Church of Christ minister charged with state, federal sex crimes against minors
One Sunday in April 2020, Josh Henley, then the full-time…
Across the Nation: The Jenkins Institute, a Chicago food bank 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 Audrey Jackson at [email protected].
Featured image (above): Brothers Jeff Jenkins, left, and Dale Jenkins, right, speak at Freed-Hardeman University‘s annual Bible Lectureship.
The brothers are ending their decades-long work in local ministry — nearly 80 years between them — to devote themselves fully to the broader work of The Jenkins Institute.
Since 2011, the institute has provided support and encouragement to preachers around the world. The brothers founded it in honor of their father, Jerry Jenkins, a longtime Church of Christ preacher and host of the “The Living Word” TV broadcast, who died in 2010. Read the full story.
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO — A food bank that started as a small project in the Sheldon Heights Church of Christ’s basement has kept growing.
Forty years after its humble start, the Sheldon Heights Food Pantry occupies a building next door to the church and serves hundreds of hungry families.
Grant money from the Greater Chicago Food Depository has helped the ministry buy a giant new walk-in freezer, replacing 17 small ones that were racking up big energy bills, WGN-TV reported.
KANSAS
DOUGLASS — Jonathan Roberson, pulpit minister for the Douglass Church of Christ, and his wife, Ashly, suffered numerous injuries in a car wreck in Arkansas City, Kan. Daughter Madison, who was in the family’s vehicle, was unharmed.
Jonathan had multiple cracked ribs, broken teeth and contusions. Ashly suffered major trauma to her right arm as well as broken ribs and was hospitalized for 24 days. She faces more procedures on her arm before a year or more of physical therapy. Jeff Roberson has set up a GoFundMe page, with a goal of $50,000 to help with medical expenses.
OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA CITY — Police arrested Michael Eric Coghill, discipleship minister for the Lakehoma Church of Christ in Mustang, on complaints of lewd/indecent acts to a child.
According to police, a witness videoed Coghill, 33, touching a minor waiting for a bus. The witness said he beat up Coghill after the minister tried to run away.
The church fired Coghill and said: “We were heartbroken to learn of the incident involving one of our adult ministers, and our hearts go out to the child and family involved. We were shocked at this news as he had a clean background check, and we have received no reports or claims against him during his tenure. Church leadership has no tolerance for any type of abuse. … We will cooperate with authorities.”
Related: Church of Christ minister charged with state, federal sex crimes against minors
Newsmakers:
APPOINTED: Six new members to The Christian Chronicle’s Journalism Advisory Council: Shelby Coates, Timothy Hall, BT Irwin, Nia Johnson, Stewart McKenzie and Jim Miller. The council offers guidance on journalistic and ethical matters and otherwise lends expertise to the Chronicle’s effort to report real news that honors God. Dan Macaluso as the next vice president for advancement at Abilene Christian University in Texas. Blair Schroeder as the chief planning officer, a newly created position at ACU.
HIRED: Keith Harris as the new minister for the Lewisville Church of Christ in Texas. Harris previously served as minister for the WindSong Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Ark. Dyron B. Daughrity as the new minister for the Redondo Beach Church of Christ in California. Daughrity is a professor of religion at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.
RAISED: The Parkersburg, W.Va., chapter of the women’s group Stepping Stones raised $40,000 for Ohio Valley University during the 2020-21 academic year. Susan Ryan Cockerham, the chapter’s president, said the chapter’s thrift shop raised most of the money.
Brandt Jean, brother of Botham Jean, wears a shirt with the hashtag #BeLikeBo at the memorial.
Quote of the month
“It is symbolic of living an ambitious life that is centered around integrity, empathy and compassion for all mankind,” said Allison Jean about the slogan “Be Like Bo” which became popular after the death of the 2016 Harding University alumnus. “In the words of Botham himself, ‘We are not alone as a community of believers, and I am comforted when I know I am not the only one doing something.’” Read the full story.
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