ARLINGTON – For the 3,000 students in attendance at the 2012 Youth Evangelism Conference hosted by Texas Baptists, they heard a message from speakers and musicians of what it means to "glorify" the Lord with their lives, the theme for the event.

David Crowder of Waco performs a concert during the Youth Evangelism Conference in Arlington.

"The whole reason we are here is to bring God glory. It's an ancient vision that God has given us," said Leighton Flowers, Texas Baptists youth evangelism director. For those present, Mandy Meeker, YEC coordinator, believes that Romans 11:36, the theme scripture, truly came to life for them.

During the weekend event, 101 students made first-time decisions to follow Jesus. One hundred and thirty-six students made recommitments, and two students responded to the call to ministry.

"It was amazing. There was just a sweet spirit in the atmosphere all weekend," Flowers said.

Meeker agrees, saying it was the best overall YEC they've had.

Jason Castro of Rockwall, former top-five finalist on American Idol, performs a concert during the Youth Evangelism Conference in Arlington.

Everyone – artists, musicians, speakers – they all embodied the theme for the weekend and spoke the gospel," Meeker said.

Jacob Allen, who attended YEC with First Baptist Church in Crosby, was one of the students who accepted Jesus as Savior of his life on Friday night. "It was a great, fun experience. I enjoyed being able to worship God," Allen said of his time at YEC.

Students heard the testimony of Tedashi, Christian music artist. He shared about coming to know Christ as his savior on the campus of Baylor University, where he attended college. Far From Ordinary, a two-man drama team, challenged the students not to keep hidden the life-saving gift of knowing Jesus as Lord. They demonstrated this in a skit about finding the cure for cancer, saying no one would ever keep the cure for cancer a secret. Keeping the knowledge the students have of Christ concealed is just as unfathomable.

Clayton King and Alex Harris were the guest speakers for the weekend. Both men preached bold messages and asked for bold responses from the students.

"There's no such thing as a private relationship with Jesus. It's a personal relationship. The world needs to know," King said to students Friday night.

Students at Youth Evangelism Conference respond to a public invitation to follow Christ following a message by Clayton King. (PHOTOS/Courtney Wilmoth)

Harris challenged the students to take a look at the fruit their lives were producing, preaching from Luke 6:43-46. He gave students five questions to ask themselves in order to help them see the remnants of faith in their life or the lack there of.

Neither King nor Harris asked the students to repeat any words or quietly pray to themselves during the invitations. In fact, both men asked students to boldly stand up if they wanted to accept Christ as their Lord for the first time.

On Saturday, Harris called those who wanted to know Christ to stand up and yell "Jesus Christ is Lord." And students did.

"It moved me to tears," Flowers said of hearing the students yell "Jesus Christ is Lord."

Shane and Shane led worship both days for students, while David Crowder and Jason Castro gave the concerts on Friday and Saturday.

According to Meeker, the servant hearts of the musicians helped to make each day feel much more like a full worship service rather than a concert.

"It was a well-rounded weekend, and I know the Lord was honored and glorified through all of it," Meeker said.

The Dallas branch of the NAACP and the Texas Republican Party recently joined the call to end the Texas Lottery.

“It appears that our strategy of joining civil rights organizations with social conservatives is gaining some traction. We are cautiously optimistic,” said Rodger Weems, chairman of Texans Against Gambling/Stop Predatory Gambling in Texas.

Before voting to urge the lottery’s abolition, members of the Dallas NAACP noted the Texas Lottery failed to keep its promises to fund public education, and they also pointed out a disproportionate number of lottery ticket purchasers live in low-income minority neighborhoods.

The Texas Republican Party platform includes a plank about legalized gambling in general and the lottery in particular. It states: “We oppose the expansion of legalized gambling and encourage the repeal of the Texas State Lottery. We oppose dedicating any government revenue from gambling to create or expand any government program.”

At public hearings of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in April, representatives from the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission and Texans Against Gambling/Stop Predatory Gambling in Texas urged the abolition of the Texas Lottery Commission, citing a two-decade record of failure to delivery on promises.

The Texas Legislature will vote next year whether to reauthorize the Lottery Commission.

SAN ANTONIO—"Rays of light" are flowing through the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas to make an impact on people for Christ across the state and beyond, leaders told the group's annual meeting.

"We are going to commission them tomorrow and send a ray of light" from San Antonio to East Asia, he said.

In business, convention messengers elected Daniel "Tiny" Dominguez, pastor of Community Heights Church in Lubbock, as first vice president; Isaac Ortiz, co-pastor of New Beacon Hill Baptist Church in San Antonio, as second vice president; and Leonardo Diaz, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Hitchcock, as secretary.

Rincones will continue serving his term as president.

DALLAS—Daniel Carrillo couldn't see it with his eyes, but his heart told him the truth of the matter.

"It's beautiful what these kids are doing for me," he said.

World Changers Ann Marie Shields and Cody Massey from Brashers Chapel Baptist Church in Albertville, Ala., work on a building project in East Dallas. (PHOTOS/George Henson)

Carrillo's East Dallas home numbered among the projects taken on by about 150 students from around the country as part of the LifeWay Christian Resources' World Changers program.

His eyesight always has been poor, but now it has deteriorated to the point where he can see colors and only vague outlines of shapes. That limits his ability to see the changes in the exterior of his home where the teenagers and their sponsors painted the trim and placed siding on his home. They also built a new cover for his patio in the backyard.

Carrillo's son, Frank, noted the siding was something his father talked about for decades, but the money was never there.

Daniel Carrillo worked two jobs despite not being able to drive. He took a bus each morning to his job as a technician at one hospital from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and then walked across the street to another hospital for the 3 to 11 p.m. shift. Then he took the bus back home, arriving shortly before midnight.

"We didn't see him much growing up," his son said. "But on the weekends and holidays, he was always there for us. He was a good father."

Homeowner Daniel Carrillo (2nd from left) and his son, Frank (left), express appreciation to Shawn Edwards, World Changers coordinator for the Dallas area, and one of the many volunteers who worked on his home in East Dallas. (PHOTOS/George Henson)

World Changers volunteers replace the siding on a home in East Dallas.

The other big component of Daniel Carrillo's life always has been God, he said. "I have always loved the Lord, and he has always provided for me and my family."

Carrillo was thrilled that the teenagers were at his home helping him.

"These kids—they're just great. To take time from their summer and come and help someone they don't even know, they are a blessing from God," he said.

The youth paid an average of $250 each to travel to Dallas with their church groups and paint, install siding, put on roofs and a variety of other jobs. Primera Iglesia Bautista in Dallas provided lodging for the volunteers.

This year, World Changers projects will take place in more than 85 cities from Alaska to Florida, and New York to California. World Changers is in its 22nd year of operation.

HAVANA, Cuba—An eight-member Texas Baptist Men team traveled to Cuba recently at the communist government's invitation to deliver water purification equipment and train Cubans in disaster relief.

In addition to providing 250 water filters with 400 buckets, TBM workers also delivered 25 pairs of shoes for orphaned children on behalf of Buckner International as part of its Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry, brought Cuban Baptist churches 28 duffels filled with Vacation Bible School and children's ministry supplies, and presented 60 scholarships to students at Havana Baptist Seminary.

During the trip, Isaac Torres of Kingsville and Ed Alvarado of Donna led an Experiencing God discipleship weekend at Calvario Baptist Church in Havana. Torres also preached at Calvario, as well as several other churches. The team was instrumental in leading numerous people to faith in Christ—from bellhops and bus drivers to the catcher of a Cuban major league baseball team.

Disaster relief opened the door for TBM to enter Cuba, and longstanding relationships Texas Baptists have established in the country helped to smooth the way, said Mickey Lenamon, TBM associate executive director.

L.M. Dyson, an associate professor in Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business and layman at First Baptist Church in Woodway, participated in the TBM trip. Dyson has traveled to Cuba regularly more than a decade.

Three members of a Texas Baptist Men trip to Cuba—(left to right) Ed Alvarado from Donna, TBM ethnic ministries consultant; Miguel Tello from Elsa and Tony Garcia from Bay City—pray with their tour guide, leading her to accept Christ as Savior. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Texas Baptist Men)

His involvement began when he helped with a rebuilding project at First Baptist Church in Santa Clara. Subsequently, he worked with Western Baptist Convention of Cuba on multiple projects and, more recently, the Eastern Baptist Convention.

"First Baptist Church of Woodway has been instrumental in working with both conventions in establishing house churches," Dyson noted. Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler also has been a longtime partner in ministries in Cuba.

Dyson has helped the Havana Baptist Convention make arrangements for professors to visit sister institutions in Texas—first Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and later Baylor's Truett Theological Seminary. He also has been involved in sports evangelism trips to Cuba involving the Baylor baseball team.

Through the years, Dyson's traveling companion and interpreter for nearly all the trips has been Manuel Galindo, pastor of First Baptist Church in Olmito, whom he has known since their student days at Rockport High School.

"He is more than a translator. Not only does he know the language, but also he is sensitive to the culture. And he is one of my best friends. I could not imagine meeting with the (Cuban) Ministry of Religious Affairs without him in the room," Dyson said.

Hermes Soto (center), president of Havana Baptist Seminary, receives a plaque from Manuel Galindo (left), pastor of First Baptist Church in Olmito, and Mickey Lenamon, associate executive director of Texas Baptist Men, marking 60 scholarships TBM provided for students at the Cuban seminary. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Texas Baptist Men)

During a spring trip to Cuba with Dyson and Galindo, Lenamon learned about needs at Havana Baptist Seminary.

The seminary—which has educated ministers in Cuba more than a century—has 60 full-time students on campus, plus several hundred part-time students at satellite campuses.

"Many of the students have to leave the fields where they are serving three days a week to go study at the seminary, and then travel back and forth," Galindo explained.

For $200 per year, Lenamon discovered, TBM could provide one student's room and board, tuition, books and a stipend for travel.

TBM subsequently established the Manuel Galindo Scholarship Fund—in Galindo's honor and in spite of his objections—and raised the necessary $12,000 to provide scholarships for all the seminary's full-time resident students.

FORT WORTH—The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission presented Wendy Davis, a state senator from Fort Worth, its Horizon Award for leadership in public service.

The CLC honored Davis for her efforts to curb predatory lending practices in the state. Davis received the award at a luncheon jointly sponsored by the CLC and the Baptist Center for Ethics during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly in Fort Worth.

Wendy Davis (right), a state senator from Fort Worth, receives the Horizon Award from the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, presented by CLC Director Suzii Paynter. (BGCT PHOTO)

"Many people in Texas now have become consumers of payday loans … that trap them in a cycle of debt," Davis said, expressing a desire to make "a difference in the lives of people so terribly impacted by this."

Davis was the author of two bills that sought to reign in abusive, high-cost payday and auto title lending. One bill sought to ensure that Texas service members received the protections afforded them under the federal Military Lending Act that had gone unenforced in Texas. 

"The passion and knowledge that Sen. Davis displayed this session on behalf of borrowers pushed reform efforts further than we ever expected," said CLC Director Suzii Paynter. "Though there is work that remains, our gains would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Sen. Davis and her staff. The early committee hearing and vote her bills received in the Senate put us on the right path towards reform. We are thankful and proud to have worked with such a dedicated public servant on an issue of such importance to the families of this state."

The Horizon Award, formerly given to recognize contributions to senior adult ministry, has been repurposed to acknowledge significant contributions to public policy issues of importance to the CLC. The award will be given to a handful of elected officials following each legislative session. This is the first year the newly focused award has been given to public policy leaders.

FORT WORTH—Associated Baptist Press presented its Greg Warner Lifetime Achievement Award in Religious Journalism to Toby Druin, editor emeritus of the Baptist Standard, who chronicled a historic and controversial era in Southern Baptist life.

Although he was praised as a mentor for religious journalists and a foremost chronicler of the Southern Baptist Convention holy war, in accepting a lifetime achievement award from Associated Baptist Press, Toby Druin noted he always thought of himself primarily as "the guy who got the paper out." (ABP PHOTO)

"The main reason Toby deserves a lifetime achievement award is because he was an exceptional war correspondent," said Marv Knox, an ABP director and Druin's successor as editor of the Baptist Standard.

"That may sound harsh to some of you in 2012, but Toby stands with Dan Martin as the top chroniclers of the conflict that divided the Southern Baptist Convention in the late 20th century," Knox said.

Martin, former news editor of Baptist Press, was one of two journalists fired in a censorship controversy that prompted the formation of Associated Baptist Press in 1990.

Since top leaders of the movement to rid the nation's second-largest faith group of so-called "liberalism" hailed from Texas, Knox said: "A disproportionate number of SBC battle reports bore Texas datelines. Toby covered them with courage, insight, vigor and a passion for accuracy."

Although fundamentalists won control of the national convention, Knox said, information and knowledge provided by Druin helped moderates in Texas to resist similar changes in the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

"Toby deserves acclaim tonight because he elevated the craft of denominational journalism," Knox said. "He practiced high-quality reporting and news writing and produced bountiful models of the craft. He also encouraged and mentored at least two generations of Baptist journalists who wanted to be like him. The strength of his articles and the power of his character provided both encouragement and ground cover for other journalists to 'go and do likewise.'"

Toby Druin, editor emeritus of the Baptist Standard, receives a lifetime achievement award in religious journalism from Associated Baptist Press, presented on behalf of the ABP board of directors by Jimmy Nickell of Overland Park, Kansas. (ABP PHOTO)

Knox hailed Druin as "the real deal" and a faithful Christian who "embodies what it means to be an authentic Baptist."

Druin, a one-time Baltimore Orioles catcher prospect whose career was cut short by an arm injury, worked at five Texas newspapers and served as a news writer at Baylor University. He then worked as associate editor of the Biblical Recorder, the North Carolina Baptist newspaper.

From there he moved to the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board, working as editor of news services, before returning to Texas to become associate editor of the Baptist Standard.

He was the first associate editor to be elected president of the Association of Baptist State Papers and capped his career as editor of the Baptist Standard. Since retirement, he has edited the Cowboy Times, a newspaper for the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches and Texas Fellowship of Cowboy Churches.

"I am not sure that I have ever been a journalist, whatever that is," Druin said, accepting the award. "I think of myself as a reporter and sometimes an editor. But mainly, I have just been always the guy who got the paper out. I've done it daily, weekly, monthly, semi-monthly, for 56 years. And for 46 of those I've done it for Baptists. Regardless of the frequency of the publication, every time the presses have rolled, a miracle has happened. So in that sense, I guess I've been a miracle worker, too."

Druin, 77, is third recipient of the Greg Warner Lifetime Achievement Award in Religious Journalism, established in 2009 and named after the first permanent employee of ABP, who took early disability retirement in 2008 due to chronic health issues.

Druin accepted the honor at a Friends of ABP dinner, held in conjunction with June 21-22 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in Fort Worth.

—With additional reporting by Managing Editor Ken Camp

AUSTIN—The push to regulate auto title and payday lenders gained steam recently as more than three dozen organizations representing consumers, financial institutions, low-income communities and the elderly joined the cross-denominational Texas Faith for Fair Lending in efforts to push for new state laws to protect borrowers from interest rates and fees.

In recent years, Texas Faith for Fair Lending—a coalition that includes the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission —has been working on the payday lending issue as church leaders have noted how payday loans hurt individuals and families who struggle with interest higher than 400 percent APR.

“When a desperate borrower takes out a $4,000 auto title loan, pays $1,200 a month for months on end and never pays it off, something is terribly wrong with the law,” said CLC Director Suzii Paynter, speaking on behalf of Texas Faith for Fair Lending. “This type of predatory lending hurts Texas families and is a clear moral issue of concern for our pastors and congregations.”

Leaders of Texas Faith for Fair Leading are the CLC, Texas Impact, and the Texas Catholic Conference. The Texas Fair Lending Alliance includes AARP Texas, Texas Appleseed, Center for Public Policy Priorities, Texas Association of Goodwills, RAISE Texas, Texas Association of Community Development Corporations, Texans Care for Children and other groups.

The new joint coalition’s goals have widespread support, according to polling data released by Texas Fair Lending Alliance. The group reported 75 percent of surveyed registered Texas voters support legislation to lower consumer costs on these heavily marketed small-dollar loans that trap many payday and auto title borrowers in mounting debt. 

“These poll results indicate overwhelming, nonpartisan support for meaningful state regulation of payday and auto title lending among Texas’ registered voters—and that support holds true irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity or political party affiliation,” said Rebecca Lightsey, executive director of public interest law center Texas Appleseed.

When asked to describe payday and auto title loans, participants in the poll most frequently used the terms “high interest,” “rip off” and “expensive.” 

“These loans are defective products that unfairly target working families, military families, and seniors. The public’s negative perception is in line with the devastating impact these loans have on consumers and the economy as a whole, which has been well-documented in state and national research,” Lightsey added.

Among those polled, 85 percent favored capping interest rates on payday and auto title loans at 36 percent APR or less.  New state laws took effect in January that license payday and auto title lenders for the first time in Texas and require more transparent disclosure of their loan terms to potential borrowers.

“Texas lawmakers have taken a critical first step to provide a framework for fair small-dollar lending in this state,” said Bob Jackson, state director of AARP Texas. “It's time to address the issue of high interest and fees and a business model that traps borrowers in a never-ending cycle of mounting debt. Seniors on limited incomes are particularly vulnerable to these highly excessive rates and fees.”

LEVELLAND—The first person Arlano Funderburk met when he began leading the Baptist Student Union at South Plains College was Debbie Bridges, then student president of the campus ministry.

They sat and talked, getting to know each other and gaining a better understanding of what each believed God wanted to do through the collegiate ministry.

Arlano Funderburk

In the 40 years since then, Funderburk has participated in many similar conversations. Through a one-person-at-a-time approach, he's grown to know multitudes through the Baptist Student Ministries at South Plains College, investing his life in students, faculty and staff.

"I think if you're going to invest in students, there has to be a level of trust. And that's something that has to be earned. It's never an automatic thing," Funderburk said. "I think all of us have to earn it one person at a time."

Funderburk plans to retire in August. But the impact of the conversations and relationships he had with students will continue.

That legacy particularly is strong in interns who have served at the BSM in the last decade. Funderburk devoted hours upon hours to each student, equipping them for leadership. Nearly all went on to attend seminary after serving as an intern with Funderburk.

Ashley Roberts, South Plains BSM's first intern, calls Funderburk "family." They still regularly communicate and see each other. His ability to care about people is amazing, his willingness to trust Christ, inspiring, she said.

"Arlano is one of the most influential people in my life," she said. "He helped broaden my scope of faith. I hope I can trust Jesus as much as Arlano along my journey."

When Funderburk visits with a person, it's like that person is the only person in the room—even in the midst of a busy event such as the BSM's weekly free lunch, Roberts noted.

"It's like he's having that lunch for you, and all those other 200 people just happened to show up," she said.

Corbin Lambeth, an intern last school year, said Funderburk nurtures the interns he serves alongside.

He helps them grow in their faith by encouraging them, challenging them and giving them increasing responsibilities, Lambeth noted. Under Funderburk's tutelage, interns teach, preach and lead mission trips each year.

"When it comes down to it, he focuses on Christ," Lambeth said. "Christ is his true north."

Funderburk's calling from God led him to serve 40 years at South Plains College and to take college students on numerous mission trips through the years.

God's pull on Funderburk's heart also pushed him to serve in Mexico, where he continues to minister regularly, even though it has grown increasingly dangerous in the area.

Bruce McGowan, director of collegiate ministry with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, praised Funderburk's ongoing influence in students' lives. How he has invested his life in the lives of others has carried the gospel far beyond the city limits of Levelland, he observed.

"Arlano will be missed in Texas BSM," McGowan said. "But his legacy will continue through students and former interns. What a blessing Arlano is to all of us who serve college students across the world."

John Pearce, collegiate ministry regional director for the BGCT, marvels at the way Funderburk was able continously to rebuild student leadership at a two-year school.

"He's was one of the most servant-hearted people you've ever met," Pearce said.

"He's fun to be around, in the sense he really cares about the people he works with and spends time with. When you spend time with Arlano, you always feel better."

BGCT Associate Executive Director Steve Vernon, who served as Funderburk's pastor nearly 18 years at First Baptist Church in Levelland, called the BSM director a "campus fixture." School administrators trusted him. Staff trusted him. Most important, students trusted him as he led them to Christ, Vernon said.

"I appreciate that he has lived in a very Christ-like way in all his life," he said. "He has exemplified the presence of Christ."

DALLAS—A 21-member student group from Dallas Baptist University who participated in a weeklong mission trip to Atibaia, Brazil, learned language creates no barrier to being the hands and feet of Christ.

Justin Halferty, a graduate student at Dallas Baptist University, plays with children in Brazil. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Jon Dooley)

"The DBU students started learning Portuguese words but found that special attention and hugs are universal signs for showing love," said Jon Dooley, trip sponsor and camp-sport ministry director at DBU.

The missions team worked at a camp for children ages 5 to 12. The camp is connected to the Word of Life headquarters in Brazil, a retreat and training center for pastors and missionaries.

In addition to leading recreation, the students also led worship, performed skits and presented the gospel.

After fulfilling their assigned roles during organized activities, students also found time to play a game of soccer or paint fingernails, giving the children time and individualized attention.

"Each person played a vital role," said Justin Halferty, a graduate student at DBU. "It was neat to see the body of Christ work together and utilize our strengths to minister to others."

Trip sponsors marveled at the way the students gave so much of themselves to their mission.

"The students all jumped in and loved the kids with all the energy they had," Dooley said.

Tyler Walker, a student at Dallas Baptist University, befriends a boy from a children's camp in Brazil. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Jon Dooley)

"It was such an incredible sight to see the love of Christ being shared with kids all over the campground at the same time."

To prepare for the trip, students leading music learned three worship songs in Portuguese. But even with limited language skills, the students discovered God could use them.

"The language barrier caused us to make sure the Lord's love was displayed through our actions, not just our words," senior Lindsay Sanders said. "God allowed those kids to feel his love through our actions. This is what we had prayed for, and God was faithful to fulfill it."

As Edi Morris, a senior music major at DBU, led music throughout the week, she realized the reason she had been called to the trip was to use her musical gifts to glorify God.

"By being flexible and willing to serve, God provided our team with the opportunity to lead worship in many different settings—from a church service to singing songs on the streets," Morris said.

God's faithfulness proved to be the theme of the week for team members as they saw needs met and prayers answered. From having a team member who spoke fluent Portu-guese to receiving visas just days before leaving for the trip, the DBU team was encouraged by how details fell into place for a successful trip.

"I learned that God is exalted among the nations," Sanders explained. "God is God of all nations, and he is greater than we can imagine."

BURKBURNETT—Kerry Finley had no intention of starting a cowboy church in an empty glass-front bar and liquor store. But God had other plans.

Pastor Kerry Finley keeps his sermons brief, simple and down-to-earth, and worshippers at Red River Cowboy Church respond favorably. (BGCT PHOTO)

Driving past the empty bar one day in September, a "For Rent" sign caught Finley's eye. After pulling into the parking lot, Finley began praying. That day, he rented the building and placed an ad in the local newspaper publicizing the church that would start the next Sunday.

The first Sunday, 38 people showed up. On the third Sunday, there were 64 people. Finley's preaching focuses on transformation from the inside out—a message the church's meeting place exemplifies.

Just minutes from the Oklahoma border, people come from across the Red River and from Wichita Falls and Iowa Park to the church in Burkburnett. One man even rides his bicycle from Electra to Burkburnett—35 miles each way—every Sunday.

"God took something that was evil, and he made it good," said Finley, pastor of the Red River Cowboy Church, a congregation started with the help of gifts to missions through the Cooperative Program, Texas Baptists' primary giving channel.

The congregation reached a high of 97 people one Sunday. Seventy chairs were crammed into the small space, while children sat on the floor in front of Finley. The congregation celebrated five baptisms in a water trough. Finley asked his congregation if they were ready for a bigger space, and worshippers all replied affirmatively.

By 5 p.m. that day, Finley had another building rented. Since then, the attendance has been running in the 100s.

"I never thought about the number of people that would show up," Finley said. "It seems anything we do, the Lord just grows it."

Many of the new converts never have stepped inside a church before. Some, like Max Dula, even frequented the bar where the church met later. Now Dula works with the youth of the church.

Worshippers take notes and listen attentively during at Bible study at Red River Cowboy Church. (BGCT PHOTO)

In April, he was baptized with his father, Michael Dula, and 13-year old son, Stephen Dula.

Going through some difficult times, Max Dula was searching for guidance and decided to come to the church.

"There is a family atmosphere here," he said. "Besides my marriage and kids, it's the best thing I've ever done. There are no judgments here; come as you are."

That seems to be a resounding theme among the members, including Dula's mother, Dorothy.

She has attended Red River Cowboy Church since its first Sunday—even though she never had consistently attended a church before. But after seeing the newspaper ad, she decided to try out the cowboy church.

"I've never felt comfortable anywhere else. I love it here, and the teaching is wonderful. Everything is so down-to-earth. The people are loving and caring. It's just a special place," she said.

Debbie Kalb and her family have been a part of the church since the first Sunday. Kalb works with the young children and seeks to show them the love of Christ by teaching them to love one another and performing acts of kindness such as mowing lawns or cleaning houses.

Dick West, who was invited to the church by the Kalb family, has attended for two months after having his lawn mowed by the church.

West, a trick roper for 65 years, doesn't consider himself a cowboy—not that anyone seems to mind.

"You don't have to be a cowboy to come here. Everybody lives a different life, but here people think and pray on the same level. No differences," West said.

Finley seeks to reach the cowboy culture. For him, that means there's no Sunday school, the church only meets for an hour at a time, and he preaches short sermons.

"The method changes—how it's presented—but the message stays the same," Finley said.

Kalb believes there still is much more in store for Red River Cowboy Church.

"God has a plan to reach more people. It's all about him, not us. It's not about the number. It's about reaching more with Christ and relying on him," Kalb said.

SAN ANTONIO—Bobby Page, a Baptist General Convention of Texas-endorsed chaplain, has been confirmed as second-in-command over Air Force chaplains.

Page is the first BGCT-endorsed chaplain to serve as deputy chief of Air Force chaplains. Often, the person who holds that position eventually is promoted to lead Air Force chaplains, who number about 500.

Bobby Page

Page currently is stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, where he oversees more than 200 chaplains in 18 locations. In his military career, Page has earned numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit Award twice, the Meritorious Service Medal four times and the Air Force Commendation Medal three times.

Bobby Smith, who leads Texas Baptists' chaplaincy program, praised Page's skills as a leader and noted his ability to minister to military personnel. Page truly has his "heart in heaven and feet on the ground" caring for the men and women under his charge, Smith said.

"Chaplain Page is an incredibly intelligent leader and organizer," Smith said. "He's the greatest pastoral care giver I've ever met. Simply put, Chaplain Page is a gentle soul who knows how to get the job done."

Page first was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Louisiana State University in 1973.

In 1980, he began studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. After graduating, he was pastor of churches in Arkansas and North Carolina. While serving as pastor, he also ministered as chaplain in the Air National Guard.

He returned to active Air Force duty in 1989 and has served in a variety of chaplaincy roles, including significant deployment experience. In 2003, he established the first Air Force chaplain ministry at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.