Around the State

• Houston Baptist University will hold an organ concert by Crista Miller in the Belin Chapel Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. to mark the first anniversary of the dedication of its Sherry and Jim Smith Organ. In addition, the university will launch a monthly organ recital series. The 30-minute recitals, which are free of charge and open to the public, will be given by organists from around Houston at noon. The first two organists will be David Henning on Sept. 10 and Daryl Robinson on Oct. 1.

• Cleatus Rattan, professor of English at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, will be the speaker at the College of Christian Studies’ minister’s forum Sept. 16 at noon. His topic is “Stuff and Nonsense: A Study of the Ideas of St. Augustine, Bishop Ireanaeus and E.S. Brightman That Occur in C.S. Lewis’ The Problem of Pain.” The forum is free to the public, and participants are encouraged to bring a lunch.

• The Waco community hymn sing will be held Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Baylor University’s Ferrell Center. Forty-eight choirs from the university and local churches will combine to form a 600-voice choir. The hymn sing will be accompanied by the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. Guest artists participating will be singer/songwriter Steve Green, worship leader David Crowder, vocalist Melinda Doolittle, pia-nist/composer Kurt Kaiser and conductor David Hamilton. The hymn sing is free, but an offering will be taken. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

• The rock band Kansas will team up with the Hardin-Simmons University orchestra for a multimedia concert Sept. 25.

• Dallas Baptist University has added six new faculty members. They are Mark Hale, assistant professor of higher education; Marilyn Haller, professor of education; Jonathan Kim, professor of Christian studies; John Pollard, assistant professor of biblical studies; Mary Beth Sanders, assistant professor of education; and Tom Vann, professor of Christian ministry.

• Michael McCarthy has been named director of finance and administration/chief financial officer of Baptist University of the Américas. His work history includes stints as both a church starter and an accountant. Since 2005, he has been director of missions for a Colorado Baptist association.

• Five Baptist General Convention of Texas affiliated universities have been marked as military friendly by G.I. Jobs magazine—Dallas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wayland Baptist University.

Anniversaries

• Beltway Park Church in Abilene, 25th, Aug. 29. The church also dedicated its sanctuary the same day. David McQueen is pastor.

• Sherrie Carter, 25th, as director of preschool and children’s ministries at First Church in Wichita Falls, Aug. 29.

• Bethel Church in Celina, 100th, Sept. 18-19. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by a time of remembrance and gospel singing at 7 p.m. Former pastor Bob Layman will preach during the Sunday morning service. There also will be a time of testimony from four men who grew up in the church and were ordained to the ministry there—Jack May, Otis May, James Cross and Jerry Jones. A tribute to former pastor J.T. Bledsoe, who led the church 41 years, will be observed. An afternoon celebration also is scheduled. Cliff Lester is pastor.

• Oak Grove Church in Dallas, 65th, Oct. 10. The anniversary service will begin at 10:45 a.m. Rudy Owen is pastor.

• Candlestick Church in Lumberton, 15th, Oct. 17. Former pastor Paul Scott will preach, and a meal will follow the service. The Master’s Men will present a concert at 1:30 p.m. Several other pastors also will speak in the afternoon service including Delbert Milstead, Robert Carter, Gerald Edwards, Leroy Kipp and Bob Webb, as well as B.C. McCoy, who was director of missions when the church was started. A note-burning ceremony will conclude the anniversary celebration. Butch Perkins is pastor.

• East Cisco Church in Cisco, 100th, Oct. 17. A lunch will follow the morning service. An afternoon time of singing and remembrance also is planned. C.P. Floyd is pastor.

Deaths

• Jackie Shroyer, 57, Aug. 25 in Lubbock. Her husband, Carl, is pastor of Elm Grove Church in Lubbock. A retired nurse, she worked in the medical field 33 years. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Maddox. She is survived by her husband; daughter, Valree Jo Shroyer; son, Matthew; mother, Jo Graves; step-father, H.B. Graves; brother, James Maddox; step-sisters, Phoi McGuire and Tori Hicks; and step-brother, Ben Graves.

• A.D. Norris, 94, Aug. 30 in New Braunfels. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and Southwestern Seminary, he was the recipient of an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the University of Corpus Christi in 1958 for his contributions to the church, community and denomination. He was a pastor almost 50 years, many of those spent in Corpus Christi at Travis Church and what is now Gateway Church. He also was pastor of churches in Weslaco and Fort Worth, as well as New Mexico and Missouri. He retired to New Braunfels in 2003. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; son, Don; brothers, Calvert and Carl; and sister, Barbara Craig. He is survived by his son, Richard; daughter, Margie Callihan; sister, Louise Grass; brother, Bob; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

• Timothy Maddox, 56, Sept. 6 in Abilene. The Hardin-Sim-mons University professor collapsed in the Skiles Building on his way to a meeting. He was rushed to a hospital but was not able to be resuscitated. A graduate of HSU and Southern Seminary, he had been a member of the faculty since 2004 as a professor of philosophy. He was a member of Cross Point Fellowship in Abilene. He is survived by his wife, Alana; and sons, Luke and Seth.

Events

• A gospel music festival will be held at First Church in Bryan Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. to benefit the Christian Women’s Job Corps. Performing will be a group of singing cadets, the Brazos-grass Band, Johnny Saculla and the Allen Chapel Choir. Tickets are $7 and free for children under age 12. For ticket information, call (979) 776-1400.

• Leonard Kramer, 90, was honored at First Church in New Braunfels with deacon emeritus status. He has been a member of the church since 1947 and a deacon since 1952.

Ordained

• Chad Fambrough, to the ministry at Immanuel Church in Abilene, Sept. 12.

Revivals

• Seventh Street Church, Ballinger; Sept. 19-22; evangelist, Robert Barge; music, Jeff Gore; pastor, David Williams.

• Bateman Church, Red Rock; Sept. 26-29; evangelist, Robert Barge; music, Jeff Gore; pastor, Jeff Jones.