Church member crowned Miss Pennsylvania

Miss Pennsylvania Courtney Thomas is a member of the Brookville Church of Christ.

It didn’t take long for news of a church member’s crowning as Miss Oklahoma to reach our office. Emoly West attends the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond, Okla. — just down the street from The Christian Chronicle’s office.
It took a little longer before we heard about Courtney Thomas winning Miss Pennsylvania honors back in June.
Like West, Thomas, a member of the Brookville Church of Christ in Pennsylvania, will compete in the Miss America Pageant in January 2011.
Thomas, 21, a  Drexel University senior, played the fiddle in the talent portion of the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant.
Elaine VanSteenberg, whose late husband, Larry, preached for 25 years in Texas and Tennessee, shared the news of her niece’s win after seeing a story about Miss Oklahoma in the Chronicle’s August print edition. VanSteenberg, Thomas’ proud aunt, attends the Roseville Church of Christ in Brookville.

• Feedback
  Congrats to Miss Oklahoma and Miss Pennsylvania. I know you two will represent Christ well in the Miss America pagent, and I am sure that a tough question will be posed to you that will challenge your faith versus your desire to gain the crown of Miss America. Glorify God and He will use you to glorify His name.
  Remember, the crown of Miss America is nothing compared to the crown of Life, bestowed upon you by Christ…and as you keep that in perspective, you will have a wonderful experience and a fulfilling life on this earth.
  I wish the both of you the best!

  Stephen Maple

  August, 4 2010

  It is difficult for me to see how these young women can in any way “represent Christ well in the Miss America pagent” if one of the requirements is to parade themselves in front of the country in a modern bikini.
  Please someone help me to understand how anyone is able to justify a woman appearing publicly in such attire (or lack thereof).

  Clint

  November, 11 2010