Across the Nation: A cappella awards, a fundraiser for Haiti 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): The Johnsons, a family singing group, perform at the Christian Acappella Music Awards.
FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE — A cappella enthusiasts recently gathered at a Jacksonville hotel to honor those who create and produce this genre of music.
John Edmerson
Established in 1992, the Christian Acappella Music Awards — known as CAMA — is the longest- running event of its kind, said John Edmerson, the event’s executive producer.
“The visionary behind this inspiring event is elder Aldanzo Pratt of the Hallandale (Beach) Church of Christ in Florida,” said Edmerson, associate minister for the Figueroa Church of Christ in Los Angeles. “Elder Pratt’s love for a cappella music began in 1979 when he obeyed the Gospel.”
Pratt later managed The Four Christian Stars, young men who traveled nationwide and recorded an album with the late a cappella artist Johnnie Wilder Jr.
At CAMA, artists are recognized with honors such as Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year. The latest celebration featured performances by Straight Company, Terri Mays, The Lancasters and other artists.
To partner with CAMA, email [email protected].
For more information, see NACAMA.com.
TEXAS
HOUSTON — A children’s Bible class at the Church of Christ in Champions recently raised nearly $2,000 for Haitian children.
Students regularly bring their change to class to sponsor a Haitian child known as Baby Love through Hope for Haiti’s Children, elder Alan Reed said. With $36 a month, they help provide food, education, clothing and health care for the girl.
Cece Johnson speaks at a fundraiser that she organized for Hope for Haiti’s Children.
But one 8-year-old church member wanted to go further.
“My mom and I were talking on a long car ride one day,” Cece Johnson said. “I had a thought about caring for others and how I could do something.”
With the help of her mom, Cece Johnson set up a fundraiser for Baby Love, organizing a meal, creating a program and designing invitations.
At the fundraiser, boys and girls from the class competed to raise the most money, selling student-made art projects. The girls won.
For Johnson’s efforts, Hope for Haiti’s Children presented her with a backpack and hoodie at the end of the event.
The $1,900 Champions children raised will provide additional support for Baby Love and other Haitian children in need.
NEWSMAKERS
BAPTIZED — ASHLEY BEVINS and ABBIE BROWN of the Paintsville Church of Christ in Kentucky. MICKAYLA LANDON and EVAN, CARSON and GABBI LEWIS of the North Terrace Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio. EMMA GROGAN of the Glendale Road Church of Christ in Murray, Ky. JORGE HINOJOSA, LIZBETH LUNA and JAVIER REYNA of the Bridge Avenue Church of Christ in Weslaco, Texas. SEAN JONES of the Baisley Church of Christ in New York. TAELER RIDDLE of the Prattville Church of Christ in Alabama. ALLYSE RINAE of the Dalraida Church of Christ in Alabama.
Allyse Rinae rejoices with college minister Nate Kidwell after Rinae’s baptism in Dalraida, Ala.
HONORED — ANGIE NORDIKE as P.B. Smith Elementary School in Warrenton, Va.’s Teacher of the Year nominee. The fourth grade teacher “sets high expectations for her students, while encouraging and motivating them all to meet those expectations,” administrators said. She worships with the Manassas Church of Christ in Virginia. TANA PALAFOX, Spanish teacher at ATEMS (Academy of Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Science) in Abilene, Texas, as LIFT (Leadership and Innovation for Future Technologies) and ATEMS Teacher of the Year. She worships with the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene.
From left, Angie Nordike, Tana Palafox, Dayne Brown and Melvin Jones.
NAMED — DAYNE BROWN as head football coach at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. He has served in roles at NCAA Division 1 schools including Northwestern, Southern Miss, Kent State, Kansas and Troy. ERIN ENGELKE as one of the 50 Women Making a Difference in the state of Oklahoma by The Journal Record. She is a member of the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City and a former trustee of The Christian Chronicle. MELVIN JONES as pulpit minister for the Oxon Hill Church of Christ in Temple Hills, Md. JOVAN SAVIĆ to Sloga Kraljevo, a team in the Basketball League of Serbia and Adriatic League. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University.
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