BROWNWOOD – February 23, 2021 – Howard Payne University recently honored six students as Currie-Strickland Scholars during the 14th Annual Currie-Strickland Lectures in Christian Ethics featuring guest lecturer Dr. M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas).
Students honored were Taylor Cox, a senior from May majoring in Christian education; Grace Hawkins, a junior from Stephenville majoring in youth ministry; Brenden Hough, a senior from Aubrey majoring in practical theology; Kylie Johnson, a senior from Abbott majoring in cross-cultural studies; Ryan McCord, a senior from Round Rock majoring in Bible; and Mark Sisemore, a junior from McKinney majoring in Christian education.
“One of the absolute best things about HPU is the students who choose to attend here,” said Dr. Gary Gramling, dean of the School of Christian Studies, director of graduate programs in Christian studies and professor of Christian studies. “We are so thankful that God continues to lead such quality students to study with us and to prepare for the calling He has placed in their hearts.”
Dr. Carroll is the Scripture Press Ministries professor of biblical studies and pedagogy at Wheaton College and Graduate School. His lectures were centered on the theme of “The Bible and Immigration: The Scripture as Foundation and Compass.”
“As you study both testaments of the Bible, you begin to see how central migration is to the history of the people of God,” said Dr. Carroll. “Migration becomes a metaphor for faith itself, which makes sense. As Christians, we have a different King, we have a different citizenship and we should live different lives. We are strangers and it should be a very strange place for us. The problem for Christians is that this place is no longer strange. We kind of like it and want to keep strangers out or we defend it, which in many ways is counter to the essence of our faith.”
Dr. Carroll is half-Guatemalan and was raised bilingual and bicultural. He taught at Denver Seminary, where he founded a Spanish-language lay training program, and El Seminario Teólogico Centroamericano in Guatemala City, Guatemala, where he continues to teach as an adjunct professor. He has been involved in many Hispanic churches and teaching the Bible and immigration for many years.
“Dr. Carroll was a refreshing speaker for this year’s Currie-Strickland Lectures, not only because of his timely topic, but also because of the thoughtful way he engaged the audience,” said Dr. Gramling. “We are glad for the privilege of hosting him on our campus.”
The Currie-Strickland lecture series is made possible through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Elliston and was established to honor the life of Dr. David R. Currie, retired executive director of Texas Baptists Committed; and the memory of Phil Strickland, who dedicated nearly 40 years of ministry to the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Christian Life Commission.
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Cutline #1: Pictured are Dr. Gary Gramling; Taylor Cox of May; Grace Hawkins of Stephenville; Kylie Johnson of Abbott; Brenden Hough of Aubrey; Dr. M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas); Ryan McCord of Round Rock; and Mark Sisemore of McKinney.
Cutline #2: Dr. Carroll speaks during HPU’s 14th annual Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics.