Two Men Honored with Baptist Award and Baptist Museum Rededicated in Independence

WACO, Texas (June 24, 2014) – Baylor University recently joined with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Texas Baptist Historical Collection to present the Texas Baptists Legacy Award to two legendary Texas Baptists and rededicate the Texas Baptist Historical Museum on the site of the oldest continuously active Baptist church in the state – Independence, Texas.
The award ceremony and rededication of the museum took place over the May 31-June 1 weekend in Independence, Texas. The Texas Baptist Legacy Award honors those who have left an impactful legacy in Baptist life and is presented by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Dr. Paul Powell, Dean Emeritus of Baylor’s Truett Seminary, and Bob Dixon, a member and former executive director of Texas Baptist Men, were awarded with the Texas Baptist Legacy Award on June 1. The award recognizes lifelong service and dedication to the ministry of Texas Baptists.
Dixon pioneered disaster relief ministry among Southern Baptists and is commended by Kathy Hillman, associate professor and director of Baptist collections in the Baylor University libraries, as “working tirelessly for the purpose of helping others.”
Pattie Orr, vice president for information technology and dean of University Libraries at Baylor, said Dixon’s service for others with the Texas Baptist Men disaster relief organization was shown in the way he spread around resources to those in need.
“I especially enjoyed when Mr. Dixon said he would want to get involved in every project to cross his path, but would instead ask himself who the best person for the job would be,” Orr said. “In the small amount he did to delegate that power, he exponentially increased the ability to help.”
Powell’s recognition was given by Joel Gregory, Ph.D., professor of preaching in Truett Seminary, Orr said.
“Gregory said that Powell’s influence had been both deep and wide,” she noted. “It’s common to see someone influence something deeply or to a wide extent, but not both at the same time.”
Hillman spoke to the importance of the Texas Baptist Historical Museum, which was rededicated on May 31. She said that it’s important to preserve the memory of the beginnings of Baptist culture, and there would be no better place than in Independence.
“The museum commemorates and tells the story of Texas Baptists,” Hillman said. “Baylor University and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor have an exhibit because of their greatly intertwined history with the Baptist roots in Texas.”
by Rebecca Flannery, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT THE BAYLOR UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
The Baylor University Libraries support excellence in teaching and learning, enhance research and discovery, and foster scholarship and success. Through its Central Libraries and special collections – Armstrong Browning Library, W.R. Poage Legislative Library and The Texas Collection – the Libraries serve as academic life centers that provide scholarly resources and technological innovation for the Baylor community and beyond.
ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies, or the Doctor of Ministry degrees that are centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world. Within the M.Div. degree program, students can choose concentrations in Biblical Studies and Theology, Christian Education, Ministry Leadership, Missions and World Christianity, Worship Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry, and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers three Dual Degree programs – a M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Social Work, a M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor's School of Music, and a M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. Visit www.baylor.edu/truett to learn more.