Lya Swaner, an East Texas Baptist University graduate and softball player, has been named a Top 30 selection for NCAA Woman of the Year. She is the first female from ETBU to be named to the Top 30 and only the third from the American Southwest Conference. She was a four-year starter at catcher, and this year received the Tiger Award, ETBU’s top athletic designation. She graduated with a double major in chemistry and biology. Swaner will travel to Indianapolis for the ceremony Oct. 20.

Pamela Bryant has been Pamela Bryantnamed dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at Howard Payne University. A professor of chemistry, she joined the faculty in 2001.

Buckner Children and Family Services and Dillion International will present two free foster care and adoption information meetings at the Buckner office at 5200 Buckner Boulevard in Dallas. On Sept. 16, a Dillon representative will give an overview of adoption from China, Korea, Haiti, India, Hong Kong, Ghana and Colombia. A domestic adoption program for Texas families and adoption programs in Russia, Ethiopia and Honduras also will be discussed. For more information or to attend this meeting, call (214) 319-3426. On Sept. 19, a Buckner representative will give an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children and domestic infant adoption programs. International adoption options also will be discussed. For more information or to reserve a place at the meeting, call (214) 319-3425.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has announced a name change for its business school to the McLane College of Business in honor of Elizabeth and Drayton McLane Jr. and their family for their support of the university. The family has contributed to scholarships, lecture series and building projects at UMHB. The announcement was made at the school’s convocation ceremony.

Anniversaries

College Hills Baptist Church in San Angelo, 60th, Oct. 13. Lakan Mariano is pastor.

Crystal Norris, fifth, as children’s director at First Baptist Church in Portland.

Ordained

Felix Guerrero to the ministry at Primera Iglesia Bautista La Hermosa in Sterling City.

Jerry Rollins to the ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Aransas Pass.

Tony Valdez to the ministry at Edmund Boulevard Baptist Church in San Angelo.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas evangelism division has scheduled several KidsFaith clinics around the state. KidsFaith is an interactive journal to guide 10 faith conversations with kids with their parents. The conversations provide opportunities for children to respond to God as they grow in their understanding of him. Clinics are scheduled Sept. 22 at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church in Lubbock at 6 p.m.; Oct. 7 at San Antonio Baptist Association at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 20 at First Baptist Church in Grandview at 5 p.m.; and Oct. 22 at First Baptist Church in Richardson at 7 p.m. To register for any of the clinics, click here.

David Thye, professor of conducting at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will conduct a musical drama, “A New Nation,” based on the story of Jacob and Esau. Three performance will be held at the Scott Theater in Fort Worth, Sept. 20-22. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday’s is at 4 p.m. To buy tickets, click here. 

The third annual Barefoot Run benefiting Buckner International’s Shoes for Orphan Souls program will be held Oct. 5 at Andy Brown Park in Coppell. Registration prior to Sept. 19 is $25, before Oct. 3 is $30, and race-day registration is $35. Entry for runners 12 years old and younger is $15. There also is a 1-mile fun run with an entry fee of $15. Registration begins at 7 a.m. To register, click here. 

Paul Foster has been elected chair of the University of Texas System Board. Gov. Rick Perry requested he focus his energy on the post, and so Foster has deferred his service on the Baylor University board of regents. Foster was elected chair of the UT System on Aug. 22.

Children’s Emergency Relief International, the Children’s Emergency Relief International will expand its ministry to Eastern European children to include Ukraine and Romania this year.international arm of Baptist Child & Family Services, has expanded its winter boot missions to Ukraine and Romania. For more than a decade, CERI has alternated providing winter boots for children in Moldova and Transnistria. The expansion of the ministry is in cooperation with New Hope International in Ukraine and Project Ruth in Romania. CERI volunteers will travel to 27 orphanages in Ukraine around the city of L’viv and also distribute boots to severely impoverished Roma (Gypsy) communities in Bucharest, Romania. The boots will be purchased from a factory in Moldova. The project goal is $90,000 and each pair of boots costs $25. To donate to the project, click here and select Kids and Boots 2013.

Highland Lakes Camp will hold its annual 55+ Day Celebration Oct. 3. Wes James will speak and sing as the keynote speaker. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes a barbecue lunch. The cost is $15. Registration closes Sept. 30. To register, click here. 

Incoming freshmen at Howard Payne University concluded Howard Payne University students clear debris near Lake Brownwood.their orientation activities with SWARM—Serving With a Right Motive. The students completed community service projects at a variety of locations including the Brownwood Area Community Garden, the Corinne T. Smith Animal Shelter and Lake Brownwood. 

Three hundred Hardin-Simmons University freshmen and transfer students completed two community service projects, one at the Taylor County Expo Center and the other in the neighborhood just north of the HSU campus as a part of their orientation activities. The work at the expo center was in preparation for the West Texas Fair & Rodeo to be held there Sept 5-14.

The East Texas Baptist University class of 2013 presented the gift of a new archway over the campus entrance. The class raised the $9,000 for the gift in only four months. The last archway to mark the entrance to the school said “East Texas Baptist College” and came down in 1984 when the school became a university. A dedication ceremony for the arch will be held during homecoming activities, Oct. 18-20.

Almost 800 incoming freshmen at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor worked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students worked to clear brush at Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church in Temple. (Photo: UMHB/Jennifer Jones)on 30 service projects throughout Central Texas as a part of their orientation activities. Students performed landscaping chores, painted, organized office space and played with children along with a multitude of other tasks.

Eleven faculty members have joined Wayland Baptist University this fall. They include Rebekah Crowe, assistant professor of history; Sean Ditmore, instructor of library science; Timothy Doty, assistant professor of communication studies; Troy Gregory, assistant professor of English; Erin Heath, assistant professor of English; Anthony King, assistant professor of music and associate professor of bands and applied percussion; Mark Kirk, associate professor of theater; Amy Miles, assistant professor of academic achievement; Maria O’Connell, assistant professor of English; Randolph Rogers, assistant professor of religion; and Scott Strovas, assistant professor of music.

Araceli Flores has become the director of Baptist Child & Family Services’ Healthy Start program. She is a registered nurse with 17 years experience delivering and directing compassionate care to children and families in Laredo. The Healthy Start program was established in Laredo in 2001 to decrease disparities in access to maternal and child health care.

Anniversary

Afton Baptist Church in Afton, 125th, Aug. 18. Harold Abney is pastor.

David Cox, 20th, as pastor of Davilla Baptist Church in Davilla.

John Chivvis, 15th, as pastor of Fellowship at Field Store in Waller.

Scot Stolz, 15th, as elder/pastor at Community Church in College Station.

Ross King, 15th, as elder/pastor at Community Church in College Station.

Art Vestal, fifth, as pastor of Little Deer Creek Baptist Church in Chilton.

Licensed

Alberto Aguirre, to the ministry at Iglesia Bautista El Calvario in Kress.

The Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board honored Harold Harold Patterson receiving his award.Patterson, a Texas Baptist Men volunteer from Scroggins, with a distinguished service award. Patterson received the award, presented to an individual who demonstrates “Christ in the crisis” during a disaster, for his efforts in West after the fertilizer plant explosion in April. Patterson served previously on disaster relief projects in New York, New Mexico, Colorado and Haiti, often accompanied by his wife, Kathy. The award was presented byTBM Disaster Relief Director Terry Henderson.

Dallas Baptist University conferred degrees upon 222 students during August commencement ceremonies. Ninety-four students received bachelor’s degrees, 124 earned master’s degrees and four received doctorates. David Lowrie, pastor of First Baptist Church in El Paso, was the commencement speaker, and Steve Vernon, associate executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, received an honorary doctor of divinity degree.

Anniversaries

Jimmy Hisel, 20th, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Sandia, Aug. 8.

Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple, 100th, Aug. 25. A historical marker also was dedicated. Ron Milne is pastor.

Jimmy Arnold, 35th, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodsboro, Aug. 27.

Shady Grove Baptist Church in Greenville, 125th, Sept. 6-8. Guest speakers will include David Dunn, Wesley Wyatt, Benny Chaffin and Royce Litchfield, as well as the vocal group Ransomed. For more information, call (903) 454-4124. James Ralson is pastor.

Retiring

Jay Thomas, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Harker Heights, Aug. 31. He has served the church more than 18 years. He previously was pastor of First Baptist Church in Holland 17 years. He was ordained to ministry at Inglewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie.

Event

The Christian Women’s Job Corps of Waco will benefit from a dinner and silent auction held at First Baptist Church in Woodway Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Sponsorships are available from $500 to $5,000. For more information, call (254) 757-0416.

Ordained

Pilo Longoria as a deacon at Iglesia El Buen Pastor in Beeville.

An International Mission Board event, Partner Connect Training, will be held Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Henderson. The event is for anyone interested in reaching unreached, unengaged people groups in Central and South America. Registration is $25 before Oct. 18 and includes lunch. Individuals or groups can register by sending a check to: East Texas Baptist Area, P.O. Box 546, Mount Enterprise, 75681. Questions can be directed to Matt Pitts at (903) 918-1216 or mattgpitts@hotmail.com.

Jason Caillier has joined the Dallas Baptist University faculty as assistant professor of Christian education. He has been minister of students at South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena the last five years.

Anniversary

Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple, 100th, Aug. 25. A celebration service and marker dedication will be held at 1 p.m. Numerous former pastors and staff members will be in attendance. Ron Milne is pastor.

First Baptist Church in Warren, 125th, Sept. 28-29. Saturday’s events will begin at 2 p.m. with a program with former pastors and musicians. In addition to a reading of the church history, the program includes an open house and tours, and ministry and history displays will be featured. A fish fry will be held at 5 p.m. David Hardage, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will speak in the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. A barbecue lunch will follow. For more information, call (409) 547-2215. Troy Richardson is pastor.

College Hills Baptist Church in San Angelo, 60th, Oct. 13. Lakan Mariano is pastor.

Ordained

Evan Henson to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Duncanville. He is minister of youth at Western Heights Baptist Church in Waco.

Breckenridge Village of Tyler, part of the ministry of Baptist Child & Family Services, is celebrating its 15th anniversary of caring for adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities with events throughout the year. The Robert L. Breckenridge men’s breakfast will be held Sept. 21. John Bermudez, a Chick-fil-A executive, will be the speaker. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and also include a car show and silent auction. For ticket information, contact Linda Taylor at (903) 596-8100.

Tyler-based Fenton Motor Group has East Texas Baptist University received a check for $100,000 from the Fenton Motor Group in Tyler to assist 2013 graduates of West Rusk High School.  Left to right are Fenton Motor Group Marketing Director Cassidy Prather; Chad Doan, general manager, Fenton Motors of Tyler; Paul Manziel, general manager, Fenton Honda of Longview; ETBU Vice President for University Advancement Catherine Crawford; and ETBU Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing Vince Blankenship.  (Photo: ETBU/Mike Midkiff)contributed $100,000 for scholarships to assist 2013 graduates of West Rusk High School attending East Texas Baptist University this fall.

An eight-person Texas Baptist Men volunteer team led an Experiencing God weekend inside the Diboll Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility in Diboll. More than 50 inmates participated. The volunteers worked in cooperation with Chaplain John Salmon and Volunteer Assistant Chaplain Linda Rogers.

Dallas Baptist University named John Humphreys, director of DBU-Mansfield, staff member of the year. He joined DBU in 1989 John Humphreysas assistant to the vice president for financial affairs. In 2008, he helped establish the Mansfield extension center. He and his wife, Jean, are members of First Baptist Church in Arlington.

Retiring

Doug Holtzclaw, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Goldthwaite, Sept. 30. He has served the congregation 35 years and has been in ministry 43 years. He previously served on the staff and was associate pastor at Buckner Baptist Boys Ranch, and he was pastor at Greenwood Baptist Church in Weatherford and Bluff Dale Baptist Church in Bluff Dale.

Cassie Falke, associate professor of English at East Texas Baptist University, has been Cassandra Falkenamed a Fulbright Scholar and will spend the next year in Norway, teaching and doing research. The program sends 800 scholars and professionals abroad each year to more than 150 countries, but only about a dozen are from smaller universities.

Buckner Children and Family Services will hold a free foster care and adoption information meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the ministry’s offices at 5200 Buckner Boulevard in Dallas. A Buckner representative will present information on foster care and adoption options in Texas, and international adoption also will be discussed. For more information, email Sheree Scott. 

O.D. Hall Jr. received the Baylor University Center for Christian Music Studies’ Exemplary Leadership in Church Music Award. He has been a minister of music, manager of music promotion for Lexicon Music, owner/director of MusiCalifornia, and composer and arranger of church music. The award is given annually to a graduate of Baylor University who has contributed significantly to church music ministry.

Dallas Baptist University honored First Baptist Church in West and Gospel for Muslims during the school’s annual community partners appreciation luncheon. Both were recognized for their contributions to the service-learning program at DBU.

Ordained

Daniel Ortner to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Bremond.

Guilherme Almeida to the ministry at Central Baptist Church in Italy.

Dwain White and Albert Herrera as deacons at First Baptist Church in Lexington.

Revival

Tyland Baptist Church, Tyler; Aug. 11-14; evangelist, Buddy Duggins; music, Mark Fried; pastor, David Mahfood.

Vicki House was named vice president for enrollment management at Hardin-Simmons Vicki HouseUniversity. She has served the school in several roles, most recently as executive assistant to the president. She is a member of Beltway Baptist Church in Abilene.

Students in Howard Payne University’s School of Christian Studies will be able to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as few as five years through a new accelerated program in Christian studies. Students who complete 75 hours toward an undergraduate degree in any of the Christian studies programs and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point-average may apply for admission to the master’s degree program in youth ministry or theology and ministry. Once they are accepted, students will complete 12 hours of graduate courses that count toward both the undergraduate degree and a 42-hour master’s degree.

Revival

East Cisco Baptist Church, Cisco; Aug. 2-4; evangelists, Jack and Deb Stone; pastor, C.P. Floyd.

Students from across Texas attended Super Summer at five statewide locations where they developed their leadership skills. The Baptist General Convention of Texas camps provide discipleship Participants of Super Summer pass by Old Main Tower on the campus of Howard Payne University in Brownwood. (Photo/Howard Payne University)training for young Christian leaders. Students participate in small-group sessions, worship services, lectures, games and other activities. The campers divide by grade and attend color-coded schools.

This year, Howard Payne University was the only location to offer the Purple School, designed for students who feel called to ministry. Super Summer also offers a leadership forum for youth pastors. The leadership forum allows participants to ask questions and present concerns to other leaders and educators. 

East Texas Baptist University has named Lawrence Ressler interim provost. He comes to ETBU from Taylor University and will serve through April 2014.

Richard Fountain, Wayland Baptist University professor of collaborative piano, tied for third place in the American Prize in Piano Performance competition. Participants submit in recordings of their performances, and a panel judges their merits. Several of Fountain’s pieces were composed by Gary Belshaw, professor of musical composition at Wayland.

Anniversary

First Mexican Baptist Church in San Antonio, 125th, July 21. Moises Rodriguez, dean of the Baptist Bible Institute at the Baptist University of the Américas, was the guest speaker. Alfonso Flores Jr. is pastor.

Event

Mary Kay Beard, founder of Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree ministry, will be the guest speaker at Pershing Park Baptist Church in Killeen Aug. 25 in the 11 a.m. service. The ministry provides Christmas gifts to the children of inmates in 50 states and 45 countries, reaching almost 7 million children across 25 years. For more information, call (254) 634-1013.

Revival

Richards Baptist Church, Richards; July 28-31; evangelists, Dave and Jacob Saffle; pastor, Joe Saffle.

Buckner Children and Family Services and Dillon International, Inc. will present two free foster care and adoption information meetings at Buckner’s office in Dallas, 5200 Buckner Blvd. A Dillon representative A Dillon representative will present an overview of adoption from Ghana.will present an overview of adoption from China, Korea, Haiti, India, Hong Kong, Ghana and Colombia on July 15, at 6 p.m. A domestic adoption program for Texas families and adoption programs in Russia, Ethiopia and Honduras, available through Buckner, also will be discussed. For information or a reservation to attend the meeting, call (214) 319-3426, or click here.  On July 18 at 7 p.m., a Buckner representative will present an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children and domestic infant adoption programs. International adoption options, through Dillon International, also will be discussed.  For information or a reservation to attend the meeting, call Sheree Scott at (214) 319-3425 or click here. 

Anniversary

Bob Joyce, 10th, as pastor of Shady Shores Baptist Church in Denton, July 14. He also celebrated 25 years in ministry.

Event

Paisano Baptist Encampment will hold its 93rd consecutive cowboy camp meeting beginning Sunday evening, July 21, and continuing through lunch on Friday. This year’s preachers, Randel Everett and David Lowrie, serve West Texas churches.  Todd Still will lead Bible study. Jim Cleaveland, minister of worship and media at First Baptist Church of El Paso, will lead the music. Nancy Russell will be at the organ with Paul Bright at the piano. Sandy McGraw will direct children’s church. Recreation and other activities exercise the body and spirit and create deep friendships that last generations. A 3K Paisano Run will be held on Wednesday afternoon. Paisano encourages family togetherness and spiritual renewal. Nursery, preschool, children’s day camp, and youth programs occupy the mornings while adults have their own experiences. Paisano Baptist Encampment is located in Paisano Pass, between Alpine and Marfa, in far West Texas. Morning worship begins at 11:00 with the evening service nightly at 8:00.  Choir practice starts at 7 pm. Supper is served in the dining shed at 6 pm. All are welcome.

B.H. Carroll Theological Institute has created an alumni association with 67 charter members. For more information, contact Gene Wilkes, vice president for advancement, by clicking here. 

Bob Brooks has returned to Dallas Baptist University to serve as dean of the graduate school of ministry. He previously held three other dean-level positions at DBU, and he was dean of the College of Fine Arts at Hardin-Simmons University. He is a member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

Buckner Retirement Services  hired Jordan Lovelady as a financial analyst and Terri Wimberly as hospice revenue cycle manager.

Ricky and Amy Board of Fort Worth, graduates of Howard Payne University, are in Thailand this summer, teaching and developing a community health worker training program. He also works with a Thai Christian school to incorporate technology tools into classrooms.

Anniversary

Tommy Stogner, 10th, as pastor of Oakville Baptist Church in Oakville, July 1.

Retiring

Gains Gardner as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Rockport. He served the congregation seven years and was in ministry 10 years. He first served as associate pastor at Allen Heights Baptist Church in Allen, where he was ordained to the ministry. He also has served as a hospice chaplain. He and his wife, Mary, will live in Garland.

Ordained

Justin Burkleo to the ministry at College Hills Baptist Church in San Angelo.

Jim Vogt as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Taft.

Dillon International is seeking families willing to host seven Colombian orphans when they travel to Dallas for a three-week visit Dec. 5-26 as Angels from Abroad participants. The program brings older orphans who are available for international adoption to the United States to learn about American culture, share their culture and experience what it is like to live in a family. The children are ages 8 to 15 and include a sibling group of two and a sibling group of three. E-mail them for  more information here. 

Baptist Child & Family Services’ Health Baptist Child and Family Services honored 19 Lubbock foster youth.and Human Services’ Lubbock Transition Center presented 19 local foster youth who graduated high school and college with a “hope chest” to equip them for their next steps toward adulthood. The four college graduates each received a $1,000 gift card and the 15 high school graduates received $550 in store credit to stock up on necessities like household items, towels and kitchenware. After the “Hope Chest” luncheon where the awards were distributed, a staff member or volunteer guided the high school graduates on their shopping sprees.

Dallas Baptist University honored Dennis Linam, director of denominational and governmental relations, for 25 years of service to the university. An endowed scholarship created in his name will provide financial aid to needy students. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Arlington, where he serves as a deacon.

Camp Fusion, a week of spiritual growth in a culturally relevant camping experience for 6th-12th Ron Changraders in intercultural Texas Baptist churches, will be June 18-22 at Latham Spring Baptist Camp in Aquilla. Ron Chan, a native of Hong Kong and InterVarsity Campus Fellowship staff member at Baylor University, will be the speaker.

B.H. Carroll Theological Institute conferred degrees on 17 graduates during a May convocation ceremony. In addition, four students in Hispanic theological education received certificates in advanced ministry training.

Four Hardin-Simmons University faculty and staff members, whose terms of service total 123 years, retired. They include Gary Stanlake, professor of biology, 35 years; Teresia Taylor, senior professor of Spanish, 23 years; Doug Thomas, professor of psychology, 19 years; and Margaret Forrester, special assistant in financial affairs, 46 years.

Anniversaries

James Crawford, 15th, as pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Hearne.

Williard Hill, 20th, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Pledger, July 18.

First Baptist Church of Halfway in Plainview, 100th, July 21. Former pastors expected to attend include Harry Lewis, Gene Thurber, Jim Browning, Bob Schmeltekopf, Dennis Williams, Prentice McGee, Bentley Gwyn, Dick Hatfield, Robert Field and Alvin Petty, as well as pianist Ray Fargason. A catered lunch will follow the morning service. Willis Blair is pastor.

Event

Basic “yellow cap” disaster relief training will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Tyler June 29. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and class will begin at 9 a.m. Cost is $15 and covers lunch and materials. To register, call (903) 566-2642.