Across the Nation: A chaplain’s commissioning, a bus to serve homeless and more quick takes

Across the Nation is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ across the U.S. Got an idea for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at [email protected].

Featured photo (above)

Tennessee church member commissioned as a U.S. Navy chaplain: Fellow Christians celebrate the commissioning of Lt. Stephen Pate, a member of the Sycamore View Church of Christ in Memphis, Tenn., as a U.S. Navy chaplain. Joining the prayer are two of the church’s shepherds: Navy Lt. Cmdr. (retired) Jim Berryman and Air Force Master Sgt. Patrick Parson. “I feel that my ministry is a direct extension of Sycamore View,” Pate said. “While chaplains are not missionaries in the strictest sense, I see myself as sent from this church to further the kingdom of God.” He will be one of 10 Navy chaplains from Churches of Christ.

Spotlight

God’s hand seen: With generous donations from several congregations, the Plattsburgh Church of Christ in New York state was able to purchase a 14-passenger bus with a wheelchair lift and less than 20,000 miles on it, minister Doug Kashorek said.

“God’s hand was clearly seen in all of us,” Kashorek said.

The church will use the bus for an after-school program for homeless kids in conjunction with the Department of Social Services, the minister said.

Coordinated by a nonprofit group known as The Oasis Project, the program matches adult volunteers with at-risk kids who enjoy a snack and receive help with homework, Kashorek said.

Quick takes

CONNECTICUT

TRUMBULL — As the Trumbull Church of Christ prepares to celebrate its 145th anniversary on Nov. 5, it has received a special gift.

Vaughn Abercrombie, a great-grandson of Charles Abercrombie, donated his Scottish immigrant great-grandfather’s original Bible to the congregation, member Paula Pancoast said.

“Our history goes back to the 1800s, and we have a portion of our building dedicated to displaying artifacts from the beginning of the congregation,” Pancoast said.

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KANSAS

WICHITA — A dozen Wichita-area congregations joined together recently to receive training on practical ways to start personal conversations about Jesus.

A total of 185 elders, deacons, ministers and church members were present. The training was coordinated by the RiverWalk Church of Christ and hosted by the Emporia Avenue Church of Christ.

Steve Ridgell of Hope for Life/Herald of Truth ministries served as the trainer.

Jim Fly, the RiverWalk church’s minister for evangelism and outreach, said: “We investigated various potential training efforts and contacted congregations around the country for suggestions. We also invited about 30 local congregations to join a steering committee. … After considering the input, we chose the Hope for Life program since it addresses the contemporary challenges of helping local church members make initial connections with local people who do not yet know Jesus.”

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TENNESSEE

COLUMBIA — More than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were given away at the recent Community Day/Back to School Bash hosted by area Churches of Christ.

“God is really blessing our efforts,” said Deltric McCullough, minister for the Macedonia Church of Christ.

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TEXAS

HUNTSVILLE — Hundreds of people from the community were blessed with free clothing at the Huntsville Church of Christ’s annual giveaway.

The church auditorium was transformed into a shopping space with clothing and accessories for the entire family, minister Jeff Dunn said.

“This church has a heart to serve ‘the least of these’ in whatever way we can find,” Dunn said.

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 Quote of the month

“God’s been good to me. My faith got me through all this without falling apart.” — Mavy Stoddard, whose husband, Dorwan, died when a would-be assassin opened fire on Congressman Gabrielle Giffords in 2011.  Read the full story.

Filed under: homeless military National Top Stories