.

Stan Coppinger is the new director of East Texas Baptist University’s scholars program. Coppinger directed the honors program at LeTourneau University for seven years before coming to ETBU as a professor of English in 2010.

B.H. Carroll Theological Institute has awarded Beka Mullins of Grand Prairie and Andrea Harrington of Burleson the first Snider Scholarships for Women in Ministry. The scholarship is designed to provide financial support to female students training for their master of arts counseling degrees.

Retiring

Don Cramer, as director of gift planning for the Children At Heart Foundation, the fundraising and estate planning arm of Children At Heart Ministries, after 32 years. During his tenure, he also served as vice president/COO. Effective September 1, he associated with Thompson & Associates, providing estate-planning services for donors to Children At Heart Ministries and other non-profits.

Terry Horton, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Hallettsville, where he served 18 years, Sept. 14.

Anniversaries

Independence Baptist Church in Brenham, 175th, Aug. 31. Phil Hassell is pastor

Kelly Burkhart, 10th, as pastor of Baptist Temple in Houston, Sept. 7.

Amos Humphries, fifth, as pastor of Park Lake Baptist Church in Waco.

The Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions will hold its third annual hunger summit Sept. 5 from 8 a.m. until noon at Mountain View College in Dallas. The summit will bring together representatives from nonprofit organizations, faith congregations, the business community, the health community, social service agencies and governmental entities. Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative is a sponsor.

Literacy Connexus will hold a literacy missions training event Sept. 12-13 at First Baptist Church in Hewitt. To reserve a place, call (254) 753-2408.

Howard Payne University’s class of 2018 arrived for their week-long introduction to their classmates and university. The new students (left), in yellow shirts, are pictured with other HPU students who facilitated the week.

The 19th annual Sewell Golf Classic will benefit Buckner International programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The golf tournament will be held at the Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas and is slated to begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 15. Lunch will be provided between the morning and afternoon rounds, and an awards presentation will follow the conclusion of each round. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in each flight. The even also will feature auction items such as presidential skybox tickets to the Baylor-Kansas State football game. Registration for teams and individuals is open until Sept. 5. Tournament details are available here. 

Dallas Baptist University presented degrees to 197 students during the summer commencement ceremony. One hundred and one students received bachelor’s degrees, five earned accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degrees, 83 earned master’s degrees, two earned dual master’s degrees and six earned doctoral degrees. The university also presented an honorary doctor of humanities degree to Dennis Linam, DBU’s director of denominational and governmental relations, who has served at the school since 1988.

Anniversary

Larry Blackmon, 50th in ministry, Sept. 20. A reception will be held in his honor from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church in Hearne, where he has been pastor more than 21 years. David Hardage, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will preach in the 11 a.m. service Sept. 21.

Revival

St. Paul Baptist Church, Jacksonville; Sept. 8-10; evangelist, Marcus Jackson; pastor, Sedrick Moore.

The evangelism division of the Baptist General Convention of Texas has scheduled two 4×4 evangelism-training clinics. First Baptist Church in Hallsville will be the site for the Sept. 9 event that will begin at 6 p.m. To register, click here. A second session will be held at the Creath Brazos Baptist Association offices in College Station at 10 a.m. Sept. 16. To register, call (979) 846-1788.

Anniversaries

First Baptist Church in Amarillo, 125th, Sept. 28. A reunion for participants in the church’s mission trips to Mexico will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. On Sunday at 5 p.m., a cookout and outdoor celebration is planned. Howard Batson is pastor.

Northview Baptist Church in Lewisville, 50th, Sept. 28. A meal will follow the morning service. Kenneth Wells is pastor.

Corby Brizendine, fifth, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Somerville.

Louie Walston, fifth, as pastor of Henry Prairie Baptist Church in Franklin.

Amos Humphries, fifth, as pastor of Park Lane Baptist Church in Waco.

Ordained

Jeff Ellison to the ministry at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Aug. 17. He is a chaplain at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.

Blake Miller to the ministry at Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, where he is minister to youth.

Steven Fry and Dennis Spittler as deacons at First Baptist Church in Caldwell, Aug. 24.

Fielder Church in Arlington will distribute school supplies to under-resourced students in East Arlington Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. The supplies, donated by the members of the church, will be in backpacks filled according to grade-specific supply lists. The supplies will be distributed at a back-to-school carnival held at Hutcheson Junior High. This marks the third year the church has hosted the carnival, and in previous years, members gave more than 1,000 backpacks to students. In addition to the supplies, the carnival will feature food, games, inflatables and a disc jockey. Fielder Church operates a satellite campus with a Spanish service at the school. Gary Smith is pastor.

East Texas Baptist University will hold its fourth-annual Great East Texas Hymn Sing Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center. At 10:30 a.m., a presentation titled “Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns,” will be led by Ed Spann, retired dean of fine arts at Dallas Baptist University. The multimedia program will be held in the Edwards Conference Room in that building. A $15 lunch will be served at noon. Make reservations for lunch by calling (903) 923-2042.

Buckner International is asking Texas Baptists to donate $25 for a pair of shoes on North Texas Giving Day. Donations made between 7 a.m. and midnight Sept. 18 on the website www.northtexasgivingday.org will receive bonus funds from the Communities Foundation of Texas. Participants will need to designate Buckner International as the nonprofit organization they choose.

Anniversaries

DeWayne Richardson, 45th, as pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church in El Paso, July 27.

First Baptist Church in Littlefield, 100th, Sept. 6-7. Festivities will begin on Saturday with an 8:30 a.m. color run. The cost for the run is $20. An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A dinner and program will begin at 6 p.m. The dinner will cost $15 for adults and $8 for children under age 10. A noon meal will be held after the morning service on Sunday. Guest speakers will include Charles Broadhurst. Brian Hill is pastor.

East Texas Baptist University staff, faculty and students met for prayer in the lobby of Centennial Hall prior to students’ arrival for the fall semester. University Chaplain and Vice President for Spiritual Development Scott Bryant led the service. The 362-bed, four-story living and learning center will be the home for freshman students for the first time when they start classes Aug. 25.

Three Engage evangelism conferences have been set. The first will be held Sept. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Preston Ridge Baptist Church in Frisco. Registration is free, and a $10 lunch can be bought at the event. A second conference will be held Sept. 14 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Henderson. Engage Concho Valley will be held at First Baptist Church in San Angelo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20.

FCA Magazine recommended The Last Three Outs, a book by John Nickols, Howard Payne University assistant professor of history and political science. Howard Payne University professor John Nickols’ book The Last Three Outs has been recommended by FCA Magazine.The baseball novel with Christian themes tells the story of a pitcher whose career is threatened by injury.

Retiring

Cliff Feeler, minister of adults at First Baptist Church in Denton, Sept 21. He has served the congregation 25 years. A celebration in his honor will be held at 3 p.m. He has been in ministry 61 years—ordained at Fort Wyman Baptist Church in Rollo, Mo., in 1954. He served two Missouri churches, as well as McClanahan Baptist Church in Marlin, Bruceville Baptist Church in Bruceville, Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Waco and Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving.

Anniversaries

C.P. Floyd, 50th in ministry. He is pastor of East Cisco Baptist Church in Cisco.

David Murphy, 30th, as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Bryan.

Kevin Muilenburg, 20th, as pastor of Coastal Oaks Baptist Church in Rockport, Aug. 8.

Jorge Ramirez, 10th, as pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Gregory, Aug. 15.

George Mason, 25th, as pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Aug. 24. At least 18 alumni of the church’s pastoral residency program will attend an Aug. 22 roast of Mason. The event will be held at the Lakewood Theater, and tickets are $10 per person.

David Silva, fifth, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Pettus, Aug. 16.

Randy Samuels, fifth, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Sinton, Aug. 23.

Justin Horine, fifth, as pastor of Wellborn Baptist Church in Wellborn.

Eight Howard Payne University education students traveled to London to learn about the British education system. The students spent a day observing a primary school classroom and compared teaching styles to U.S. practices. They also viewed many historical and educational sites in and around London.

Shoes for Orphan Souls, a humanitarian aid project of Buckner International celebrating its 15th year, is partnering with LifeWay Christian Stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to collect new shoes for the world’s orphans and vulnerable children. Throughout August. LifeWay stores in Arlington, Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Hurst, Mesquite and Plano will be shoe-collection centers. The greatest need is for leather or canvas athletic shoes, sizes Youth 1-Adult 7.

Bill Collins has been elected president of Paisano Baptist Encampment, located between Alpine and Marfa. He is the sixth president since Paisano’s founding in 1915. Collins is the Baptist collegiate ministry director at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. He has attended the Paisano encampment his entire life and remembers celebrating his fifth birthday on the grounds. Since 1997, he has brought a group of Baptist college students to the camp for tasks such as clearing debris, splitting firewood, painting and roofing cabins, constructing sidewalks and general cleaning.

High school students attended Dallas Baptist University’s ServantU camp July 20-25. The camp offers students an opportunity to take a deeper look at career goals and gain insight into how they might be able to serve on a local, national and international level, said Andrew Briscoe, DBU director of servant-learning. Based on their desired field of study, students choose to participate in one of five tracks, which are geared toward providing insight in the classroom and serving opportunities in the city. The five tracks were life influencers, for students pursuing ministry; artists of impact, for visual and music vocations; peacemakers, for medical professions; city builders, for business and public service; and equippers, for education. The students attended worship services each morning and participated in workshops led by DBU professors. Afternoons featured projects and educational tours across the city.

Anniversaries

Hank Henry, 10th, as associate minister of missions at First Baptist Church in Midland, July 13.

Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, 65th, Aug. 24. The congregation also will celebrate the renovation of its sanctuary. Leslie Hollon is pastor.

Bald Hill Baptist Church in Lufkin, 100th, Aug. 24. A meal and anniversary service will follow the morning worship service. Roger Fancher is pastor.

Darin Wood, fifth as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Aug. 24.

Retired

Floyd Williford has retired as pastor of Friendly Baptist Church in Tyler. He is available for supply or interim preaching at (903) 539-5966.

Ordained

Benji Morrison to the ministry at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Whitehouse, where he is minister to students.

A team of students from East Texas Baptist University  traveled to Alaska in June to help lead a camp called “T3, Training Teens Today,” sponsored by the Alaska Baptist Convention. This is the eighth year ETBU students have gone to Alaska to train students. The program “trains youth to be evangelists, disciplers and leaders in their local churches in order to fill the youth leadership gap that exists in many Alaska churches,” said ETBU Great Commission Director Lisa Seeley, who accompanied the group. Other ETBU students served in China, Ecuador, Israel and Italy, as well as Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas during the summer.

Melody Maxwell, assistant professor of Melody MaxwellChristian studies at Howard Payne University, recently published two books analyzing the role of women in missions and church leadership. Her book The Woman I Am: Southern Baptist Women’s Writings, 1906-2006 references Woman’s Missionary Union publications and traces developing thought patterns regarding the role of women in missions and church leadership throughout the 20th century. The other book, Torches in the Corridor: 125 Years of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, features historical profiles of leaders within Tennessee WMU.

Texas Baptists are encouraged to participate in 40 days of prayer for ministry to 1.5 million college students beginning July 28. People who sign up for a daily email will receive a couple prayer requests and a list of missionaries engaged in the work. To subscribe, click here. 

Camp Exalted, a one-week spiritual enrichment experience for youth in grades 7-12 and college students, is going on July 21-25 at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment in Leakey. Carlos Francis is camp director.

Elijah Brown, director of the Elijah BrownFreedom Center and associate professor of missions at East Texas Baptist University, has been named to the Baptist World Alliance nominations committee for the term 2014 to 2019. He has been teaching in the ETBU School of Christian Studies since 2009.

Derek Hatch, assistant professor of Christian studies at Howard Payne University, has co-edited Gathering Together: Baptists at Work in Worship, a collection of essays examining how worship shapes the Baptist faith. The purpose of the book is not to promote or emphasize one style of worship over another, but rather to encourage intentional and theological reflection on worship by ministers and churchgoers, Hatch said.

Anniversaries

Roman Encina, 15th, as pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Sinton, July 1.

Bob Granger, fifth, as music minister at First Baptist Church in Beeville, July 1.

Don Parker, fifth, as pastor of Cowboy Fellowship in Sinton, July 1.

Neal Alexander, fifth, as pastor of Hagerman Baptist Church in Sherman, Aug. 10.

Ordained

Aaron Hill to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Seagraves, June 29. He is music/education minister there.