Across the Nation, January 2012
CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO — Terri Weissinger was trying to start a new life by moving to Idaho but got stranded for eight days at San Francisco’s airport because she couldn’t pay unexpected baggage fees.
The Airport Church of Christ came to the rescue, donating $200 from its benevolence fund to help her on her way, local news media reported.
“We go by what the Bible teaches, and the Bible teaches to do good to all men,” preacher Robert Urbina told KGO radio station. “That’s what Jesus tells us to do, and when someone comes to us for help, we help them.”
MICHIGAN
WATERFORD — “Cut the Cable. Help the Needy.”
Members of the Waterford Church of Christ have launched an effort called “Cable Free for Christ.”
The mission is to encourage Christians to donate the cable savings toward partnering outreach ministries and
seek out better ways to spend their time.
“While cutting the cable and helping the needy are key goals, our ultimate objective is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ,” program coordinator John Furness said.
For more information, see www.cablefreeforchrist.org or connect on Facebook or Twitter.
OKLAHOMA
CORDELL — The FBI is active at the Northside Church of Christ. The Faithful Bible Investigators program, that is.
The congregation draws its largest attendance of the week on Wednesday nights thanks to the program, minister Tim Turpin said. The outreach effort serves children in the community. It features a meal, structured play time and Bible lessons. A van picks up some children, but most of the 40 or so who participate are dropped off by parents.
“One of the benefits of this program, unlike Vacation Bible School, is that the children are here every week,” Turpin said. “We have not advertised, but the children are excited to be there and are … bringing more friends.”
SOUTH CAROLINA
SIMPSONVILLE — Sunday school classrooms at the Holland Park Church of Christ serve as temporary living quarters for homeless families.
The congregation participates in a program that provides temporary lodging for the homeless in church buildings, member and former elder Carl Lancaster said.
“Holland Park and each church serves on a rotating basis and generally has homeless families with them about once a quarter,” Lancaster said. “Typically, the families move in on Sunday afternoon. They spend each night in our classrooms.”
For a week at a time, church members prepare breakfast and an evening meal.
During the day, the children go to school, while the adults work to find a job or become more employable.
TEXAS
BEAUMONT — John M. Davis, minister for the Ridgewood Church of Christ, is stepping down after 52 years with that congregation. Davis said in a letter to members that the congregation will remain his church home “until Jesus calls me home.”
“The elders and I have diligently and prayerfully considered Ridgewood and its future,” Davis wrote. “We all passionately want Ridgewood to grow, prosper and bring glory to God.”
His resignation is effective Jan. 8. For more details, see www.ridgewoodcofc.org.
VIRGINIA
FAIRFAX — The biannual Power House Youth Rally hosted by the Fairfax Church of Christ drew more than 200 young people from throughout the Northeast, organizers said.
With the theme “Post It,” the recent conference challenged attendees to stand their post as Christians. Seventeen congregations were represented, from as far north as Pennsylvania and as far south as North Carolina.
“The conference highlights included breakout sessions, fellowship, heartfelt personal testimony and the baptism of 18 new believers into the Lord’s body,” Fairfax youth minister Phil McKinney said. Wiley Lowe, youth and family minister for the Holly Hill Church of Christ in Florida, was the featured speaker. Brishan Hatcher, worship leader for the Highland Church of Christ in Memphis, Tenn., led praise and worship.
WAYNESBORO — The Waynesboro Church of Christ was voted “Most Respected Place of Worship” in the News Virginian’s 2011 Valley Favorites contest.
“This is a really loving congregation that is really reaching out to the community,” said Tiffany Jones, wife of involvement minister Michael Jones.
SAN FRANCISCO — Terri Weissinger was trying to start a new life by moving to Idaho but got stranded for eight days at San Francisco’s airport because she couldn’t pay unexpected baggage fees.
The Airport Church of Christ came to the rescue, donating $200 from its benevolence fund to help her on her way, local news media reported.
“We go by what the Bible teaches, and the Bible teaches to do good to all men,” preacher Robert Urbina told KGO radio station. “That’s what Jesus tells us to do, and when someone comes to us for help, we help them.”
MICHIGAN
WATERFORD — “Cut the Cable. Help the Needy.”
Members of the Waterford Church of Christ have launched an effort called “Cable Free for Christ.”
The mission is to encourage Christians to donate the cable savings toward partnering outreach ministries and
seek out better ways to spend their time.
“While cutting the cable and helping the needy are key goals, our ultimate objective is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ,” program coordinator John Furness said.
For more information, see www.cablefreeforchrist.org or connect on Facebook or Twitter.
OKLAHOMA
CORDELL — The FBI is active at the Northside Church of Christ. The Faithful Bible Investigators program, that is.
The congregation draws its largest attendance of the week on Wednesday nights thanks to the program, minister Tim Turpin said. The outreach effort serves children in the community. It features a meal, structured play time and Bible lessons. A van picks up some children, but most of the 40 or so who participate are dropped off by parents.
“One of the benefits of this program, unlike Vacation Bible School, is that the children are here every week,” Turpin said. “We have not advertised, but the children are excited to be there and are … bringing more friends.”
SOUTH CAROLINA
SIMPSONVILLE — Sunday school classrooms at the Holland Park Church of Christ serve as temporary living quarters for homeless families.
The congregation participates in a program that provides temporary lodging for the homeless in church buildings, member and former elder Carl Lancaster said.
“Holland Park and each church serves on a rotating basis and generally has homeless families with them about once a quarter,” Lancaster said. “Typically, the families move in on Sunday afternoon. They spend each night in our classrooms.”
For a week at a time, church members prepare breakfast and an evening meal.
During the day, the children go to school, while the adults work to find a job or become more employable.
TEXAS
BEAUMONT — John M. Davis, minister for the Ridgewood Church of Christ, is stepping down after 52 years with that congregation. Davis said in a letter to members that the congregation will remain his church home “until Jesus calls me home.”
“The elders and I have diligently and prayerfully considered Ridgewood and its future,” Davis wrote. “We all passionately want Ridgewood to grow, prosper and bring glory to God.”
His resignation is effective Jan. 8. For more details, see www.ridgewoodcofc.org.
VIRGINIA
FAIRFAX — The biannual Power House Youth Rally hosted by the Fairfax Church of Christ drew more than 200 young people from throughout the Northeast, organizers said.
With the theme “Post It,” the recent conference challenged attendees to stand their post as Christians. Seventeen congregations were represented, from as far north as Pennsylvania and as far south as North Carolina.
“The conference highlights included breakout sessions, fellowship, heartfelt personal testimony and the baptism of 18 new believers into the Lord’s body,” Fairfax youth minister Phil McKinney said. Wiley Lowe, youth and family minister for the Holly Hill Church of Christ in Florida, was the featured speaker. Brishan Hatcher, worship leader for the Highland Church of Christ in Memphis, Tenn., led praise and worship.
WAYNESBORO — The Waynesboro Church of Christ was voted “Most Respected Place of Worship” in the News Virginian’s 2011 Valley Favorites contest.
“This is a really loving congregation that is really reaching out to the community,” said Tiffany Jones, wife of involvement minister Michael Jones.
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