The Perkins Lay Advisory Board works with Perkins’ office of Advanced Ministerial Studies, providing advice, counsel, and support for developing theological education programs to meet the needs of the laity for their ministry in church, community, vocation, and families, and to assist laity in their personal and spiritual growth. This includes assistance in the planning and execution of Perkins Theological School for the Laity. The Board also assists with development efforts for the Howard-Holbert Endowment Fund for lay theological education and selects the annual recipient of the Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award.

 

Members of the Perkins Lay Advisory Board are nominated during the annual Perkins Theological School for the Laity program in March at SMU and elected at the Board’s annual meeting in the spring.

 

Chair, David Johnson

Vice-Chair, Cole Williamson

Secretary, Thalia Matherson

Past Chairperson, Isabelle Collora

 

Current members of Perkins Lay Advisory Board

 

Lonnie Brooks-Anchorage, AK

David Chaffin-Allen, TX

Solomon Christian-Lakeland, TN

Isabelle Collora-Dallas, TX

Dalila Cruz-San Antonio, TX

Spencer Dawkins-Allen, TX

Earnest Deadwyler-Dallas, TX

Patricia Depew-Coppell, TX

Betty Dotts-Lubbock, TX

David Finley-Plano, TX

Amy Forbus-Carrollton, TX

Charlene Fowler-Houston, TX

Becky French-Houston, TX

Evelyn Glass-Dallas, TX

Jane Graner-Denton, TX

Jo Herrington-Plano, TX

Florence Higgins-Raton, NM

Hind Jarrah-McKinney, TX

David Johnson-Houston, TX

Thomas Kirwin-Allen, TX

Ila Kraft-Dallas, TX

Mark Larson-Stafford, TX

Ronald Marr-Pinehurst, TX

Sam Martin-Duncanville, TX

Thalia Matherson-DeSoto, TX

Dan Nicewander-Plano, TX

Ted  Nicklaus-Amarillo, TX

Kris Schalon-Wichita, KS

Fred Sordahl-Pryor, OK

Justin Swinford-North Little Rock, AR

Debbie Tull-Plano, TX

Ron Wilhelm-Dallas, TX

Helen Williams-Katy, TX

Cole Williamson-Little Rock, AR

Cindy Wingo-Dallas, TX

Laura Young-Huntsville, TX

 

Perkins Announces Larry D. Warren as 2009 Seals Award Recipient

Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, announces the selection of Larry D. Warren of San Antonio, Texas, as the 2009 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award recipient. The award will be presented at a luncheon on March 7, 2009 during the three-day Perkins Theological School for the Laity.

The Seals Award is given annually to a layperson who embodies the Christian faith and commitment of service to Christ as exemplified by Judge Woodrow B. Seals, a distinguished layperson whose interest and energy were instrumental in establishing the Perkins Theological School for the Laity. Selection for the award is made by a committee of the Perkins Lay Advisory Board.

Larry Warren, a founding partner and shareholder with Ball & Weed P.C. in San Antonio, is also an active member of his local church, University United Methodist, where he has held a number of leadership positions spanning many years of service. His primary work in the church has involved international missions on behalf of exploited children around the world. In this capacity he has led his congregation in education, missions travel, and fundraising campaigns on behalf of these victims. His efforts have engaged not only his congregation, but the wider San Antonio legal community as well.

Warren’s advocacy of this exploited population has proven to be deliberate and methodical, but also compassionate and deeply courageous. Beyond his local influence in this regard, Warren has had remarkable success, often at great personal risk, in bringing about the actual liberation of victims of bonded slavery in the countries of concern.

In addition to his international efforts as an advocate for human rights and social justice, Warren has instrumental in forming a businessmen’s Bible Study; he served on the board of the Winston School of San Antonio for six years, three as chair; the Ball & Weed P.C. Board of Directors for six years; and chaired the International Justice Mission Benefit Dinner for three years.

Warren has served as pro bono legal counsel for Medina Children’s Home; been named as one of Texas Lawyer Publication’s Super Lawyers for 2006; served as a YMCA soccer coach and a Little League Baseball coach; and been named “Boss of the Year” by the San Antonio Legal Secretaries Association.

Perkins Theological School for the Laity is supported by the Howard-Holbert Endowment Fund. The fund was established in 1986 in honor of Dr. Virgil P. Howard (1936-2005) and Dr. John C. Holbert, who serves as the Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology.