Across the nation: Cooper takes Astros’ reins
HOUSTON, Texas — Cecil Cooper has realized his dream of managing a major-league team: the Houston Astros.
Cooper, a member of the Anderson Street church in Sealy, Texas, was hired as interim manager after Phil Garner’s recent firing. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is among those touting Cooper for the permanent job.
Even during the season, Cooper finds a way to attend Sunday worship and partake of the Lord’s Supper.
“I am thankful God has put a strong Christian man in such a place of influence,” said David Duncan, minister of the Memorial church in Houston, where Cooper occasionally worships. “Houston is a baseball town, and Cecil Cooper has an expanded opportunity to be a shining light for the Lord and Churches of Christ.”
ALABAMA
FLORENCE
The Sherrod Avenue church recently hosted the “Renewal” program, featuring guest speakers and a banquet where area ministries reported on their mutual efforts. Represented were Mars Hill Bible School, Heritage Christian University, the University of North Alabama Student Center, Lauderdale Christian Children’s Home and the Alpha Counseling Center.
IDAHO
BURLEY
A new congregation planted in this predominantly Mormon community in January has led four souls to Christ, evangelist Silbano Garcia II said.
The church meets at a senior citizens center but is finding it difficult to attract younger families to that location, Garcia said. Members have identified a better building and are working to raise $160,000 to purchase it, he said.
MISSISSIPPI
GRENADA
The Southside church recently started the North Mississippi Bible Institute, a satellite school of the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas. Bill Denton, Southside’s preaching minister, said the purpose is “to provide in-depth Bible education to those who would like to prepare themselves to preach, teach Bible classes, serve as elders, or fore personal growth.”
NEW MEXICO
CLOUDCROFT
A brother and sister-in-law of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai visited the Cloudcroft church recently to thank the congregation for nearly 3,457 pairs of shoes sent to the Afghan people.
Church member Janice Gardner, known to many as the “Shoe Lady,” organized the effort to collect shoes and donate them to the war-torn country, the Mountain Monthly reported. The visitors were Pat Karzai, director of Afghans for Civil Society in baltimore, and her husband, Ahmed Wali Karzai, a member of the Afghan Parliament.
OKLAHOMA
NORMAN
More than 100 members of the Alameda church helped serve during the third annual Back to School Roundup recently. Members gave away 550 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in Norman. Hair stylists offered free haircuts, while everyone enjoyed a free lunch, moon bounces and a magic show, deacon John Helton said.
PENNSYLVANIA
CHAMBERSBURG
Can a congregation of less than 30 members make a significant contribution to world missions? Minister Charles Hill said the Chambersburg church has done just that, supporting two full-time missionaries in Zambia.
“The result has been the baptism of hundreds of Zambians and the planting of at least seven new congregations,” said Hill, who raises his own support to travel to Zambia each year.
SOUTH CAROLINA
AIKEN
The Aiken church recently signed on to be a host congregation for Angel Food Ministries, a national nonprofit organization that works to provide groceries as well as financial support for communities throughout the nation.
“We just wanted to support the community and provide an outreach,” church volunteer Cindy Cox told the Aiken Standard.
TEXAS
ARLINGTON
The North Davis church hosted a Centennial Celebration on Sept. 9 to celebrate its 100 years of ministry.
Known for its Hearts & Hands ministry, North Davis and other churches coordinate a special food and clothing outreach to 20,000 area residents annually.
VERNON
The Wilbarger Street church has set up a scholarship fund in memory of Army Cpl. Ryan Daniel Collins, who was killed by small arms fire in Hamiyah, Iraq, while searching for three missing U.S. soldiers on May 18. Collins’ mother, Danita Logsdon, and stepfather, David Logsdon, are members at the Wilbarger Street church. For more information or to donate, call (940) 552-5437.
WISCONSIN
MILWAUKEE
On “Corn & Brat” day, members of the Northtown church roast corn, cook bratwurst and invite visitors to services. Minister Keith Brumley agreed to shave his head if the Sept. 9 event drew more than 250 people.
Alas, 208 members and visitors attended – so Brumley still has his hair.
“All in all, it was a good day, and I have some folks to follow up with,” he said.
Cooper, a member of the Anderson Street church in Sealy, Texas, was hired as interim manager after Phil Garner’s recent firing. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is among those touting Cooper for the permanent job.
Even during the season, Cooper finds a way to attend Sunday worship and partake of the Lord’s Supper.
“I am thankful God has put a strong Christian man in such a place of influence,” said David Duncan, minister of the Memorial church in Houston, where Cooper occasionally worships. “Houston is a baseball town, and Cecil Cooper has an expanded opportunity to be a shining light for the Lord and Churches of Christ.”
ALABAMA
FLORENCE
The Sherrod Avenue church recently hosted the “Renewal” program, featuring guest speakers and a banquet where area ministries reported on their mutual efforts. Represented were Mars Hill Bible School, Heritage Christian University, the University of North Alabama Student Center, Lauderdale Christian Children’s Home and the Alpha Counseling Center.
IDAHO
BURLEY
A new congregation planted in this predominantly Mormon community in January has led four souls to Christ, evangelist Silbano Garcia II said.
The church meets at a senior citizens center but is finding it difficult to attract younger families to that location, Garcia said. Members have identified a better building and are working to raise $160,000 to purchase it, he said.
MISSISSIPPI
GRENADA
The Southside church recently started the North Mississippi Bible Institute, a satellite school of the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas. Bill Denton, Southside’s preaching minister, said the purpose is “to provide in-depth Bible education to those who would like to prepare themselves to preach, teach Bible classes, serve as elders, or fore personal growth.”
NEW MEXICO
CLOUDCROFT
A brother and sister-in-law of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai visited the Cloudcroft church recently to thank the congregation for nearly 3,457 pairs of shoes sent to the Afghan people.
Church member Janice Gardner, known to many as the “Shoe Lady,” organized the effort to collect shoes and donate them to the war-torn country, the Mountain Monthly reported. The visitors were Pat Karzai, director of Afghans for Civil Society in baltimore, and her husband, Ahmed Wali Karzai, a member of the Afghan Parliament.
OKLAHOMA
NORMAN
More than 100 members of the Alameda church helped serve during the third annual Back to School Roundup recently. Members gave away 550 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in Norman. Hair stylists offered free haircuts, while everyone enjoyed a free lunch, moon bounces and a magic show, deacon John Helton said.
PENNSYLVANIA
CHAMBERSBURG
Can a congregation of less than 30 members make a significant contribution to world missions? Minister Charles Hill said the Chambersburg church has done just that, supporting two full-time missionaries in Zambia.
“The result has been the baptism of hundreds of Zambians and the planting of at least seven new congregations,” said Hill, who raises his own support to travel to Zambia each year.
SOUTH CAROLINA
AIKEN
The Aiken church recently signed on to be a host congregation for Angel Food Ministries, a national nonprofit organization that works to provide groceries as well as financial support for communities throughout the nation.
“We just wanted to support the community and provide an outreach,” church volunteer Cindy Cox told the Aiken Standard.
TEXAS
ARLINGTON
The North Davis church hosted a Centennial Celebration on Sept. 9 to celebrate its 100 years of ministry.
Known for its Hearts & Hands ministry, North Davis and other churches coordinate a special food and clothing outreach to 20,000 area residents annually.
VERNON
The Wilbarger Street church has set up a scholarship fund in memory of Army Cpl. Ryan Daniel Collins, who was killed by small arms fire in Hamiyah, Iraq, while searching for three missing U.S. soldiers on May 18. Collins’ mother, Danita Logsdon, and stepfather, David Logsdon, are members at the Wilbarger Street church. For more information or to donate, call (940) 552-5437.
WISCONSIN
MILWAUKEE
On “Corn & Brat” day, members of the Northtown church roast corn, cook bratwurst and invite visitors to services. Minister Keith Brumley agreed to shave his head if the Sept. 9 event drew more than 250 people.
Alas, 208 members and visitors attended – so Brumley still has his hair.
“All in all, it was a good day, and I have some folks to follow up with,” he said.
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