Across the Nation, October 2010
ILLINOIS
URBANA — The Philo Road Church of Christ conducted its 25th annual “Great Giveaway” on Aug. 21. “The idea is to conduct a ‘garage sale’ but not charge for the items — everything is free,” Philo Road evangelist Randy Schilling said.
The giveaway started as a small event with donations from church members only, Schilling said. Now, the church receives as many calls from people wanting to drop off a donation as those in need.
“This allows us to connect with both the givers and receivers and show them both true Christianity in action,” church member Dick Oliver said.
MICHIGAN
DETROIT — An areawide worship assembly drew more than 1,000 people to the Gateway Church of Christ in Southgate on Aug. 29. Brandon Holt of Dallas and Evertt Huffard of Memphis, Tenn., spoke on the theme “Connected Through Christ.”
Area churches’ annual Love in Action giveaway of food and school supplies grew to eight church locations. Food and backpacks were purchased through God’s Helping Hands, a ministry associated with Churches of Christ.
The events are coordinated through United in Christ (www.unityeventsforchrist.com) under the oversight of the Redford Church of Christ elders. The board includes ministers and church leaders from several area congregations, said Roger Woods, minister and elder for the Walled Lake Church of Christ.
MISSISSIPPI
JACKSON — The Capitol Street Church of Christ building suffered nearly $1 million in damages in a June fire. However, the auditorium escaped the most serious damages, and the congregation was able to resume worshiping in its building after two months away.
“This will be a blessed day for us to return back to Capitol Street, where we originally started from,” minister Isaac Young told WJTV in Jackson as repairs continued on the rest of the building. “It never ceases to amaze me. It looks like, when things are down and out, God always comes through at the right time.”
NORTH CAROLINA
RALEIGH — Last year, The Christian Chronicle featured the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ’s ministry for children with special needs. At the time, church leaders expressed a desire to offer training and resources to help other congregations serve such children and their families.
The church worked to make that happen in mid-September. Classes on reaching and teaching children with disabilities and their families were planned Sept. 18 as part of Brooks Avenue’s annual Mid-Atlantic Evangelism Seminar.
OHIO
ZANESVILLE — The youth group from the Norval Park Church of Christ made a mission trip to Laings, Ohio, 80 miles away.
Led by youth deacon Donnie Watts and his wife, Nancy, the teens passed out invitations for Vacation Bible School at the Laings Church of Christ and helped with worship services and VBS.
“During the day, the teens painted and did landscaping and other community service projects for members and individuals in the community,” Norval Park minister Mark Tonkery said.
TENNESSEE
BRENTWOOD — The Otter Creek Church of Christ recently hosted “World Vision Experience: AIDS,” a 2,500-square-foot interactive exhibit on the lives of African children affected by AIDS.
“It was a total blessing,” said David Rubio, an Otter Creek minister. “I can’t tell you the impact it has had on the Otter Creek youth group and the Rubio family.”
MEMPHIS — The Norris Road Church of Christ received a $3.1 million grant to build housing for the elderly, minister J.M. Crusoe said. Crusoe, who worked with elders Paul Holly and William Bond to secure the grant, said it will allow construction of a two-story apartment complex with 30 one-bedroom units.
TEXAS
GALVESTON — The Broadway Church of Christ returned to worship in its building Aug. 29 for the first time since Hurricane Ike struck in 2008.
The building collected at least 5 feet of water, leaving it in shambles. Giving from church members all over the world helped make rebuilding a possibility, leaders said.
