Across the Nation, April 2017
“You know there is no parking there?” one critic said.
“Our members ride the city bus,” the preacher replied.
A congregation must fit its location, Lorick stresses. Ministries offered by the Inner City church include the “God Help Me Stop” addiction recovery program and the “Take It to the Lord” lunch-hour Thursday prayer.
MISSOURI 
Deputy Nolan Murray NEOSHO — A Hillcrest Church of Christ member who serves as a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy was shot in the line of duty. Deputy Nolan Murray has been released from the hospital after recent surgery to remove a bullet from his back, the sheriff’s office said.
Murray was attempting to serve a search warrant at a motel when shot, authorities said.
“He’s a great guy,” Hillcrest minister Danny Boggs told The Christian Chronicle. “He’s very servant-hearted.”
OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA CITY — Three Churches of Christ — Britton Road, Northeast and Oakcrest — recently received grants to provide Mobile Meals to homebound elderly residents.
WEST VIRGINIA CHESTER — Women involved in the Virginia Avenue Church of Christ’s “Care Bear” ministry get together each week and make an average of 50 bears. The bears are given to children in the hospital, minister Rico Brown said.
“The ladies do this week in and week out without a lot of fanfare, but I want to give them their roses while they can still smell them,” Brown said.
Virginia Avenue church members show off some of the ministry’s “Care Bears.” (PHOTO PROVIDED BY RICO BROWN)
PARKERSBURG — Jo Langler and Melva Farris help fellow Camden Avenue Church of Christ members and other people save money.
The two operate a coupon ministry that began about four years ago, the Parkersburg News and Sentinel reported.
Langler said families tell her how much money they have saved through the church program.
People ask Langler if she can help them cut costs by providing money-saving coupons that arrive in newspapers, by mail and online. Coupons are provided for almost any product or service imaginable, including haircuts, car repairs and makeup.
MICHIGAN 
A few of the Bible Bowl winners gather on stage. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROGER WOODS) WALLED LAKE, Mich. — The Walled Lake Church of Christ hosted the recent Great Lakes Bible Bowl State Championship. The event drew a crowd of 300.
Teams in primary, junior and senior divisions compete in metro Detroit to advance to the state championship. The championship features the top three teams in each division.
“Great Lakes Bible Bowl has been challenging children to study God’s Word for over 40 years,” said Roger Woods, minister and elder for the Walled Lake church.
Frank C. Schipani is the event’s chairman and is supported by a board made up of members of several congregations, Woods said.
