Across the Nation, December 2014

“I had no idea it was going to do what it did,” Tara Willmott said. “It started out as a cute video within my family — that’s why I posted it.”

The video features 3-year-old Ty Willmott and two young girls discussing the weather. 

Ty is sure it’s sprinkling because that’s what his mom told him. One of his friends says it’s raining. After going back and forth for a while, the conversation quickly ends when Ty’s friend sticks her finger in his chest while making her point. 

“You poked my heart,” he responds tearfully.
FLORIDA
FORT WALTON BEACH — Children, teens, singles, younger couples, older couples and even a dog — a golden Labrador retriever named Ziva — gathered for the Fort Walton Beach Church of Christ’s second annual family retreat.

In all, 55 (humans) traveled to Camp Wiregrass in Enterprise, Ala.

“It’s about bringing the family of Christ together and teaching our children that the family of God is about togetherness and unity,” said Daniel Coutinho, youth and family minister.

The retreat was the idea of Carissa Nevius, wife of Scott and mother of Kiley, 11, and Matthew, 5.
GEORGIA
DOUGLASVILLE — The Douglasville Church of Christ hosted the recent “Adult Caregiver Expo” to highlight community services for caregivers of disabled and elderly adults.

“We have about 150 members and pulled off a huge event,” church member Chelsea Howard said.

Howard works with Adult Protective Services and said that, based on her job, she saw “a need for people to know what services were available.”
TENNESSEE
MEMPHIS — The Great Oaks Church of Christ recently celebrated its first anniversary as a bilingual church family with a joint assembly.

The morning worship service was translated into English and Spanish.

In the one-year period, the Spanish-speaking body has grown to average attendance of almost 70. About 425 members make up the English-speaking group.

Spanish minister Elias Rogue, a third-generation preacher from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, joined the church staff in September 2013. 

VIRGINIA
RICHMOND — At the Three Chopt Road Church of Christ, Emogene Marshall teaches women’s Bible classes and uses her crocheting skills for a baby blanket ministry. B.J., Sammy, Emogene and David Marshall (PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUDY MARSHALL)

Her son David Marshall serves as an elder of the congregation.

Grandson B.J. Marshall is a deacon for children’s education, and great-grandson Sammy Marshall, who has attended the church since his birth in 2003, was baptized earlier this year.

“This is four generations of baptized believers,” points out Judy Marshall, Emogene’s daughter-in-law — and all worship with the Three Chopt Road church each Sunday.
WISCONSIN
BLACK RIVER FALLS — The recent 51st annual Midwest Preachers Retreat drew 93 attendees from 12 states to Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp.

“We had wonderful fall weather and color,” said Jim Coehoorn, minister and elder of the Elkhorn Church of Christ in Wisconsin.

John Mark Hicks, professor of theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., spoke on “Faithful Lament” from the Book of Job.