An international newspaper Our mission: To inform, for Churches of Christ inspire and unite Vol. 77, No. 7 | July 2020 www.christianchronicle.org Protests and prayers CHRISTIANS RESPOND to George Floyd’s death with outrage, rallies and calls for justice.

BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE join the battle against racial injustice. The Minneapolis Central Church arren G. Blakney Sr.’s of Christ mourned Floyd’s killing fight for racial equality up close. stretches back to 1961. “As a person, I’m outraged,” said At age 9, Blakney met Russell Pointer Sr., minister for the civil rights icon Martin predominantly black congregation. WLuther King Jr. in Tuscaloosa, Ala., “As a city, we’re trying to grieve.” and passed out voter registration Nationwide, Floyd’s death galva- handbills door to door. nized weeks of protests denouncing “I saw a lot of systemic racism things,” said the and police brutality. 67-year-old senior The demonstrations minister for the North started in Minneapolis Peoria Church of and spread, some- Christ in Tulsa, Okla. times devolving into “I’ve seen acid thrown rioting and looting. at people. I’ve been in In Richmond, the crowd when dogs Va., the windows were turned on us. ... of the West Broad I’ve seen white guys Church of Christ, a jump out of cars with predominantly black baseball bats to beat congregation, were 12- and 13-year-old shattered. kids down and kill Protesters were them.” still milling about But nothing in the GREG JAKLEWICZ, ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS as minister James last 50 years, he said, Attendees pray at unity rally Nesmith came to has shaken him like at Abilene Christian University survey the damage. the video of a white after George Floyd’s death. “Of course we don’t Minneapolis police condone the violence officer pressing his knee against or looting,” Nesmith said. “We wish George Floyd’s neck as the hand- they would take a more civilized cuffed black man complained, “I approach, but in the same breath, we can’t breathe.” understand the frustration.” “I sat there, and I prayed, and I The building of another African wished that he would get his knee See GEORGE FLOYD, Page 14 off that guy’s neck so he could TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT, VIA TWITTER breathe,” said Blakney, president Amid protests after George Floyd’s death, Trey Elliott prays for Tulsa, Okla., Police of the Tulsa Urban League and RACE IN AMERICA Chief Wendell Franklin. The 7-year-old made it his mission to pray for every past president of the local NAACP. TEEN SHOWS COURAGE AFTER RACIAL SLUR ...... 3 police officer in Oklahoma’s second-largest city. Franklin, a member of The Park “There was no sense of humanity.” DIALOGUE: BLACK MINISTERS WEIGH IN...... 21 Church of Christ in Tulsa, said of Elliott: “He is that mustard seed planted which Floyd’s May 25 death in police PETITION TARGETS HARDING AUDITORIUM NAME...... 24 yields a tree used by all.” Franklin praised his city’s peaceful protesters. “May God custody stirred Blakney to urge fellow EDITORIAL: WHAT CHRISTIANS CAN DO...... 29 continue to lay a blanket of protection over all Tulsa,” he said in a tweet. Christians — black and white — to VIEWS: AN ARMY OF GOOD SAMARITANS...... 28 2 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE JULY 2020

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a ministry of Sunset International Bible Institute • 800.658.9553 • sunset.bible JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 3 Civil rights hero’s great-grandson shows courage, too n 1957, the white mayor of Little Rock, Ark., showed courage by standing up for nine black Istudents trying to integrate Central High School. Defying segregationist Gov. Orval Faubus and an angry white Inside Story mob, Mayor Woodrow Wilson Mann urged President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send U.S. soldiers to Bobby Ross Jr. quell the violence. “Situation is out of control VANESSA CARVALHO PHOTOGRAPHY | WWW.VANESSACARVALHO.COM and police cannot disperse the mob,” Mann said in a tele- Love in the time of COVID-19: Nurse, husband reunite in NYC gram to Eisenhower. “I am In New York’s Times Square, Wendy and Eric Davenport give and graduate of Harding University in Searcy, Ark., volunteered pleading to you as president each other a facemasked kiss after two months apart. The to serve COVID-19 patients in hard-hit New York while Eric and of the United States in the Christian couple served as missionaries in Rwanda before swiftly their four sons got settled in Oklahoma. When Eric arrived in interest of humanity, law and evacuating amid the COVID-19 crisis in March. Wendy, a nurse New York, “I shed two months of tears in his arms,” his wife said. order and because of democ- racy worldwide to provide ANOTHER NURSE RETURNS from the front lines, Page 5. the necessary federal troops within several hours.” To enforce the school’s desegregation, Eisenhower sent 1,200 members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne The future of worship Division and federalized the Arkansas National Guard. AS CONGREGATIONS RETURN to in-person assemblies, coronavirus pandemic brings changes. But Mann paid a steep price. He endured hate BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE million confirmed U.S. cases and minister for the Broadway Church of mail and death threats. 116,000 deaths at press time — special Christ in Paducah, Ky. White supremacists burned asks or no masks? health measures are greeting most In Virginia, the Blacksburg Church crosses on his family’s Sing and make a joyful noise worshipers. of Christ will emphasize lawn. He lost his insurance — or not? “We will have short- social distancing, make business and any hope of a Required temperature ened services, commu- hand sanitizer available political future in Arkansas. Mchecks at the door? nion to pick up upon and possibly use the Sean Richardson, youth These are among the questions entering, temperature fellowship hall for extra minister for the Bammel facing Churches of Christ nationwide monitors at the door, seating “so folks can Church of Christ in Houston, as congregations move to resume little to no singing, spread out even more,” recalled Mann’s experi- in-person assemblies, a Christian planned seating and Lisa Leichner said. ence as he preached on the Chronicle survey found. either multiple services “They’re suggesting Lovejoy Leichner Sunday after George Floyd After three months of closed doors, or multiple rooms in but so far not requiring was killed in Minneapolis many churches have started returning our building for small groups to meet masks,” said Leichner, who was police custody on May 25. to the building. But amid the ongoing and stream the worship service,” said among more than 100 members and See HISTORY, Page 4 coronavirus pandemic — with 2.1 Jed Lovejoy, worship and children’s See WORSHIP, Page 10 4 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE INSIDE STORY JULY 2020 HISTORY: Teen stands up for fellow Christian after classmate hurls racial slur

FROM PAGE 3 No matter the situation, you can’t “See, typically in history when stoop to the lowest of the lows. You people have chosen to side with just can’t,’” recalled the 2020 Klein those who are High graduate, who plans to study oppressed, they finance at Texas Tech University themselves get this fall. treated as those “I didn’t fight him,” Trevor added. who have been “I didn’t threaten him. I just said, oppressed,” ‘You can’t do that.’” Richardson said in the video sermon, ’THAT JUST FELT REAL GOOD’ W.W. Mann which came amid When A.J. heard what Trevor had national outrage over done, he couldn’t believe it. Floyd’s death and coast-to-coast “I was shocked,” A.J. said. “I had protests against racial injustice. never had someone do that for me. … Most people would have NO MERE HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE just said, ‘Oh well, keep going.’ I The African American youth was actually shocked but grateful. minister’s mention of Mann, who … It made me feel like I matter moved to Houston in 1961 and lived to someone other than my family. there until his 2002 death at age 85, That just felt real good.” was no mere historical footnote. Trevor easily could have chosen Richardson traced the late mayor’s not to say anything. lineage to present day — to an But his conscience — his heart — 18-year-old Bammel youth group wouldn’t let him stay quiet, he said. member named Trevor Mann. “I felt like Jesus was talking to me, No doubt, Trevor’s place in saying, ‘You have to do something American history — at least at this VIDEO STILL VIA ZOOM about that. You can’t just ignore this.’” point in his life — pales compared A.J. Poole Jr. shows a video of the touchdown play that ended in a racially No, Trevor’s action didn’t change with that of his great-grandfather, charged incident. Watch the full interview with Poole, Trevor Mann and Sean the course of history like his great- whom he met as a baby. Richardson at christianchronicle.org/georgefloyd. grandfather’s telegram did. But Trevor, too, showed courage But the courageous teen made a in the face of racial prejudice. That would be the N-word. At a Sunday night youth group difference where he could. It happened after his friend Alvin “I was shocked that he said it,” function, Richardson asked Trevor if That’s the lesson for us all. “A.J.” Poole Jr., a fellow Bammel said A.J., now a student-athlete at he knew the player involved. “Voices like Trevor’s,” Richardson church member, played Trevor’s high McPherson College in Kansas. “But “I actually did,” Trevor said in a said, “can bring attention to not school in a 2018 football playoff game. then it was kind of like, ‘Well, that’s Zoom conversation with The Christian just issues in the world but prac- A.J., then a senior offensive not the first time that I’ve heard that.’” Chronicle. “We played together in tical examples of what you can lineman for Westfield High School in If A.J. had given in to his anger, middle school. I was really shocked do — being a voice, standing up, Houston, recalls the he would have risked because the tough part, which I don’t embodying Jesus, intensity of the 10-6 more than a poten- think Sean or A.J. knows, is that he’s walking alongside victory over Klein tial penalty against actually a Christian, too. someone and not High School. his team, his youth “And that’s pretty hard to under- allowing oppression “I remember my minister said. stand. How could someone who of any kind to impact mindset was, ‘Let’s “I think A.J. putting loves Christ do that?” his fellow human. just score,’” A.J. said his hands up gets me That Monday morning, Trevor “That’s the example of the winning touch- emotional every time had a class with the player who used we want to set,” the down in the second because that’s some- the racial slur. youth minister added. Poole Trevor Mann Richardson half. “And I remember thing we have to do,” “I went up to him, and I said, “And I’m incredibly I drove him (the white player) into the Richardson said. “We have to put our ‘Hey, you played in that Westfield proud of A.J. and Trevor both for dirt one play. And he got real mad. He hands up and walk away because game, right?’” Trevor said. “And he how they independently but collec- punched me in the face. And I’m not the way the story can be spun is that said, ‘Yep.’ And I said, ‘You said the tively handled this situation. It’s going to lie. I punched him right back. we are now the violent one. And so N-word to one of my really close a true embodiment of how Christ “But the next play was when we A.J. has had the conversation with friends. One of my brothers.’ lived.” scored. And I drive him to the back of his parents multiple times of how to “And he felt bad. He was devas- the end zone. … And he tries to fight engage in instances of injustice.” tated. And he knew he was in the BOBBY ROSS JR. is editor-in-chief of The me again. And I just put my hands wrong. He tried to play it off that he Christian Chronicle. Reach him at bobby.ross@ up into the air. And I’m walking away. ‘YOU CAN’T DO THAT’ was just frustrated.” christianchronicle.org. Follow him on Twitter at And he’s all in my ear, saying all these Video of the confrontation made it Trevor remained firm. @bobbyross. Watch the full Zoom interview at things. And then he says that word.” easy to identify the opposing player. “I just told him, ‘You can’t do that. christianchronicle.org/georgefloyd. JULY 2020 COVID-19 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 5 Nurse felt called to serve in New York OKLAHOMAN KYM LANGFORD witnessed death and hope while caring for numerous coronavirus patients.

BY CHELLIE ISON | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE was forced back open as the hospital needed more rooms for those s Kym Langford clocked out suffering with the virus. of her shift, she couldn’t help As if things weren’t compli- but wonder about one man: cated enough, the hospital had few Would he still be there when nursing aides and little support staff. Ashe returned for her next shift? Langford found herself taking out He was 35. A father. A husband. A the trash and cleaning bathrooms patient with COVID-19. with Clorox wipes. “He needed a ventilator, or he was The hospital’s regular staff was going to die,” Langford said. “But we getting sick. Some even died. There didn’t have any at the time.” were nights when all of the nurses Roughly 1,500 miles on a floor were from other states, from her Oklahoma just like Langford. home, Langford “The blind leading the blind,” she cared for dozens of said. “We didn’t know the hospital or patients on the front the phone numbers of the doctors. lines of New York It was really, really hard.” City’s battle against the coronavirus. A SHOCKING SCENE Langford Some of their faces Earlier in their marriage, the — including that of Langfords had spent six years as the kind man with the uncertain fate missionaries in Jinja, Uganda. Kym’s — stick with her. (He survived.) time there inspired her to go to “I took care of a ton of patients, nursing school when they returned and I saw a lot of people die,” the to the U.S. 42-year-old mother of three said. Her Uganda experience, she said, “Most were elderly patients who may even have helped her handle had underlying conditions, but there the stress of working without basic were also several that were young.” resources in New York. For six and a half weeks, Langford Such a scene, especially at a U.S. worked long, agonizing shifts at hospital, was shocking to see. the Harlem Hospital, battling not “I’m talking about something as only the virus but also the lack of simple as those little oxygen sensors adequate medical supplies. you put on your finger, and you can “The first three weeks, we were PHOTO PROVIDED BY KYM LANGFORD watch and see how someone’s oxygen really in that climbing phase,” said Kym Langford sits in front of a sculpture designed to encourage residents in New York. level is,” Langford said. “We did not Langford, normally a lab coordinator have those. … This is a respiratory at Oklahoma Christian University’s that’s my personality.” ‘BLIND LEADING THE BLIND’ disease, and I had no idea how my school of nursing and a nurse at Said her husband, Ben, a Bible His anxiety quickly dissipated patients were doing, most of the time, a nearby hospital. “They use that professor at Oklahoma Christian because he knew her training, her when it came to their breathing.” terminology, ‘We don’t want hospi- University and a minister for experience and her mentality were a Communication with the patients’ tals to become overwhelmed,’ and the Springs Church of Christ in good fit for serving in this way. families also was limited. The that was happening.” Edmond, Okla.: “She just said, ‘I For the first 12 days straight she hospital didn’t have staff to answer Langford had signed on with an think I could do this. I think I’m worked 12-hour shifts, overnight, the phones on each floor. Most agency that works with the Federal gifted for this.’” serving between 10 and 13 patients rooms didn’t have private phones. Emergency Management Agency. The decision made him a little each shift at the Harlem Hospital. Many patients had lost their phones Within 24 hours of contacting the anxious. That’s about three times the patient getting to the hospital. agency, she was on a plane headed “But I thought she was right,” he load to which she was accustomed. “Families were desperate to find to New York City. said. “When we dropped her off at Most rooms held four patients, out what’s going on,” she said. “I thought, ‘Well, this is a really cool the airport and said goodbye, I had with no barriers between them. The Some patients were unsure if opportunity to go and serve,’” she a moment of thinking, ‘What are floor Langford spent several nights they would ever see their families said. “So it was really spontaneous, but we doing?’” on had previously been closed. It See NURSE, Page 6 6 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE COVID-19 JULY 2020 NURSE: Oklahoman reflects on her journey FROM PAGE 5 again. She prayed with those who were especially anxious and willing. One night she made it a point to allow each of her patients to use her phone to send a text message or make a quick call to a loved one. “You’re in a crisis,” she said, “and these family members needed to know what was going on and if their loved one was doing OK.” It was exhausting. And the fear of getting the virus herself was real. “You know there’s the risk of getting sick,” she said, “and so I was just, I thought, ‘I don’t want my time here to come to an end,’ and I also didn’t want to end up in a hospital in PHOTO PROVIDED BY KYM LANGFORD New York City.” Kym Langford holds one of the many notes of encouragement she received. SHE’D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN Knowing her family was safe back said she will keep wearing a mask home helped her to stay focused. and social-distancing herself from She was diligent about taking care others. After seeing firsthand the of herself, sleeping as much as she damage the virus can cause, she could, taking supplements, drinking wants to do what she can to protect a lot of water and eating healthy. her family and others. Langford worked all but a few Langford knows of some who have nights. But after her first 12-day questioned the reality of the virus, stretch, she and a couple of other despite knowing her. nurses were given a night off. They “There are a lot of people out there stayed up so they wouldn’t mess up that think it’s not real,” she said. their sleep schedule. They walked After working through a peak, around the city for she said that questioning “blows hours. The typically her mind.” bustling metrop- “It’s real, and it was really, really olis was eerily silent, horrific,” she said. empty almost. The prayers of so many of her They saw a few Christian brothers and sisters, homeless people. A Langford believes, helped her bunch of police. complete her work without “It was so crazy,” becoming ill. Ben Langford Langford said. Thanks to media coverage back During her last three weeks, more home and an earlier article in The nurses arrived. That helped reduce Christian Chronicle, many believers the stress. During those weeks, the around the world prayed for her. measures New York City had imple- “There were people praying for mented in hopes of flattening the my wife that didn’t know my wife,” curve also seemed to be reducing, Ben said, “and I just thank everyone slowly, the number of patients for doing that.” coming into the hospital. As unbelievable as Langford’s In early May, she was released to experience turned out to be, she go home. Before returning she was said there’s no doubt that she would tested for the virus and the antibodies. do it all over again. She tested negative for COVID-19, “I wouldn’t hesitate. I do feel like which meant she could go home I made a big difference,” she said. without needing to quarantine from “I do feel like all of these nurses her family. She was, however, positive coming in from all over the United for the antibodies, which means she States helped a ton and that there’s had been infected at some point. a lot less death in these hospitals Even with the antibodies, she because we were there.” JULY 2020 COVID-19 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 7 Churches feed the needy during pandemic

BY ERIN FLOYD | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE

hroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Churches of Christ Tacross the nation have had to get creative in finding ways to serve their communities. The economic shutdown left many families struggling to put food on the table, which provided some churches an opportunity to step in and help. From Texas to Ohio, food drives and meal services helped fill the gaps for families in need. “It is so encouraging to see the church come together to serve those in need,” said Caroline Morales, a children’s minister DOUG PETERS and volunteer coordinator with Texas National Guard members help distribute food at Grace Crossing, a Community Church of Christ in Conroe, Texas. Houston’s Impact Church of Christ. “We have been able to serve more were able to meet, converse with, “Of course I said, ‘Absolutely! I near Louisville, Ky., provided a meal families in a much more efficient pray with and minister to the people would be happy to do it,’” Berry said. to its community in another form: a manner because of their help. We they were serving. Berry’s congregation partnered drive-thru cookout. are so thankful that Jesus brings us But due to COVID-19 safety pro- with Borden Dairy, the Dallas Minister Bryan C. Jones brought all together to love others.” tocols in the county, the National Independent School District and the idea to the congregation as a The Impact church has served the Guard was called in to assist in the local faith leaders to give out 1,000 way to let the community know that community through its resource and distribution. gallons of milk — in the pouring rain the church was there to help them. food distribution centers since 1986. Grace Crossing minister Doug — to families in need. Volunteers The church served hot dogs, ham- Before the coronavirus outbreak, Peters said the number of church vol- were sporting rain jackets, ponchos, burgers and chips. Members also the church would unteers was limited, umbrellas, and of course, masks. passed out hand sanitizer and toys to serve an average of and instead of meet- “My fear was, we have these the kids. In all, 177 families were fed. 225 families a week. ing and ministering thousand gallons of milk, and people “It just felt good to let people know Since mid-March, that to people face to face, wouldn’t show up in the rain. But that we’re here for them, to help number has grown to food recipients were they came,” Berry said. “We were them out,” said Shannon Pearson, a as many as 800. required to stay in supposed to be there from 3 until member of the Newburg church. Jeanine Devine and their cars. 6. Well, at about 5, we were back in her husband, Frank, “We look forward to our cars going home because we who is an elder of the the time we can have were turning people away.” Memorial Church of more interpersonal The Gray Road Church of Christ, Christ, about 10 miles relationships and north of Cincinnati, hosted a west of the Impact have a close conver- contactless grocery drive for its church, have been vol- sation and (take) community. About 40 mask-wearing unteering at the food prayer requests with church volunteers helped provide drive once a week. the people,” Peters produce, chicken, fish and laundry “I Iove coming to said. “But, for now, detergent to 1,100 families in need. Impact because it’s the important thing is “We entitled it ‘Caring in a Crisis’ seeing God in action,” that we’re serving the because we believe that the church Jeanine said. “It gives people by distributing ought to be able to care at all times, you the goosebumps.” food, and we continue especially this time,” minister About 35 miles PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAMMIE BERRY to do that in the name Jeremy Flowers said. north of Houston, Dallas West member Chris of Jesus and are “It means a lot to me because com- Grace Crossing, a Buford distributes milk. prayerful for them in ing up as a child my family depended Community Church this ministry.” on getting subsidized food from vari- of Christ in Conroe, Texas, has also Two hundred miles north, Dallas ous community resources,” he said. changed the way its food distribu- Mayor Eric Johnson called his friend “I’m just glad because now I’m in a PHOTO VIA WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NEWBURGCOC tion ministry operates. Sammie L. Berry, minister for the position personally, spiritually and Quinnette Connor spins a cappella Before the pandemic, the congre- Dallas West Church of Christ, asking financially where I can give back to tunes for those who drive up to gation held a food distribution every if he would help organize an event to the community where we reside.” receive meals from the Newburg month from its pavilion. Volunteers provide milk for families in need. The Newburg Church of Christ Church of Christ near Louisville, Ky. 8 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE COVID-19 JULY 2020 Socially distanced summer camp? PRECAUTIONS AND CANCELLATIONS are an unfortunate reality for church groups in 2020.

BY LAURA AKINS | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE “As time passed and we learned more, we felt the risks were lower othing about the year 2020 and we had a better grasp of what has been easy. needed to be done to make a safe From a worldwide pan- camp environment,” said John Curtis, demic to racial tensions, a member of the Pettijohn board of many Christians wish they directors. “Plus, camps were given Ncould step away and recharge at the go-ahead to reopen under the their beloved Bible camps. next phase of the state guidelines. So But many church camps won’t host we gave the July session directors the traditional sessions this summer. opportunity to hold their sessions if Others are canceling altogether. they felt comfortable doing so.” “I’m very sad because it was Session leaders will be required to finally my turn to go, and all of take campers’ temperatures before the sudden it was canceled,” said the youths exit their vehicles, fol- Reese Rivera, a fifth grader who has lowed by daily temperature checks. watched her siblings go to Camp PHOTO PROVIDED Extra cleaning procedures will be Blue Haven in New Mexico since A previous session at Sooner Youth Camp in Ardmore, Okla., demonstrates the taken for the bathhouses, dining hall, she was 3. “I was looking forward difficulty of social distancing during a camp. This summer’s sessions were canceled. kitchen, sports equipment, along with to the campout and extra hand washing stations around swing my siblings TAKING A FINANCIAL HIT a way to use camps like ours to share campgrounds. And all camp staff told me about.” Charles Grinnell, president of the his message.” — cooks, managers, maintenance Directors and National Association of Christian personnel — will wear masks to mini- board members of Camps, said he and his board of direc- TO CAMP OR NOT TO CAMP? mize outside contamination. camps associated tors are not making recommendations Sooner Youth Camp in Ardmore, Camp Deer Run in east Texas also with Churches of to Bible camps as to whether they Okla., was planning to hold both of will open its gates to eager campers Christ told The should open or close this summer. its July sessions, capping the num- beginning June 21, with many of the Christian Chronicle But the organization is able to ber of campers well below capacity, same COVID-19 precautions. Rivera that they’re heartbro- provide resources and updates having them eat meals in small The camp’s website asks campers ken for Rivera and on how COVID-19 is affecting groups and socially to practice physical countless other kids. Christian camping and what to distancing them as distancing for 14 “I’m sure there will expect moving forward. much as possible. days prior to camp. be moments through- “Many camps are not opening at But just before They must wash their out the summer that all due to state regulations forbid- press time, the hands often and are will be tough,” said ding overnight camps or because camp’s board decided not allowed if they’ve David Moses, associ- of cautious boards,” Grinnell said, to cancel. Some come into contact with ate dean of students “while some camps are opening with members said they someone who tested for Abilene Christian a shortened season.” were 80 percent sure positive for COVID- Moses Johnson Duty University and Camp Wyldewood in Searcy is camp could go on, 19 within 14 days of director of the West Texas school’s one of many Christian camps whose but if there were any doubt, the camp. They also must sign waivers. Leadership Camps. directors made the heartbreaking camps should be called off. Despite the new requirements, “Yet, I am at complete peace with decision to cancel summer sessions. “So many summer camps (church, many youths are still signing up and the decision,” he said. “It was the “It’s hard to imagine this place sports, art) have already canceled joining wait lists. right decision, plain and simple.” being empty all summer,” said their summer plans, making this an “This year seems special because Other colleges and universities executive director Chad Hudelson. even tougher decision for our board all other youth events have been associated with Churches of Christ Without those sessions, Wyldewood of directors,” said Lisa Johnson, canceled,” said Casey Duty, a have canceled their summer camps, will take a hit financially. About two- who has attended Sooner Youth Pettijohn camper from Arlington, including Encounter at Lubbock thirds of its revenue comes from its Camp since the summer of 1974 as a Texas. “I’m sure (camp) will have a Christian University in Texas and summer camp program and only camper and then counselor. different feeling but will bring a new Uplift at Harding University in Searcy, one-third comes from rentals for appreciation ... because it’s the only Ark. Both are providing virtual expe- retreats throughout the year. TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND WAIVERS big thing to look forward to.” riences for youth groups. Oklahoma “We will make it through this diffi- Thirty miles east of Ardmore, Christian University’s Zenith and cult time,” added Hudelson, who was Pettijohn Springs Christian Camp is INFORMATION ON CAMPS in this report is subject Camp Cornerstone are selling camp a Wyldewood counselor in the 1990s. still planning to host campers this to change. Find this story at christianchronicle. shirts to keep morale up. “We believe God will continue to find summer. org/2020camps for updates. JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 9

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For more information, please contact: Harriet Frazier Vice President of Children’s Services (254) 968-2143, ext. 284 and/or complete application at: www.fostershome.org 10 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE COVID-19 JULY 2020 WORSHIP: Amid coronavirus threat, churches take precautions FROM PAGE 3 leaders surveyed by the Chronicle. “I think the biggest concern for me is members who are more at risk returning because they miss their church family,” she added, “and then having others also present who didn’t take precautions to avoid the virus or aren’t taking it seriously.” At the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, La., members will find assigned seating, at least 6 feet between families and bathroom use for emergencies only. Missing from the Louisiana church’s meeting plan: any guilt for those who choose to stay home, be it because of age or a compromised immune system. “There are multiple examples of church gatherings being super- spreader events,” noted a letter by RICARDO BARRERA the Forsythe elders, “and we are Members of the Elgin Church of Christ, northwest of Chicago, wear masks in an effort to keep the virus from spreading. working hard to avoid such a result.” The Elgin Church of Christ, a Church of Christ in Grand Prairie, Chris McCurley, preaching minister TOGETHER AGAIN AFTER MONTHS APART Spanish-speaking congregation Texas, said: “We can’t or won’t force for the Oldham Lane Church of Some churches, including the northwest of Chicago, is inviting our senior members to stay home, but Christ in Abilene, Texas. “Through Decatur Church of Christ in Texas, one-third of members to participate we want them to know we encourage online content, daily Facebook devo- began meeting weeks ago. in each Sunday assembly. them to stay home for a while longer, tionals, Zoom meetings, drive-by Beverly Ross, whose husband, “The other two-thirds stay home and it is OK. The new normal will fellowships, etc., we have been able Rick, preaches for the North Texas and watch online,” minister Ricardo be missing many of our treasured to stay connected.” church, said it “took an army of Barrera said of the church’s means traditions, such as children’s classes, But McCurley said he’s excited volunteers” to pull off the first of creating space in a normally hospitality table (snacks), coffee and to see his “Oldham Lane peeps” Sunday back. crowded auditorium. the most difficult of all — hugs, kisses back in the church building, albeit “We had volunteers to sanitize Steve Beall, elder of the CrossPoint and handshakes.” with social distancing and the most between services, people to remind vulnerable members encouraged to us of social distancing and people to REOPENING PLANS VARY stay home. pass out communion in baggies,” she The federal Centers for Disease At the Downtown Church of wrote on Facebook. “I faced the front Control and Prevention issued Christ in Midland, Texas, members door where I could see every set of interim guidance “to help commu- will pick up individual communion eyes coming in our north entrance. nities of faith discern how best to wafer/cup sets at entrances and “I found myself drawn to the eyes practice their beliefs while keeping see hymns and Scripture readings of the people I hadn’t seen in over their staff and congregations safe.” displayed on a screen. To lessen 10 weeks,” she added. “Many of us Original CDC guidance was germ exposure, no pew Bibles or wore masks to protect the vulner- changed at the White House’s songbooks will be available. able among us. But those eyes spoke request. In developing guidelines for it all. Some were exhausted, some Some leaders who responded to resumption of services, the West were a bit confused looking around the Chronicle’s survey voiced frus- Texas church grappled with whether to take in the changes, some were tration with members politicizing the to allow singing. “Given how long totally excited to be back!” question of when to reopen. the virus remains airborne … we The Hentown Church of Christ in Specific reopening plans vary may end up reviving the ancient rural Blakely, Ga., has no room in from congregation to congregation, practice of chanting,” minister Greg its small building for members to depending on leaders’ attitudes Fleming joked in May. separate themselves. concerning COVID-19’s threat and Gary Kirkendall, minister for Instead, the Georgia congregation wide-ranging state restrictions on the 120-member Hilton Head has turned to “drive-in” services. large-group meetings. Church of Christ in South Carolina, “People sit on the tailgate of their TRACY MOORE “When we closed our doors, the echoed Fleming: “There is concern trucks or in the hatchback of their Signs urging social distancing greet staff asked the question, ‘How can that projecting singing voices cars,” church treasurer June Winkler worshipers at the Vero Beach Church we take everything we do and trans- will increase the opportunity for said. “Each family brings their of Christ in Florida. late it to an online format?'” said spreading the virus.” communion emblems. There is no JULY 2020 COVID-19 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 11

PATTI SIKES Family units spread out at the Rochester Church of Christ in Minnesota as the congregation emphasizes social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. handshaking or Southern hugging, “We want to be together in our but it is wonderful to see each other, worship, and to do that, we want and even though we are 6 feet apart, to be singing together all the same we can still communicate.” songs,” shepherd Mark Kelly said Other churches remain unde- in a church video. “We’ll be hearing cided on when to resume in-person the same message from God’s word, gatherings. spoken to us by the same person. The Oakland Church of Christ in The same prayers.” Southfield, Mich., has had multiple The Rochester Church of Christ members suffer from the virus, in Indiana is coming together for minister Edward Cribbs said. worship but not Bible classes. Other members have lost children, “We think we have figured out how siblings, parents, in-laws, cousins to do it responsibly,” minister Jim and friends to COVID-19. Dillinger said. “The whole mask vs. The Michigan church’s tentative no mask argument is going to be an goal is to return to the building in issue, in my opinion.” July. Work is ongoing to prepare the The church is encouraging but not building for that time. requiring members to wear masks, “We are installing hands-free Dillinger said. fixtures in bathrooms. We are “We also have a separate room for expanding monitors in classrooms those not feeling safe to mingle,” he and offices to allow for viewing of said. “Our county is rural, so it’s had services outside of the auditorium,” very few positive cases, and that has Cribbs said. “We are installing hand lessened fears considerably.” sanitizer stations throughout the After months of virtual services, building. We are purchasing masks some changes may be more subtle and gloves for use by members.” than others. “Even though people have ‘RED, YELLOW, GREEN’ APPROACH missed greatly getting to see each In Alabama, the Madison Church other … they have loved the whole of Christ has developed a “red, casual pace,” said Danny Holman, yellow, green” approach for meeting. minister for the South Main The red group worships at home. Church of Christ in Greenville, The yellow group meets at the Miss. “Sunday mornings are much building but wears masks. The less stressful. green group gathers in a different “When I was a youth minister, we area of the church with social always worried about being detri- distancing but no masks. mental to families by over-program- To promote unity, each group ming,” Holman added. “Now I am watches the same prerecorded having to ask that about the church service. in general.” 12 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE ACROSS THE NATION JULY 2020

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VIDEO STILL VIA YOUTUBE Stuck at home? Join the Chronicle for a ‘virtual visit’ Doyle Corder, worship minister for the Southwest Church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas, and his family sing during a broadcast of the congregation’s worship service. The church is featured in The Christian Chronicle’s “virtual visit” series. Other congregations in the series include the Kent County Church of Christ in Rhode Island, the Corona Church of Christ in California, the Thomaston Road APPLY NOW! Church of Christ in Macon, Ga., and the Fiske Boulevard Church of Christ in Rockledge, Fla. (Make sure to watch minister Randy Cole Sims Sr.’s radio ser- mon “A Frog in the Master Bathroom.”) See christianchronicle.org/virtualvisit.

ARIZONA ... as well as engaging in various SURPRISE — The coronavirus outside projects,” Milliner said. pandemic forced the Surprise “Good can come out of adversity.” Church of Christ to stop meeting in person, but it didn’t keep the congre- TENNESSEE gation from serving its community. ENGLEWOOD — The Liberty Hill “Behind the scenes, a group of Church of Christ in McMinn County ladies have set up calling each is celebrating its bicentennial. member to check for needs, whether One of the nation’s oldest Churches it be physical or spiritual,” church of Christ, the congregation had a secretary Vicki Fausett said. special service recently to mark the excellent Other ladies formed a sewing circle milestone, although the coronavirus to provide masks when there was a pandemic kept attendance down. shortage. They made hundreds of Church member Joe Guy, McMinn masks for the Navajo Nation, a local County historian and sheriff, gave a rates rehab center and a food bank. “At a presentation on the church’s history. time when so many feel lost because Dwane Casteel, associate director because we value our investors of a pandemic, the Lord’s church of Churches of Christ Disaster Relief sees a need to be met,” Fausett said. Effort, was among those present. His great-great-great grandfa- INDIANA ther, Barney Casteel, was the first BROWNSBURG — Forced to cancel preacher for the congregation, its Vacation Bible School because which traces its roots to 1820. His of the COVID-19 shutdown, the father, Hayse Casteel, did fill-in Start investing today at www.TheSolomonFoundation.org Brownsburg Church of Christ tried preaching there in the 1950s. a creative approach. “I preached my first sermon there Instead of its regular four-day, in the 1950s,” Dwane Casteel said. “I in-person VBS, the elders asked held gospel meetings there during

4.65% APY is based on a minimum investment of $10,000 for a term of 5 years. 3.565% APY is based on a minimum investment of $10,000 member Ron Milliner to develop the 1960s and 1970s. In the ‘new’ for a term of 3 years. 2.99% APY is based on a minimum investment of $500 for a term of 1 year. The content and material contained herein are not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy Investment Certificates of The Solomon Foundation. The offer is made solely by and a four-week online study on Noah cemetery behind the present church through our Offering Circular, which you should read carefully before making an investment decision. The Investment Certificates are sub- ject to certain risk factors as described in the Offering Circular. Investment Certificates are offered and sold only in states where authorized. and the flood. Milliner is a retired building, my uncle Kenneth Casteel Investment Certificates of The Solomon Foundation are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other governmental agency. TSF has the right to call Certificates for redemption at any time upon sixty (60) days written notice. In such event, interest will be paid to the date of redemption. instructional technologist. was the first person buried there in Families will be “looking at videos, 1948. ... You can begin to see why this reading and discussing materials church means so much to me.” JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 13

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HEALING ADDICTION THROUGH GOD’S LOVE The Church of Christ in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, is supporting a God-centered treatment program for men at SOZO Addiction Recovery Center, where, in the last four years, 49 men have chosen to become baptized into Christ as part of their recovery experience. This is particularly significant because the program only treats 10-12 men at a time. In addition to mental health and addiction counseling in small groups and one-on-one sessions, the men become active members of the congregation and experience first hand the healing power of God’s love in a Bible-based congregation. For more information about this uniquely successful program, visit: www.sozorecoverycenters.com

Executive Director, Bob O’Dowd (501) 226-9575 [email protected] 14 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE ACROSS THE NATION JULY 2020

DON MOONEY VIDEO STILL VIA ZOOM A man rests amid flowers and memorials for George Floyd during protests in Minneapolis. Anthony Walker, minister for the Highway 231 South Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, Floyd, 46, was accused of trying to pass a fake $20 bill. He died in police custody. Tenn., prays during “A Virtual Hour of Prayer,” attended by 169 Christians on Zoom. GEORGE FLOYD: Ministers’ letter targets violence against unarmed blacks

FROM PAGE 1 and leaders of local congregations of duty to exercise our faith through ministers stood on the steps of the American congregation — the Lewis churches of Christ across our nation, prayer,” said Orlander Thomas, Simpson Street Church of Christ — Street Church of Christ in Little are deeply disturbed by multiple minister for the Southside Church two blocks from King’s home — at a Rock, Ark. — was torched. reported acts of violence that have of Christ in Durham, N.C. prayer vigil attended by 300 people. “The senseless act of violence been perpetrated recently against • In Memphis, Tenn., where Organizer Richard L. Barclay, and indignation bestowed upon our unarmed African American men and King was assassinated in 1968, white senior minister for the Stonecrest place of worship has brought much women,” said the letter signed by minister Josh Ross and black min- Church of Christ in McDonough, sorrow, dismay and confusion,” the a diverse group of more than 300 ister Jimmy L. Stokes II convened Ga., said the peaceful gathering’s church said on its Facebook page. Christians. “These incidents have “an honest discussion ... on racial purpose was “to raise awareness “However, Satan may forced us to come injustice, the Holy Spirit, unity and of the critical need for a dramatic have destroyed the face-to-face with the why #blacklivesmatter.” change in the manner in which our house of God, but he will ever-increasing num- “There’s a lot of cities are policed” and “to breathe not destroy the people of bers and the results of good officers in our into our communities a breath of God who remain faithful racial hatred.” country. In fact, Christian love and care as the best in his son Jesus Christ.” Richard Price, my son is a sher- antidote for this pandemic of hate minister for the North iff’s deputy,” said and disregard.” ‘RESULTS OF RACIAL HATRED’ Green Street Church of Stokes, who serves • Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, On Memorial Day, Christ in Tupelo, Miss., the Northeast Side a Church of Christ member, touted police were called after was the letter’s chief Church of Christ. “I prayer as the cure for the strife that Floyd was accused of try- architect. Price said the support the blue, but Stokes gripped his city, as noted by the ing to pass a fake $20 bill message seems to be what I also support is Dallas Morning News. at a convenience store. resonating with many righteousness.” At the Dallas West Church of Officer Derek church leaders. Social injustice isn’t new, he said, Christ, Johnson invited four ministers Chauvin, who pinned “Something about pointing to the crucifixion of Jesus. to pray: Sammie Berry of the host Floyd’s neck with speaking and saying “You see Jesus being taken by congregation, John Mark Davidson his knee and ignored PHOTO PROVIDED BY WEST BROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST something is wrong is the hands of Jewish leaders, and of the Skillman Church of Christ, the suspect’s cries, is The broken windows are seen so powerful,” he said. Pilate says, ‘I have no fault,’ and J.K. Hamilton of the Mountain View charged with second- at the West Broad Church of Among other Herod says, ‘I have no fault,’” Stokes Church of Christ and Jonathan degree murder, third- Christ in Richmond, Va. developments: said. “It was the religious who said, Morrison of the Cedar Crest Church degree murder and • As fires, tear ‘Crucify him,’ to the point where of Christ. Each prayed for a symbolic manslaughter. Three other officers gas and violence reigned on the they let a murderer free.” eight minutes and 46 seconds. who were at the scene are charged streets of many American cities, Said Ross, who preaches for the That’s the length of time that “a with aiding and abetting. 169 members of Churches of Christ Sycamore View Church of Christ: human being with a heart and soul After the killing, a group of black gathered online to pray for justice, “White supremacy, abuse of power, had a knee pressed onto his neck on ministers, including Blakney, penned compassion and peace. forms of oppression — there are the rough pavement of a city street,” a letter calling for justice in the deaths “In a time of civic unrest, when a lot of things we have to name so Davidson said. of Ahmaud Arbery, Dreasjon Reed, our country is torn apart because we can move to a place of racial • Just off Interstate 10 in the Breonna Taylor and Floyd. of racial injustices and systemic reconciliation.” heart of Houston, members of the “We, the undersigned ministers oppression ... it is our Christian • In Atlanta, a diverse group of Fifth Ward Church of Christ staged a JULY 2020 ACROSS THE NATION THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 15

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RICHARD BARCLAY PHOTO PROVIDED BY NATHAN HOLLAND Andrew Hairston speaks at a vigil at the Members of the Washington, D.C.-area Springfield Church of Christ in Virginia hold signs declaring “Black Lives Matter” and touting Simpson Street Church of Christ in Atlanta. justice, love and mercy. After George Floyd’s death, the church decided to “stand for the oppressed,” member Kathy Bailey Holland said. peaceful sit-in, flashing signs such as “How do we get unity in a world being black in America.” “Love,” “Dream,” “Peace,” “Honor” where people say color doesn’t Among the hundreds who signed and “Mercy” at passing motorists. matter, but they say, ‘I’ve got this the letter was Sara Cawood, a Sunday “At this critical time in the United black friend,’ or, ‘I’ve got this white school teacher at the Kingston States and the world ... we’re issuing friend?’” he added. “The very adjec- Church of Christ in Tennessee. a call to justice, peace and love,” tive that you place in front of the “I feel guilty for being silent for too minister Gary Smith said, “but in a name says that there is an issue.” long and being a part of churches manner that’s pleasing to God.” Real progress will require more where no one speaks up about injus- • In West Texas, the Carl than familiarity between black and tice,” said Cawood, a 72-year-old white Spain Center on Race Studies and white Christians, Threatt said. woman. “Too often silence is taken to Spiritual Action at Abilene Christian Rather, children of God — such as be agreement, so I’ve decided to own University organized a community the Northside and Johnson Street my responsibility to make my views rally promoting national unity. members — must become family, clear and stand for justice.” “In this hour of boiling hostility, he said. Said Adam Metz, minister for the the clouds of hatred Those two congregations worship Alum Creek Church of Christ in are pouring down the together at least twice a year and Lewis Center, Ohio: “What especially acid rain of chaos upon partner on Vacation Bible School. drew my interest is that this letter the uncovered head of “But folks, we can do more,” was crafted by fellow ministers who a dis-United States of Northside minister Jim Gardner happen to be black. The racial divide America,” said Jerry said. “And we must do more as a is acutely complex in our fellowship, Taylor, the center’s living illustration and testimony to GREG JAKLEWICZ, ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS and I feel that African Americans get founding director. “We a divided world of what unity and Darren Hagood addresses an outdoor far too little voice. ... I have striven call all Americans to be Taylor harmony in Christ can be.” rally at Abilene Christian University. to just be quiet through this process receptive to prophetic and listen to the voices who know truth that can deliver the nation from ‘DECADES OF SYSTEMIC RACISM’ actions concerning our fracturing. and understand this so much better its current state of spiritual disorien- David Watkins III, minister for We expect for every believer and than me.” tation and social disintegration.” the Twin City Church of Christ in American, regardless of race, to rec- In the outcry • Two Benton, Ark., congrega- Texarkana, Texas, stressed that the ognize the value of black lives and over Floyd’s death, tions — the white Northside Church letter penned by the black ministers advocate for our fair and equitable Blakney sees reason of Christ and the black Johnson concerns more than Floyd’s case. treatment.” for hope. Street Church of Christ — held a “This is about decades of systemic In an interview, Watkins described “That’s in-your-face special joint assembly with the theme racism and oppression against black a police officer stopping him for kind of stuff,” the civil “Unity and Harmony in Christ.” people,” Watkins said. speeding last year. The minister’s rights activist said “How do we get unity in a time The letter states: “Collectively, son, then 7 years old, was in the car. of the video. “And if Blakney when people, in the name of unity, we call for every American of every “The speed limit changed on me. God is in you, that did are busting in the stores and steal- ethnicity to use their voice to decry I was speeding. The cop pulled me something to you as an individual to ing? How do we get unity in a world the systemic racism that hunts over,” Watkins said. “The first thing say, ‘Something needs to be done.’ where our president will knock peo- down black and brown men and my son said to me is, ‘Daddy, is he “And so I think the young whites — ple out of the way to have a photo women. We agree that no longer going to shoot you?’” I think many of them are now getting shoot with a Bible in his hand?” will we accept the hollow words For a child to ask such a question, involved in this process,” he added. asked Christopher Threatt, Johnson of our caucasian counterparts Watkins said, “is all that I need to “Hope does spring eternal in my soul Street minister and elder. without the investment of their know about what he knows about because (the world) can be different.” 16 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE AROUND THE WORLD JULY 2020 Even in lockdown, Asian church doesn’t let its building sit empty

GROW IN YOUR CALLING SINGAPORE — In the midst of the As the government stepped up COVID-19 pandemic, the Moulmein its efforts to test foreign workers Church of Christ found a way to put for the virus, the church housed CHILDREN’S MINISTRY its big, new building to good use. healthcare workers Yu Han Wong Five years ago, the congregation and Huey Ting, who CERTIFICATE PROGRAM tore down and rebuilt its 55-year-old volunteered to help facility, sandwiched between a conduct the tests Customize your training as you tailor massive Buddhist temple and a in the high-density courses to your life and your ministry. OC.EDU Hindu center in this tightly packed dormitories where Southeast Asian city-state. the workers live. Once dwarfed by its neighbors, “I was saying yes the church now worships in a to an invitation to modern, four-story facility — or at participate in what Yu Han Wong least it did until the pandemic. God was doing in the As its members met online, the neglected and abandoned spaces of church volunteered its two-bedroom society,” said Wong, a member of apartment to international students the Moulmein church. “My hope is returning from abroad. that this newfound momentum of Charmaine Neo, who was studying national interest in the welfare of in London, and her sister, Sarah, an foreign workers will continue even exchange student in Warsaw, Poland, after COVID-19.” quarantined in the apartment. The church also joined an effort by After enduring a stressful return Singapore’s churches to house the to her homeland — along with rude city’s homeless during the lockdown. comments and micro-aggressions Moulmein converted a floor of its due to her Chinese ethnicity — classrooms for the effort. Charmaine Neo was “a little annoyed” Mit Vikraman, the church’s youth by the idea of serving her quaran- minister, coordinated the project, tine in the church working alongside building, she said. “I Singaporean authori- YOUTH MINISTRY & missed home, and I ties and other church was quite done with groups. FAMILY MINISTRY feeling unwelcome.” “It was powerful to But “we received see so many people YOUTH so much help and who do not know MINISTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS support from every- each other, nor Classes begin September 1. body — particularly have ever met, work uncle Sung Kok,” she C. Neo Vikraman together,” Vikraman Visit oc.edu or contact [email protected] for said. “Every morning said. “When more info and to begin customizing your courses. he would take our Christians follow lunch orders and Christ in doing good personally deliver the deeds, we shine like food to our doorstep. a city on a hill that He even went the cannot be hidden.” extra mile and bought The church us extra snacks and supports mission work desserts.” Wong Chan across Southeast Asia (Sung Kok Wong is and beyond, Chan a caretaker for the church building, said. But the pandemic has empha- and “uncle” is a term of affection sized to church members that “we used across Southeast Asia.) have a great mission field right here.” Many of Singapore’s COVID-19 cases are among its 1.4 million CORRECTION: A story on Page 14 of the June issue foreign workers who live in condi- contained an error. A Church of Christ in Prague, tions that put them at high risk Czech Republic, not Slovakia, hosts online services for the virus, said Kim Kai Chan, via Zoom. Church members from locales including Moulmein’s administration minister. Slovakia participate. JULY 2020 Currents THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 17

A church like a bus IN EUROPE’S WESTERNMOST capital, a small Church of Christ experiences lots of goodbyes but has ‘a spiritual footprint that spans continents.’

ERIK TRYGGESTAD BY ERIK TRYGGESTAD | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE a few weeks. Missionaries worship Europe, hitting especially hard in Portuguese-speaking Angola, “but here and learn the language neighboring Spain, Portugal locked they have a spiritual footprint that LISBON, Portugal before heading to Portuguese- down. Suddenly, there were no some- spans continents.” hurch is like a bus,” Diana speaking nations like Angola and things to plan. The church “like a Neves said. “People come Mozambique. Plus tourists. bus” was in a mass transit halt. McDONALD’S VS. THE CHURCH in; people go out. I can’t “We have a lot of people coming That’s beginning to change — Before the lockdown, Neves tell you how many times through our doors,” said Neves, more quickly in Portugal than else- spoke to The Christian Chronicle in I’ve had to say goodbye.” who helps coordi- where. The nation of 10.3 million Lisbon’s iconic, 183-year-old bakery, ‘CShe was describing the small nate the church’s people reported fewer cases of the Pastéis de Belém. Church of Christ she serves, the youth ministry while disease than other European desti- The blue-and-white-tiled pastry Igreja de Cristo Lisboa, in continental raising five children nations. It is one of the few countries shop was birthed in another govern- Europe’s westernmost capital. — four of them teen- reopening to U.S. tourists without ment shutdown — after the Liberal The goodbyes are happy ones, agers — and finishing requiring a two-week quarantine. Revolution of 1820. Religious orders for the most part. The congrega- a psychology degree. And that could be good news for like the Jesuits were expelled, tion averages 40 to 60 souls most Her husband, Ricardo, the church, which has served as a and the government seized their Sundays, perhaps 100 or more on is a vocational minister Diana Neves short-term home for business exec- convents and monasteries. To Easter and Christmas, but it’s a tran- for the church. utives, international students and survive, a former worker at one of sient fellowship. When a visitor comes to church, hip-hop artists and has a network of the monasteries sold baked goods Immigrants from Africa find a “we don’t want that person to leave alumni around the world. from a shop in western Lisbon’s home here briefly before moving the church without a contact,” Neves “They meet on the ground floor Belém district. to other parts of the European said, “without planning something.” of an obscure building on a side Two centuries later, over tiny Union for jobs. U.S. students on This, of course, was before COVID- street of Portugal’s capital,” said cups of powerful coffee and a plate summer missions are here for just 19. As the pandemic swept across Nathan Holland, a missionary in CONTINUED

Above: An amphibious vehicle takes visitors on a tour along the Tagus River, the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, which meets the Atlantic in Lisbon. 18 JULY 2020 CURRENTS THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 19 Portugal POPULATION: 10.3 million. LANGUAGES: Portuguese, Mirandese. RELIGION: 81 percent Roman Catholic, 3.3 percent other Christian, 0.6 percent other (includes Jewish, Muslim), 6.8 percent claim no religion, 8.3 percent unspecified.

CHURCHES OF CHRIST: Missionaries attempted to plant a congregation in Lisbon as early as 1969 but had little long-term success until Steve McFarland and Portugal Scott Bulmer arrived in the early 1980s. Other workers include Manuel de Oliveira, Dorothy Unger, Paul Silvestri, Doug Hartman and Robert PHOTO PROVIDED BY KATIE REESE ERIK TRYGGEESTAD PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK Lisbon B. Reid. Members of the Igreja de Cristo Lisboa pray for the Angola Mission Team before its Pastéis de nata (egg custard pastries) are Members of the Igreja de Cristo Lisboa gather for a photo before the pandemic kept members, who studied Portuguese in Lisbon, move to the African nation in 2011. the signature item at Pastéis de Belém. them homebound for 12 weeks. The church resumed in-person meetings in June. THE CHURCH IN LOCKDOWN: The CONTINUED He started attending the Igreja cessors to embrace, rather than “We had never met any of these ‘OUR PASSION IS TRANSFORMATION’ Igreja de Cristo Lisboa of the restaurant’s namesake custard de Cristo. But he couldn’t commit. lament, the church’s transitional people before, but they welcomed us During their stay in Lisbon, the met for 12 weeks tarts, Neves told how she first Religion, he said, divides people. nature, Diana Neves said. They do with open arms,” Katie Reese said. Angola team members met believers via teleconferencing encountered the Igreja de Cristo. Her Neves told him she couldn’t date their best to bless the people they “During our four weeks, we were invited from the country they were preparing SOURCE: CIA WORLD FACTBOOK program Zoom, said family, like nearly 80 percent of the someone who wasn’t a Christian. encounter while they can. to several get-togethers in members’ to serve. Other members came from Diana Neves. Members stayed in touch with each country, claimed Catholicism as their They didn’t speak for a month. It was Among those they’ve blessed are homes. We played soccer with them. I Brazil. All of the immigrants “found a other via phone or socially distanced visits. “It faith. She, her three brothers and her painful. Finally, seeing her conviction, members of a mission team sent even attended a wedding shower.” welcoming home to foster their faith,” was a time of great adjustments, but also of great sister were baptized as infants. Ricardo decided to study the Bible. by Churches of Christ to Angola, a Robert and Teague Meyer, who serve Meyer said. victories,” Neves said. “We were sharing our lives, Then Scott Bulmer, a missionary “I realized that religion is centered former Portuguese colony. on the Angola team, studied Portuguese Lukeny de Almeida, a native of prayers, struggles and victories through a group from the Oakcrest Church of Christ on human will,” he said, “and when “The Lisbon congregation has in the Lisbon suburb of Loures between Angola, served on a team of ministers on WhatsApp or by phone. ... I have had many in Oklahoma City, moved in near we accept the love of God, we under- found an identity in being a place 2009 and 2011, with a pause to adopt for the church in the early 2000s. opportunities to share the Word with people I know. her aunt, Manuela. stand that God desires peace in our that welcomes those their two sons from Ethiopia. “It was in the Igreja They are more open to receive the Good News.” Soon, her brother João hearts. It’s all about Jesus’ life. in need of a home,” “Hospitality and a generous spirit de Cristo Lisboa that Her daughters have been studying the Bible with Nunes was studying “Becoming a Christian was way said Katie Reese, who are an integral part of the DNA of most of my spiritual ERIK TRYGGESTAD friends online. “We have been all connected with the Bible with Bulmer better than being religious.” serves on the Angola the church in Lisbon,” Robert Meyer growth happened,” Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortification, served as a point of embarkation for the Word and reaching out in many different ways and the family began Mission Team with her said. “Every member welcomed us said de Almeida, who Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. throughout this time.” worshiping with the HOSPITALITY IN THEIR DNA husband, Danny. and suffered our pitiful Portuguese. now lives in Angola’s Igreja de Cristo. Years and goodbyes followed. They were in need They encouraged us to preach and capital, Luanda. “For African presence,” Westerholm said, and her husband have experienced The church recently resumed in-person services. Neves studied the The Silvestris and other mission- of a home themselves teach, even when we were glued to this reason I couldn’t “which makes them less effective in burnout. They began participating About 25 people attended the first one. The church Bible with Jennifer R. Neves aries returned home. Preachers and in 2005, when a survey Reese our notes and mispronouncing every de Almeida possibly forget the reaching the local population.” But in an international ministry that will host two services if necessary and hopes Silvestri, daughter of church leaders moved to Brazil and trip to Angola fell third word.” great and enjoyable the Igreja de Cristo “seems to have provides counseling and support for to slowly resume street evangelism and service missionaries Paul and Rosanna Silvestri. Africa. Diana Neves’ sister, Ana Isabel apart, and the missionaries decided The church extended its hospitality moments that I lived while I was there.” more of a Portuguese feel to it than it marriages in crisis. projects in Lisbon’s low-income neighborhoods. At age 13, she was baptized — again. Carvalho, and husband Paulo moved — at the last minute, on a shoestring to members of Lisbon’s International Chad Westerholm, a missionary in used to, which I think Seeing real change in the lives of “Since then I was always going to to Nebraska. They work for York budget — to travel to Portugal for a Church of Christ as that fellowship, another Portuguese-speaking African is a positive thing.” those they mentored reinvigorated CARING ‘TRULY AND GENUINELY’: Neves’ sister, youth group,” she said, “and serving College, which is associated with few weeks of language training. known for its controversial discipling nation, Mozambique, worshiped with The Portuguese, them. Before the lockdown, they took Ana Isabel Carvalho, grew up in the Igreja de Cristo the church in any way I could.” Churches of Christ. Neves’ brothers, “We arrived at the airport on Friday, practices, went through a leadership the Lisbon church in 2003 while he and after all, are a mission oversight of the church’s youth group. Lisboa and now serves as At age 16 she got a job at Filipe, Andre and João, moved to not speaking a word of Portuguese, crisis in the mid-2000s. The Igreja de his teammates did language training. field, he said. Although “Our passion is transformation,” she business and development McDonald’s and began inviting her Oklahoma and Texas. knowing no one, no place to stay, Cristo “provided a place to heal for many “Mostly it seemed like the church they tend to be more said. “To see a life being transformed, assistant at York College in coworkers to the church’s Saturday Ricardo and Diana Neves gradually just a backpacking tent in our bags,” of the young members who had been served us,” he said, “rather than us religiously observant we’re just absolutely passionate about Nebraska. The church is “a soccer matches. They formed teams took on larger roles in the church and Reese said. They found the address of part of that movement,” Meyer said. serving the church.” than other Europeans, that, and God has blessed us in so special group of brothers — McDonald’s vs. the church. assumed its oversight in 2007. They the church and were able to connect “I was especially impressed by their Westerholm visited the church in most do not attend Westerholm many ways to see transformation.” and sisters who truly and Her future husband, Ricardo, was receive support from the Oakcrest with Courtney Marques, an alumni ministry to at-risk youth in Lisbon,” 2018 and gave a report of the work in worship regularly, Regardless of how the church “like genuinely care for you,” she one of her coworkers. He came from a church in Oklahoma. They work along- of the Texas-based Adventures in he added. The church “organized a Mozambique. The membership was according to the Pew Research Center. a bus” changes as its doors reopen, said. “Whether you are staying Catholic background but wasn’t an avid side Christians including the Carvalhos’ Missions program who had married a weekly gathering, weekend outings quite different, he said. But the spirit Reaching the native Portuguese she said, its members will continue to churchgoer. But “even when he was a daughter, Ines Vieira, her husband, Portuguese man and worshiped with and a summer camp for teens, many of hospitality was unchanged. and all who dwell in Lisbon, a city share hospitality and God’s transfor- Carvalho for a season or just passing by, you will leave Igreja de Cristo kid, he always believed in God,” Neves Caio, and Valfredo and Soili Dias. the church. Church members found a of whom came from extraordinarily In Portugal, “most Protestant of a half-million souls, can be over- mative love — with whoever comes, Lisboa with Christ’s love imprinted in your heart.” said. “He remembers praying to God.” They’ve learned from their prede- place for the Reeses to stay. difficult family backgrounds.” churches have a heavy Brazilian or whelming, Diana Neves said. She for however long they stay. 20 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE JULY 2020

MINISTRY JOB Hope Harbor OPPORTUNITIES FAMILY RECONCILIATION PROGRAM HOUSEPARENTS: Have you considered devoting a period of your life to a ministry committed to helping troubled children? Look no further... Southeastern Children’s Home is located in upstate South Carolina between Spartanburg and Join our Family Greenville, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. SECH has an immediate opening for houseparents to live in a cottage on the 50-acre campus and care for up to 6 adolescent children. Both husband and wife are Do you have a strong desire employed by SECH. Competitive salaries, paid time off, medical insurance, 24 hour backup, and support by case manager staff, housing, utilities, food allowance, gas allowance, and van for work use are provided. to help others? DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT: The Director of Development is responsible for planning, implementing, and administering a comprehensive Do you feel like you want to use fund development program for Southeastern Children’s Home. The Director of Development is also personally the talents God gave you to make active in face-to-face cultivation and engagement of prospects and donors. Must be a person of integrity and enthusiasm; BS or BA degree OR 3-5 years of experience in fund development; Certified Fundraising a difference in the world? Professional or willing to earn certification; commitment to spiritually-based mission of SECH; desire to grow professionally and personally; basic computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and database; working We are hiring in our knowledge of donor tracking software; and demonstrates commitment and competency in web-based com- munications, including social networking. Clinical Services Department STAFF COUNSELOR/THERAPIST: and would love to talk with SECH has an immediate opening for a Staff Counselor/Therapist. The therapist’s general function is to oversee you today! the daily operation of Southeastern Counseling Center as well as to grow our existing client base. This may include: budgeting, maintaining files and licenses, training, obtaining contracts and counseling, and helping “Hope Harbor offers hope and healing to families and children. with on-call of our residential program. This position further involves providing direct mental health services, Employees at Hope Harbor get to see lasting, real change for our clients.” including but not limited to: conducting assessments, individual/group/family therapy and crisis interventions to clients. Minimum and additional requirements: SC licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LSMW), Get More Information & Apply Online Today! Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.

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Head of School Alabama Christian Academy

The Alabama Christian Academy Head of School will lead and manage all aspects of school administration. This leadership requires providing clear direction, making informed business decisions (sometimes on very complex business matters), fostering innovative approaches to education, expecting excellence in all aspects of the institution, and modeling both a faith-based approach to education and adminis- tration and the school’s values. The Head of School is the visible, respected and trusted primary leader of the school. He or she is the spiritual, administrative and educational director who provides daily direction, vision and operational practices in a manner that represents a dependable and effective model of integrity, efficiency and accountability. The Head of School will implement, monitor and evaluate creative strategies to promote the board’s policies and vision for the school. The position also involves strategic and thoughtful leadership and interaction with the school’s faculty, students, parents, staff, board members, alumni, and donors as well as building relationships in the community and with other leaders in education. Please visit www.nationalchristian.org/careers/ for a full list of Professional Qualifications and Personal and General Qualifications. Application Process: Candidates should send a letter of interest, current CV, transcripts, names and con- tact information for three professional references, two church references, and a statement of faith to Robert D. Rives electronically at [email protected] (with the subject line “ACA Head of School Search”) or by mail at P.O. Box 2069, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Screening has begun and will continue until the position is filled. Evidence of involved membership in the churches of Christ is required.

Alabama Christian Academy is associated with the fellowship of the church of Christ and governed by religious tenets held by the institution. Primary consideration is given to applicants who are active, faithful members of a congregation of the church of Christ. Alabama Christian Academy complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws and does not engage in prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, color, national or ethnic origin, or disability in the administration of its employment practices. JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 21 FOUR LESSONS for members of Churches of Christ — black and white — outraged by George Floyd’s death. ‘We are not screaming when God is screaming’ BY CHERYL MANN BACON | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE

e lose connection with the heart of God, and we stop screaming at the stuff God screams at, and that’s a ‘Wproblem,” said Rigel J. Dawson, minister for the Family of Faith Church of Christ in Flint, Mich. “We are not screaming when God is screaming.” Amid national outrage over the killing of George Floyd, The Christian Chronicle convened an 80-minute panel via Zoom with five African American ministers and two Christian journalists — one black, one white — who have covered civil rights stories for more than 30 years. Bobby Ross Jr., the Chronicle’s editor-in-chief, PHOTO PROVIDED BY JONATHAN MORRISON gave the panelists ample time to talk between Jonathan Morrison of the Cedar Crest Church of Christ in Dallas speaks at a news conference demanding justice in George Floyd’s killing. questions. “I just wanted to listen,” he said. Dallas-area ministers flank Morrison. To the right of Morrison is Sammie Berry, minister and elder of the Dallas West Church of Christ. The panelists spoke from experience and just the people that were the law, but when I told them I have to have 2. The dynamics of power and from the heart, their answers focused on a few any white man had the authority to pull lessons and tell my boys what to do racism are inextricable — and themes: History. Power. Outrage. Leadership. over anyone black and question them,” when they get pulled over,” he said. systemic. Mitchell said. “You had to produce a John Edmerson was a youth Pointer believes racism and the 1. We don’t know our history. pass that showed what plantation you minister for the 137th and Avalon debris left in its path are systemic. For Jerry Mitchell, award-winning were from and where you were going.” Church of Christ in Los Angeles “It took years to build this journalist and author of “Race Russell Pointer Sr., senior minister in 1992 when riots began after the systemic machine, and it’s going Against Time,” which tells the story for the Minneapolis Central Church beating of Rodney King. Edmerson to take another systemic machine of four civil rights era cold cases that of Christ, is watching history play remembers when it began. to break, to dismantle the systemic ultimately led to convictions because out in his own city. “I was up in my office, and on system of racism,” he said. of Mitchell’s investigative reporting, “Now I don’t know what to tell my that day the first thing you started “It has to be dealt with, and I history both tells and teaches about boys. I don’t know what to tell my smelling was smoke,” said Edmerson, hate to say it, but some folks are race in America. church,” Pointer said. now senior minister going to die before it gets better. It “The thing that “I used to tell them, for the Church of can get better, but we have to start strikes me is we in ‘Put your hands on Christ at the Vineyard somewhere. Let this begin with America don’t know the steering wheel. in Phoenix. “I went me; let’s make a difference. I at our history, because Put your hands up.’ around the whole least want to know I tried to make a so many of these You still get shot. church. I was like, difference, even if it’s just one man.” things are echoes ‘Don’t say nothing.’ ‘Man, is the church Mitchell, founder of the Mississippi of the past,” said You still get shot. on fire?’ Nope, the Center for Investigative Reporting, Mitchell, a member “You talk. You still church wasn’t on fire, said the first thing required for MItchell Pointer Edmerson of the Skyway Hills get shot. You get out L.A. was on fire. justice is truth. “We need the truth, Church of Christ in Pearl, Miss. of the car. You still get shot. So I “There was such a visceral reaction, the full amount of truth.” He said Another recent case, involving don’t know what to tell my boys and and it touched people so deep. I think if he were reporting the story he’d Ahmad Arbery, who was jogging when my men. I say, ‘Look, try to live to in the first few days of the affair, we begin with Chauvin’s history of he was shot and killed in Brunswick, see another day. If they say it, do it. could have gotten on top of it if we mistreating people over time. Ga., on Feb. 23, reminded Mitchell Fight to see another day.’” were more action-oriented around “And the thing they ought to look of 19th Century slavery patrols. Fellow ministers who are white listening, empathy, allowing people at is how was this guy punished in “Basically, if you’re an African don’t share the same experience. to talk, to cry, and in those moments the past and at all? And if he wasn’t American and you’re walking, they “I was talking to some of my white steering the conversation about being punished, why not? And if he wasn’t would stop you, any white man. Not colleague preachers, and they laughed more constructive in ways to respond.” See SCREAMING, Page 22 22 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE DIALOGUE JULY 2020 SCREAMING: Can we ‘empower a community and still keep our theology sound?’ FROM PAGE 21 He’s angry. He thinks he knows all Chronicle. Representing the Post, “There might be some folks we punished, you can almost bet there that.’ If you say it, if a white man says Harris covered the graveside don’t agree with theologically or were others who weren’t punished, so it, I think it carries more weight.” service for Freddie Gray, whose politically and all of that, but at some therefore it’s a part of their culture.” Sammie Berry is senior minister 2015 death in police custody point you have to step out of your B. Chris Simpson, minister for the and an elder of Dallas West Church prompted rioting in Baltimore. comfort zone and take a stand for Holmes Road Church of Christ in of Christ, where Botham Jean was He led a prayer when no ministers what is right.” Memphis, Tenn., said the racism he a member before he was shot and were found among attendees. Edmerson and Simpson both said sees is not just between individuals. killed in September 2018 by off-duty “I had to stop being a journalist the black churches need to be a safe “It’s understandable for one Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, to do a memorial service at the place where black Christians can person to say, ‘I have friends of all who was later convicted of murder. cemetery,” said Harris, who wrote express their anger. ethnicities, and I personally am not Berry has been meeting with a 2016 Chronicle column about his “Burning up your neighborhood racist or prejudiced,’” Simpson said. Dallas-area white ministers to experience. He sees the preachers’ is not the way to go,” Edmerson “But when we say racist, when we discuss racial relations there. absence as symptomatic of a different said. “But I understand that, and I’m say prejudiced, we are talking about “I think it’s going to take white problem in black churches and mad, too. If I’m mad, let’s be mad a system. In this system, there is people, if I can say it that way, being among black ministers. together. How can we channel this one group vying for power, even if honest with themselves that we really “Unfortunately, in our own anger and this frustration into some it be subconsciously. When you get and truly have a problem,” Berry said. communities, we don’t see us (in) type of vehicle that has a greater power, and enough of it, power sort “We have to sit down and have those demonstrations for Freddie outcome than just a few items being of makes you drunk. some honest conversations in order Gray. Sometimes we still struggle as destroyed that will probably get “I think as the church, if we are to to deal with it.” But he said his white black ministers to not fellowship with repaired in a couple of weeks, and be serious about making these things colleagues get a lot of pushback people who are not in the Church of we’ll be right back to square one? right, we have to first check that when they raise racial issues from Christ,” Harris said. “Let’s sit down and figure out hunger for power,” Simpson added. the pulpit. “There’s a lot of work that “Look at Dr. King. Look at Freddie some strategies of how we can “We’re supposed to find the comfort needs to be done with people in the Gray. How do we deal with being take this unbridled anger and do and the self-esteem pews.” part of a coalition, something with it constructively.” and safety in Jesus, Dawson called it a and not also being Anger is appropriate, Simpson which actually gives deeply rooted spiritual yoked, and people said. “We should be angry because up power, especially problem for believers saying, ‘You’re going we should like what God likes and for the smaller, more of every race. with nonbelievers and hate what he hates.” at risk group.” “It goes back to gays and whatever?’ “But as the church, I think what Simpson said being connected to So what do we do to we need to do is give black people being equal requires the heart of God. empower a community a forum in the church to be angry. surrendering power. That’s where a lot of and still keep our Over 40 percent of songs are called Simpson Berry Harris “You cannot our disconnect comes. theology sound and lament songs, which are designed simultaneously be equal to the That’s why we don’t see the needed, not get kicked out by the elders?” to be angry, to be upset and to lay person and maintain your same the very, very necessary outrage,” Berry sees it, too. it bare before the Lord. We are not amount of power,” he said. “You have he said. “Again, it doesn’t have to be The Dallas minister tells good at that in our church. to search yourselves, especially my out of control, but from our white congregants, “There are Baptists. “I think what our black church white brothers and sisters have to brethren, we need that outrage. We There are Methodists. There are needs to do is open up forums and search themselves to make certain need you all to be just as upset as we Episcopalians. There are Catholics. teach where we can be angry, we that they’re willing to do that.” are.” Those are the people in the can be scared.” He recalled the Old Testament community. This is not just a Church He said black Christians need to help 3. White people need to be prophet Amos. “He literally shows us of Christ problem, and we cannot white Christians learn about racism. outraged. that the heart of God screams. In the solve it only in the Church of Christ.” “It takes a certain amount of Pointer said addressing systemic very first chapter, he says the Lord Dawson believes bravery to be this humble, this racism must begin with white roars from Zion. That’s a powerful reluctance to get scared, this put out. My son is a black Christians. image of God’s heart and his outrage involved in activism boy. I am a 33-year-old black man. My “At first, they wanted to just put and his reaction to the cruelty and and protest affects brother is black,” the minister added. (the police officer) on administrative injustice and oppression that the the white church and “So it’s hard to be that angry and then leave. But because of the outrage book of Amos goes on to detail. the black church. turn right around to be humble to of so many white people in this “I think as Christians, as members “We’ve cultured teach, to not fly off the handle and to city who saw that dude and have and as leaders, we become at ease ourselves to think, not burn the neighborhood. some morals, some character about in Zion.” ‘Well, that’s not really Dawson “So it’s the church that should themselves, they had to react.” a spiritual thing.’ counsel us, that should love us and “Because the white man, if I can 4. The black church must lead. But it is because it goes right to the teach us that God is big enough say that, is outraged now. They Hamil R. Harris reported for the heart of God.” to handle your anger because he’s couldn’t even believe they saw that,” Washington Post for 25 years. He Dawson said some church angry, too.” Pointer said of the video footage. “If is a minister for the Glenarden members resist getting involved I saw it, they’d say, ‘Oh, that’s just Church of Christ in Maryland and because they don’t know who is SEE A VIDEO of this Dialogue and an expanded story Pointer. Oh, he’s black. He’s mad. a correspondent for The Christian organizing. at christianchronicle.org/georgefloyd. JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 23 The Christian Chronicle Crossword BIBLE BOWLING By Myles Mellor | www.ilovecrosswords.com Kingly kindness ACROSS Questions from 2 Samuel 9: 1. Holy messenger. 1. Who was a servant in Saul’s 3. Abstain from food. household? A. Zadok, B. Ziba, 5. “Man of God, there is death in C. Anmasa, D. Rogel. the ___!” (2 Kings 4:40) 2. What was the name of 8. Divine manifestation. Jonathan’s son? A. Micah, B. 11. “Immediately something like Paltiel, C. Ish-bosheth, ____ fell from Saul’s eyes.” (Acts D. Mephibosheth. 9:18-21) 3. Where was this son staying? 12. Final month, abbr. A. House of Makir, son of 14. “You shall not _____.” (Exodus Ammiel, B. House of Obed-Edom, 20:15) C. With Joeb, son of Zeruiah, 15. “You shall ___ the Lord your D. With Howard, son of Johnson. God, and him only you shall 4. What did David give this serve.” (Matthew 4:10) son? A. Gold and silver, B. The 16. Shy. land that had been Saul’s C. 100 19. A before a vowel. horses, D. 1,000 camels and bulls. 20. Third book of the OT. 5. What did this son call 22. Arts degree. himself as he paid homage to 25. Eventual name of 11 across. David? A. A mighty man, B. A 26. Obtain. servant of Saul, C. A worthless 27. False gods. flea, D. A dead dog. 29. Basketball org. 6. David told this son that he 30. “These are men who split was to always ______. A. Live communities, for they are led by in Lo Debar, B. Work the land of human ____s and never by the his father, C. Eat at his table, Spirit of God.” (Jude 17-19) D. Oversee his palace. 31. Used for mortar in the Tower 7. What was the name of this of Babel. son’s son? A. Michal, B.Makir, 33. Large pot. C. Mica, D. Ish-bosheth. 34. Former. DOWN 10. Tree used to make bows. 35. “Get up, pick up your ___ and 13. Two letters written by Paul. CROSSWORD SOLUTION and Bible Bowling go home.” (Matthew 9:3-8) 1. Prayer ending. 14. Jesus is the ___ of God. answers on Page 34. Questions by Cindy 37. “Blessed are the meek, for they 2. “... and can reassure ourselves 16. Joseph’s occupation. Smethers. To sponsor this page, contact shall ______the earth.” in the sight of God, even if our 17. “Thy _____ come ...” [email protected]. (Matthew 5:5) hearts make us feel ___.” 18 “Then give to ___,” he replied 39. “Then the devil left him alone, (1 John 3:19-20). “what belongs to ___ and to and the angels came to him and 3. “Search and you will _____” God what belongs to God.” 33. __ of the Chaldees, where took ____of him” (Matthew 4:11) (Matthew 7:7). (Matthew 22:21) Abraham was born. 41. “He must not be __-tempered or 4. Street, abbr. 21. Wedding. 35. Nocturnal flier. over-fond of wine ...” (Titus 5. Preacher’s podium. 23. He betrayed Jesus. 36. ___ gratias. 1:5-9) 6. The Pharisees tried to ___ 24. Repentant. 38. Lady sheep. 42. Have as a possession. Jesus with trick questions. 28. He denied Jesus. 39. Word before operate and 43. “Have done then, with all evil 7. New Testament book. 32. “Go to the ___, O sluggard ...” conspirator. and ____ ...” 1 Peter 2:1 9. Blissful place. (Proverbs 6:6) 40. ___ Sinai, abbr.

The 40-year-old AMEN Ministry connects Christians in the United States Military with local churches of Christ both overseas and in the U.S. Please send name, email, and other contact info to: AMEN Ministry [email protected] (860) 372-7051 P.O. Box 353, Hebron, CT 06248 24 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE PARTNERS JULY 2020 Petition to rename Harding auditorium gains support AFTER GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH, an alumnus calls the chapel venue’s namesake ‘a vocal racist and supporter of segregation.’ A name change to honor slain graduate Botham Jean is proposed.

BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE DEVOTED CHRISTIAN VS. VOCAL RACIST? Gospel Advocate described Benson fter the videoed killing of this way in a January 1992 obituary: George Floyd, Jackson “He was known for his devotion to House couldn’t stay silent Christian education, particularly in the any longer. development of Harding University, The 2014 graduate of Oklahoma Christian University and Harding University in Searcy, Ark., George Benson Junior College in first learned during his student days Zambia. He also worked to promote of claims of racism against the late Namwianga Christian School in George S. Benson, whose name Zambia. He was an elder at the College adorns the Christian university’s Church of Christ and president emeri- main auditorium tus of Harding. He was a member of But after Floyd’s the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.” death, House, a But House’s petition paints a far 28-year-old white less flattering portrait of Benson, Christian, took action. characterizing him as “a vocal racist He launched a peti- VIDEO SCREENSHOT and supporter of segregation.” tion on change.org Botham Jean leads singing in Benson Auditorium at Harding University in Searcy, “In particular, he fought to keep calling for Harding, Ark. Jean, 26, was shot to death in his Dallas apartment on Sept. 6, 2018. the Harding community segregated,” which is associated the petition states. “Honoring his House with Churches of a charity formed in her brother’s including considering the request to legacy by keeping his name on the Christ, to remove Benson’s name memory. “I deeply hope this petition rename the auditorium. George S. Benson Auditorium is from the building where students goes a long way and materializes into “We want to do our part to end rac- implicitly honoring his legacy of rac- gather for daily chapel. the Botham Jean Auditorium.” ism,” Harding’s statement said. “We ism and segregation.” “What really motivated me to do On social media, though, the peti- will strive to better reinforce our posi- Barclay Key is an associate pro- this now is just the overwhelming tion has stirred heated debate. tion on racism year-round through fessor of history at the University silence of many white Churches of Benson “has been gone almost 30 words and actions. We will continue of Arkansas at Little Rock and Christ in response to the killing of years,” Bobby Wright, a 1997 Harding to listen and learn from conversa- author of the new book “Race and George Floyd,” said House, refer- graduate, wrote on Facebook. “Young tions and dialogue from our Harding Restoration: Churches of Christ and ring to the black man whose May 25 people have no clue who he was. community on social media while we the Black Freedom Struggle.” death in Minneapolis police custody One person can bring up something continue to prayerfully work toward Key referenced Benson in his 2007 sparked national outrage and pro- he said during a small window of his change. We believe and affirm that doctoral dissertation at the University tests against racial injustice. life and have 10,000 people wonder- black lives matter, because they do.” of Florida, writing that the longtime By press time, nearly 18,000 sig- ing why Harding would honor such Minority students comprise about Harding president “maintained that natories had endorsed House’s pro- scum. Of course this is untrue. He 15 percent of Harding’s total enroll- segregation was providential, a natural posal to rename Benson Auditorium was definitely worthy of the honor ment of 4,900. order of creation.” in honor of Botham Jean. The 2016 bestowed to him.” Namon Pope, secretary and public “In lectures to students, he would Harding graduate, who was black, Wright lamented that the petition relations officer of the Black Student observe that the was shot to death in his Dallas “demonizes” a man credited with rais- Association, said he came across the ‘redbirds, the blue- apartment by a white police officer ing money that kept Harding alive. petition through social media, like birds, the blackbirds, on Sept. 6, 2018. Harding President “Without him, Harding would most everyone else who has signed it. they don’t mix and Bruce McLarty knew Jean well probably not be here today,” Wright “Harding is a good university, but mingle together, and delivered the closing prayer at said. “This is why his name is on the like all of us, it’s made mistakes. young people!’” Key the beloved Dallas West Church of auditorium.” Being able to confront those mis- reported. “In addition, Christ member’s funeral. takes and own up to them is an he believed that black Jean’s sister, Allisa Charles-Findley, important part of the process to people were under the BLACK STUDENT GROUP SUPPORTS CHANGE Benson told The Christian Chronicle she In a Zoom meeting with Harding move forward and become better,” biblical curse of Ham.” hopes the petition drive succeeds. leaders organized after Floyd’s said Pope, a senior whose home Key also wrote: “Benson’s global “I think it is fitting that Botham death, the university’s Black congregation is the Hartsville Pike humanitarian and evangelistic inter- is remembered with such a symbol Student Association voiced support Church of Christ in Gallatin, Tenn. ests also suggest that he did not har- since Harding University played a for the petition. “It’s hard for black students to bor racial animosities. Indeed, Benson part in the outstanding person he Harding posted on Facebook that attend chapel every morning in an provides an example of how theology was,” said Charles-Findley, president it’s “working on ways to address the auditorium named after a man who continued to inform the positions of of the Botham Jean Foundation, feedback, suggestions and actions,” didn’t even want us there.” some people whose racism and faith JULY 2020 PARTNERS THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 25 in God had become so entwined that renamed its auditorium after some maintenance of a segregated society students, faculty members and was equated with seeking God’s will.” alumni raised questions about Benson served as president of whether the former namesake, N.B. WE ARE HIRING Harding, about 50 miles northeast of Hardeman, was a racist — a charge BEREAN CHILDREN’S HOME Little Rock, from 1936 to 1965. denied by his great-grandson. (Bogue Chitto, Miss.) Kevin Redd, who is black and a “In matters of racial diversity, 2004 Harding graduate, noted that inclusion and equity, OC must do HOUSE PARENTS NEEDED someone proposed renaming the cha- better,” deSteiguer, who attended a pel venue as Benson-Jean Auditorium. recent Black Lives Matter rally in CONTACT: ANDREW REDD “It would be symbolic of progress, Oklahoma City, said in his email. embracing change and embracing “Must be better. And we will.” [email protected] redemption,” said Redd, one of the But Andy Hutchison, a 1993 (601) 823-5776 preachers for the Millington Church Oklahoma Christian graduate and www.bereanhome.org of Christ in Tennessee. father of a nursing student at the “Apparently, Dr. Benson, at some university, voiced frustration with point, recognized the his alma mater’s actions. wrong in his belief “Guys, this attempt at rewriting and repented, so it’s history today to make people feel not really for us to better about something that hap- throw stones,” the pened before they were born is minister said. “At the getting old,” Hutchison, a member same time, we want of the Green Lawn Church of Christ to be mindful of our in Lubbock, Texas, said in a friendly We’re changing lives. Be part of the story. black alumni, the Redd Twitter discussion. “We need to challenges they had educate about the past to not repeat (even at Harding) and their contri- it. But you can NEVER fix history. The LCU School of Business seeks to fill the following positions butions to our community.” Recognize it, learn, move on.” with educators who will contribute to the mission of preparing students for their calling as Christ-centered business professionals, NAME REMOVED AT OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN ORGANIZER WANTS TO ‘SHINE A LIGHT’ fully equipped for lives of Christian service and leadership. All The Oklahoma native had ties, too, House, who started the Harding qualified applicants must be professing Christians, be active and to Oklahoma Christian University, petition, earned his Master of Divinity faithful members of a congregation of the Churches of Christ, where Benson held the chancellor degree from Harding School of and be willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of title from 1957 to 1967. Theology in Memphis, Tenn., in Lubbock Christian University. That university, also associated with 2018. He then served two years as a Interested applicants contact C. Tracy Mack Dean, School of Churches of Christ, recently removed Christian volunteer in Athens, Greece, Business [email protected] • 806-720-7380 Benson’s name from its administra- working with Muslim refugees. tion building after a half-century. Risa As a Harding undergraduate, Assistant Professor of Accounting Forrester, Oklahoma Christian’s chief House wrote his senior seminar Seeking a highly qualified educator/scholar to invest in our communications officer, declined to paper on the 1955 lynching of excellent undergraduate accounting major and new MAcc comment on the Harding petition or Emmett Till, a black teen murdered program. The successful candidate will have the capability say whether it influenced the timing after allegedly flirting with a white and desire to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses of her university’s decision. woman. Later, while attending theol- in accounting. An earned doctorate in accounting or closely “Removing the Benson name was ogy school and worshiping with the related field is required. Persons with a master’s degree who proactive on the part of leadership Holmes Road Church of Christ in are committed to pursuing a doctorate in accounting may be as the next right step in the work Memphis, he further developed his considered. A current CPA license in good standing is required. we’ve been doing over the last sev- interest in civil rights and justice. Excellent communication skills are expected. eral years to make sure our campus House said he loves Harding and Instructor of Accounting reflects our values,” Oklahoma has no desire to create a public rela- Seeking a highly qualified educator/scholar to teach in our Christian President John deSteiguer tions problem for it. undergraduate accounting program. A master’s degree in said in an email to the university But after what happened to Floyd, accounting and a current CPA license in good standing are staff. “This is the right thing for OC.” House decided he had to speak up. required. Candidates who are currently pursuing a doctorate DeSteiguer noted that Benson “George Benson is one of the are preferred. Excellent communication skills are expected. Hall “was the site of a dark moment most centrally honored figures at Applicants must be committed to undergraduate education in OC’s history, when 18 students Harding today because of the Benson and show promise of becoming an exceptional teacher who courageously took a stand for Auditorium,” House said. “The heart- values mentoring and advising students. equal rights and were subsequently beat of campus, in a lot of ways, is arrested and expelled.” chapel. And that takes place every day For a full list of duties, qualifications and application components: Fifty years after the arrests, in Benson Auditorium. LCU.edu/OpenPositions Oklahoma Christian invited those “And he was a man who promoted students back to campus last year segregation and institutionalized rac- Lubbock Christian University is an equal opportunity employer. and apologized. The apology came ism,” the petition organizer added. “So weeks after Oklahoma Christian I just want to shine a light on that.”

LCUAccountingFacultyOpenings.indd 1 6/3/20 4:29 PM 26 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE PEOPLE JULY 2020

Milestones Showcasing the moments of your life and the lives of loved ones. (starting at $25)

Birthday wife of 70 years, passed in 2016. Dee University as well as the University of also survived by eleven grandchildren: and Audra held numerous Bible studies Wisconsin. Krister White, Kourtney Hennen, Dee Martin resulting in many baptisms. They ex- Joe Lloyd White and she were mar- Stresa Callaway, Trieste Christenson, tended hospitality to missionaries, min- ried on May 29, 1945, and celebrated Bjorn White, Justin Letourneau, Josh 100 years isters, and families. Dee’s deep concern their 60th wedding anniversary before Letourneau, Blake Albritton, Chel- has been to keep the church pure and his death in 2005. Together they raised sea Wagoner, Ryan Neilan, Andrew Dee Martin’s oldest grandson wrote, free from error and to serve the Lord. five children, experienced living in five Neilan; and twenty-two great-grand- “This warrior who served in World Their greatest blessing is that all their other countries, traveled inter- children. She is survived War II in the Coast Guard, survived children, grands and great-grandchildren nationally, and were active in by one sister, Darmel (Jim) the Great Depression, outlasted the are faithful Christians in the Church of mission work throughout the Barker, Garfield, Ark.; and Soviet Union, saw 17 presidents and Christ. Dee is a member of the Preston- world. four half-brothers and sis- counting, turns 100 on June 5.” Dee crest Church of Christ in Dallas. Wanita devoted her life to ters: Mylene Sayers, Loyal Martin, who was born in 1920 to Dee, thank you for your wisdom and Christian education, mis- (Marge) Robertson, Arleta John and Elana the years of service to our Lord and his sion work, and writing. She Moorman, and Miles (Becin- Martin, grew up church. You taught us about God and developed a self-paced, da) Robertson. There will on a farm in Tip- led us to be baptized. You are the best programmed study of the be a private burial service at ton, Okla., with example of a Christian husband, dad, Bible, which has been used Tippecanoe Memory Gardens, brother Perry and elder, Bible teacher, and friend. by Christians of all ages. West Lafayette, Ind., with a sister June. After I Thessalonians 1:4. “God not only She taught thousands of international memorial service to be announced at a attending Okla- loves you very much but also put His Bible correspondence course students later date. Memorials may be directed homa University, hand on you for something special.” through the World Bible School organi- to: World Bible School, Inc., P.O. he enlisted in the Happy 100th Birthday, Dee! zation, contributed articles to Christian Box 2169, Cedar Park, Texas 78630, U.S. Coast Guard periodicals, and taught Bible classes in memory of Wanita White; or to in 1942 and Anniversary for women and children. She shared Purdue Foundation, Dr. Joe L. White served on the destroyer-escort USS her faith by word, example, and in- Memorial Graduate Scholarship in Lowe which survived near-misses by 72nd: J.C. and Dorothy Newland, volvement for more than 70 years. She Agronomy Endowment, 403 West Geman U-boats. May 29, Fort Worth, Texas. Happy was a longtime active member of the Wood St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Dee married Audra Dunn, his high Anniversary, J.C. and Dorothy! Elmwood Avenue Church of Christ in The family would like to express school sweetheart, in 1945 in the home Lafayette, Ind. For many years, Wanita, our heartfelt gratitude for special of Burton Coffman in Houston. In Memorials along with her husband, Joe, taught friends Iris Masterson and Patty 1951 they moved to Plainview, Texas, classes and provided outreach services Wenning, whose love and care made to farm with his dad. Dee was an elder to those in the hospital, families in it possible for Mom to stay in West in the 9th & Columbia Church of Wanita White need, and widows. Lafayette, as she wished, for the past Christ for 44 years. He was chairman 1922 – 2020 As a mother, she was an example fifteen years. We have been blessed by of Farm Credit Banks of Texas, and of a lifelong learner and an adven- their devotion. We also extend special he presided over many other agricul- Wanita Irene White, age 98, died on turesome traveler. She showed us the thanks to the staff at Cumberland tural and church organizations. Dee May 10, 2020, at Cumberland Pointe importance of hospitality and service Pointe Health Campus and Franciscan also helped start the Sunset School of Health Campus in West Lafayette, to others and shared her love of games Hospice Care for their excellent care- Preaching in Lubbock in 1962. Ind. She was born in Oilton, Okla., the with a competitive spirit. giving, compassion, and support. In 2004 he and Audra moved to daughter of Miles and Bessie (Jewett) Wanita is survived by two sons: Plano, Texas, to be nearer children, Robertson. She grew up in a unique Lerrill (Debby), Benbrook, Texas; With Appreciation Lana (Jeff) and Joe Don (Janet); grand- Standard Oil field community called and Bren (Cheryl), New Market, children, Don (Jolie), David (Jolyn), Carter Nine. She received both her Md.; three daughters: Darla Letour- The Christian Chronicle appreci- Jacob (Christal), Jennie (RobRoy); and B.S. and M.S. degrees in mathemat- neau, Sanibel, Fla.; Ronna (Walter) ates and acknowledges generous gifts five great-grandchildren, William, Luke, ics at Oklahoma State University. Griffiths, McKinney, Texas; and Janeil received in memory of Marlin Con- Joshua, Audrey, and Caleb. Audra, his She taught math at Oklahoma State (Steve) Lester, Allen, Texas. She is nelly, Gary Cox, and Jimmy Davy.

Plague Worship @ Home Radio & Net Seminar About 19.7 million children live without a father in the home. “I believe that even one child growing up 770 AM Radio (DFW & North Texas) 1300 AM (Nashville, TN) 11:30 & 4 pm without their father is one child too many.” Not addressing fatherlessness can have devastating effects 11 am-noon & 10 pm 1360 AM (Nashville, TN) Noon & 6:30 pm on the family, church and society. Empowering the Fatherless is a 2-day seminar that deals with the struggles and needs of the fatherless. For more details, please contact: 1340 AM (Abilene, TX) Noon-1 pm 1600 AM (Memphis, TN) 4 pm Tyrone Harris, (469) 408-8518 Anytime @ [email protected] www.mainstreet-churchofchrist.com Godlyfathersministry.com JULY 2020 PEOPLE THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 27

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Pulpit Minister Search - Las Vegas, Nev. Mount Dora Christian Academy The Bright Angel Church of Christ is in need of a pulpit minister due to the retirement of our current preacher. The church has five elders and five deacons and an attendance of about 220 on Sunday morning. We are and Children’s Home is hiring! located in the northwest part of the city about 20 miles from the Las Vegas strip. The ideal candidate will be an experienced preacher and teacher of God’s Word. He should be able to present Immediate openings for: and defend biblical Christianity and know how to interpret Scripture. Experience and training in counseling will be helpful. If you would like to apply for this position, email an electronic copy of all relevant information about yourself to: [email protected] with a subject heading of “Attention Elders.” Information • Elementary School Principal should include: a link to a sermon archive where you currently preach and a file containing a work history, education, • Elementary School Teacher (various levels) and references. Also include a list of any published articles and books. Electronic copies of any written material • Secondary Science/Biology Teacher would be helpful. Bright Angel Church of Christ • Secondary Art Teacher 8570 W Bright Angel Way, Las Vegas, NV 89149 • Development/Church Relations Director brightangelchurch.org (coaching opportunities are available with all teaching positions) Benefits Include: Salary, Retirement Plan, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and School Tuition. About the Organization: Mount Dora Christian Academy and Children’s Home has been serv- ing children and families since 1945 and is affiliated with the churches of Christ. Our beautiful 70-acre campus is in the heart of Central Florida. We invite qualified candidates to come join our successful ministry and help change young lives and give them hope for the future. Send a Resume and letter of interest to: STAFF POSITION AVAILABLE Tim Deem Vice President for Development All candidates must be active members of the church of Christ [email protected] and committed to Christian education. (352) 729-9015 OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING. 301 West 13th Avenue, Mount Dora, Florida 32757 Seeking a full-time director of communications. Reporting directly to the Vice President for University Communications and Enrollment, the director of communications develops and guides the internal and external communications strategy for Harding University. The role Seeking Full-Time Minister - Cortez, Colorado oversees team members in digital media and news services, which encompasses all social media channels, the University website, mobile The Cortez church of Christ is located in the beautiful Four Corners area of app, videography, and external news media, in order to ensure messag- Colorado. We are a loving congregation of 80+ members who want to grow. es and content in digital channels and media communication consis- We are involved in community service, mission work, Leadership Training for tently articulate the University’s mission and brand. The Director of Communications works in collaboration with all University offices and Christ, and a local youth camp. We provide a competitve salary and a nice, departments to help shape and execute their communications initia- four-bedroom home. tives. Qualifications: bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications or related field, five or more years experience manag- ing communications efforts in digital media and/or media relations for a brand or organization. To apply, visit harding.edu/jobs.

Full-Time Children’s Minister The Walnut Church of Christ in Texarkana, Texas, is seeking to hire a full-time Children’s Minis- ter. This person will work with our elders, staff, and families to direct our children’s program and provide ministry to our children from birth through the 6th grade. We are seeking both male and female applicants who have a heart for working with young children and a desire to help nurture and develop their faith. If interested, please email a resume and cover letter to: If interested, send a detailed resume including references and information [email protected] or mail to this address: about yourself and your family to: [email protected]. Children’s Ministry Search Committee Walnut Church of Christ The Cortez area is home to scenic mountains, deserts, mesas, rivers, lakes, 2720 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 75503 farmland and Mesa Verde National Park. Locals enjoy skiing, hiking, fishing, walnutchurchofchrist.org hunting, camping, boating, mountain biking and golfing. JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 29 Camp is canceled, but 2020 isn’t EDITORIAL “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ... a time to Racism is a sin scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, New International Version e all have a shared history imbued with hen I was in second or third grade, I “What if 2020 isn’t canceled?” wrote Leslie division, tarnished by separation and attended Iron Springs Christian Camp Dwight, a 23-year old aspiring writer, in a bloodshed based on the premise of in Whitney, Texas. now-viral Instagram post. “What if 2020 is the racial superiority. That heritage has been I missed my mom so much, year we’ve been waiting for? A year so Wpassed down from generation to generation, and WI made myself sick. My parents came to In the Word uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so the day of reckoning has arrived. pick me up early, and as soon as I got raw that it finally forces us to grow.” We must understand that it is wrong to separate home, I was miraculously better. Maybe this pause — in the middle people into categories and see the “others” with Despite my separation anxiety, my of our busy lives — is exactly what we suspicion. We cannot call ourselves followers of mom sent me back the next year and need. Maybe it’s time to stop waiting Christ even as we attribute negative character- the next year and the next. for summer camp to refuel and refresh istics to a group of people whom we perceive as When I turned 13, she sent me to us for another year. Maybe it’s time to different. This is sin. There is no excuse for it. Sooner Youth Camp in Ardmore, Okla. I do some growing on our own: So then, what can we do? How might we begin camped there every year until I was 19. • Instead of family-style meals with to confront, address and reform systemic racism And at 21, I came back as a counselor Laura Akins friends, let’s reintroduce family-style when by definition it appears insurmountable? and fell in love with Travis, a fellow staff meals at home. The answers must come from every place bias is person who is now my husband. Here I am 24 • Instead of midnight devotionals with people found, but change and healing are possible when years and four kids later, still camping at SYC. we just met, let’s engage in Bible study with we invest time in self-reflection, in reading our Thanks for sending me to camp, Mom! family members. Bibles and in talking with God through prayer, Because of her desire for me to grow in • Instead of team sports, let’s get off Netflix seeking his will and asking for forgiveness. Christ (or her desire to have a week to herself), and play with our kids. Instead of living for one Dialogue with our physical and spiritual families I have many special camp memories. I made week of fun, let’s spend our summer growing is an important step. We must renew connections lifelong friends at camp, had my first kiss as a relationships with those closest to us. and initiate conversations with those of different teenager at camp, told my husband I was preg- “2020 isn’t cancelled,” Dwight concluded. It is, races and backgrounds. nant with our first child at camp and fell deeper rather, “the most important year of them all.” We also must rethink what “fairness” means in in love with Jesus at camp. Sure, I’ll miss everything about church camp all aspects of life. Everyone should enjoy the same To say Christian camping is a huge part of my (and I’ll be one of the first in the camp gates access to all components of society, from education year would be an understatement. But due to next year), but I’m not going to waste this time to medical care and hiring practices and so much the pandemic, I and thousands of others may not at home. Besides, my husband would pass out more. Any policy or practice that is racially exclusive have these camp experiences this summer. if I made another pregnancy announcement or alienates others must be confronted and changed. Don’t get me wrong, I believe COVID-19 is real this summer. Much more will be said on this subject in coming and scary, and many are suffering and dying from editions. For the moment, however, consider how it. Staying home as a safety precaution is not the LAURA AKINS is Reviews Editor for The Christian Chronicle. She you will respond to the voices of so many calling out worst that could happen to me or to you. is youth ministry director for the Heritage Church of Christ in for justice and healing. Take advantage of the oppor- But what if it’s the best that could happen to Edmond, Okla., where her husband, Travis, serves as minister. tunity to help create lasting change for good and to us? Contact [email protected]. share the love and message of Jesus Christ.

Digital News Editor: Chellie Ison [email protected] Christian Chronicle or [email protected] The Christian Chronicle® encourages feedback Oklahoma Christian Advertising Manager: Tonya Patton that promotes thoughtful and respectful discussion. University. Our mission: Inform, inspire, unite [email protected] Letters and comments should not exceed 300 words if The Christian Reviews Editor: Laura Akins possible and may be edited for length and clarity. Chronicle® is A subsidiary of Oklahoma Christian University [email protected] Comments to the print or online editions are published monthly Lead Administrative Assistant: Lynda Sheehan considered to be letters to the editor and may be and is served by christianchronicle.org [email protected] published. Please include name, city and state of a national Board Administrative Assistant: Melinda Wilson residence, as well as home congregation. of Trustees that is Phone: (405) 425-5070; Fax (405) 425-5076 [email protected] charged with the Mail: P.O. Box 11000, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-1100 Administrative Assistant: Joy McMillon The Christian Chronicle® is not a teaching or doctrinal responsibility for Delivery: 2501 E. Memorial Road, Edmond, OK 73013 [email protected] publication but a newspaper with news and opinion policy and governance. All trustees, editors and staff Staff Accountant: Louise Beyer content in sections clearly labeled. Signed columns and are active members of Churches of Christ. facebook.com/ChristianChronicle President Emeritus: Lynn McMillon reviews reflect the opinions of the authors. twitter.com/CofCnews Correspondents: Cheryl Mann Bacon, Advertising contains commercial messages from TRUSTEES: Hamil R. Harris those who purchase the advertising space. Deon Fair, chairman • Ed Biggers • Alfred Branch President and CEO: Erik Tryggestad News coverage, opinion columns, reviews, letters Dwain Chaffin • Monte Cox • John deSteiguer [email protected] TO SUBSCRIBE: See www.christianchronicle.org, to the editor and advertising do not necessarily Erin Engelke • Scott Laird • James Moore • Robert Editor-in-Chief: Bobby Ross Jr. email [email protected] represent the views of or constitute endorsement Oglesby Sr. • Mike O’Neal • Barry Packer • Brian [email protected] or call (405) 425-5070. by the editors, the staff, the Board of Trustees of The Simmons • Harold Redd • Milton Sewell • Gary Tabor 30 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE OPINION JULY 2020 An army of Good Samaritans IN THE MIDST OF UNREST, we need to choose to love our neighbor.

PHOENIX People are upset, angry, frustrated, bitterly ne by one they passed him by. He had been exhausted and tired of the injustice. beaten and battered. He needed help. A Martin Luther King Jr. said, “A riot is the language priest and a Levite crossed the street to of the unheard.” I understand King’s position, but I PHOTO PROVIDED BY ASHLEY MONEET WILLIAMS avoid the man. But when the Samaritan saw believe there has to be a better way. Ashley Moneet Williams stands on the steps of the Ohim hurting, he came to his side. He cared. First, I would say that we must stop Cape Coast Castle in the African nation of Ghana. It’s the story Jesus tells in Luke 10 when Views denying the obvious. The truth is, in our he asked, “Who is my neighbor?” society, we see excessive and unwar- Jesus uses the Good Samaritan parable ranted violence against black men. Say it I am allowed to demonstrate the way he expects us to with me: We have a problem. respond to the pain and trauma of others. Until we admit this crisis, deliverance The power of this parable is seen in the and healing cannot begin. to be angry, but ... fact that the Samaritan was able to reach Second, we must work toward strip- across ethnic lines, despite his lifetime of ping and cleansing ourselves of thinking remember this exact photo. My emotions being mistreated. He responded to this violence is the best way to respond to what are almost palpable as I stare at this photo man’s misfortune with generosity, care and John Edmerson we perceive as defiance or a lack of compli- again. The immense grief that was within benevolence. He was empathetic. He was ance. We must seek more peaceful and me as I stood on these steps could not be genuine. He chose to love his neighbor. safer remedies. Iput into words. In our current climate of civil and moral unrest, Third, we need to rethink the concept of our Cape Coast Castle was built Voices this attitude is what we need. being “policed.” I believe that most of our men and on by European traders. It was Ashley Moneet The recent, horrific murders of Ahmaud Arbery women in blue are good people. A national best one of the largest commercial Williams and George Floyd have gripped the nation. practices search reveals that in many parts of our forts for the trans-Atlantic slave As a black man, I identify with these slain men. country, police brutality is rare. However, a minority trade. It was used to hold Africans who were In the eyes of many, I am no different than they percentage of our police force is problematic. captured from their homelands and then are. When I look at their photos, I can’t help but We need to scrap our present model and call made slaves. They were loaded onto ships, think this could have been me. It could have been out the officers who embody poor professional completely naked, beaten, cuffed in chains, one of my sons, my father, my brothers or any behavior. and then sold in the Americas. other black man in my life. This reality frightens Finally, we must look at these victims as though The deep historical and far-existing pain and enrages me. they are our own children. We cannot for my ancestors flowed through every vein Without rightful authority, a segment ‘Martin Luther King let them die in vain. Shed a tear. Host of my body. Immense anger, confusion, of our population presupposes the a vigil. Send a card. Go to a protest. despair, and anguish plagued my heart this protection of their community and their Jr. said, “A riot is Reach out to your local officials and day. I didn’t crack one smile. I couldn’t. way of life at the expense of the lives the language of police departments, and ask them When I witnessed the murder of George of black men (and black women, like what you can do to protect our Floyd, I remember feeling just like I felt Breonna Taylor). Amy Cooper used the unheard.” I children from future violence. Show when I first stepped foot on the grounds of her cell phone to call in a fake personal understand King’s kindness. Cape Coast Castle. attack against Christian Cooper, a black position, but I Let’s not be like the society around I was angry, confused and numbed by such man. She showed brazen disregard for us and pick and choose when we want a sinful act. I was so angry I couldn’t speak. his life. Two Georgia men, Gregory believe there has to to behave like Jesus. Perhaps the But in the midst of my anger I was met and Travis McMichael, took the life be a better way.’ greatest crime we as Christians have with God’s truth and his love. His truth broke of Mr. Arbery for jogging while black. committed is that we’ve acted like through my heart, like the sunrise bursting They teamed up on him and shot him the other men in the Good Samaritan through the seams of a new day. Then my twice in the chest. Acting as his judge and jury, they story. Don’t be the priest or the Levite. Don’t pass tears broke through my eyes and ran down declared him guilty and put him to death, yet he by on the other side of the street. Don’t glance my cheeks like waterfalls. The truth was this: was convicted of no crime. Officer Derek Chauvin at the suffering and silently move away. Don’t I am allowed to be angry, but ... planted his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck, cutting off his hide behind your own privilege or your own safe “Be angry and sin not, let not the sun go oxygen and ultimately killing him. This is where we havens. That will only intensify the injury. down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). My are as a society. We need help. We need it badly. Instead, be the Good Samaritan. See the hurt anger should not be fleshly, carnal, or sinful Arbery and Floyd were killed based on accu- your “neighbor” is experiencing, and help find a in nature. Unrighteous anger justifies sinful sations of misdemeanor offenses — theft and way to heal it. Pledge to be united as one voice behavior. Unrighteous anger produces bitter- forgery. Let that sink in. They are dead due to and in one hope. Let’s become an army of Good ness and leads to a heart that seeks revenge. matters that would more than likely have been Samaritans. addressed through minor jail time, a fine or proba- ASHLEY MONEET WILLIAMS is a registered nurse and a tion. This has grown to be a common problem, and JOHN EDMERSON is an elder and the senior minister for the Church member of the Kleinwood Church of Christ in Spring, Texas. it is one of the many reasons that Minneapolis is of Christ at the Vineyard in Phoenix, Ariz. He is also a well-known song Read the full version of this piece at f3ashley.com. exploding with protests and riots. writer among Churches of Christ. JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 31

Evangelist Needed - Kingman, Ariz. Now Over 90,000 BAPTISMS CALENDAR The Desert Church of Christ is looking for an evangelistic minister who preaches, teaches, Marital Problems? “Thanks to good *** In light of the COVID-19 and follows truth from God's Word. We are a Difficult Members? folks like YOU using pandemic, please check with these congregation of 60 - 70 members, without an Michael Shank’s organizers before confirming your eldership, with a desire to grow. The successful BEST SELLING plans to attend. *** candidate will be a "jack of all trades." Please Try Solution-Focused BOOK, Muscle and send resume and salary requirements to: Virtual Coaching a Shovel.” July 17-24 Disciple Trips. Sunset Desert Church of Christ -G. E. Davis International Bible Institute. See Attn: Search Committee discipletrips.com. PO Box 3673, Kingman, AZ 86402 For appointments go to: MichaelShankMinistries.com July 23-26 Angel Fire Bible [email protected] Symposium. Angel Fire, N.M. See drdavidmartin.org VIEW effective book sharing video of (928) 279-2226 (please leave message) angelfiresymposium.com. Michael Shank on YouTube channel. July 26-31 Texas Normal Singing School. Abilene Christian University. See singingschool.org. Minister Search - California The FAKER and The FINDER July 31-Aug. 1 Widow/Widower by Haley Davis Schmidt The elders of the Buena Park Retreat. LaVergne Church Have you experienced loss, betrayal, abandonment, or sacrificed your self-worth? of Christ, LaVernge, Tenn. See Church of Christ and overseers “The Faker and The Finder” is a powerful story of renewal and redemption. This widowhoodworkshop.com. of the Southern California School book will make the reader laugh and cry with its real-life, relatable experiences. Aug. 2 & 30 Senior Singles of Evangelism are seeking to fill a “I don’t remember asking God if this was His plan, but I remember being so Event. Bayview Church of Christ. San destroyed that even if it was His plan, it didn’t matter.” An unveiling of the impact of Francisco. Email Allen at: lln_mcfrlnd@ full-time minister's position for an tragedy and trauma on the mind and body, the author takes the hand of the reader yahoo.com. English/Spanish bilingual congre- and walks him or her step-by-step through thier journey of trying to fake their way Aug. 15 Harding University gation. For consideration, please back into feeling alive. Graduation Reschedule. Searcy, Ark. See harding.edu/graduation#. respond to: Order or learn more about “The Faker and The Finder” at: Aug. 22 NationsUniversity 25th [email protected] www.haleydavisschmidt.com or on Amazon. Anniversary Event. Nashville, Tenn. See NationsU.edu. Aug. 29 Oklahoma Christian Associate Minister-Tolar,Texas University Spring Graduation The Church of Christ is looking for an Rescheduled. Oklahoma City. Okla. associate minister to work with the youth, teach See oc.edu/events. Bible class and preach from time to time until Sept. 17 Eastern European Mis- our current minister retires at the end of 2021 sion Benefit Event. Franklin, Tenn. at which time the associate minister would See eem.org/events. become the full-time preacher if he is deemed Sept. 20 Centennial Anniversary, a good fit by the elders. Tolar is a small, rural Central Church of Christ. Moore, community, less than an hour from Fort Worth. Okla. See moorecentral.org. Our average Sunday morning attendance is about 130. Tolar ISD is a 2A school. For more Sept. 22 Eastern European information, contact one of our elders: Mission Benefit Event. Houston, Texas. See eem.org/events. Wesley Ives, (817) 559-0376 Sept. 25 Global Leadership [email protected] Summit 2020. Harding University. Searcy, Ark. Email: [email protected].

FULL CALENDAR: www.christianchronicle.org.

Advertising Deadline for upcoming issues: July 10 and August 7 Contact: tonya.patton@ christianchronicle.org 32 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE REVIEWS JULY 2020 The divided legacy of Alexander Campbell CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY examines the ‘gifted but flawed’ leader of the American Restoration Movement.

hen Alexander Campbell stories, understanding the life and agenda: the restoration of the died in 1866, he left thought of the key leader of the ancient gospel and the ancient order his legacy in a divided American Restoration Movement of things for the sake of Christian condition. has the potential to illumi- union in order to prepare for the WHis six living grandchil- In Print nate our own experience, coming millennium. dren from his first wife, develop tools for discern- Campbell’s understanding and Margaret, challenged ment and humble us before practice of baptism lies at the heart Alexander’s will, which left the past gifts God has given of this interest, Foster argues, and the estate to his second wife, to the church. it was framed by a commitment to Selina, and her children. Foster, director of the Scripture alone exclusive of any He also left his spiritual Center for Restoration human traditions or creeds. descendants on the precipice Studies at Abilene Christian Advocating for and defending of theological and sectional University in Texas, presents that agenda consumed most of his division. John Mark Hicks a biography that is not so energies and shaped everything he In 1866, David Lipscomb much a narrative — though did. Yet, as Foster notes, there is a and Tolbert Fanning restarted the the details of Campbell’s life both tension in his own thought. While Gospel Advocate in Tennessee, and frame and carry the storyline — he called Christians to visible unity Isaac Errett and James A. Garfield as it is a critical assessment of the based upon the ancient gospel and (who was Selina’s legal counsel in the significance of Campbell’s relation- order, he recognized a prior unity in suit) started the Christian Standard in ship to his reform movement. a common confession of the facts of Ohio. They represented two different From the time of his own immer- God’s redemptive story among 19th trajectories that would result in sion in 1812, Alexander assumed Douglas A. Foster. A Life of Alexander century “evangelicals.” Churches of Christ listed as a distinct the leadership of what his father, Campbell. Grand Rapids, Mich: The friction between this “evan- body in the 1906 religious census. Thomas Campbell, began in 1809. Eerdmans, 2020, 345 pages. $29.99. gelical” unity and a union upon the Campbell bequeathed his spiritual His debates gave the reform move- ancient order plagued Campbell heirs his agenda, piety and flaws. ment prominence. His journals Society) propagated it. throughout his life. He bequeathed This is why it is important to read (Christian Baptist and Millennial After describing Campbell’s own it to his heirs as well. “A Life of Alexander Campbell” Harbinger) gave it a voice. His family of origins as a Scotch-Irish One of the important aspects of by Douglas A. Foster. Just as an preaching tours popularized it. And Presbyterian immigrant, Foster Foster’s work is its critical nature. awareness of our family of origins his institutions (Bethany College identifies the creative energies that While recognizing Campbell’s sheds light on our own personal and American Christian Missionary gave birth to Campbell’s primary brilliance and gifts, he does not NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

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David Miller. written by Sue L. will be THE SIGN Can you imagine Christianity: The Adkins, one of the of your coming. waking up tomorrow and having no Most Unique most prolific writers, playwrights, It’s not what anxiety in your job, finances, mar- Religion. Self- and songwriters for children in you think. Self- riage or health? published, 2020. America. It was first completed in published, Jan. Nearly every person deals with $9.95 Kindle, 2009 and revised in 2018. 12, 2020. $7.99 anxiety, and everyone deals with $14.95 paperback, Did you ever wonder what the e-Book, $11.99 stress. There are many reasons for 323 pages. animals did in the Garden of Eden paperback, 223 this epidemic, but general anxiety is Available at when Adam and Eve had to leave? pages. Available at a result of how we handle the stress Amazon.com. This story tells of one group of Amazon.com. JULY 2020 REVIEWS THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 33 sugarcoat his flaws, including they shaped a religious tradi- his arrogance and racism. tion that now numbers more Missionary models in prison While his arrogance and than 8 million globally. The pride resisted any claims flaws are real but not unex- that displaced his leadership pected; we all have them. (see his conflicts with Barton Foster’s critical biography how we should live in quarantine W. Stone and Walter Scott), is awed by Campbell’s gifts his commitment to white — his acute intellect, ener- read “God’s Hostage: A True Story doctors to withstand the worry and supremacy was getic activity, of Persecution, Imprisonment anguish in his mind. fundamental to While recognizing passionate and Perseverance” during a Online Although he felt like a broken his goal. The commitment, unique time in our history. man, he said, “I realized I could Anglo-Saxon race Campbell’s brilliance deep spirituality IAs a pandemic looms and we not do much to fight for my and American — and is filled shelter in our homes for weeks freedom, but I could fight for my democracy were and gifts, (Foster) with his flaws as upon weeks, avoiding contact faith. …. I had no illusion that I God’s chosen does not sugarcoat well. with others, a sense of isolation could make it without God’s help. vehicles to usher Both are and loneliness creeps in. But insofar as it was up to me, I in the millen- his flaws, including important — I do not say that to compare our determined to persevere. … I will nium. Slavery not only for isolation with the experiences of look to Jesus, not away from him. per se was no his arrogance and personal intro- author Andrew Brunson (whose I will run to Jesus or, if necessary, Katie Isenberg evil (the New racism. spection but also story reads more like a Tom crawl to Jesus.” Testament did reflection on the Cruise “Mission Impossible”-type Brunson learned to allow the not condemn gifts and flaws drama than a missionary memoir). hard questions and doubts to come. Then it), but it did have a negative of the American Restoration But I do hope that in a time like this we he locked them in an imaginary box. He moral impact on American Movement. Foster has Christians can learn, much as Brunson did, did not let the unanswered questions democracy. Campbell provided us with a weighty to take our burdens to Jesus, to look to our keep him from a relationship with God. campaigned for a gradual resource for both. Creator and to be faithful in times of trial. He let the prayers and letters of faithful abolition of slavery but had For anyone who wants Brunson’s trials involved two years in followers all over the world sustain him. no vision for social integration to understand our gifts as various Turkish jails and prisons after he He read about other Christians who were or equality between the races. well as our flaws, “A Life of was wrongfully accused imprisoned and drew The destiny of the whole Alexander Campbell” is a of political crimes. The from their wisdom and world, Campbell wrote, wonderful place to start. missionary and his practices to help him depended on the “Anglo- wife, Norine, moved feel the joy of the Lord. Saxon race.” The Civil War JOHN MARK HICKS is a professor of from North Carolina As he sat in a court dashed Campbell’s hopes. theology at the Hazelip School of Theology to Turkey in the 1990s. with no jury — only “Gifted, but flawed” is at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. He There, they devoted judges — his soul how Foster characterizes has taught for 38 years in schools associated their lives to training must have taken a Alexander Campbell. The with the Churches of Christ. His most recent believers, helping refu- beating as he heard gifts were enormous, and book is “Searching for the Pattern.” gees and leading a false witnesses speak small congregation that lies about him. Yet he met faithfully in their preached the gospel NEW AND NOTEWORTHY town of Izmir (ancient out loud in court and Smyrna). forgave by name all INFLUENCING TRUE STORY In 2016 they were of those who spoke ill GENERATIONS arrested during a tense against him in the name Mary Jane political coup. Norine of Jesus. Dr. Lottie Miranda. was released after 13 Through God’s grace L. Adams. Sin Put days, but Andrew was and the course of polit- Women Me in This held for more than two ical action, sanctions Lives Chair. Self years. The Turkish and the pleas of many Matter: published, government leveled worldwide politicians, Today and 2019. $12.99 charges against him Andrew Brunson. God’s Hostage: including our presi- Tomorrow. paperback, including espionage A True Story of Persecution, dent, Andrew Brunson Kindle Direct 105 pages. and attempting to over- Imprisonment and Perseverance. finally was released in Publishing, Available throw the Turkish Ada, Mich: Baker Books, 2019. 256 2018 after 735 days in 2019. $7.99 at Amazon. government. pages. $26.99. captivity. Kindle, $12.99 paperback, 82 com. Also available in Brunson does not No matter our hard- pages. Available at Amazon. Spanish. hide the fact that he faced great anxiety ships, we can take them to the Lord. In com, or order directly from and mental breakdowns within the prison the mission field, in a Turkish prison, the author at NEW AND NOTEWORTHY cells. He regularly was taunted by guards in a world pandemic, God is the same [email protected]. submissions are paid advertisements. and other prisoners and quickly lost 50 yesterday and today and forevermore. Contact tonya.patton@ pounds. He struggled to find strength christianchronicle.org for rate and meaning in his trials and needed KATIE ISENBERG and her family live in Salem, Ore., information. the help of medication from the prison where they worship with the Keizer Church of Christ. 34 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE OPINION JULY 2020 In this dismal year, hope can be found in Full-time Pulpit Minister Search Full-Time Youth/Family Minister Wanted The Central congregation in Shawnee, Okla., is The Center Street Church of Christ in an unlikely place: Israel’s ‘Hotel Corona’ seeking a mature family man, solid in the Truth, Fayetteville, Ark., is seeking a mature family who has excellent speaking and teaching skills man with excellent preaching and biblical skills rotests. Pandemic. Injustice. helped. Later a Jewish woman told and who ministers with the heart of a servant. and a passion for youth and their families. We Enraged. Outraged. Just ... her that she had done a wonderful Inquiries and resumes should be sent to: have approximately 290 members including rage. And masks. thing. She should consider medicine. [email protected] about 40 teens in one of the fastest growing In 2020, the last place Aysha has since enrolled in To download a detailed job announcement and communities in the county. Inquiries and PI expected to find any kind of Insight nursing school. job description, go to our website: resumes should be sent to: model for “how should we then When Passover rolled shawneecentralcofc.org/media/ [email protected] live” was the Middle East, the around, the hotel set up a parti- Preacher_Job_Description.PDF For job qualifications, description and application modern state of Israel. tion in the banquet hall so that process please visit: I visited there four years ago the ultra-Orthodox Jews could If more information is needed contact: as the guest of Israel’s tourism have their Seder feast away Bob Stephens: (405) 388-6218 centerstreet.org ministry. Standing on the from the other Jews’ cameras banks of the Jordan, at the Sea and technology, which the of Galilee or the Wailing Wall ultra-Orthodox forbid. Full-Time Lead Minister - Denton, Texas in Jerusalem, the experiences Erik Tryggestad But before they celebrated were amazing. the Exodus from Egypt, a Singing Oaks Church of Christ seeks a lead minister to work closely with its ministry team and eldership in But the conversations often were group of hotel guests, including the leading a congregation of 600+ Christians in growing as passionately committed disciples of Jesus Christ. disheartening. The conflict there is ultra-Orthodox, pushed the barrier The position calls for Biblical visionary leadership, compelling Biblical preaching/teaching, and strategic planning real, and the sides are entrenched. aside. They celebrated together. guiding the congregation away from both legalism and cultural relativism and into a closer, Spirit-filled walk with It’s not just Israelis and Palestinians, Even Aysha, a Muslim, was there. Christ. An ideal applicant will have one or more degrees related to Biblical studies or Christian ministry and at Jews and Muslims. There are deep The guests could check out of gulfs separating the secular, the reli- Hotel Corona only after testing nega- least five years of preaching experience. gious and the ultra-Orthodox. tive for COVID-19 twice. Some said Singing Oaks is a friendly, racially diverse, and energetic church located in the second-fastest growing city in Add COVID-19 to that mix. The they didn’t want to leave. (After all, America, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. For job description, application, and photographs, contact: country locked itself down and the the hotel has a pool.) Outside there Israel Defense Forces used a dozen was disease and division. Inside, the Doug Moody [email protected] hotels to quarantine patients with the guests were in recovery ... together. disease as they recovered. One was You see it, right? That should be the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv, dubbed us. That should be the church. Youth and Family Minister - Paragould, Ark. “Hotel Corona” by its 180 guests, who The plagues of society can’t harm The 7th & Mueller Church of Christ is looking for a youth minister to work with young people and their came from a plethora of backgrounds. a cleansed people. Division, disease, families. This person will be responsible for building and maintaining a well-rounded, spiritual service and At first, each pretty much kept to even death will not overcome the social-oriented program with focus on teaching, training, and developing our young people in Christian beliefs his or her own kind. One patient, church, for we serve one who has and behavior. The ministry seeks to lead young people into the life that God longs for each of us by building Aysha Abu Shhab, was a 19-year-old overcome the world. them and their families up in the knowledge of God’s Word. Qualifications: Faithful member of church Arab Muslim from There are myriad ways we can (previous YM experience preferred), work in collaborative manner, relate to parents and youth, possess a nomadic Bedouin promote unity, diversity and justice in spiritual and moral maturity, demonstrate Biblical soundness - self-motivated - bachelor’s degree or higher tribe. She was a our pews. We discuss some of them (Bible degree preferred) - ability to lead worship a plus. Please send a resume including three references and contact information. Submit a video of a youth Bible class lesson (cell phone video, DVD, video web link, janitor at a hospital in these pages. But whatever we do USB flash drive, Dropbox, etc.). To request a job description or apply for the position: before she got sick. must come from the realization of In an interview with our shared affliction. We’re all victims 7th & Mueller Church of Christ, Attention: Youth Committee National Public of the pandemic of sin. Racism, 1000 S 7th Street Paragould, AR 72450 Radio, she talked malice and distrust are its symptoms. (870) 236-6105 [email protected] about approaching an Abu Shhab Christ’s blood is the vaccine. elderly Jewish couple I pray that our churches will Bible Bowling | From Page 25 Crossword solution at dinner, something she’d probably emerge from this earthly pandemic as never do outside the hotel. true houses of healing, where people 1) B. “Now there was a servant of the house of They talked about how they got of all ethnicities and socio-economic Saul whose name was Ziba” (vs. 2). the virus. They coughed together. backgrounds can live together, laugh 2) D. Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan (vs. 6). And by the end of meal, they were together and heal together. 3) A. House of Machir the son of Ammiel, at singing together. Aysha captured it May our buildings, like the Dan on her phone and posted it online. Hotel, be waiting rooms of redemption. Lo-debar (vs. 4). More videos followed — videos May they be warm places of standing 4) B. “I will restore to you all the land of Saul your of Arabs and Jews doing Zumba invitation, places people long to visit, father.” (vs. 7). together, attending an impromptu places where people want to stay. 5) D. “What is your servant, that you should comedy show. Laughing. Hugging. Luckily, most of our buildings show regard for a dead dog such as I?” (vs. 8). The world watched in disbelief. have pools. 6) C. “But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson Aysha later witnessed a young shall always eat at my table” (vs. 10). Orthodox Jew having an asthma ERIK TRYGGESTAD is president and CEO of The 7) C. Mica (vs. 12). attack. She didn’t know if she was Christian Chronicle. Contact erik@christianchronicle. even supposed to touch him. But she org and follow him on Twitter @eriktryggestad. JULY 2020 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE 35 Why is the Chronicle worthy of your support?

he simplest answer is it enhances my faith and has done so for a number of years. Your stories of faith, all over the world, ‘Tplay to my belief in the power of our God to impact mankind on an in-depth basis, in a positive way. “I vicariously love seeing that happen and reading about it. I remain confident in the truth being the source of mission.” BILL BONIFAY | Denton, Texas

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