AROUND TEXAS
Texas Baptists presented the 2020 Legacy Award to Charles R. “Chuck” Dooley, former church planter for Texas Baptists, and D.L. Lowrie, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Lubbock on Oct. 11. Dooley’s ministry includes six fulltime pastorates, 23 intentional interim pastorates, 10 years of ministry with the North American Mission Board and 20 years as a church planter with Texas Baptists. Lowrie has served as a pastor, convention leader and professor during his over 60 years of ministry. He has served as Texas Baptists president, chairman on the Executive Board, Program Coordinating Committee and State Mission Commission.
The Texas Baptist Legacy Award is presented annually at the Independence Baptist Church in Independence, Texas, in recognition of lifelong Christian service. Typically the service is held the first Sunday in June. This year, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the awards were presented to each individual and their families in private ceremonies at the Independence Baptist Church on Oct. 11. The late Phil Hassell was also honored during the day, after his passing on Sept. 13. In addition to his service as pastor of Independence Baptist Church, Hassell served as director of the Texas Baptist Historical Museum.
TEXAS BAPTIST RETIREES HONORED FOR THEIR FAITHFUL SERVICE In May, the Executive Board approved a proactive plan to provide a generous voluntary retirement package to eligible staff. Several longtime Texas Baptists accepted this offer including Bill Arnold, president of Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, Chris Liebrum, director of the Office of Cooperative Program Ministry, Roy Cotton, director of African American Ministry, and executiveteam member Rollie Richmond, director of Human Resources.
These and other retirees were recognized for their faithful service in the Texas Baptists weekly internal newsletter, during the Aug. 12 Staff Day, and at the Sept. 21 Executive Board meeting. Retirees will also be invited to attend Baptist Building Retiree Fellowship gatherings each spring and fall. “We are thankful to all Texas Baptist employees for their service, experience, and wisdom,” Board Chair Donna Burney said.
Ray Malone has been named Human Resources director and comes to Texas Baptists from his pastorship of Greater Beulah Baptist Church in Dothan, AL. Malone brings years of ministry and business experience to the new role which will greatly benefit convention staff. As Human Resources Director, Malone is excited to promote and enable Texas Baptists staff members as they minister to the state of Texas and beyond. “I’ve been closely affiliated with Texas Baptists for more than 12 years. I’ve had the chance to see it from the ministry side, now I get to see it from the administration side,” he said. “Being able to come in and help people care for their family, their health, their retirement, et cetera, so that they can focus on ministry is such a blessing.” Read more news at txb.org/news
OCTOBER 2020 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE
2020 TEXAS BAPTISTS LEGACY AWARDS HONOR CHARLES R. DOOLEY AND D.L. LOWRIE
Ray Malone named new HR Director
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