January 2023

Churches strive to reach ‘Next Level Up’ in 2023 • Agape Conference encourages unity • Still the one: Alabama preacher marks 65 years with the same congregation • Connecticut church celebrates its 150th anniversary • After over a century, Lipscomb’s Austin Center to close • Peace on earth in a land of unrest • Detroit minister Dallas Walker dies at 83 • Christian Chronicle mourns, celebrates life of Joy McMillon • Editorial: If you want to preach Jesus, be Jesus

In this issue:

Summit participants sing during an evening worship service. “Church Music and Church Growth” was a panel discussion on the final day. “Don’t jump on something because it’s a trend,” worship leader Jason Walker said. “A praise team doesn’t replace singing. Do they hear beautiful songs or mic feedback?”

Culture

Churches strive to reach ‘Next Level Up’ in 2023

Dec. 15, 2022

ATLANTA — “We have the right message,” said Marcus Brummer, echoing a sentiment expressed by modern-day Churches of Christ for more than a century. So…

Josh Kasinger, the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ’s worship and executive minister, prays during the recent Agape Conference in Little Rock, Ark.

National

Agape Conference encourages unity

Dec. 13, 2022

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — When Phallen Reed looked around the auditorium at the 2022 Agape Conference, she saw people who didn’t look like her —…

Minister Gerald Romine and his wife, Louise, left, visit with

Still the one: Alabama preacher marks 65 years with the same congregation

Dec. 7, 2022

ROANOKE, Ala. — In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent federal troops to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. The Soviet Union stunned…

Trumbull Church of Christ members celebrate the congregation’s 150th anniversary.

National

Connecticut church celebrates its 150th anniversary

Dec. 14, 2022

TRUMBULL, Conn. — In 2016, Ted Abercrombie called the Trumbull Church of Christ — where his great-grandfather served as one of the original elders —…

Dallas Walker Jr. with church member Brenda Jones outside the Wyoming Avenue Church of Christ in Detroit in 2

Obituaries

Detroit minister Dallas Walker dies at 83

Dec. 14, 2022

Dallas A. Walker Jr., a Detroit evangelist known nationwide for his knowledge of the Bible and speaking ability, died Nov. 21. He was 83. Walker…

Obituaries

Christian Chronicle mourns, celebrates life of Joy McMillon

Dec. 13, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY — “I’m so blessed, and I’m ready to go home.” Those were the final words that Joy McMillon said to Scott Young, worship…

A praying woman is reflected by the one-way glass that separates the sections for men and women at the Western Wall in the Old Town of Jerusalem.

Perspective

Peace on earth in a land of unrest

Dec. 13, 2022

TIBERIAS, Israel — An Israeli, a Serbian, a Canadian and an American walk into a Chinese restaurant on the western shore of the Sea of…

Minister Behailu Abebe, right, greets a student outside the chapel of the Makanisa School for the Deaf in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2011.

Editorial

Editorial: If you want to preach Jesus, be Jesus

Dec. 14, 2022

'And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time. The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life.” Whenever I hear that song —…

Richard Hughes. “The Grace of Troublesome Questions: Vocation, Restoration, and Race.” Abilene Christian University Press. 2022. 352 pages. $24.99.

Reviews

Church historian reflects on ‘troublesome questions’

Dec. 15, 2022

In his latest book, “The Grace of Troublesome Questions: Vocation, Restoration, and Race,” historian Richard Hughes invites readers in Churches of Christ to honestly consider…

Willow Brook CEO Larry Harris, right, visits with independent living residents Bob and Mary Holm.

National

Growth marks senior living CEO’s nearly half-century tenure

Dec. 9, 2022

DELAWARE, Ohio — In 1974, Larry Harris was working as a salesman and training to become a manager for Glick Furniture Co., then the largest…

David Shannon, president of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., visits with retired NFL star Kurt Warner. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback spoke at the Christian university’s recent 58th annual benefit dinner, which raised nearly $1.7 million for student scholarships. The father of seven discussed his football journey, which is portrayed in the movie “American Underdog,” and the importance of Treasure House, the nonprofit he and his wife, Brenda, founded. “Life is bigger than football,” Warner said. “God had a plan.”

National

Across the Nation: A benefit dinner, a historic Christian school and more quick takes

Dec. 14, 2022

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…

Partners

World War II veteran leaves $29 million endowment to Abilene Christian University

Dec. 7, 2022

Abilene Christian University in Texas, which is associated with Churches of Christ, has received its largest single academic gift ever from the estate of Bill…

National

After two decades, Texas Christian camp finds its forever home

Dec. 7, 2022

After almost 20 years of bouncing from campground to campground, a Texas ministry has found a permanent home, though it’s a bit of a fixer-upper.…

Views

‘I hope this brings you comfort’

Dec. 15, 2022

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — In the fall of 2018, Laura Morris was busy living a joy-filled life. She and her husband had just returned from…

A cardinal myzomela checks out his reflection in the side-view mirror of the Lupelele Church of Christ’s van in American Samoa.

International

Around the World: Prison ministry in Nigeria, Bibles for children in Macedonia and more quick takes

Dec. 15, 2022

Around the World is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ all over the globe. Got an idea for…

Sherri Coale, author of the new book “Rooted to Rise,” cheers on her team during her time as women’s basketball coach at the University of Oklahoma.

Dialogue

Sherri Coale reflects on life after basketball

Dec. 13, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY — The COVID-19 pandemic forced many to slow down and reconsider what filled the space in their lives. Sherri Coale was no exception.…

Inside Story

Love and joy: Tears flow at son’s wedding

Dec. 9, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY — I’m not crying. You’re crying. Actually, everybody seemed to be crying. What better reason to let the tears flow than watching two…

More than 100 attended the showing of the first two episodes of Season three of the Chosen at Hardin Valley Church of Christ

Culture

Churches join ‘The Chosen’ Season 3 bandwagon

Dec. 8, 2022

Robin Vick said he came late to “The Chosen” phenomenon. Vick, an evangelist for the Roosevelt Drive Church of Christ in Jacksonville, N.C., had heard…