Baylor Alumnus and Humanitarian to Present Lecture Sept. 14

September 11, 2007

by Devany Severin, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

Dr. Charles "Dick" Hurst, a retired physician and Baylor University graduate, will deliver a lecture about global missions from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, in room 116 of the Draper Academic Building on Baylor's campus.

In his lecture, "Serving in Tough Places - Iran, Iraq, Kosovo and Chechnya - One Thing Leads to Another," Hurst will describe what it's like to serve in areas of the world that are caught up in conflict and turmoil. Particularly, he will focus on the issues of grief and loss, shed some light on the causes of terrorism and discuss the role that faith has played in his travels.

Hurst has completed more than 20 mission trips worldwide and was the recipient of the 2005 Abner V. McCall Humanitarian Award from Baylor for his humanitarian efforts, an award presented annually to Baylor alumni who have exhibited a Christian response to those situations and persons around them in ways exemplified by the late Baylor President Abner V. McCall.

Hurst wrote Religion, An Accident of Birth while compiling his journals from his travels. The book inspired R. Keith Parks, retired coordinator for Cooperative Baptist Global Missions and former president of Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board.

"Dick Hurst details in a fascinating way how his faith and a serious commitment to the Lord resulted in 'showing and telling' the Gospel to people in many lands. I trust many will read his story and follow his example," Parks said.

The Baylor Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in the Baylor School of Social Work is sponsoring the lecture in an effort to bring important global issues to campus. Due to limited seats, students are asked to reserve a spot by emailing Renae_Parsons@baylor.edu.

For more information please contact, Kim Kotrla at Kim_Kotrla@baylor.edu.