Nashville Christian Institute’s final reunion pays tribute to Fred Gray
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The two men were boys when they…
Across the Nation: A benefit dinner, a historic Christian school 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 Audrey Jackson at [email protected].
Featured image (above): David Shannon, president of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., visits with retired NFL star Kurt Warner. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback spoke at the Christian university’s recent 58th annual benefit dinner, which raised nearly $1.7 million for student scholarships.
The father of seven discussed his football journey, which is portrayed in the movie “American Underdog,” and the importance of Treasure House, the nonprofit he and his wife, Brenda, founded. “Life is bigger than football,” Warner said. “God had a plan.”
KENTUCKY
OWENSBORO — The Owensboro Church of Christ in Kentucky recently welcomed friends and former members to a Sunday homecoming in honor of something old — and something new.
The congregation simultaneously commemorated its 60th anniversary and celebrated its newly renovated auditorium and foyer.
Construction was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving members to meet in alternate locations during 2021.
The Owensboro Church of Christ in Kentucky celebrates its homecoming.
“We are so excited to have former members and friends join in our homecoming and experience the wonderful upgrades to the auditorium and enlargement of the foyer to allow more space to visit,” minister Jimmy Bunch told The Messenger-Inquirer. “It looks like an entirely different place and much more inviting.”
Originally a branch of the Bosley Avenue Church of Christ, the Owensboro church formed its own congregation in 1942 and eventually moved into its current location in 1956.
TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE — Historic Nashville Inc. named a former K-12 building associated with Churches of Christ on its 2022 Nashville Nine list of historic properties in danger of development, demolition or neglect-related damage.
The Nashville Christian Institute opened in 1940 and was open to Black church members until it closed in 1967 amid shrinking enrollment after the integration of Nashville schools and other academic and financial challenges.
A document shows Nashville Christian Institute students and faculty from 1962.
Marshall Keeble, a well-known minister among African American churches and a proponent of civil rights in Tennessee, served as the institute’s longtime president.
The gymnasium, the only remaining building of the historic campus, is for sale, which could lead to its demolition and redevelopment.
Related: Nashville Christian Institute’s final reunion pays tribute to Fred Gray
NEWSMAKERS
Lamont Ross, minister for the Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas, was a contestant on the game show “Wheel of Fortune” in November.
HONORED: Deborah Hodridge by the Cedar Crest Church of Christ in Dallas for her work with Southwestern Christian College.
NAMED: Andrew Benton as the interim president of the University of Central Oklahoma. Benton formerly served as the president of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., from 2000 to 2019 and currently serves on The Christian Chronicle board of trustees.
HIRED: Ryan Jump as the new youth minister for the Main Street Church of Christ in Mount Pleasant, Tenn. Bryan Hayes as the pulpit minister for the Bethlehem Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Jimmy Watkins as youth minister for the Old Hickory Church of Christ in Tennessee. Chase Byers as evangelist for the Fishers Church of Christ in Indiana. Michael Anderson as the pulpit minister for the Senatobia Church of Christ in Mississippi.
RETIRED: Don Loftis from associate minister for the Old Hickory Church of Christ in Tennessee after 30 years of service. Jeff Smith from preaching minister for the Southside Church of Christ in Shelbyville, Tenn.
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