Across the nation: A son-in-law’s gift of life
ESCANABA, Mich. — How much does Luke Wert love his father-in-law?
Enough to give him a kidney.
Dave Grant, minister of the Escanaba church and longtime speaker on the local television program “Let the Bible Speak,” is recovering after a successful surgery at the University of Wisconsin transplant center.
“The gift of life is rare, yet when we do sacrifice, we receive a blessing far more precious,” Grant said after the recent surgery, referencing Romans 5:7-8.
ARKANSAS
SPRINGDALE — After 12 years of worshiping in a converted bus barn, the Hispanic members of the Robinson Avenue church have a new building.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Sabino Rodriguez, the church’s Hispanic minister. “There are no words to describe how we feel. This will give us a chance to serve God and the community.”
It took more than a year for English- and Spanish-speaking members to raise the down payment for the building, which cost a total of $290,000, leaders said.
The new building is across the parking lot from the main church. The English-speaking congregation has 650 members, while the Hispanic church has about 120.
CALIFORNIA
CHICO — A lengthy story in the Chico Enterprise Record heralded the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lassen Avenue church on Jan. 13. The newspaper focused on the four-part harmony sung at the church.
“Singing in the Churches of Christ is distinctive,” staff writer Larry Mitchell reported. “It’s done with no instrumental accompaniment. … The churches aim to recreate the worship style of the earliest Christian church. So far as they can tell, no instruments were used in worship by the first Christians.”
INDIANA
CLARKSVILLE — A church member is waging a fight in federal court against his former employer, claiming Value City made him choose between his work and going to church. “They trampled on my faith, something so dire and personal to me,” Kevin Adams, who attends the Westport Road church in Louisville, Ky., told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
In a statement to the newspaper, the retail chain claimed, “Value City always accommodated Mr. Adams’ religious beliefs and practices when he worked with us and would have continued to do so had he stayed with us.” Adams is a 1989 Bible graduate of Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.
GEORGIA
NEWMAN — In drought-stricken Georgia, the Newman church is opening its auditorium each Wednesday for the community to come pray for rain.
“We’re determined to continue this until the drought is over,” minister Roland Gagnon told The Times-Herald.
KENTUCKY
PADUCAH — Broadway church minister Dan Owen and member Mike Moore have teamed to create a local television program, “Biblion: Bible Mysteries Revealed.” Owen hosts the program, which explains the origin of the Bible.
“Teaching the Bible is useless if people do not believe that it is the inspired word of God,” Owen told The Paducah Sun. “Through the appearance of a History Channel-type show, ‘Biblion’ gives a unique perspective on how God actually produced the Bible and how it has been preserved through the ages accurately.”
NORTH CAROLINA
TROY — Forty-four women were baptized Jan. 13 at the Southern Correctional Institution, said Sue Warner, a member of the Raleigh church. “One of our women has been doing correspondence courses with a number of women at the prison, and they in turn have done some with others,” Warner said. She said the member involved in the correspondence course work did not wish to be named.
OKLAHOMA
CHICKASHA — Michelle Watson, a custodian for the Southern Oaks church, was struck by a falling branch after ice storms hit Oklahoma recently, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down.
Supporters are raising money to help Watson, who does not have medical insurance. “She’s a pretty special person,” elder Richard Hoover told The Oklahoman. “Doctors are pretty certain she will remain paralyzed. Of course, you have to consider the power of God.” For more information, call (405) 224-1821.
TENNESSEE
ONLY — Fifteen men from the White Bluff church recently visited the Turney Center state prison.
They passed out Christmas presents to 1,400 inmates, and each inmate received a World Bible School lesson, member Jerry Butler said.
Enough to give him a kidney.
Dave Grant, minister of the Escanaba church and longtime speaker on the local television program “Let the Bible Speak,” is recovering after a successful surgery at the University of Wisconsin transplant center.
“The gift of life is rare, yet when we do sacrifice, we receive a blessing far more precious,” Grant said after the recent surgery, referencing Romans 5:7-8.
ARKANSAS
SPRINGDALE — After 12 years of worshiping in a converted bus barn, the Hispanic members of the Robinson Avenue church have a new building.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Sabino Rodriguez, the church’s Hispanic minister. “There are no words to describe how we feel. This will give us a chance to serve God and the community.”
It took more than a year for English- and Spanish-speaking members to raise the down payment for the building, which cost a total of $290,000, leaders said.
The new building is across the parking lot from the main church. The English-speaking congregation has 650 members, while the Hispanic church has about 120.
CALIFORNIA
CHICO — A lengthy story in the Chico Enterprise Record heralded the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lassen Avenue church on Jan. 13. The newspaper focused on the four-part harmony sung at the church.
“Singing in the Churches of Christ is distinctive,” staff writer Larry Mitchell reported. “It’s done with no instrumental accompaniment. … The churches aim to recreate the worship style of the earliest Christian church. So far as they can tell, no instruments were used in worship by the first Christians.”
INDIANA
CLARKSVILLE — A church member is waging a fight in federal court against his former employer, claiming Value City made him choose between his work and going to church. “They trampled on my faith, something so dire and personal to me,” Kevin Adams, who attends the Westport Road church in Louisville, Ky., told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
In a statement to the newspaper, the retail chain claimed, “Value City always accommodated Mr. Adams’ religious beliefs and practices when he worked with us and would have continued to do so had he stayed with us.” Adams is a 1989 Bible graduate of Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.
GEORGIA
NEWMAN — In drought-stricken Georgia, the Newman church is opening its auditorium each Wednesday for the community to come pray for rain.
“We’re determined to continue this until the drought is over,” minister Roland Gagnon told The Times-Herald.
KENTUCKY
PADUCAH — Broadway church minister Dan Owen and member Mike Moore have teamed to create a local television program, “Biblion: Bible Mysteries Revealed.” Owen hosts the program, which explains the origin of the Bible.
“Teaching the Bible is useless if people do not believe that it is the inspired word of God,” Owen told The Paducah Sun. “Through the appearance of a History Channel-type show, ‘Biblion’ gives a unique perspective on how God actually produced the Bible and how it has been preserved through the ages accurately.”
NORTH CAROLINA
TROY — Forty-four women were baptized Jan. 13 at the Southern Correctional Institution, said Sue Warner, a member of the Raleigh church. “One of our women has been doing correspondence courses with a number of women at the prison, and they in turn have done some with others,” Warner said. She said the member involved in the correspondence course work did not wish to be named.
OKLAHOMA
CHICKASHA — Michelle Watson, a custodian for the Southern Oaks church, was struck by a falling branch after ice storms hit Oklahoma recently, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down.
Supporters are raising money to help Watson, who does not have medical insurance. “She’s a pretty special person,” elder Richard Hoover told The Oklahoman. “Doctors are pretty certain she will remain paralyzed. Of course, you have to consider the power of God.” For more information, call (405) 224-1821.
TENNESSEE
ONLY — Fifteen men from the White Bluff church recently visited the Turney Center state prison.
They passed out Christmas presents to 1,400 inmates, and each inmate received a World Bible School lesson, member Jerry Butler said.
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