Billy and Winky Foote Photo: www.news-journal.com

Billy and Winky (Stark) Foote met on the campus of then East Texas Baptist College back in 1961. They were united in marriage on October 26, 1963. On Sunday, October 27, 2013, a 50 year anniversary celebration will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Lakeport, Texas, just south of Longview.

James Robison and Billy Foote will conduct a special Sunday morning service beginning at 10:45 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church on October 27. James Robison will be preaching and Billy will be leading the music and directing the choir, just as they did 50 years ago

Billy and Winky are members of Trinity Baptist and serve as directors of a kids program for 4^th -6^th grades called Kids For Christ. Back in April 2009, Billy conducted his 1000^th revival meeting.

Billy and Winky have two grown children, Billy James Foote and his wife, Cindy, of Amarillo, and Wendy (Foote) Tompkins and her husband, Robbie, of Gilmer. Billy and Winky also have four beautiful granddaughters: Brooke Tompkins, Libby Foote, Gracie Foote and Sunny Foote.

Son Billy James wrote the worship song, You Are My King (Amazing Love) while he was a student at ETBU.

To read the complete anniversary announcement published in the Longview News-Journal, click here.

 God’s blessings to Billy and Winky from your ETBU family.

First Baptist Church Pastor Michael Murphy appreciates the new truck given to him by the congregation in honor of nine years of service to the church and community. Photo: Sarah Acosta, Austin Community Newspapers

Two graduates of East Texas Baptist University have been honored for their leadership abilities and servanthood to the Kingdom of God.

 First Dale Suel, a 1979 graduate was elected by the messengers of the 44^th Annual Meeting of the Baptist Convention of New York (BCNY) as President of the Convention. Suel also serves the Convention as the elected Chairman of the BCNY Executive Board.

Suel has been the pastor of Amherst Baptist Church of Amherst, New York since 2009. Before, he and his wife Kathy moved to New York, he served as pastor of Steep Hollow Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas.

Second, 1984 alum Michael Murphy received a gift from the congregation that he pastors that was a total surprise.  Murphy is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Smithville, Texas and is moving into his 10^th year at the church.  The gift of a new 2013 Ford 150 truck was presented to him by the congregation for his many years of faithful ministry.  Murphy told a reporter with the Austin Community Newspapers he was surprised and unworthy of such a gift.

The ETBU family rejoices in the news about Suel and Murphy.

To read the story, “FBC Pastor Truckin’ Into His 10^th Year,” by reporter Sarah Acosta, click here.

To learn more about the church Suel pastors in New York, click here.

Danny Pickens holds his falcon named Phoenix in his backyard Aug. 28 in Whitehouse. Pickens is a falconer. He hunts wild game in its natural state and habitat by using a trained bird of prey. Phoenix is captive bred, a gyr/peregrine hybrid. Photo by Sarah A. Miller

Who is your hunting partner? Is it an old college friend? Maybe it is someone in your church?  Dr. Danny Pickens, a 1984 graduate of East Texas Baptist University, has a very unique hunting partner. His name is Phoenix and Phoenix does not hunt with a gun or bow.  Phoenix is a falcon in which Pickens has been training and hunting with for 13 years.

Pickens currently serves as the Director of Missions for the Smith Baptist Association.  He became licensed as falconer in 1987. Recently, the Tyler Morning Telegraph featured Pickens and Phoenix in a story. The feature piece written by Coshandra Dillard was also published in the Longview News Journal.   Pickens said in the story, “Falcons have been scientifically clocked at over 225 mph in a dive.” 

Phoenix and Pickens do more than just hunt together. The longtime minister of the Gospel uses Phoenix sometimes in churches as a teaching tool.  Back in the summer, Pickens did a falconry demonstration at Lake Tyler Baptist Church for Vacation Bible School.

To read more about this interesting hunting partner that Pickens hunts with click here.

Crossroads Baptist Church youth minister Jeff Stapleton (in orange jacket with cap) stands with a group while on a mission trip to Huyacaundo Arma, Peru. Standing next to Stapleton (brown jacket) is ETBU graduate David Rice, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church and current ETBU Board of Trustee member.

On a recent Wednesday night, ETBU alum and youth minister Jeff Stapleton, did something that has led some of his friends to call him Dr. Dolittle or the Dog Whisperer.   Stapleton was at home after leading the youth of Crossroads Baptist Church when his neighbor knocked on his door.

The neighbor’s dog was in distress after choking on food.  Stapleton, who is also pursuing his graduate degree in Religion at ETBU, sprang into action. He performed CPR on Tigger, a five-year old Chihuahua. Tigger responded to Stapleton’s actions and is doing fine.

Way to go Stapleton by helping your neighbor in a time of need. The heroic act gained the attention of Marshall News Messenger reporter Austin King. Read the complete story that appeared in the Marshall News Messenger by clicking here.