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Across the Nation: Christian fills top medical role, university commemorates terrorist attacks and more quick takes
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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): Fred Gray receives an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree at Faulkner University’s spring commencement ceremony in Montgomery, Ala. Faulkner president Mitch Henry told the audience Gray’s greatest accomplishment “was when he gave his soul to Jesus Christ when he was a young man and preached his first sermon when he was 12 years old.” Since then, Henry said, Gray “has made his career a ministry of service to other people.” The native of Montgomery, Ala., served as an attorney for Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin and litigated several major cases in Alabama.
Related: Meet Nic Fraraccio, The Christian Chronicle’s summer news intern
ALASKA
ANCHORAGE — Dr. Bob Lawrence, an Anchorage Church of Christ member, will provide clinical advice to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and health officials as the state’s new chief medical officer.
The family physician, a graduate of Harding University in Searcy, Ark., formerly served as head of medicine for Alaska’s penitentiary system.
In January, Lawrence spoke at the International Health Care Foundation’s Medical Missions Seminar at the McDermott Road Church of Christ in Plano, Texas.
Foundation Christian Academy students break ground on a campus expansion.
KENTUCKY
BOWLING GREEN — Foundation Christian Academy, which serves 450 students in preschool through high school, has launched a $5 million expansion.
It will include a 22,500-square-foot preschool facility called the Falcon’s Nest, preschool director Lorie Baker said.
Academy President David Pahman said the expansion will also “provide additional cafeteria space for elementary and high school students, a new library, a dedicated middle school classroom area and a new administrative wing for admissions and business offices.”
Caution tape marks off access to the Rochester Church of Christ.
MICHIGAN
ROCHESTER HILLS — A roof collapse damaged classrooms at the Rochester Church of Christ.
Rochester Christian University owns the church building where the roof caved during a May 7 storm. The building was unoccupied at the time. The reason for the collapse is being reviewed.
After the collapse, the church worshiped the next Sunday in the Rochester Christian University auditorium.
“Even in this moment, we’re reminded the church is not a building,” minister Adam Hill said. “It’s a family of people who love God and love others and love one another so well that the world takes notice.”
Ron Vega, center, shares a laugh with fellow groundbreakers at Oklahoma Christian University.
OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA CITY — A plaza under construction at Oklahoma Christian University will commemorate the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 2001 World Trade Center attack.
The Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza, set for completion in September, will serve as “a place of remembrance to honor those who lost their lives and the solidarity between the two cities affected by these tragedies,” the university said.
Elsie Stark, front left, poses with other contestants in Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship.”
TEXAS
ABILENE — When 11-year-old Elsie Stark grows up, she wants to own her own bakery.
That’s not such a lofty goal for the Southern Hills Church of Christ member, who recently competed on the Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship.”
The church hosted a watch party to cheer on Stark as she charmed the judges in the first episode of Season 12.
Armed with her good-luck charm and Pepto Bismol for a nervous stomach, she made it through seven more episodes to place fifth in the contest — despite being the youngest of 12 competitors.
Hear Stark’s interview with host B.T. Irwin on Episode 57 of The Christian Chronicle Podcast.
But the fifth-grader wasn’t discouraged by her elimination. She even became friends with the championship winner, Lila Smethurst, a fellow Texan from San Antonio.
“Even if you fail at something one time, don’t stop loving what you’re doing,” said Elsie, who stays busy running her baking business, Elsie’s Awesome Sweets & Treats. “You know, like, if you get knocked down, get back up again.”
NEWSMAKERS
APPOINTED — Bill Burdette, Daron Cathey, Craig Schuster and Chris Shanks as shepherds of the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston. Robin Maynard as chief legal and compliance officer and Paul Maynard as chief growth and strategy officer for Harding University in Searcy, Ark.
BAPTIZED — Mindy Magouirk at the Winchester Church of Christ in Tennessee. Michael Moore at the Talladega Church of Christ in Alabama. Cade Lewis at the Antioch Church of Christ in Tennessee.
HIRED — Steve Johnson as preacher for the Maysville Church of Christ in Gurley, Ala. Tyler Cannon as pulpit minister for the Maple Hill Church of Christ in Benton, Ky.
NAMED — Madison Stephens as the inaugural Fulbright Scholar at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. Stephens is a senior double-major from Weatherford, Okla., who is studying biology and vocational Spanish.
RETIRED — Dewayne Spivey from pulpit minister of the Riverchase Church of Christ in Hoover, Ala., after 25 years of service.
WITH APPRECIATION — The Christian Chronicle recognizes a generous gift given in memory of Delois Mankin Edwards.
