HLG breaks ground for Secker Fieldhouse
Hannibal – The sharp edge of the gold painted shovel cut deep into the ground to symbolize the beginning of new construction on the campus of Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG). Students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of the college attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Secker Fieldhouse March 16.
“We have gathered here today to break ground for the construction of a building that reflects our progress as promised,” said Woodrow Burt, president of HLG. “We recently announced the addition of a wrestling program, and in order for us to add that program we must provide additional space. This building is being made possible thanks to the generosity of a long-time friend of HLG,” said Burt.
Burt went on to acknowledge and thank Girard (Gardy) Secker of Hannibal for whom the fieldhouse will be named.
Secker is optimistic about the new wrestling program. “I feel good about the program,” he said. “I hope they are successful, of course, and I’d like to see them do a good job in getting the program started, and then carrying on a first-class program.”
The Secker Fieldhouse will house the Secker Wrestling Program. The approximately 6,000-square-foot fieldhouse will provide added locker room and training spaces for wrestling and outdoor sports. The fieldhouse is expected to be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2007.
Missionary to speak at Briar Street Baptist
SPRINGFIELD – Missionary David Sitton was scheduled to speak at Briar Street Baptist Church, Springfield.
Sitton was to preach at 6 p.m. March 31 and 10 a.m. April 1.
Mo. Deaf Baptists gather at annual meeting
OAK GROVE – About 90 people – Deaf and hearing – recently met during The Missouri Baptist Conference of the Deaf (MBCD) at First Baptist Church. Amber Shorter, president of the MBCD, led the time of Bible study, prayer and fellowship. Shorter is the leader of the Deaf ministry at First Baptist Church in Fulton.
Bob Barker is pastor of the Legacy Deaf Fellowship, a mission of Legacy Road Baptist Church, Plano, Texas. Barker is Deaf and is one of the few full-time pastors of Deaf churches in the nation. Barker used the Chronological Bible Storying method to present his messages. His message demonstrated the storying method, and emphasized making right choices in life, based on the parable of the houses built on rock and sand.
While the Deaf adults were having Bible study, the interpreters met for workshops. Kim Davis from the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing led a workshop on interpreting from American Sign Language to English. Another workshop focused on interpreting music and drama in the church. Terry Johns from the host church is president of the Missouri Association of Southern Baptist Interpreters for the Deaf (MOSBID).
Robert and Peggy Mulkey, International Mission Board missionaries working with the Deaf in Ecuador, attended this conference. They also use the storying method to present the Gospel in Ecuador Sign Language.
Officers were elected to lead this group for the next two years. Linda Whiggam is the new president. She is a member of the Friendship Baptist Chapel of the Deaf in St. Louis.
New college in Orrick promotes biblical studies
ORRICK – First Baptist Church has announced the opening of the Midwest College of Biblical Studies (MCBS). MCBS is a religious exempt school that will be offering degrees ranging from a one-year Certificate of Practical Ministry to a four-year Bachelor of Theology. MCBS is recognized by the Missouri Department of Higher Education as a degree granting institution of higher learning.
MCBS is the idea of Clay A. Kahler, pastor of First Baptist Church. Kahler has served since 2001 as a professor of theology in three Bible colleges; he is the author of three books with a fourth about to be released. He is a popular conference speaker and has written for “Preaching Magazine,” “To His Glory Magazine,” and “Christianity Today.”
Kahler said that he is excited about the prospect of offering this opportunity to Ray County and beyond. “One of the most important mandates given to Church leaders is ‘the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:11-12). MCBS is one way of accomplishing this,” said Kahler.
MCBS is now enrolling for their first semester beginning on May 14. Classes will be held at the church located at 301 Adams Street. For more information, visit www.studytheology.org or call the church at 816-770-3343.
SBU and Tomsk State University link arms
BOLIVAR – During the recent Southwest Baptist University board of trustees meeting, the board approved a general agreement with Tomsk State University in Siberia, Russia. The purpose of the agreement is to develop exchange programs that will benefit students and faculty members of both universities.
Bob Klostermeyer, chairman of the department of history and political science and assistant professor of political science, and Vickie Ellis, professor of education, have visited the Tomsk State University campus and are responsible for initiating the relationship. Klostermeyer and SBU President, Pat Taylor, plan to visit Tomsk during the last week of May to discuss specific things that the two universities may be able to accomplish with the agreement.
BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University (SBU) will host its annual Fast Forward visit day April 9 for high school juniors and their parents to experience college life for a day. Registered visitors will have the opportunity to meet the SBU faculty, staff, and current students, participate in chapel and tour campus.
SBU’s director of admissions, Darren Crowder said, “The best way to know if a school is a good fit is to visit. You can learn about all of the SBU advantages on our website, but there is nothing like visiting in person to get to know the place and the people.”
To register for Fast Forward, complete the form at www.SBUniv.edu/prospectivestudents or call 800-526-5959 or 417-328-1810.
BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University’s (SBU) College of Business and Computer Science (COBACS) awarded the Psalm 15 Leadership Award to Kelly Baker, executive vice president for sales at Teters, Inc. during the COBACS annual Psalm 15 lecture on March 8.
David Whitlock, professor and dean of the COBACS, presented the award to Baker commenting, “Our first ever Psalm 15 Leadership Award recognizes Kelly Baker for his commitment to the characteristics of a professional who has enjoyed great professional success while maintaining his integrity and Christian values.” Baker was also the featured speaker for the lecture.
Two COBACS students also were awarded the annual Psalm 15 Student Award. These students are selected by the faculty members and this award is the highest honor given to a student in the SBU COBACS. This year’s recipients were seniors Kristina New Penland, Charleston, and Bradley Shrimpton, Kearney.
