FaithBuilders meets in the chapel at 9:54 a.m. Sundays at First Baptist Church.
The leaders involved in the class include Bell County Judge Jon Burrows; Drayton McLane, owner of the Houston Astros; J.J. Villarreal, TISD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum; Dr. Don Wesson, Vice-Dean of the A&M College of Medicine/Scott & White's Chief Academic Officer; David Blackburn, Temple City Manager; Dr. Calvin Eshbaugh, Scott & White Ophthalmology/Refractive Surgeon; and Dr. Steve Oldham, UMHB Provost.
FaithBuilders began about 18 months ago when McLane and some young business leaders approached Dr. Martin Knox and Doug Young, pastor and education minister at First Baptist, with an idea for a community Bible study class. It would be open to all, but would have an emphasis on young leaders with a desire to enrich their spiritual leadership.
The Bible study has since grown from 16 to 60 members.
In August, group members drove to Houston to watch two Astros games. Before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 9, Astros All-Star Lance Berkman participated with the group in a Bible study at the stadium, where he shared his personal testimony while speaking to the class for about 20 minutes.
Berkman has become the heart of the Astros, a leader on and off the field, McLane said.
In addition to attending baseball games, the class has gone as a group to see Greater Tuna at Temple Civic Theatre, been to Sunday lunches and socials at member's homes.
Most in the class are members of First Baptist, but some are not. It is a community Bible study, with low pressure, high quality teachers and a fun atmosphere, Knox said.
With so many community leaders taking part in the Bible study, Burrows, the class director, recognizes that some people may be reticent to attend.
He said people shouldn't think that way and points to his appointment as director as proof that anybody should feel welcome.
The standards for class director are not too high, Burrows said before pointing out that he was originally from Oklahoma, went to the University of Texas, was first a lawyer and is now an elected official.
