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An international newspaper Our mission: To inform, for Churches of Christ inspire and unite Vol. 75, No. 9 | October 2018 christianchronicle.org NOAH DARNELL Students, faculty and staff at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., gather on the Benson Auditorium steps to grieve and remember alumnus Botham Shem Jean. Seeking justice for Botham Jean FAMILY AND CHURCH demand answers after police officer kills beloved song leader and Bible teacher. BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE — and doing so under an immense media spotlight stretching from Texas all the way to DALLAS the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia. he preacher stood wearily on stage, “Somebody like Bo — why?” church member wiping tears from his eyes. Sherron Rodgers said, uttering The mayor, working to bring healing the question on everybody’s to a city of 1.3 million, sought solace on mind. “Why did it happen to a front pew. somebody like him? I’m just sad. TAllison Jean, mourning the fatal shooting of “He was a special, kind her son Botham Shem Jean by a police officer, person who would never mess wailed as the 250-member congregation sang with anybody,” she added. hymns such as “Trouble in My Way.” “He’d take off his jacket and Television and newspaper cameras captured give it to you. That’s the kind of Botham Jean the emotion — and the heartbreak — as person he was.” the Dallas West Church of Christ gathered By all accounts, Botham Jean was a to worship three days after the inexplicable devoted man of faith with a “beautiful” and killing of 26-year-old Botham Jean in his own “powerful” singing voice. apartment. He was baptized at age 10 in his native This recent Sunday was no ordinary Lord’s St. Lucia and moved to the U.S. at age 19 to BOBBY ROSS JR. Day for Christians grieving the sudden loss of attend Harding University in Searcy, Ark., A mourner hugs Allison Jean, right, mother of Botham a beloved song leader and Bible class teacher See BOTHAM, Page 6 Jean, after a prayer vigil at Dallas West Church of Christ. 2 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE OCTOBER 2018 10,000 10,000 represents the hopes and dreams of Christians around the world craving Bible training. Ed-Mark received Sunset’s 10,000th Solar Player as an investment in the church in the Philippines. Fulfill the dream of rich, Bible knowledge by providing solar players today. Watch the complete video at http://sunset.bible/solar/10k or use the QR code. Sunset International Bible Institute • 800.658.9553 • www.sunset.bible OCTOBER 2018 THE CHRISTIAN CHroNICLE 3 What churches can do when a hurricane strikes e need God’s help.” As Hurricane Florence ‘Wbarreled toward the south- eastern U.S. coast, that was the sign not far from where a Bible lay abandoned on a Myrtle Beach, S.C., street. I read about the sign in The Post Andy Baker leads Polishing the Pulpit’s popular atrium singing at the Sevierville Convention Center in East Tennessee. Inside Story and Courier, the news- paper in Charleston, Smoky Mountains milestone S.C. As we went to POLISHING THE PULPIT, annual gathering in East Tennessee, hits record attendance of over 5,000. press with this issue BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE even though he believes in baptism Bobby Ross Jr. of The “with all my heart.” And why he’d never Christian SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. be a member of the Methodist church, Chronicle, the monster ring a Friend Night” at the even though he believes in proper storm was threatening many Polishing the Pulpit confer- methodology. And why he’d never be a of our fellow Christians. ence gave the thousands of member of the Assemblies of God, even More than 1.7 million attendees an opportunity though he believes in assembling on the people in the Carolinas and to introduce people to “the first day of the week. Virginia were warned to ‘Bchurch that belongs to Christ.” Then he added: “I am not, nor do evacuate, and the homes of “Meet a friend in town — hotel I ever want to be, a member of the about 10 million were under worker, waitress, someone at Walmart Church of Christ, if by that terminology watches or warnings for the — and bring them to hear the gospel,” we mean a denomination among hurricane or tropical storm the event program urged. denominations in competition for conditions, The Associated Minister Dan Winkler began his memberships from all denominations.” PHOTOS BY GINA BOHANAN Press reported. sermon by explaining why he’d never Winkler proceeded to open his Bible Pamela Alexander, Elizabeth Pegram “Many of our members be a member of the Baptist church, See POLISHING, Page 22 and Cindy Woodley look at the program. have evacuated, but some are still in town,” said Corrie Lawson, whose husband, As one Christian rides out Florence, others prepare for long recovery Blake, serves as youth minister for the Grand Strand BY CHELLIE ISON. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE evacuate as the Category 2 hurricane “There are a lot of people that can’t Church of Christ in Surfside approached the Atlantic coast. afford to leave, and they’re going to Beach, S.C. “Please keep Videos posted by Robert Stanley Rather, he said, they wanted to be need help,” Stanley said. them covered in prayer!” show wind whipping through trees there to serve when About four hours northwest of For the churches in this and bands of pounding rain. the storm ended. Wilmington, the Carolina Bible Camp hurricane’s path, I asked The power’s out, he said, and a Speaking to The opened as an evacuation center for a few ministers who’ve neighbor’s home was damaged by a Christian Chronicle those needing a safe place to stay. been there before to offer falling tree. just before the storm At press time, relief ministries advice. “The eye should be over us in a few hit, Stanley said that associated with Churches of Christ, • Kirk Garrison is hours,” Stanley said as Hurricane he and his family were including Disaster Assistance CoC, minister for the Carrollton Florence made landfall. “It’s moving prepared for days of were preparing for a long response to Avenue Church of Christ pretty slowly.” flooding rain. They Stanley the storm and its aftermath. in New Orleans, which Stanley, a deacon of the Pine Valley were also prepared, he was at the center of relief Church of Christ in Wilmington, added, to be the hands and feet of Jesus SEE UPDATES and find links to contribute to relief See HURRICANE, Page 4 N.C., and his family decided not to by assisting their neighbors in need. efforts at christianchronicle.org. 4 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE INSIDE STORY OCTOBER 2018 HURRICANE: Tips for churches from those who’ve been there FROM PAGE 3 helpful in he days to come.” efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 4. “Let them know that you will still 2005. be there to serve and care after the Garrison’s tips: initial publicity of the storm passes. 1. “Get the church computers to a “The news cycle will move on to safe place.” something else, but they will still 2. “Have a contact list of all have needs. And their needs will members (cell phones) and where evolve over time.” they are going when they evacuate • David Duncan is minister for as well as a phone number for the Memorial Church of Christ there if possible. Cell service can in Houston, which became a drop when towers go off-line and relief center after Harvey. everyone is trying to call somebody. Duncan’s thoughts: Texts usually get through.” “The material damage is the 3. “After the storm, call every obvious loss in any type of storm, member to assess needs and how BOBBY ROSS JR. but that is only the beginning of the they are doing. Take notes; people The postcard-perfect beach of Myrtle Beach, S.C., pictured on a blue-sky crisis. The emotional and spiritual will ask.” afternoon in 2017, was abandoned as Hurricane Florence approached, losses are great, as well. 4. “If someone does stick around, threatening millions along the southeastern U.S. coast. “Churches need to be prepared for have them visit the homes of those members and people in the commu- who evacuated and then call them to Texas, which was active in best serve? nity to suffer with spiritual questions tell them how their house is doing. disaster relief after Hurricane “Some have facilities to house and emotional struggles such as This can alleviate a lot of worry.” Harvey last year. storm victims in a shelter setting. PTSD for years to come. 5. “Don’t underestimate the impact Peters’ tips: Others can receive items and set up “The storm is a tragedy, but of the trauma on those ‘being strong 1. “It is important for churches a donation/distribution center. churches should be proactive in for their families. It lasts for years.” in the path of a disastrous storm to “Others can mobilize members to sharing faith through deeds, words 6. “Change the Wednesday service realize that they don’t have to do house incoming volunteers/workers and hugs with people who have to prayer time, updates on members everything themselves. from outside the region in the wake previously seemed unwilling to and planning next steps.” “They can partner with others — of a storm.” share personal needs.” 7. “Be patient with well-meaning other churches, other people helping 3. “Slow down long enough to In my time with The Christian people/congregations who send you groups and even the local, county, consider spiritual and emotional Chronicle, I’ve covered hurricanes in their broken stuff.” state or federal governments.

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