Dr. Omer Hancock has not only been a member, but has served as president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, and chairman of the board of the In-Service Guidance Association. Hancock was recently honored by the organization for all of those years of dedicated service. The In-Service Association was founded for the purpose of networking Baptist seminaries and schools of theology.

The Lewis W. Newman award is given each year to an in-service guidance professional in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of supervised ministry.

Dr. Hancock came to Hardin-Simmons University in 1981 from the pastorate. He is a professor of church ministry at Hardin-Simmons' Logsdon School of Theology and the director of in-service training for Logsdon Seminary. He coordinates the undergraduate vocational ministry students in field education courses, and helps graduate students in supervised ministry courses.

The award is named in memory of Lewis W. Newman, who was instrumental in the founding of the In-Service Guidance Association in 1959. Newman recognized the need to bring together those in Baptist schools and seminaries who were involved in similar endeavors.

Dr. Hancock has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the 2001 Outstanding Alumnus Award in Christian Vocational Ministry given by the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service at Oklahoma Baptist University.