Partners, June 2012
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
CHILDREN’S HOMES INC.
PARAGOULD, Ark. — What to do with that empty parsonage next to the church?
The Mountain Home Church of Christ in Arkansas turned its parsonage into a foster group home for children in need.
“It is a great relationship,” said Micah Brinkley, CEO of Children’s Homes Inc. “We provide our services, including a boarding payment that is equal to what the state of Arkansas would provide. The church takes care of many of the other expenses.
“It is a great way to get the local church involved in child care,” Brinkley added. “The congregation actually selected the foster parents from within their church family.”
HIGHER EDUCATION
HARDING UNIVERSITY
SEARCY, Ark. — The Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla., has given Harding a $1.7 million challenge grant toward the construction of an $8.5 million facility to house the Carr College of Nursing and the Communication Science and Disorders Department.
The new building will be constructed on the south side of campus next to the Farrar Health Sciences Center. Construction is expected to begin this summer, and the facility is expected to open in time for the 2013 fall semester.
“This is certainly a pace-setting gift on this very important project for the Harding community,” President David Burks said. “The Mabee gift will ensure the project will be completed next year.”
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Beth Harwell, Tennessee’s first female Speaker of the House, has been named Lipscomb’s 2012 Alumnus of the Year.
A 1978 Lipscomb graduate, Harwell has served in the state Legislature for nearly a quarter-century.
“Beth Harwell exemplifies the Christian business leader we hold up to our students, alumni and community,” said Bennie Harris, Lipscomb’s vice president for development and alumni relations. “We are so proud to claim her as one of our alums.”
OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
VIENNA, W.Va. — Frank Higginbotham, minister for the Virginia Avenue Church of Christ in Chester, W.Va., for 48 years, recently received the Christian Service Award from OVU.
Tom Butterfield, the Christian university’s director of church relations, lauded the faithfulness of Higginbotham and his wife, Rose.
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
OKLAHOMA CITY — Mike O’Neal, who retired April 30 after 10 years as Oklahoma Christian’s president, will remain at the university as president emeritus. New President John deSteiguer said O’Neal accepted his invitation to continue serving Oklahoma Christian.
“I will continue working with some of the projects that I have championed, such as the university’s relationship with the people of Rwanda,” O’Neal said.
“And with my extensive experience in planned giving, I look forward to providing some assistance to that office and speaking periodically on behalf of the university,” he added.
YORK COLLEGE
YORK, Neb. — Larry Roberts, York’s president from 1991 to 1995, died April 20 in Florida, where he served as a minister for the Avon Park Church of Christ. He was 77.
Roberts’ long history in ministry and in Christian higher education included stints as vice president of Lubbock Christian University in Texas and president of now-defunct Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pa.
“Larry Roberts was so important to our campus during his years here,” York President Steve Eckman said. “He was a great example of Christian servant leadership. He will be missed.”
MINISTRY TRAINING
SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE
SINGAPORE — Tim Burow, dean of international studies for Lubbock, Texas-based SIBI, traveled to this island city-state recently as part of a tour of Sunset’s ministries in Asia.
“SIBI, along with its partners in the Pasir Panjang congregation, is doing its best to help equip servants of Christ to share the good news with their home country,” Burow said. The Singapore school has students from Asian nations including Singapore, China and Vietnam.
PUBLICATIONS
CHRISTIAN NEWS OF SOUTH TEXAS
SAN ANTONIO — Paul McQuien, a member of the Northside Church of Christ with 40-plus years of experience as an English professor, has been named editor of the Christian News of South Texas.
“Just as I enjoy reading The Christian Chronicle every month to stay informed about the activities of the Church on a national and international level, I also enjoy reading the CNST to keep informed on local and area activities concerning our fellowship,” McQuien wrote in an introductory column.
However, he said the San Antonio-based publication risks limiting its circulation or even being discontinued because of decreased financial support.
“I hope and pray that interested congregations, Christian-owned businesses and committed individuals will step forward to keep this worthwhile newsletter going on a sound financial basis,” he wrote.
CHILDREN’S HOMES INC.
PARAGOULD, Ark. — What to do with that empty parsonage next to the church?
The Mountain Home Church of Christ in Arkansas turned its parsonage into a foster group home for children in need.
“It is a great relationship,” said Micah Brinkley, CEO of Children’s Homes Inc. “We provide our services, including a boarding payment that is equal to what the state of Arkansas would provide. The church takes care of many of the other expenses.
“It is a great way to get the local church involved in child care,” Brinkley added. “The congregation actually selected the foster parents from within their church family.”
HIGHER EDUCATION
HARDING UNIVERSITY
SEARCY, Ark. — The Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla., has given Harding a $1.7 million challenge grant toward the construction of an $8.5 million facility to house the Carr College of Nursing and the Communication Science and Disorders Department.
The new building will be constructed on the south side of campus next to the Farrar Health Sciences Center. Construction is expected to begin this summer, and the facility is expected to open in time for the 2013 fall semester.
“This is certainly a pace-setting gift on this very important project for the Harding community,” President David Burks said. “The Mabee gift will ensure the project will be completed next year.”
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Beth Harwell, Tennessee’s first female Speaker of the House, has been named Lipscomb’s 2012 Alumnus of the Year.
A 1978 Lipscomb graduate, Harwell has served in the state Legislature for nearly a quarter-century.
“Beth Harwell exemplifies the Christian business leader we hold up to our students, alumni and community,” said Bennie Harris, Lipscomb’s vice president for development and alumni relations. “We are so proud to claim her as one of our alums.”
OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
VIENNA, W.Va. — Frank Higginbotham, minister for the Virginia Avenue Church of Christ in Chester, W.Va., for 48 years, recently received the Christian Service Award from OVU.
Tom Butterfield, the Christian university’s director of church relations, lauded the faithfulness of Higginbotham and his wife, Rose.
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
OKLAHOMA CITY — Mike O’Neal, who retired April 30 after 10 years as Oklahoma Christian’s president, will remain at the university as president emeritus. New President John deSteiguer said O’Neal accepted his invitation to continue serving Oklahoma Christian.
“I will continue working with some of the projects that I have championed, such as the university’s relationship with the people of Rwanda,” O’Neal said.
“And with my extensive experience in planned giving, I look forward to providing some assistance to that office and speaking periodically on behalf of the university,” he added.
YORK COLLEGE
YORK, Neb. — Larry Roberts, York’s president from 1991 to 1995, died April 20 in Florida, where he served as a minister for the Avon Park Church of Christ. He was 77.
Roberts’ long history in ministry and in Christian higher education included stints as vice president of Lubbock Christian University in Texas and president of now-defunct Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pa.
“Larry Roberts was so important to our campus during his years here,” York President Steve Eckman said. “He was a great example of Christian servant leadership. He will be missed.”
MINISTRY TRAINING
SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE
SINGAPORE — Tim Burow, dean of international studies for Lubbock, Texas-based SIBI, traveled to this island city-state recently as part of a tour of Sunset’s ministries in Asia.
“SIBI, along with its partners in the Pasir Panjang congregation, is doing its best to help equip servants of Christ to share the good news with their home country,” Burow said. The Singapore school has students from Asian nations including Singapore, China and Vietnam.
PUBLICATIONS
CHRISTIAN NEWS OF SOUTH TEXAS
SAN ANTONIO — Paul McQuien, a member of the Northside Church of Christ with 40-plus years of experience as an English professor, has been named editor of the Christian News of South Texas.
“Just as I enjoy reading The Christian Chronicle every month to stay informed about the activities of the Church on a national and international level, I also enjoy reading the CNST to keep informed on local and area activities concerning our fellowship,” McQuien wrote in an introductory column.
However, he said the San Antonio-based publication risks limiting its circulation or even being discontinued because of decreased financial support.
“I hope and pray that interested congregations, Christian-owned businesses and committed individuals will step forward to keep this worthwhile newsletter going on a sound financial basis,” he wrote.
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