Our mission: To inform, An international inspire and unite newspaper Vol. 67, No. 10 | November 2010 for Churches of Christ FriendSpeak MISSIONS AND MONEY IN A CHANGING WORLD mixes Jesus, Should Christians in U.S. conversation support African preachers? BY ERIK TRYGGESTAD | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE But preachers here aren’t BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE guaranteed a living. Moses K. TUBUNGU, Swaziland — Christians Banda, a 22-year-old student LOS ANGELES — Just down the in the U.S. who provide salaries from Malawi, says that almost street from a Hare Krishna for African preachers believe no congregations in his home- temple and a few blocks from a they are doing the right thing. land support full-time ministers. large mosque, Christians wor- “But unknown to them, they’re After graduation, preaching ship each Sunday in English, slowly assassinating congrega- alone won’t pay his bills. Chinese, Spanish and Korean. tions,” Stanley Shereni says. The same is true in The Culver Palms Church of Shereni, a native of Zimbabwe, a once-prosperous Christ, one of the nation’s most Zimbabwe, is in his third year at nation crippled by hyperinfla- diverse congrega- African Christian College in this tion. People there tions, sits at the tiny African “now need the intersection of kingdom. 12th in a series Gospel more motion picture After a day of than ever,” studios and apart- classes, he Shereni says. ment buildings and two other The three housing immi- students students could grants from all sit under a appeal to over the world. thatched-roof Christians in Manassee The changing face “Free English pavilion and the U.S. for sup- of the church Conversation,” says a sign out- share big dreams. port. Many of their side the church, facing a busy Shereni and Ruregerero predecessors have. But, grow- street shared by motorists and Nyahore, another Zimbawean, ing up in Churches of Christ, homeless people pushing carts. ERIK TRYGGESTAD want to launch a publication for the students have seen foreign The sign advertises churches in their home country, aid bless — and curse — the “FriendSpeak,” a ministry used ‘Ordinary Radical’ shares his story at ACU to inspire them to keep growing. family of God in southern Africa. by roughly 300 Churches of Shane Claiborne, author of “Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Zimbabweans “don’t just want When a preacher receives Christ to help internationally Radical,” answers questions at Abilene Christian University’s recent Summit entertainment,” Nyahore says. See AFRICA, Page 12 born neighbors improve their lecture series. Brady Bryce, the Texas university’s director of ministry events, “They want something that can English skills using the Bible. fielded questions for Claiborne via Twitter and text message. Claiborne, who comfort them, counsel them MORE COVERAGE At Culver Palms, Angela operates an inner-city ministry in Philadelphia, advocates a simple life and and give them direction. I think STRATEGIES TO AVOID DEPENDENCE ....................13 Manassee coordinates the Christian activism. He was one of three guest speakers from outside Churches that is … why we have come to A MARRIAGE MINISTRY FOR AFRICA ....................27 See FRIENDSPEAK, Page 14 of Christ featured at Summit. RELATED COVERAGE, Pages 6, 31 further our education.” WHY AFRICANS VIEW MONEY DIFFERENTLY ........30 BOX 11000 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73136-1100 Navajo’s God’s INDEX long child in CALENDAR .....................29 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. CURRENTS .....................17 U.S. POSTAGE journey the city PAID INSIGHT .........................34 home Author OKLAHOMA CITY OK Billie Silvey INTERNATIONAL ..............9 PERMIT # 276 Norman on the NATIONAL ........................5 Chee challenges LETTERS ........................31 Atchison Life, the universe of urban OPINION ........................30 returns his and everything ministry. PARTNERS .....................23 blessings. Does Hawking’s new book PEOPLE ..........................27 17 disprove divine design? 31 21 REVIEWS .......................32 Winner of eight ‘Best of the Christian Press’ awards, 2010 | Breaking news, exclusives at www.christianchronicle.org | (405) 425-5070 2 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2010 Russia And Ukraine Know What’s Good For Them. The Bible. In Public Schools. Now, in two countries at once. Russia and Ukraine. Over 250,000 students in 1,063 Public Schools. We have to hand it to them, they do know what’s good for them. October 31, 2010 1-800-486-1818 · www.milliondollarsunday.org NOVEMBER 2010 THE SECOND FRONT THE CHRISTIAN CHronICLE 3 All-Star’s gift Universities benefits Texas children’s home tout record ARLINGTON, Texas t was just a magical enrollments evening.” ‘I For most of the sellout FROM STAFF REPORTS | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE crowd of 46,179 fans who packed Rangers Ballpark on Enrollment hit record and near-record a recent Friday night, the levels this fall at some colleges and univer- most excit- sities associated with Churches of Christ. Inside Story ing moment Harding University in Searcy, Ark., and came when Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., Texas slugger both set all-time enrollment records, offi- Nelson Cruz cials said. led off the Harding enrolled 6,810 undergraduate and 13th inning graduate students, its 24th consecutive annual with a game- increase. That’s a 3 percent rise over last fall’s winning home enrollment of 6,613. run. Lipscomb’s enrollment of 3,742 represents a For three nearly 10 percent jump over last fall’s 3,413. Bobby Ross Jr. little girls who Other highlights: live at Christ’s • Oklahoma Christian University in Haven for Children, though, Oklahoma City has its second-highest enroll- the Rangers’ 6-5 win over the ment ever. Total enrollment is 2,216, up 2 per- New York Yankees couldn’t cent from last fall. compete with the pregame • Lubbock Christian University in Texas festivities. recorded the second-highest enrollment in As they awaited a ceremony its history, hitting 2,028 students this fall. before the first pitch, 10-year- That’s up 6 percent. old Vivi and sisters Ashley, 9, • Rochester College in Michigan reported and Natalie, 11, played in the a near-record enrollment and the largest grass near the visiting team’s influx of freshman and transfer students in its on-deck circle. 51-year history. Its enrollment of 1,053 stu- The girls — sporting brand- DALE MANOR dents fell six students shy of an all-time high, new, matching red Rangers’ Kolin Sperle, a member of the 151st Street church in Olathe, Kan., uncovers a broken storage jar. with registration for evening classes ongoing. caps with white T’s — giggled • York College in Nebraska hit a 10-year and exchanged high-fives high of 483 students — a 12 percent increase with “Rangers Captain,” the over a year ago. Texas mascot. Harding prof digs his job • Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Minutes later, the girls and Ark., enrolled 201 students, up 17 percent Christ’s Haven development from last fall. director Karen Yarbrough DALE MANOR LEADS fellow Christians to Holy Land for excavation adventure. • Abilene Christian University in Texas joined Michael Young, the has an enrollment of 4,728, down 2 percent Rangers’ All-Star third base- BY JIM MILLER | FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE said Manor, who earned his doctorate in from last fall’s record of 4,838. man, behind home plate. Near Eastern Archaeology from the • Freed-Hardeman University in The ballpark’s main score- SEARCY, Ark. University of Arizona. Henderson, Tenn., enrolled 1,992 students, board splashed the girls’ smil- or more than a decade, Dale Manor, But all 14 participants in Manor’s most down 2 percent from a year ago. ing faces across the big screen professor of archaeology and Bible at recent trip were members of Churches of • Ohio Valley University in Vienna, as the public-address announc- Harding University, has taken history Christ. W.Va., has an enrollment of 476, down er introduced them and Young buffs and aspiring archaeologists on “Through the years, a number of folks had slightly from 480 a year ago. leaned in to greet them. Fsummer excavation trips to Tel Beth- indicated interest in coming to excavate, and • Pepperdine University in Malibu, The reason for the hoopla? Shemesh, Israel. I pressed them into making a decision,” Calif., has 7,606 students, down 2 percent For the second straight Typically, Manor leads archaeology Manor said of his fellow Christians. from last fall. year, Young was named the students and faculty from secular universi- Beth-Shemesh, about 12 miles southwest Figures for some Christian universities Rangers’ nominee for the ties on the four-week digs. of Jerusalem, is where the Philistines were not available at press time. Roberto Clemente Award “I had never been on a project where the returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel, See RANGERS, Page 4 majority of the people were even religious,” See ARCHAEOLOGY, Page 16 EXPANDED COVERAGE at www.christianchronicle.org/blog. 4 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE INSIDE STORY NOVEMBER 2010 www.christianchronicle.org Go online to find news from the print edition plus an expanded calendar, classifieds and much more. WEB EXCLUSIVES THIS MONTH: • Christ’s Haven girls: See more photos of Natalie, Vivi and Ashley’s Rangers Ballpark experience. • Breaking news alerts: Don’t wait to read the latest news. To receive our news alerts by e-mail, contact Tamie Ross at [email protected]. RANGERS: Texas girls enjoy field of dreams FROM PAGE 3 presented by Chevrolet, which gives $7,500 to the charity of the player’s choice. And for the second straight year, Young designated Christ’s Haven as the recipi- ent of his donation. The children’s home in Keller, Texas, north of Fort Worth, is associated with Churches of Christ. “Christ’s Haven for Children provides a warm, loving, Christian environment in which children in need of basic care can grow physically, emotionally and spiritually to become productive citizens in society,” a news release from the Rangers noted.