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Across the Nation: Warming centers, adoption 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): Volunteers with the Woodson Chapel Church of Christ make meals for a warming shelter organized by Room in the Inn, a nonprofit that Churches of Christ often partner with to provide shelter and food for homeless men.

The Nashville, Tenn., church worked as a warming center with the nonprofit from December to February.

“It’s an outreach program to the homeless that allows individuals to work towards getting off the street,” said Frank Peeler, who co-deacons the ministry with Russell Crouch. 


Quick takes

ALABAMA

MONTGOMERY The McCarthy family, who attend the Landmark Church of Christ recently adopted their fourth child after fostering her for 625 days. McKenzie Kate McCarthy has lived with the McCarthy family since she was two days old.

“I am amazed by the faithfulness of God — his promises fulfilled in our lives and his provision for this precious girl!” Katie Beth McCarthy wrote on Facebook.

The McCarthy family poses for a photo after adopting their daughter, McKenzie Kate.

The McCarthy family poses for a photo after adopting their daughter, McKenzie Kate.


Higher Education

ABILENE, Texas — Abilene Christian University broke ground Feb. 18 on the Texas university’s newest residence hall. 

The facility will be named Wessel Hall in honor of donors Rick and Debbie Wessel, ACU officials said.

The planned 96,000-square-foot hall will be four stories high and house 350 first-year students, including an honors living/learning community and a three-bedroom apartment for a faculty-in-residence.

The new building will replace Gardner Hall, which housed ACU women for 60 years, and is the next step in ACU’s Freshman Village project, a comprehensive renovation and construction campaign.


Newsmakers

HIRED: Elliot Hamm as the minister for the Lebanon Church of Christ in Mayfield, Ky. Hamm previously was minister for the Flatrock Church of Christ in Hohenwald, Tenn. Chuck Morris as minister for the Spring Meadows Church of Christ in Spring Hill, Tenn. Dillan Todd as the children’s minister for the Lebanon Road Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. 

APPOINTED: DeeDee Bundy, Albert Gillespie and Al Smith to the board of trustees at Lubbock Christian University in Texas. Smith served on the board from 2003 to 2015 before being reappointed in December 2021. BJ Morris and James Lashlee as deacons at the Lebanon Road Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. 

RETIRED: Darrell Blankenship from pulpit minister at the Green Hill Church of Christ in Mount Juliet, Tenn. 


Children pile into the back of Jenny Johnson’s car for a ride on a Sunday morning.

Children pile into the back of Jenny Johnson’s car for a ride on a Sunday morning.

Quote of the month

“Every Sunday I would get up and tell my wife, ‘Well, this may be Eleanor Rigby,’” Mike Johnson said about being the minister of the lone Church of Christ in Franklin County, Fla. “‘I may be writing a sermon that no one will hear.’”

Read more about the Johnsons’ ministry work with children in Florida here.

 

Filed under: Abilene Christian University Across the Nation Alabama Florida National News Partners Top Stories

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