Across the Nation: Serving up blessings, preparing young ministers 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): Bently Moudry is baptized during a summer session at Camp Blue Haven in Las Vegas, N.M.
INDIANA
ROCHESTER — A cup of joe and a cup of blessing — members of the Rochester Church of Christ are serving up both at their local farmer’s market booth.
The Christians started just giving out free coffee there each Saturday this summer, then began asking if visitors would like to pray.
Christians serve coffee and blessings at a farmers market in Rochester, Ind.
“More and more people are requesting prayers rather than the drink the last couple of weeks!” minister Jim Dillinger said.
Some prayer requesters have even tried to donate to the church — but it doesn’t accept them.
Requests have ranged from the general — prayers for the country, for example — to very personal, such as a former Special Forces soldier dealing with PTSD.
One woman declined a prayer — but later came back. By the time Rochester members finished praying for her, she was in tears.
Dillinger also wrote a brochure, “Come and See,” that the church displays at its booth — but doesn’t push — inviting visitors to worship.
“Our goal is to show them Jesus and then follow up with those who want to know more,” he said.
TENNESSEE
HENDERSON — Freed-Hardeman University’s College of Biblical Studies recently hosted 12 young participants for the inaugural Equip Ministry Camp on campus.
The mission of the camp was to provide a learning environment for young men, ages 13-19, to study the word of God, prepare and present lessons and enhance their ability to minister in a congregational setting.
Equip campers, staff and teachers meet on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University.
Campers from states including Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia learned more about various areas of ministry, such as apologetics, baptizing and taking responses, contextualization, counseling, English grammar, leadership and songleading.
At the end of the weeklong camp, the young men delivered 15-minute sermons to a live audience.
Tucker Cates, a 19-year-old incoming FHU student from Oklahoma, described the camp as “one of the best weeks of my life.”
He plans to become a full-time minister after his studies.
A second Equip camp is scheduled for May 27-30, 2025. Visit fhu.edu/equip-ministry-camp for more information.
TEXAS
ARLINGTON — Starbucks recently crowned Darcy Todd its first-ever North America Barista Champion — out of 17,000 entrants, 21 semifinalists and three finalists from across the U.S.
The Arlington, Texas, native and member of the Woodland West Church of Christ won the contest with her signature drink: an iced peaches and cream latte with coconut milk based on the “peach versus coconut” theory.
Texas church member Darcy Todd is Starbucks’ first-ever North America Barista Champion.
“There are different ways that countries approach relationships,” Todd said. “This drink represents how Starbucks is the third place, and it doesn’t matter what culture you’re from. Differences go away because coffee is our common ground.”
Todd’s prize includes a trip to Hacienda Alsacia, a Starbucks research and development farm in Costa Rica, and a chance to present her beverage to the coffee chain’s development team.
Todd also nominated the Hearts and Hands nonprofit to receive a $2,500 neighborhood grant from The Starbucks Foundation. She will move on to the Global Barista Championship next year.
She is a 2019 graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.
“I figured this is the sort of thing you would want to know about,” said her proud father, Randy Todd, Woodland West’s preaching minister.
NEWSMAKERS
BAPTIZED — Lydia Cloer of The Church of Christ at White Station in Memphis, Tenn. Bently Moudry of the Burleson Church of Christ in Texas. Ziyi Rios of the Wembley Church of Christ in England. Peter Zuk and Laurie Zuk of the St. Clair Church of Christ in Michigan.
From left, LaDonna Johnston, Judy Lambert, Kevin Mossiah and Chase Turner.
NAMED —Barry Binion as director of church relations for Heritage Christian University in Florence, Ala. Binion grew up in the Gordon Road Church of Christ in Newnan, Ga., and graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn. Crystal Curry as assistant director of admissions and Tara Simmons as upper school administrative assistant at Columbia Academy in Tennessee. Joseph Hanson as middle and high school teacher, Lakin Monroe as fifth grade teacher, Clark Gandy as physical education teacher, Brooke Holt as second grade teacher, Emma Thrasher as fourth grade teacher and Abby Rutherford as high school teacher for Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Ala. LaDonna Johnston as president and CEO of Unity Health in Searcy, Ark., a network of more than 160 physicians and 2,300 associates. Johnston is a 1989 graduate of Harding University in Searcy. Judy Lambert as a trustee of Crowley’s Ridge Academy in Paragould, Ark. Lambert attended the academy for 12 years before graduating from Crowley’s Ridge College and Harding University. She is a member of the 7th and Mueller Church of Christ in Paragould. Kevin Mossiah as an elder of the Upland Church of Christ in California. Mossiah and his wife, Robin, have been members of the church for 16 years. Candice McQueen to the board of the Nashville Health Care Council. McQueen is president of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. Chase Turner as president and CEO of Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas. A graduate of Freed-Hardeman University in 2006, Turner has worked for 20 years in missions in South America, Central America and the U.S.
The post Across the Nation: Serving up blessings, preparing young ministers and more quick takes appeared first on The Christian Chronicle.
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