Across the Nation, July 2015
ASHDOWN — Record-breaking floods in the central U.S. claimed the life of Dugan Ward, 28, a member of the Ashdown Church of Christ.
Ward and his parents, Steve and Dee Dee Ward, got in a boat May 27 and went to a water-covered pasture on the Red River to check on their property, the Texarkana Gazette reported.
The river’s current pushed the family into a cluster of pecan trees and trapped the boat’s motor in the pasture land’s fence. The current then capsized the boat.
Rescue workers found Steve and Dee Dee Ward May 28, clinging to a fence gate. On June 7, authorities discovered Dugan Ward’s body. Read Ward’s obituary here and see how to help his wife, Katie, with expenses.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON — About 1,800 women gathered for this year’s 30th anniversary of the Church of Christ Ladies Lectureship Retreat.
The Mid-Atlantic Fellowship of the Churches of Christ served as the local host for the retreat in the nation’s capital. The Country Club Church of Chris in Fayetteville, N.C., sponsors the annual event.
“This is the largest event of ladies in the Churches of Christ,” said Glynda Mayo Hall, one of the local organizers and a member of the Fairfax Church of Christ in Virginia.
GEORGIA
DONALSONVILLE — Fourteen high school youth group members from the Central Church of Christ in Moore, Okla., traveled 900-plus miles this summer to work with the Donalsonville Church of Christ.
The group, led by youth minister Casey Haynes, helped organize a Vacation Bible School for the congregation of about 25 to 30.
“They have door-knocked over 700 houses, led us in worship Sunday, worked on a back building at our church to be a teen room and mowed lawns for elderly in the community,” said Wes Baldwin, the Donalsonville church’s minister.
“As a congregation, we only have six kids under the age of 12,” Baldwin added. “But with their help, we have averaged over 30 kids a night at VBS.”
NEW YORK
BRENTWOOD — With help from Herald of Truth, Churches of Christ from Brooklyn to the East End sponsored a recent six-day outreach campaign and gospel meeting on Long Island.
The opening night of the “Hope for Life” event drew a crowd of more than 450, said Derek Peterson, one of the organizers.
“I know there are plenty of churches down south that have 500-plus in attendance on a Sunday as a normal thing,” Peterson said.”However, up north … to have this many people from churches all over was truly an act of God.”
Lessons and singing were done both in English and Spanish, with real-time translating.
“Hope for Life is still having an impact on many,” said Pedro Gelabert, evangelist for the Long Island Church of Christ. “God has stirred up a revival!’
WASHINGTON
BELLEVUE — Elders and members from area congregations helped the Bellevue Church of Christ celebrate the recent opening of its new fellowship hall.
“The hall has a lodge look and can accommodate over 200 people,” said Tim Tow, deacon for communications. “We’ve hosted our first wedding and a prison ministry banquet and intend to use the fellowship hall to further reach out to the community.”
