‘The next life is a new life’
HOUSTON — For many American churches, a Sunday potluck might feature…
Across the Nation: Vietnamese Christians in Houston, water trouble in Mississippi 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 Bobby Ross Jr. at [email protected].
Featured photo (above)
BUILDING FUND: Vietnamese Church of Christ members gather at the Houston site where they hope to construct a new building. Scroll down to learn the latest about their efforts and find out how to help.
Spotlight
The Southside Church of Christ in West Jordan, Utah, has a new name.
The 300-member congregation — the largest Church of Christ in Utah — is now the Cross Tower Church of Christ. The recent change followed the 2015 construction of a cell phone tower on the Salt Lake City-area church’s campus by Verizon.
“It’s 80 feet tall — with four giant crosses on it,” minister Randy Clay said of the tower. “It’s the highest structure in the city of West Jordan.”
A church member works on painting one of the new signs at the former Southside Church of Christ — now the Cross Tower congregation — in West Jordan, Utah.
Quick Takes
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO — On a recent Wednesday night, a group gathered, as usual, for Bible study at the Maypole Avenue Church of Christ.
Police say it was during this time that a gunman entered the church building and “announced a robbery.” A security guard for the congregation exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Both were injured and taken to area hospitals.
“We know that senseless violence exists,” minister Gerald Walker said. “What a commentary it is that you have to have armed security to worship the Lord! What does it say when saints are frightened when they come to the house of God?”
Read an expanded story HERE.
MISSISSIPPI
ROXIE — Drinking water problems in nearby Fayette brought help from Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, a ministry based in Nashville, Tenn.
The ministry sent multiple tractor-trailer loads full of bottled water to help the community.
East Roxie Church of Christ members took charge of unloading and distributing the water.
OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Community Foundation provides warm meals to homebound elderly citizens through grants to Mobile Meals programs.
Grant recipients include three Mobile Meals organized by Churches of Christ.
The Britton Road, Northeast and Oakcrest congregations all benefit from the grants.
SOUTH DAKOTA
BELLE FOURCHE — The recent fourth annual youth rally hosted by the Northern Hills Church of Christ, between Belle Fourche and Spearfish, drew 25 students and 15 adults.
The adults included six college-age Christians who helped with the event, said Silas Fitzsimmons, the church’s campus ministry.
“We had six congregations represented from 100 miles around, including one from Montana,” Fitzsimmons said. “Every time we do this, it is truly an areawide effort with our speakers coming from five different congregations.”
TEXAS
Preacher Hung Nguyen was baptized after studying with Northwest church leaders.
HOUSTON — Just as the Vietnamese Church of Christ publicized its efforts to raise money for its own building last fall, Hurricane Harvey struck.
The enormity of the storm caused Christians to focus on disaster relief efforts, but now the Vietnamese church’s leaders are hoping fellow church members might consider helping their cause.
The congregation has land for a building but lacks funding for construction, as The Christian Chronicle reported in September.
Checks earmarked for “Vietnamese building fund” may be sent to the Northwest Church of Christ at 6720 West Tidwell Road, Houston, TX 77092.
Quote of the month
Abel Johnson, left, and Hunter Holley at the church plant’s sendoff assembly at the 151th Street Church of Christ in Olathe, Kan. Abel’s family joined the group that left to launch the new church.
“We prayed about it and just wanted to see how God would use us.” — Emily Johnson, on her family leaving an established congregation to join a church plant in Kansas City, Mo. Read the full story.
View Comments
