FORT WORTH—In anticipation of doubling the number of scholarships offered to African-American students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, trustees there approved the president’s recommendation to name them in honor of two alumni, Eugene Florence and Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge.

“We started last year making 10 of our scholarships directly available to African-Americans and this year we are adding 10 more,” SWBTS President Paige Patterson announced during the April 10-11 trustee meeting at the campus.

At the age of 100, Florence was awarded a master of divinity degree in 2004 for coursework he had completed in 1951. At that time, during the period of segregation, the seminary did not offer a master’s degree program but instead had night classes available for blacks to earn a diploma. He preached in chapel in 2006—at 102 years old. Over the course of 70 years, Florence pastored four churches in Texas.

Lockridge, a Texas native who began his ministry in Ennis, pastored Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego for 41 years and was best known for his message “That’s My King,” which features a six-and-a-half-minute description of Jesus Christ that has been played in thousands of churches over the decades.

Trustees also approved Patterson’s recommendation to move the J. Dalton Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston to Sagemont Baptist Church, at the church’s invitation. The move will provide more accessible facilities. The board authorized the school to sell the current Broadway campus.

A proposed budget of $35,947,605 was approved for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, down from the previous year’s $36,833,962 figure.

Faculty promotions were approved for Mike Wilkinson from assistant professor of theology to professor of theology; John Yeo from assistant professor of Old Testament to associate professor of Old Testament; Matthew McKellar from associate professor of preaching to professor of preaching; and Terri Stovall from associate professor of women’s ministries to professor of women’s ministries.

Michael Crisp was approved to occupy the Edgar “Preacher” Hallock Chair of Baptist Student Work.

Trustees also approved graduates for spring and summer commencement exercises, a new social media policy and a reduction in the baccalaureate of humanities and biblical studies degree from 129 to 125 hours.

Kevin Ueckert, pastor of First Baptist Church of Georgetown, was re-elected chairman. Connie Hancock, pastor of Springboro Baptist Church of Springboro, Ohio, was elected vice-chairman and Philip Levant, pastor of Iglesia Bautista La Vid of Hurst, was elected secretary. All officers were elected by acclamation.

It’s not easy being the younger brother of a former president. Or the younger brother of the former attorney general. Or the son of a former Roosevelt administration official.

For Edward “Ted” Kennedy, though, it’s just part of life in 1969 America. Expectations always have been high, and with his two older brothers now dead following assassinations, the Kennedy mantle has been passed to him.

“What’s it like walking in that shadow?” a reporter asks.

The sky is the limit for this youngest Kennedy, who already has been elected to the U.S. Senate and is now majority whip. Friends and big-money donors even are encouraging him to run for president in 1972.

But all that changes one night in July 1969 – the very night Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11 are heading to the moon. After hosting a party on Chappaquiddick Island for some friends, Kennedy leaves the party with Mary Jo Kopechne, a single woman who had worked on his brother Robert’s presidential campaign. Minutes later, they are speeding down a dirt down, and within seconds, he has driven off a bridge and into the water. Kopechne is killed and Kennedy survives, and his legacy is forever tied to the incident.

The film Chappaquiddick (PG-13) opens this weekend, telling the story of what has become the most-investigated car crash in U.S. history. It stars Jason Clarke (Everest) as Kennedy, Kate Mara (Captive, Fantastic Four) as Kopechne, and comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan as Paul Markham.  

Director John Curran and writers Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan said their goal was to make a movie based solely on the facts and one that doesn’t promote conspiracy theories. Perhaps they accomplished that – I’ll let historians debate the details – but I do know they weaved an engrossing story that left me outraged at Kennedy while also feeling empathy for him. The movie shows Kennedy and his father’s legal team working to cover up the facts. It also shows Kennedy working futilely to live up to his father’s enormous expectations as the latter tells him: “You won’t ever be great.”

Here are the details:

Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!

Violence/Disturbing

Minimal. We see Kennedy drive off the bridge, and then divers trying to get the body. We also see officials examine Kopechne’s clothed body. In flashbacks and re-creations, we see Kopechne fight to get out of the car.  

Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity

Minimal. We see two women in one-piece swimsuits on a beach. Men strip down to their underwear to try and save Kopechne.

Coarse Language

Moderate. At least 28 coarse words: h-ll 7, s—t 5, OMG 3, d—n 3, a—2, misuse of “Christ” 2, misuse of “Jesus” 2, f-word 2, SOB 2.

Other Stuff You Might Want To Know

I’m a stickler for historical accuracy. This means during any history-based film, I’m asking, “Did that really happen?” I asked that a lot during Chappaquiddick – which isn’t surprising with a story surrounded by conspiracy theories. Questioning the narrative in such a film isn’t a bad thing. It can drive us back to the history books, forcing us to search for the facts.

Life Lessons

Kennedy is a complicated character in Chappaquiddick. At first, he tries to cover up what happened. Then he changes his mind, telling his dad he’s going to do the right thing. Then he changes it back. And then he changes it again. Finally, he changes it again. It’s a modern-day parable with a tragic ending, and it includes life lessons on telling the truth, covering up the facts and deceiving others. What would each of us have done? After all, isn’t denial often our first reaction when caught in sin?

For parents, there’s also a lesson to be learned about placing expectations on children. Kennedy’s ill father is cruel to him throughout the film. It’s difficult to watch.   

Finally, let’s not overlook the compromising situation in which Kennedy put himself. He was a married man with children, partying and then in the car with a single woman.  

Worldview

Scripture warns us, “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). If we’re honest, most of us can list an example from our own lives where that happened. Thankfully, though, our personal-and-embarrassing moments aren’t portrayed on the big screen as they are in Chappaquiddick.

Additionally, even the sins we think we have escaped in this world are known by an omniscient, omnipresent God, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). One day, all of us will answer for our sinful deeds.  

What I Liked

Clarke is great as Kennedy, masterfully copying the mannerisms, the accent and the quirks. The screenplay, too, is well-written. It’s not easy making a movie when everyone knows how it will end. But in Chappaquiddick, I never lost interest. It is well-produced. Also, hats off to the filmmakers for staying away from a possible Kennedy-Kopechne love story. We don’t even see them kiss. Kennedy’s reaction to his father’s harmful words is enjoyable, too.   

What I Didn’t Like

The strong language.

Discussion Questions

1. In America, are you more likely to get away with a crime if you are wealthy?
2. Should Kennedy’s legacy have been tarred because of Chappaquiddick? If he had told the truth, would it/should it have made a difference?
3. Do our sins always find us out (Numbers 32:23)?
4. Did the expectations that his father placed on him change your attitude about Kennedy? 

Chappaquiddick is rated PG-13 for thematic material, disturbing images, some strong language, and historical smoking.

Entertainment rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

LEWISVILLE–“Zandal is very passionate about the gospel and about leadership,” said Cody Landers, student pastor at Lakeland Baptist Church describing one of his students who experienced a radical life change last summer at the M3 Week Camp of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

M3 Week focuses on evangelism: challenging all students to walk closely with Christ, live evangelistically in their communities, and live missionally in the world.  Zandal is an example of how God has used M3 Week to a ignite passion for Christ that makes a difference.

Throughout M3 Week, students build relationships with their own group by doing everything together. Each activity of M3 facilitates building a family unit. 

“At M3 you stay with your youth group rather than divide by ages, which is unique compared to a lot of camps,” Landers said. Because of the diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds of the Lakeland student group, he believes this togetherness helps his group overcome differences and develop a sense of family.

Breakout sessions provide opportunities for students to dive into relevant and engaging topics such as apologetics, how to evangelize, and dealing with struggles and temptations they face regularly, such as pornography. Landers stated, “I’ve had more kids confess personal sin in their lives because of those breakout sessions.”

Landers said typical summer camp costs of $400 to $500 are often prohibitive for students. Through Cooperative Program giving, camp fees are minimized, which helps get Lakeland Baptist students to camp, and allows the church to provide scholarships for students in financial need.  “This year we will scholarship about 25 students.” Landers said.

“Our student ministry always benefits from camp—especially M3.  I’ve never walked away from M3 thinking it was a waste of time. After camp they should be better leaders, more engaged with Christ, and have closer relationships,” said Landers. 

M3 2017 was Zandal’s first experience attending a church camp. Landers remembers observing him during breakout sessions and services, and witnessing his heart transformation.  “There was a point when he began talking to me about some things going on in his life, and how he wanted to get those things right with Christ.”  

At the end of the week, Zandal surrendered to a call to ministry, and since then has consistently demonstrated his commitment.

“He is winning people in the community to Christ.  He’s even going after some older people in our community trying to get them involved in the church [which has] truly been impactful on our church and community,” said Landers in a video produced for the SBTC last fall that can be seen at https://vimeo.com/240611551. 

Landers recently told the TEXAN how God has continued working in Zandal’s life. “It’s great just watching him give his testimony and engage with people—he goes to WalMart and different places and shares the gospel and invites them to come to Lakeland. Zandal has really gown a lot.”

For more information about M3 Week go to sbtexas.com/m3 or call Garrett Wagoner at 877-753-SBTC. Space is still available for the Glorieta M3 camp.