FALL 2000

The Benton Era Begins atPepperdine SEE COVER STORY, PAGE 10

A NEWS JOURNAL FOR ON THE WEST COAST NEWS Woodward Park Church of Christ Hosts Third Annual Spiritual Growth Workshop Volume XVII Number 1 The Woodward Park Church of Christ hosted their third annual spiritual growth workshop Septem- PACIFIC CHURCH NEWS is ber 28-30 in Fresno, California. This year's work- published periodically by the Depart- shop theme was "Faith That Overcomes The ment of Church Relations at World... Strengthening Our Faith and Rekindling Our . Send all cor- Passion to Meet the Challenges, and Seize the Op- respondence to Pacific Church News, Department of Church Relations, portunities Before Us." Ronney Wheeler Jack Exum Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA Keynote speakers included Ronney Wheeler, Jack 90263-4270. Exum, Mike Crowley, Kenneth Hoover, Neale Pryor, J.J. Turner, and Kevin Withem. A variety of classes were held each morning and afternoon, and there was an area-wide teen program on Saturday, September 30. EDITOR Jerry Rushford

\buth and Family Conference Draws Large ASSOCIATE EDITORS Crowds to Bill Henegar Agnes Gibson Large and enthusiastic crowds attended the annual Youth and Family Conference that was hosted by Cascade College in Portland, Oregon, October 11-14. This event grew out of Cascade's successful Conference on the Family, and fea- CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS tured a program that resonated with the life-styles of today's Garth Black, Bakersfield, CA active families. Participants gathered for worship and a key- Larry Cain, Yuba City, CA note address Wednesday and Thursday evenings and for a fam- Kelly Carter, Victoria, BC ily worship service involving all ages on Friday evening. Day- Kelly Deatherage, Portland, OR time sessions were conducted on Saturday only. A compli- Walt Fennel, Sacramento, CA Rich Griffin, San Diego, CA mentary dinner for church leaders and spouses was conducted Milton Jones, Seattle, WA 'I hursday evening, and the conference concluded with a ban- Emily Lemley, Westlake Village, CA quet on Saturday. Billie Silvey, Los Angeles, CA Kevin and Creg Woods, brothers who have more than half Mel Weldon, Longview, WA a century of combined years in ministry to youth and families, Edwin White, Phoenix, AZ Rick Atchley were the featured speakers, along with Rick Atchley, pulpit Bud Worsham, Long Beach, CA minister for the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. Greg Woods John York, Roseburg, OR currently serves the Metro Church of Christ in Gresham, Oregon, as family minister, and Kevin Woods is youth minister for the Andresen Road congregation in Vancouver, Washington. DESIGN & PRODUCTION The Conference included presentations by Cascades music and drama ensembles Agnes Gibson each evening, an early-morning breakfast series and three messages drawn from 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways..." The annual area-wide worship service, "Together with Love in Christ," followed COVER the conference on Sunday, October 15. Rick Atchley preached for that service, which Although he took office on June 16, 2000 Andrew K. Benton was officially drew over 2,000 Christians from more than a dozen Churches of Christ in the greater inaugurated as Pepperdine University's Portland-Vancouver area. seventh president on September 23, All Youth and Family conference sessions took place in the Eastside Church of 2000. He is shown here with his wife, Christ building adjacent to the campus. The "Together with Love in Christ" service Debby, along with daughter Hailey and was held in the Oregon Convention Center. son Christopher.

PCN2 MEMORIES

Remembering Bethel Smith at Work, a women's support group at Bethel Maye Smith was born on June Southwestern, and she was involved in 27, 1917 in Victoria, Texas, and died on raising large amounts of money for the August 22, 2000 in Los Angeles, Califor- college. She served as Commissioner for nia. She was 83 years old at the time of Otis Art Institute and also as the only her death. Bethel grew up and received African-American Commissioner on the her formal education in Houston, Texas. County of Los Angeles Business License Following her baptism into Christ, she Commission for over 30 years. became an enthusiastic worker in the Among her greatest accomplish- church for the rest of her life. Bethel's ments and pride was the Little Angels/ dedication to the church inspired her Angelic Chorus which she founded in brother James, and two of her sisters, 1968. The chorus was made up of girls Pansy and Helen, to become Christians. and boys between the ages of four and Bethel and her late husband, Will- fourteen. Under her leadership, they be- iam, and only child, Raymond, moved to came nationally renowned for their me- Los Angeles in 1944. Bethel began work- lodic and unique acappella performances ing as secretary to R.N. Hogan without at community and civic events of distin- monetary compensation. She continued guished audiences. The group also ap- in that role as the congregation grew and peared on local and national television. relocated to other sites in South Los An- Pepperdine University honored Bethel Smith She accompanied the youngsters geles and to its current location as the with the Distinguished Christian Service Award throughout the United States to the An- Figueroa Church of Christ. She served during the annual Bible Lectures in 1996. nual National Youth Conferences. She as his secretary until his death in 1997. also traveled abroad with the Angelic Bethel was also co-editor and admin- while waiting to undergo surgery earlier Girl's Glee as Goodwill Ambassadors for istrative secretary of the Christian Echo this year. the Mayor and the city of Los Angeles in with the publisher R.N. Hogan and edi- In addition to her many philan- Auckland, New Zealand. She was affec- tor J.S. Winston. The Christian Echo is a thropic and civic involvements, she was tionately called "Grandmother" by every- national monthly religious publication a Bible school teacher and a charter mem- one in the chorus. founded in 1902 by the late renowned ber and lead soprano of the Radio Cho- Bethel was a wonderful friend to evangelist G.P. Bowser. For nearly 50 rus. She was a member of the board of Pepperdine University and she was hon- years, she gave her time and money to as- trustees of Southwestern Christian Col- ored by the university for her distin- sist in helping to keep the publication in lege in Terrell, Texas, and was the first guished service to the cause of Christ and circulation after the death of Brother woman appointed to serve on that board. to Christian education in 1976 and again Hogan. She continued to work even Bethel was Chief Coord inator ofWomen in 1996.

Pepperdine Honors Southside Church of Christ on its 44th Anniversary

The Southside Church of Christ in Los Angeles began with only nine members in 1956 and today is a thriving congregation with a membership of nearly one thousand. Dr. Carl Baccus has served as the minister of this grow- ing and vibrant congregation for all forty-four years of its history and he looks forward to serving for many years to come. At a special homecoming celebration on June 25, Pepperdine University honored the Southside Church and its dedicated minister for forty-four years of faithful service to the cause of Christ. In the adjacent photo, Dr. Carl Baccus and his wife, Geraldine, are shown receiving the Pepperdine commendation from Dr. Jerry Rushford director of Church Relations at the university.

PCN3 PEPPERDINE BIBLE LECTURES

Gravity Lifts Us of a great enterprise, a by Bill Henegar shared history, a com- We had entered the third Christian mon destiny." millennium. And by springtime of this There certainly watershed year, fears of computer melt- was the feeling that the down and widespread disaster had evapo- pulse of a religious rated into sunny, hope-filled days at movement was being Malihu. taken and refinements From Tuesday afternoon, May 2, to were being suggested late Friday evening, May 5, Christians and made. And there gathered in anticipation of renewal and also was the sense that refreshment from the Spirit of God. They the Spirit of God was were met with these words: "You see, at breathing on His M Mil Ml - I k'UM Illl II Ml k' 10 just the right time, when we were still people. But it was not powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. only a time of corpo- Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous rate revival; there was man, though for a good man someone a great deal of personal might possibly dare to die. But Cod dem- recommitment, as onstrates his own love for us in this: While well. A woman from we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Northern California With that incredible thought from related, "Every year I Romans 5, the 57th Annual Pepperdine leave Pepperdine a University Bible Lectures set out to ex- changed person. God plore "The Gravity of Grace." What bet- has used the lectures to ter to study in this historic year of A.D. bring conviction and 2000 than great themes from the Letter growth in my Chris- to the Romans? In addition to the chal- tian walk." lenging theme lectures by Mark Once again the Henderson, Ross Thomson, Rick Bible Lectures lived up Atchley, Kelly Carter, Mike Cope, David to their reputation. A Fleer, and David Davenport, there were man from Missouri re- Mark Henderson from Oklahoma City set the tone for the 2000 scores of classes on crucial subjects, from marked, "The Pepperdine Bible Lectures with his message, "Nothing in My Hand I "Finding God in Times of Illness and Pepperdine Lectures Bring," based on Romans 1:16-3:26. Loss" to "The Prayer-Driven Church." are considered to be the premiere lectures keep the valuable things in perspective." When classes were concluded, there were in our brotherhood. You have many The Bible Lectures never really end other times of singing, praise, Christian people who will come from the Midwest at the close of Friday night. A woman drama, and fellowship. and bypass a number of universities in from Oregon said, "All the way home (all One older, faithful couple later said, order to attend your lectureship. . .. The 20 hours of the drive) we kept remem- "We are especially pleased that in the past Pepperdine Lectures are having more of bering lessons and conversations and lec- few years we see more young families in an impact on our brotherhood than any tures and friends. It was a rich week." And attendance." Indeed, one young man event that I am aware of." even beyond the trip home, some things from Georgia wrote, "I want to thank you Someone from Colorado, who was linger on. A couple from Southern Cali- for all the Pepperdine Lectures have attending for the fourth consecutive year, fornia wrote, "Every year we make a new meant to me in the 12 years that I have said, "The quality of your lectureship is friend, become reacquainted with some- attended them. I wish I could tell you unsurpassed. Thank you for all the time one we haven't seen in 20 years, are drawn how much they have touched me but and planning that goes into this. We have into God's presence through heartfelt words fail. The lectures and classes are, been encouraged, and have been bring- worship and are motivated to make mean- of course, always excellent—but more ing more and more people to this event. ingful life changes by God-led teaching." than that there is the sense of being part It is the 'battery charger' we need to help Of course, no one but God under-

PCN4 stands the full impact of the week. From Abilene Christian University came a note SEJP that read, "The theme of grace was one I Pictured Right: especially needed because I found out the Between classes, previous week that my dad has metasta- there is a steady sized cancer. The oncologist thinks he may stream of Bible Lec- tures guests rushing be able to slow it down but can't cure it. to the next opportu- So Mike Cope's main lecture on 'The nity to hear stimu- Long Wait' put tears in my eyes." lating teachers. Some people called the Lectures a "healing experience." Certainly, that was the intention. The president's message in the Lectures booklet announced, "Our aim this week is nothing short of a new vision for a united and triumphant fel- lowship within the Churches of Christ." Pictured Right: Each year, the Bible That same booklet closed with this bene- Lectures feature nu- diction from Romans 1 5: "May the God merous singing who gives endurance and encouragement groups and cho- give you a spirit of unity among yourselves ruses from across the nation. Pic- as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with tured here is the one heart and mouth you may glorify the praise team from God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. the Spring-Wood- Accept one another, then, just as Christ lands Church of accepted you, in order to bring praise to Christ in the lions ton, Texas area. God." To which many said, "Amen."

Each evening in Firestone Fieldhouse more than four thousand Chrisdans gathered to sing praises and hear a message from the Letter to the Romans.

PCN5 TRIBUTE Giving Honor to God's Servants t>y Agnes Gibson

The Pepperdine Bible Lectures is a week filled with rich experiences — thought provoking Bible classes, stimu- lating and encouraging themed lectures, drama, singing, praise and worship, re- discovering old friendships with other Christians, forging new friendships, and oh yes, don't forget the Associated Women for Pepperdine's pie and coffee social every evening. Sam and Nancy Shewmaker, Nairobi, Kenya Jerry and Lea Lawlis, Amarillo, Texas One of the most inspiring aspects of the Pepperdine Bible Lectures is when Christians are honored for their service to the kingdom. It is uplifting for those in the audience to hear personal stories of struggles and triumphs, to learn how the honorees have remained focused and faithful in their service over the years, to see God's work in their lives. This year Pepperdine University and Associated Women for Pepperdine pre- sented eleven Distinguished Christian Service Awards. In addition, three other awards for outstanding achievement were given by Twenty-First Century Christian and Power for Today magazines, Howard Publishing and Wineskins magazine. Pepperdine hosted two appreciation Will Ed Warren, Searcy, Arkansas Aubrey and Virginia Pope, Santa Clarita, California dinners during the week. On Wednesday evening, Prentice and Barbara Mead or were honored for their many years of service to churches in California, Washington, Missouri, and Texas. On Friday evening, Bill and Laurette Henegar were honored for their thirty years of service to Pepperdine University and for their work with congregations in Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, . _. . , , ,, Don and Mary Ann Stobaugh, Kimberling Gty, Missouri Harry Robert Fox, Jr., Oceanside, California and Simi Valley.

PCN6 Prentice and Barbara Meador, Dallas, Texas Taylor and Lois McKenzie, San Diego, Bill and Laurette Henegar, Westlake Village, California California

Howard and Evelyn Jones, Boise, Idaho Vernon and Alice Boyd, Southfield, Michigan

John William Smith, San Diego, California James Thompson, Abilene, Texas Mark and Sherrylee Woodward, Edmond, Oklahoma

PCN7 SCENES FROM PEPPERDINE'

Helen Young presented "Love Notes from Richard Hughes examined the impact of the Samuel Twumasi from Ghana, Africa, described Heaven" in her daily class in Stauffer Chapel. Letter to the Romans on his own life. the progress of the gospel of Christ in Africa.

"Praise," a gospel ensemble from Los Angeles, performed before an All age groups are drawn to the Malibu campus during Bible Lectures overflow crowd in Elkins Auditorium on Friday evening. for enjoyable moments of fellowship and the renewing of friendships.

Harding University's Carl Mitchell shared his Ken Young and the Hallal Singers from Midland, Texas, led the joyful congregational singing in hopes for the church in the new millennium. Firestone Fieldhouse on both the opening and closing nights.

PCN8 7iH ANNUAL BIBLE LECTURES

. MI-SHROM HI! II III K J<> Till WOMAN

I7ll »NNI II Gail Teten, a librarian from Omaha, Nebraska, taught an exciting class PI TIM KIHM I-NIVI »-IM on spiritual literature for children. HUM I I I i II VI -

Preaching from Romans 7 on Thursday, Kelly Carter from Victoria, Brit- The display area in the Student Lounge provided an opportunity for ish Columbia, Canada, proclaimed "The Battle Belongs to the Lord." lecture guests to discover the latest in Christian books and music.

Pepperdine University hosted an Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday evening for Prentice and Barbara Meador from Dallas, Texas. Among those bringing tributes during the festive event were a number of For many, the annual journey to relatives, friends, and colleagues from several states. One of the most affectionate tributes during the evening Pepperdine is a family affair. was the one offered by their daughter, Kimberly Conder (right), from Abilene, Texas.

PCN9 LEADERSHIP

Invested in the Work: Pepperdine Welcomes a New President by Bill Henegar preacher, had a very positive influence on the Brown Trail Church of Christ. Mom and Dad and all of us. He was a OCU's president, Terry Johnson, On the morning of June 16, 2000, a gracious man, a man for all seasons." could see Andy's talent and character and group of perhaps twenty-five Pepperdine The life of the Benton family is still invited him to join the staff as assistant staff members paraded into Andrew K. centered in the church. Andy's mother to the president. Andy accepted the offer Benton's office and crowned him "king" and father, a as a humorous but heart-felt welcome as former elder, are the seventh president of the University. still active, and Otherwise, it was an uneventful day. his younger Weeks later he moved into the remodeled brother is a min- presidents office down the hall. The ad- ister for the ministrative work continued as usual, Eastside Church since he had been gradually taking on of Christ in more and more responsibilities during Midwest City, President David Davenports final days. Oklahoma. Who is this person who now leads Andy and his Pepperdine University? It turns out that own family are he is both a simple man and complex in- members of the dividual. Just when you think you have Malibu Church him pegged, you discover a new and re- of Christ today. markable aspect of his life. Those who Andy al- After the announcement of his selection as the seventh president of don't look closely enough are tempted to wavs planned to Pepperdine University, Andy Benton was congratulated by a number of ad- j I • miring Seaver College students. underestimate him, because he is not self- attend the big promoting and flamboyant. Instead, he university right there in his home town. is quiet, articulate, thoughtful, and above After an exciting career in high school, all, principled. which included participating as a student Andy Benton was raised in Lawrence, representative in a national program at Kansas. Once again, it would be tempt- Harvard, he enrolled at Kansas Univer- ing to make quick assumptions that lead sity. But at the end of his freshman year, to the wrong conclusions. While much something caused him to change his of Kansas is flat farmland, Lawrence is mind. "I remember when and where I situated in the green, rolling hill country, made the decision," he says. "It was 2:30 not far from the state capital, Topeka. It in the afternoon and I was driving my car is not a sleepy little agrarian community. .. . when I decided I needed a new chal- Instead, it is the stimulating and vibrant lenge. I needed to take a risk and try some- home of the University of Kansas. So thing new." Andy grew up in the shadow of higher He transferred to Oklahoma Chris- education, amid all the discussions of cur- tian University, where he continued to be rent affairs and life in America. involved in student leadership. He served The real center of his life as a boy, as president of the student government however, was the local Church of Christ. in both his junior and senior years. "Church was three meetings a week, plus It was at OCU that he met his wife- other activities," Andy remembers. "It was to-be, Deborah. And it was, as they say, warm and dependable. My best friends "love at first sight." The two dated President-elect Benton was called to the podium after the announcement of his selection and were from church." He still recalls the im- through their college years and were mar- spoke briefly to administration, faculty, staff, pact his Bible School teachers had on his ried in June 1974, shortly before Andy and students in Smothers Theatre of his grati- life. "There was Rose Smith and Pearl graduated. Debbygrewup in Fort Worth, tude and his determination to serve faithfully Kirby," he says. "And Wilburn Hill, our Texas, where her father was an elder with with diligence and honor.

PCN 10 After Andy took office, the Bentons moved into Brock House, the official resi- President Andrew K. Benton loves to greet visi- dence of the president. Above, Andy and Debby enjoy a moment of music around tors and welcome well-wishers to the Malibu the family piano. campus of Pepperdine University.

with a J.I)., he stayed connected into Brock House (the president's resi- with OCU. But he also began his dence) on the Malibu campus. They have law practice, Benton & two children: Hailey, a sophomore at Thomason, in Oklahoma City. Pepperdine's Seaver College, and Chris- After ten years with OCU, Andy topher, a high school sophomore. accepted an offer to become assis- When the life of Andy Benton is sur- tant vice president at Pepperdine veyed from afar, it is discovered that he University. He later served in three has been involved in Christian education different vice presidential roles be- from the time he transferred to Oklahoma fore accepting the role of execu- Christian in 1971 until the present mo- tive vice president in 1991. Al- ment. Although he worked in his own though he was, in fact, already law firm for a short time, he has never president of the University, he was left Christian education for the last three- formally inaugurated on Septem- fourths of his life. ber 23, 2000. Andy is very serious about his work Andy was executive vice president for nine years prior to Dr. Benton says, "We are very at Pepperdine and about the University's his appointment as president. He is shown working at open about being a Christian uni- future, but he says he does not worry his desk in the Thornton Administrative Center. versity. In the next few years, it is about it. "I have a high sense of duty and important that we educate young I will manage to the best of my ability, and also applied to law school. After a men and women and deepen their love knowing full well that I have the help of two-year deferment, he began his legal for the Lord and the church, in order to God and many people." He promises to education, but continued to work for the help and strengthen congregations in "be invested in the work, not only intel- school. After graduating in 1979 from California and around the world." lectually, but emotionally and spiritually, Oklahoma City University School of Law Andy and Debby Benton have moved as w•ell."

PCN11 HERITAGE

The Correspondent from Skookumchuck In 1870, a congregation of the Church of Christ was established on by Jerry Rushford miles from here. He is on a new, Ford's Prairie northwest of present-day unimproved place." Centralia. Among the 27 charter mem- By 1870, in its fourth year of publi- bers were Mary Borst and her 14-year- cation, the weekly Christian Standard ed- The two pioneer Washington preach- old daughter, Eva. Other charter mem- ited by Isaac Errett in Cincinnati, Ohio, ers referred to in this letter were elderly bers included Mary's parents and her had become one of the most influential ThomasTaylor and his younger colleague, brother, Jasper. It was in that year that periodicals in the Restoration Movement. W. W. Watson. But who was Sister Mary Mary began her correspondence with This news journal was A. Borst? Isaac Errett in the Christian Standard. widely circulated Mary Adeline It disappointed Mary that there were throughout the nation, Roundtree was born not more Christian preachers in western and it even had its read- in Knox County, Illi- Washington and in her letter to the Chris- ers in the far-off reaches nois on June 1,1838. tian Standard'dated December 26, 1870, ofWashington Territory. She was the first child and postmarked from Skookumchuck, One of the readers in born to Dr. James she tried to recruit more workers. Mary 1870 was a 32-year-old Harrison and Emeline wrote: Christian woman living Cole Roundtree. Her in a large white house parents were devout I will try to give you a little near the spot where the members of the report from this part of the world, Skookumchuck River Church of Christ, and relative to our great want of a good, flows into the Chehalis Mary was reared in a whole-souled, self-sacrificing River in western Wash- strong Christian Christian laborer. ington. Although her home. The family I wrote to you last spring or husband did not share came overland on the summer of our having only two her Christian faith, and rugged Oregon Trail good reliable preachers in this part there were few Christian in 1852 and settled of the country or Territory, and friends in the area, this briefly in Oregon Ter- one of them being in very poor cir- iron-willed mother of ritory. By 1853 they cumstances. This one settled in a three was determined to Mary Roundtree Borst in 1870. had pressed on to the new and unimproved place, about plant the cause of Christ sparsely-inhabited ter- forty or forty-five miles distant in her own neighborhood. ritory north of the Columbia River and from here, with a large family to In the August 13, 1870 issue of the settled on the Black River near the present support, and finds it impossible to Christian Standard under the heading of town of Oakville. devote as much of his time to the "Washington Territory," the editor in- At the age of sixteen, Mary married cause of Christianity as he other- cluded the following item: Joseph Borst on October 15,1854. In the wise would. Christian preachers in early 1860s Joseph and Mary moved into this country have to depend more Sister Mary A. Borst writes a large three-story white house with green on their bodily than on their men- from Skookumchuck, Lewis Co., shutters and a balcony built by Joseph tal labors for a livlihood. Indeed, June 23rd, as follows. It will interest near the confluence of the to be plain and honest, I don't be- our readers to learn of the spread of Skookumchuck and Chehalis rivers. It lieve that either of our preachers the Gospel in that distant territory: took Joseph two years to complete the dream of such a thing as a salary; "We have only two "good re- construction of the great house, but to but if any good, open-hearted liable' preachers in this Mary it was worth waiting for. For many brother or sister sees fit to divide a Territory.They are both poor men years it was considered to be the finest dollar or two with them once in a — one a very aged man, living fif- residence in Washington Territory be- while, it is gratefully received, and teen miles distant , who blesses us tween Fort Vancouver to the south and if not, there is no great disappoint- with a splendid sermon every third Fort Steilacoom to the north. More than ment nor discouragement, judging Saturday and Lord's day in each 135 years later, this residence is still stand- from looks and actions. month. The other lives forty-five ing and is open to the public. Our other brother's name is

PCN 12 Thomas Taylor. He is seventy-nine allegiance from the Christian Standard to In a letter to the Review dated Octo- years and past, yet travels each the more conservative American Christian ber 29, 1886, Dr. Roundtreee wrote: month about ninety miles, and Review edited by John F. Rowe in Cin- preaches every Lord's day, and al- cinnati. 1 he Review was opposed to the As it may be of some interest most every Saturday. He has estab- way state missionary societies were exer- to some of the brethren to hear lished three little congregations cising control over local congregations, from this far-away country, I will and has immersed thirteen persons. and it was also opposed to the introduc- say that we are still trying to serve Where are your young men who tion of mechanical instruments into the the good Master as well as we can can do better in a new, thinly- public worship of the church. without a preacher. A few of us aim settled country? If you have any, There were only three subscribers to to meet every Lord's day, praying, who would like a few acres of land the American Christian Review living in singing and reading the Scriptures, for a permanent home, and can fill Lewis County in 1886, and two of those and celebrating the death of Christ, old Father Taylor's place — well, I were Dr. James Harrison Roundtree and until we are called home. A part of will say, half of the time - we will Mary Borst. As the Restoration Move- our church went off and left the gladly welcome him to our midst. ment struggled to remain united in the straight and narrow way, into the But he will have to be an extra good 1880s and 1890s, Mary and her parents "society element," with the organ preacher to fill the place. championed the conservative cause that worship, and now they are doing I am not able to give you any was later identified with the Churches of nothing; don't meet themselves to account of Bro. Watson's labors, as Christ in Washington. worship, and will not meet with us. I fear they will never renew their loyalty to Christ. When Christians take up with the follies of the world and Satan, they grow worse and worse. The Lord willing, and I know he is, I will try to help the brethren along, as far as I may be able to do so, until we can get help.

The rwo sides were reunited for a time, but shortly before the turn of the century the church in Centralia suffered a tragic and final division between "progressives" and "conservatives." The Mary's parents, James and Emelinc Roundtree. Mary Borst 1838-1920. progressives were the larger congregation and they kept the building. Gradually I have not been down to his meet- they came to be known as the First Chris- ing. I hope some one will report tian Church, and they moved into a fash- from him. ionable new building in 1910. Mary re- mained with the conservatives who con- Dr. James Harrison Roundtree, tinued to be known as the Church of Mary's father, was one of the main labor- Christ. When they built a new but mod- ers when the Church of Christ erected a est frame church building in 1907, it was house of worship on Ford's Prairie in on property donated by Mary. 1871. Five years later, the church build- When Mary died on February 18, ing was dismantled on Ford's Prairie and 1920, she was buried beside her husband moved a short distance to the new village Joseph and Mary Borst moved into their new and next to her parents in Centralia's of Centralia. There it was incorporated home situated near the Skookumchuck River Mountain View Cemetery. in Lewis County in 1864. At the time it was into a larger building that was erected on built, it was one of the largest residences in the corner of Pine and Gold streets. Washington Territory between Fort Vancouver All photographs in this article are courtesy of By the 1880s Mary had changed her to the south and Fort Steilacoom to the north. Lewis County Historical Society.

PCN 13 PEPPERDINE PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

July 30 he preached for the Conejo Val- tober 5, 12,19,26 to the Ventura Church by Agnes Gibson ley Church of Christ. of Christ. On November 9 he will present Otis Baskin, dean of The Graziadio D'Esta Love, dean of students, pre- a lecture for the Church Leaders Forum School of Business and Management, sented six classes at the Bible Lectureship on "Systems Sensitive Leadership and the preached for the Sunset Ridge Church of at Rochester College in Rochester, Michi- Resolution of Conflicts." Christ in San Antonio, Texas on May 28. gan October 1-3- She was also a panelist Jere Yates, professor of Business, Robert Chandler, professor of Com- in a discussion of Johannine Theology. preached and taught class for the Sierra munications, preached for the Griffin Daniel Rodriguez, assistant profes- Madre Church of Christ on July 2. Road Church of Christ in Fort Lauder- sor of Religion, was a keynote speaker at Helen M. Young, assistant director dale, Florida on June 11. He returned to the World Mission Workshop 2000, of church Relations, spoke on June 10 for the Griffin Road Church for two weeks hosted by Western Christian College in the annual convention of Christian Col- in July to teach an extended series of les- Manitoba, Canada October 19-21. His leges and Universities which met in sons on "The Jesus Pattern." theme for the conference was "Crossing Malibu and for the Associated Women Ken Durham, minister for Malihu the Border." for Pepperdine's installation of new offic- Church of Christ, spoke to incoming stu- Jerry Rushford, director of Church ers meeting. On June 24-27, she and her dents and their parents at Pepperdine's Relations and professor of Religion, daughter, Emily Lemley, taught three Summer Conference on June 25. On preached for Washington Churches of classes at the Red River Family Encamp- July 13 he spoke for an elders' retreat for Christ in Burlington, Everett, Mountlake ment. In July she spoke for the LakeTahoe the Simi Valley Church of Christ. In Terrace and Silverdale during the sum- Encampment and on August 5 she spoke October he was the closing night speaker mer. He taught classes for "Celebration" for a Women's Day program at the for the Bible Lec- program at Camp Berachah in Auburn, Church of Christ in Wenatchee, Wash- tureship in Rochester, Michigan. Washington, September 1-2. He was a ington. On October 7 she spoke for a Bill Henegar, assistant vice president keynote lecturer at the Western Christian Women's Day program in Coeur de for Creative Services, spoke on June 6 at a College Bible Lectureship in Dauphin, AJene, Idaho at the Dalton Church of monthly luncheon for preachers in Manitoba, Canada October 5-7, and Christ and October 27-28 spoke for a re- Ventura County on "Encouraging One preached for the Dauphin Church of treat in Glorieta, New Mexico. Another." Christ October 4 and Winnipeg Church David Holmes, assistant professor of of Christ October 8. He preached for the Humanities Division, conducted a re- West Ridge Church of Christ in A New Marriage and vival meeting at the Moreno Valley Pocahontas, Arkansas, October 15, and Church of Christ June 25-28. for Overland Park Church of Christ in a New Ministry Doug Hurley, assistant director of Kansas City, Kansas, October 18. Pepperdine Student Development, preached for the Larry Sullivan, assistant director for graduate, Tim Conejo Valley Church of Christ for three The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolu- Spivey, has ac- Sundays in June. tion, taught a class on July 6-7 at Jubilee cepted a new Dennis Lowe, director of the Center Lectures in Nashville, Tennessee on preaching po- for the Family and professor of Psychol- "Spiritual Infusions Into Unhealthy sition with the ogy, and Emily Scott-Lowe, therapist in Church Disputes." In July, he preached Palo Cedro the Pepperdine Counseling Center, con- for the Cypress Church of Christ and the Church of ducted six sessions as the featured speak- Conejo Valley Church of Christ. On July Christ, near Tim and Emily Spivey ers at the WiNeMa Christian Camp in 21 he spoke for the Church Leaders Fo- Redding, California. Tim and his new Cloverdale, Oregon, on the subject of rum on "Managing Christian Conflict" bride, Emily Woodward, were married in "Survival Skills for Healthy Christian with Dr. Bernard O'Connor. On July 30 September at the Culver Palms Church Families." - August 6 he and his wife, Nancy of Christ. Randy Lowry, director forThe Straus Sullivan, taught a class for the Pleasant Tim graduated from Pepperdine with Institute for Dispute Resolution, pre- Valley Christian Family Camp and Larry a master's in Religion and will receive a sented a three-session class titled "Wag- preached on Sunday. On September 21 master's in Divinity this December. F'mily ing Peace in the Community of God" at he participated in a Church Leaders Fo- has been a campus ministry intern at the Red River Family Encampment in Red rum seminar along with Dr. Richard Pepperdine and will graduate this Decem- River, New Mexico on June 25-27. On Blackmon. He presented four classes Oc- ber with a bachelor's degree in English.

PCN 14 NEWS

Summer Mission Team Simi Valley Church of Christ Welcomes New Minister

Ventures to Vietnam The Simi Valley Church of Christ has John did not come into preaching the Dr. Boh Stone, (Pepperdine BS '93) chosen John McCranie as its first full-time way many do. Both his parents were al- a pediatrician, accompanied a team con- minister in eight years. John is following coholics and by the time John was 18, he sisting of Dr. Allen Wai Jang (Pepperdine was also addicted to alcohol. BA 74, MA 78), Amy Gross (a graduate After "hitting bottom", he of Abilene Christian University and pres- joined an alcohol rehabilitation cen- ently a medical student), and Ellen Minh ter based on the 12-step program of Mao (a nursing stu- Alcoholics Anonymous. On his jour- dent) on a two-week medical/humanitar- ney out of the depths of alcohol ian mission in early July to serve flood abuse, someone gave him a Bible and victims in Hue in central Vietnam. he began learning about God and was Boh Stone is the Youth Director at amazed by what he was reading. His the Pasadena Church of Christ and is desire for drink was replaced with the married to Lien, a Vietnamese who is also John, Becky, Johnny and Matthew McCranie desire to help others experience the a Pepperdine graduate. power of God. This led him to the More than 2,700 people were exam- Keith Whitney, who served as a part-time Center for Christian Education in Dal- ined and given free medications and eye minister while working at Pepperdine. las, Texas, for ministerial training, and in glasses. The leaders of several communes Keith is the newly appointed chair of the 1986 he graduated Summa Cum l.aude. were impressed by the dedication and Business Division at Pepperdine. When asked about his dreams for the hard work of the team and they extended John and his wife Becky, and their Simi Valley Church, McCranie re- invitations for a team to return next year. two sons, Johnny age 12 and Matthew sponded, "My deepest desire is to ignite According to Gene Conner, a former mis- age 9, moved from Santa Paula where their hearts and watch them be trans- sionary to Vietnam, this was an impor- John was the minister for the past three formed by the word and the spirit of tant mission since foreign mission teams and one-half years. John has also minis- Christ. My aim is to convince as many have been met with suspicion or are re- tered to churches in Fresno, California people as possible that life is good, eter- fused entry by the Hanoi government. and Morenci, Arizona. His work with the nity is better...and the church is here to Jim Ridgeway, another former mis- Simi Church began on June 1, 2000. equip them for both." sionary to Vietnam, said this was an im- portant mission since the Church of Pepperdine Hosts Fall Events Christ is not legally recognized in Viet- nam. Ridgeway is hoping that this effort Preachers Luncheon & Seminar 21st Annual will enhance his work towards obtaining William Green Lectures governmental recognition for the church. September 11, 2000 October 23-24,2000 At the conclusion of the two-week Vietnam mission, Al Jang and Ellen Minh Dr. Harold Shank Mao continued on to Hong Kong where Dr. Mark Love Highland Street they promoted the mission work of Na- Church of Christ East County tions University. They also conducted Memphis, Tennessee Church of Christ some supplemental follow-up work from Gresham, Oregon the 1996 Hong Kong Let's Start Talking A.tt work and taught an apologetics/evidence Theme: Up Close and Personal: 11:30-12:45 class to an "underground" church. Embracing the Poor This summer mission trip was spon- Preachers Luncheon Hahn Fireside Room, Pepperdine Cafeteria sored by Temple City Church of Christ • Monday, October 23 Topic: Ministering to Churches in Transition: with support from Churches of Christ in Perspectives from Matthew's Gospel 7:30 pm Smothers Theatre Sierra Madre, Sunny Hills (Fullerton), • Tuesday, October 24, Pasadena, Campbell and Newland Street 1:00-4:00 pm 10 am & 7:30 pm Smothers Theatre (Garden Grove). Faithful Practices for Churches in Transition

PCN 15 30™ ANNUAL PEPPERDINE YOUTHFEST

featuring Dr. Brian Simmons from Cascade College in Portland, Oregon

also featuring: • Won By One • Living Water • Psallo

November 24-26

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: (310) 456-4385

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