Across the Nation: Lipscomb’s Paralympic medalist, the words of God in blue and more quick takes
Across the Nation is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ across the U.S. Got an idea for this column? Email Calvin Cockrell at [email protected].
Featured image (above): Liza Corso, a senior at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., and a standout on the university’s track team, earned her second Paralympic medal, winning bronze in the women’s 1500m T13 race at the games in Paris. “I am very passionate about inspiring other young athletes with a visual impairment or any other challenge,” Corso said.
ARKANSAS
EL DORADO — “Why didn’t God get a color?”
That’s what Jane Johnson asked her husband, Scott, one day as she read this quote from the Gospel of Matthew — in plain black ink: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Many modern Bibles have the words of Jesus written in red — but what about the words of the Father?
Scott and Jane Johnson with the BRG Bible.
The couple recalled Jane’s question in a recent interview with Frank Lockwood, religion editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Scott, minister for the East Faulkner Church of Christ, searched for such a Bible that sets apart the words of God but couldn’t find one — so he set out to make it himself.
After 14 years of work, he’s released the BRG Bible, an acronym for the blue, red and gold colors that represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, respectively, the Democrat-Gazette reported. It uses the text of the King James Version.
Johnson chose to keep the traditional red words of Jesus, which he said is a reminder of his blood, while adding blue as an allusion to the heavens and gold to invoke the “consuming fire” of the Spirit.
He personally sells the BRG Bibles — below cost — at the East Faulkner church, but they can also be purchased from the KJV Store and Amazon, including a digital version.
NEW YORK
HUBBARDSVILLE — A windstorm caused extensive damage to Camp Hunt, a 77-year-old Christian camp associated with Churches of Christ.
A swath of fallen trees wreaked havoc on the campgrounds and damaged several girls’ cabins, knocking one completely off its foundation.
Tree damage is shown after a windstorm caused extensive damage at Camp Hunt in New York state.
Initial estimates for removing and trimming fallen and damaged trees came in at $48,000, said David Owens, camp president and minister for the Wetzel Road Church of Christ in Liverpool.
Once those trees are removed, Owens said, the camp’s insurance company will assess the damage to the buildings themselves.
TEXAS
HOUSTON — A Houston area Bible Bowl is seeing renewed success after relaunching in 2022.
The South Union and Fifth Ward Churches of Christ were the first to put their support behind the Houston Area Citywide Bible Bowl after a near six-year hiatus.
A team from the Fifth Ward Church of Christ won first place in last year’s Houston Area Citywide Bible Bowl.
The Bible Bowl uses a new format that includes a written Scripture search and multiple choice questions on the book of study — Genesis for the first year — along with an oral team competition.
In 2023, the MLK Boulevard and Trinity Gardens churches joined the competition, based on the apostle Paul’s two letters to the Corinthians.
“All the learning was to the glory of God as youth were inspired to actively study the Bible to increase their knowledge,” said South Union church member Christine Lametrie.
She said a rivalry grew between South Union and Fifth Ward youth as they “quickly sought to show up and show out for the Lord.”
This year, the Garden Oaks Church of Christ will host the Bible Bowl on Nov. 9. The competition will focus on Isaiah and include a speed round pitting youth against adults.
Other congregations interested in participating can visit houstonareacitywidebiblebowl.com.
NEWSMAKERS
HONORED — ERIN FAURIE for her service to the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Ark., as assistant youth minister, focusing on ministry for young women. Faurie graduated from Harding University in Searcy in 2021 and is completing a master’s in organizational leadership at Harding.
BAPTIZED — CATHY BOYKIN and BETH MURRAY of the North Terrace Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio. K.J. HENDERSON of the Naperville Church of Christ in Illinois. DANNY MACASO of the Ayala Church of Christ in Zamboanga, Philippines. JOHN, L.J. AND ZELENE RAYNAR of the Lupelele Church of Christ in American Samoa.
From left, Erin Faurie, Bryan Bullard, Keri Hartley, Sherri Coale and Keith Johnson.
NAMED — DAVID BELEW as information technology director for Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn. BRYAN BULLARD as executive director of Camp Wyldewood in Searcy, Ark. He has served as a counselor, team leader and worship coordinator at Wyldewood. CANDACE CAIN as vice president for student services and KERI HARTLEY as dean of students at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. SHERRI COALE, DANNY FLOYD, DR. BRUTE WOLF and BILL ZUCKER to the board of trustees of Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. KEITH JOHNSON as dean of ministry training for Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas. Landon Kelley as fine arts director for Winchester Christian Academy in Tennessee.
The post Across the Nation: Lipscomb’s Paralympic medalist, the words of God in blue and more quick takes appeared first on The Christian Chronicle.
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