Across the Nation: Big devo in Alabama, new home for ‘Disney Church’ and more quick takes
Across the Nation is our monthly rundown of news briefs,…
Across the Nation: Louisiana VBS marketplace, New England longtime ministers 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)
VBS marketplace a hit in Louisiana: Children pick out colorful yarn as part of a Vacation Bible School marketplace experience offered by the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, La.
“About 40 members of our church pulled together to bless 65 children,” minister John Dobbs said of the four-night event.
Associate minister Daniel Kirkendall organized the VBS, which featured Bible stories as well as shops and crafts tied to Old Testament stories.
The full photo, as published in the July 2019 print edition of The Christian Chronicle, can be viewed below.
Children enjoy Vacation Bible School at the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, La.
Spotlight
Special honors for longtime New England ministers: More than 300 Christians from nearly a dozen states gathered for the recent New England Lectureship, which featured the theme “Understanding New Testament Leadership.”
At the annual event in Marlborough, Mass., ministers who have served the New England area for 20 or more years were recognized.
David Tarbet, John Kurpriel, Mark Craigwell, Park Linscomb, Mike Mullen and Herschel Walker
The honorees were:
• David Tarbet of the New Milford Church of Christ in Connecticut;
• John Kurpriel of the Lawrence Church of Christ in Massachusetts;
• Mark Craigwell of the Roxbury Church of Christ in Massachusetts;
• Park Linscomb of the Manchester Church of Christ in New Hampshire;
• Mike Mullen of the Fall River Church of Christ in Massachusetts;
• Herschel Walker of the Blue Hill Church of Christ in Dorchester, Mass.
The 2020 New England Lectureship will be May 1-3 in Mansfield, Mass. For more information, call Maurice Davis at (617) 274-2409 or see newenglandlectureship.org.
Quick takes
ALABAMA
ATMORE — A man convicted of using a sword and a knife to kill a rural Church of Christ preacher in 1991 was executed recently.
Christopher Lee Price, 46, was killed by lethal injection, The Associated Press reported. Price was convicted of killing Bill Lynn in Fayette County on Dec. 22, 1991.
DECATUR — Two Churches of Christ with about 150 members each have decided to consolidate. The Austinville and Grant Street congregations will meet together as one body starting Aug. 4. They will be known as the Decatur Church of Christ, evangelist Tony Edwards said.
“Grant Street was about to spend a large sum of money on building a new building, and they were questioning within themselves what would be the best use of the Lord’s money,” Edwards said. “The options were to build a building or consolidate with a sister church and use that money to reach the lost.
Tony Edwards
He said the merger will bring together two strong congregations: “We both had a large contribution and steady membership. This was all based on how much more good we could do if came together.”
NEW MEXICO
PORTALES — Domingo Reyes, minister for the Greenbank Church of Christ in Wilmington, Del., served as the keynote speaker for the first Living Jesus Bible Conference.
The conference, hosted by the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ, aimed “to engage as many people in our community as possible in Bible classes, hearing committed Christian speakers and keynote addresses centered around the theme of living as Jesus lived,” member Lora Chandler said.
“We all feel that Jesus was lifted up, and people were encouraged.”
About 150 to 200 people participated.
Chandler characterized the conference as a first-of-its-kind effort in eastern New Mexico and said church members did “whatever they could to make it a success.”
“We are located in a rural community, and that may have contributed to smaller numbers in attendance,” she added. “However, for a first-time effort, we all feel that Jesus was lifted up, and people were encouraged. Next year, we’re confident that more will come. People are hungry for the truth Christ offers!”
TENNESSEE
MT. JULIET — How can Christians show the love of Christ to single mothers?
The Mt. Juliet Church of Christ does so with an annual Single Mother Car Care Clinic, said deacons Joe Cowan, Daniel Johnson and Clay Bailey.
The clinic offers each mother a vehicle inspection, oil change, wash and detail, Cowan said. The recent event involved roughly 100 volunteers, ranging in age from 8 to 80, who served about 25 to 30 mothers.
“While the cars are serviced, mothers are treated to snacks, manicures, massages, a bag of home goods and a bag of groceries,” he said. “Ladies from the congregation use this time with the mothers to review available church programs, talk about Bible classes and the youth program, provide an opportunity to sign children up for VBS and work to establish a time to conduct a Bible study or additional follow-up time.”
Kenneth Hearrell, right, is the “disaster deacon” for the Crosstown Church of Christ in Tulsa, Okla. He’s pictured with Mark Guilds, an American Red Cross volunteer from Albany, N.Y.
Quote of the month
“I do it because I can.” — Kenneth Hearrell, 87-year-old “disaster deacon” for the Crosstown Church of Christ in Tulsa, Okla., on why he feels compelled to help. Read the full story.
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