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Teens Envision a Church More Pleasing To Our mission: To inform, An international inspire and unite newspaper Vol. 70, No. 3 | March 2013 for Churches of Christ Great-grandmother Teens envision takes mission trip around the globe a church more BY ERIK TRYGGESTAD | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE “You’re going alone?” was a pleasing to God question Betty Choate heard more than once as she packed for a trip to three nations in YOUNG CHRISTIANS tout meatier Bible study, southern Asia. deeper relationships and less judgmentalism. “Well, no,” the great-grand- mother replied. “I’ll be with BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE Christians — family — the whole time, so I won’t be isten up, faithful adults. alone.” Young Christians have ideas for making the Choate, who describes her church more like God meant it to be — and age as a “very young 72-and-a- they’re eager to be heard. half,” returned to Asia for the In a national survey, teenage members of first time in seven years. Churches of Christ offered advice for a fellowship She and her faced with graying congregations and disappearing husband, J.C. millennials — loosely defined as those born in the Choate, served 1980s and 1990s. as missionaries “Students in this in countries study speak of the including church with great Pakistan, Sri love, hope, insight and Lanka and India. wisdom,” researchers They planted Dudley Chancey and Betty Choate congregations Ron Bruner reported and initiated TV and literature in the 2012 Church programs for Churches of and Relationship Christ throughout the region. Study by Oklahoma J.C. Choate, a prolific Christian University’s author and ardent supporter Intergenerational Faith ERIK TRYGGESTAD of ministry training, died Center. “They suggest Young Christians worship at of cancer in 2008. Now ways to cope with a Winterfest in Gatlinburg, Tenn., other Christians continue changing culture that one of three venues where the mission work and the respect the identity and researchers surveyed teens couple’s publishing ministry, mission of the church.” about Churches of Christ. Mississippi-based World Researchers surveyed Evangelism, which produces 482 students at three national meetings: Winterfest The Voice of Truth International in Texas and Tennessee and the Challenge Youth and Global Harvest magazines. Conference in Tennessee. Among the findings: After traveling west and • Teens want more upbeat worship and meatier crossing the international date LAURI ANN ITSON Bible study. line, Betty Choate was met • Teens seek deeper, more meaningful relation- in Myanmar (also known as ships with adult Christians. Burma) by “some friendly and Voices of praise, 10 floors high • Teens desire to “go out and serve” beyond familiar faces” including local Teens from congregations in nine states gather outside their rooms at the 10-story Embassy church walls. church member Winsome Suites Hotel in Huntsville, Ala., and lift praises to God. “The Atrium Singing” has become a • Teens perceive judgmental attitudes as Vertannes. She visited tradition at Exposure Youth Camp, an annual winter program overseen by the Roebuck hampering the spread of the Gospel. See GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, Page 14 Parkway Church of Christ in Birmingham, Ala. RELATED STORY, Page 6 See YOUTH SURVEY, Page 12 2 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE MARCH 2013 Save The Date. 9.29.2013 Once again, God has placed another incredible opportunity in our path, to which we simply have to say “Yes.” The people of Ukraine are becoming very determined to teach their children the right way to live. With the Bible. Teachers and librarians, the most influential people in Ukraine Public Schools, are telling us of the importance and influence of this Book of Books. The region (or state) of Lviv, Ukraine, has asked for Bibles for all of their Public Schools. That means nearly 1,400 Public Schools have said “yes” to the Bible. To fund this project, EEM is announcing The Million Dollar Sunday, September 29, 2013. So, get some string and save the date. September 29, 2013 facebook.com/EasternEuropeanMission · twitter.com/@EveryoneGetsIt · 1-800-486-1818 · www.eem.org EEM is overseen by the Prestoncrest church of Christ, Dallas, Texas. MARCH 2013 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 3 After cancer fight, mother ‘safe in Social justice vs. kingdom work the arms of Jesus’ AT A NATIONAL MEETING of youth s we go to press with this issue of The ministers, the key role of the AChristian Chronicle, our local church is emphasized. hearts ache. Our friend and colleague BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE Erik Tryggestad, the Chronicle’s international COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Love Jesus. writer, page design genius, Tolerate the church. photographer extraordinaire At a time when Americans’ confidence and assistant in organized religion has hit a 40-year low, Inside Story managing that mindset seems particularly prevalent editor, lost among younger Christians. his mother At the recent National Conference on Jan. 17. Youth Ministries, Scot McKnight — one of We shed the keynote speakers — challenged what he tears with described as the modern tendency to lift up Erik, his social justice efforts as “kingdom work.” sister, Amy “It’s like a tsunami, beginning to over- Bowman, take the church, and the church is losing and his significance in local communities because Bobby Ross Jr. father, Tom Christians are devoted to changing the Tryggestad. world through the political process,” said Karen Tryggestad, 64, McKnight, a prominent evangelical New was a faithful member of Testament scholar and popular blogger. the Heritage Church of Showing compassion, feeding the Christ in Franklin, Tenn. homeless and working for peace are good Before her retirement, she causes, but kingdom work involves intro- had worked as a school ducing people to Jesus and his church, secretary. She adored her McKnight told 285 youth ministers from church family and taught Churches of Christ in 30 states. Bible classes for infants and That message struck a chord with some children for many years. of the youth ministers who gathered at the “Karen Tryggestad, the Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs — in the best mom we could have shadow of Pikes Peak. asked for, is safe in the BOBBY ROSS JR. “We’ve swung so far from the door-knock- arms of Jesus,” Erik wrote Charlie Sells from the Holland Park Church of Christ in Simpsonville, S.C., and Adam Brewer from ing days that we’ve forgotten to actually on his mom’s CaringBridge the Monrovia Church of Christ in Alabama sing during the National Conference on Youth Ministries. See SOCIAL JUSTICE, Page 16 page the night of her death. On Aug. 28 last year, Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 Finding Jesus in an unlikely place: ‘Duck Dynasty’ fan baptized pancreatic cancer after going to the emergency room BY JAMES BUCE | FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE and fishing. This passion for outdoor with abdominal pain and activities would help guide him to discover weakness. At that stage, the When Brandon Hooks’ mother intro- his own faith and love for Christ. cancer has spread to distant duced him to “Duck Dynasty,” he found the In 2006, Hooks began dating his organs, and the prognosis for A&E reality series funny and entertaining. future wife, Jessica, 29, a member of the survival is grim, according to But he did not expect a television show Memorial Church of Christ in Houston. the American Cancer Society. to change his life. He started attending services with her. As her daughter Amy Hooks, 31, seldom attended church After the couple married in 2007, Hooks noted, that date — 8/28 while growing up. The only time he went kept joining his wife at church. He was — matched one of Karen’s was when his family visited his grand- welcomed with his family and made many favorite Bible verses. LORI EASTERLY mother’s house. Throughout most of his friends at the congregation. However, Romans 8:28 reads: “And Jase Robertson congratulates Brandon Hooks life, he gave faith little thought. something still seemed to be missing. See MOTHER, Page 4 after his baptism at the White’s Ferry Road church. He did, however, grow to love hunting See DUCK DYNASTY, Page 15 4 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE INSIDE STORY MARCH 2013 www.christianchronicle.org Go online to find news updates, an expanded calendar, classifieds and much more. Use the barcode at right to visit our mobile site. • See a video of longtime Oklahoma Christian University professor and coach Max Dobson being honored at an Oklahoma City Thunder game. • Breaking news: Don’t wait to read all the latest news or check out exclusive online features. MOTHER: Opportunity to say goodbye a blessing FROM PAGE 3 same time, I think about people who have we know that in all things God works lost family members to sudden heart for the good of those who love him, attacks, accidents, etc. Having the time to who have been called according to his say goodbye is a blessing I’m learning to purpose.” appreciate.” “Mom’s spirit is strong,” Amy, Christmas proved extremely bitter- an administrative assistant for the sweet for the family. Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in For the first time, the children — Erik Nashville, assured family and friends and his wife, Jeanie; Amy and her hus- on the day after Karen’s diagnosis. “She band, Lamar — were in charge of the hol- has shared with her many, many visitors iday meal. They somehow put the turkey the peace she feels and the faith she has in the oven upside down, but it turned French Club that ‘It’s going to be all right.’” out fine. Tom helped by making corn- Global Outreach I did not know Karen well, but I bread dressing. Erik’s daughter, Maggie, crossed paths with her a few times and Amy’s son, Luke, amused themselves Health Science Club when she and Tom visited Erik at by playing the Disney Hedbanz game.
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