Women sew for Guyana children
January 29, 2010
by Glenda Williams
GENEVA, Ala., (BNc) – Six ladies in three different parts of the country, who may never meet this side of heaven, all share common goals.
“It’s wonderful. I don’t want to quit. My favorite pasttime is making dresses,” says Lona Cantrell, pictured.
All the ladies are using what they have, not what they wish they had, to make little dresses, or outfits, for the children in the Amerindian villages of Guyana. Lona Cantrell holds the record of the most dresses made thus far.
“I have made over 350,” she said. “I cut out 6-7 at a time and sew 2-3 dresses a day. Every other Wednesday I take in a new batch of dresses and hang them up in the back of the church building for others to see, hoping it will encourage them.” Read more
Spradlins depart today for Paraguay mission
January 29, 2010
ASUNCION, Paraguay (BNc) – Troy and Andrea Spradlin embark today on their flight to a long-term missions commitment in this South American nation.
Graduates of the Southwest School of Bible Studies, in Austin, Tex., the Spradlins are overseen by the Margaret Street congregation in Milton, Fla.
Troy began chronicling their move and his reactions Jan. 25 in “Culture Shock Chronicles,” on The Fellowship Room website. Read more
Man dies after stepping in front of Christian’s car
January 28, 2010
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil (BNc) – A Christian man remains shaken tonight after fatally hitting a pedestrian who stepped in front of his car.
A sister in Christ, Socorro, called J. Randal Matheny this morning and said her husband Paulo Silva had hit a person in his car this morning about 6:30 a.m., on his way to work, resulting in the person’s death.
The person stepped out in front of his car, and he was unable to swerve away.
Paulo went to the police station, with members of the deceased’s family. There were witnesses, but they did not stay at the scene of the accident. Read more
Bible teacher brings in students
January 25, 2010
by Glenda Williams
GENEVA, Ala. (BNc) — Her name is Janice Helms. I met her two years ago when we moved to Geneva, Ala., to work with the church. My husband Douglas was hired to be the full-time preacher.
Geneva is a small Southern town approximately seven miles from the Florida line. I have commented that Geneva is a “well-kept secret.” We have a Wal-Mart, but far greater than that, we have Janice Helms.
At the time we moved to Geneva in Jan., 2008, Janice was our only small children’s Bible class teacher. We had one class, and lots of the time just one little girl in that class. Still, Janice continued to teach because of her love for the children and her love for the Lord. Today when she talks about the Lord and his church, a radiant smile spreads across her face. She often says, “We serve an awesome God.” Read more
The true winners of a debate
January 25, 2010
Guest editorial by Tim Hester, minister, Theo, Miss., church
This past week I had the great and unique opportunity to attend a Bible discussion or debate in Meridian, Miss. As I sat there and heard both sides present their arguments I thought about what a learning opportunity was being afforded to those who were present and being missed by those who were absent.
Debates or Bible discussions of this sort used to be common and popular in our communities. Yet, like many things, they have fallen by the wayside. Read more
MS: church hosts benevolence debate
January 25, 2010
by Guyton Montogomery, minister, Northside church
MERIDIAN, Miss. (BNc) — The Northside congregation hosted a Bible debate on church benevolence Jan. 21-22.
Thursday night Patrick Donahue of Huntsville, Ala., affirmed that, “The Bible does not authorize use of the church treasury for social meals.” John T. Polk II of Dover, Tenn., denied. Read more
Update of Haitian relief efforts by Judsonia church
January 23, 2010
Editor’s Note: The Judsonia, Ark. church has been instrumental in launching an extensive relief effort to Haiti. The following is part of a 12-page compilation of communications regarding that effort. For more information see the Judsonia church site.
by John L. Kachelman, Jr.
JUDSONIA, Ark. (BNc) — The old spiritual songs about one not having “time to die” certainly applies to events from the past two weeks. During this time we have been going non-stop in fifteen different directions.
Obviously Haiti has consumed an enormous amount of each day as communications have been non-stop. But during this time we also loaded containers for Ukraine and Tajikistan!
We have three collection sites at this point: Henderson, Tenn., Columbus, Miss., and Judsonia, Ark. Read more
Update on the Martin family after fatal car crash
January 23, 2010
by Barbara A. Oliver, managing editor
MEEKER, Colo. (BNc) — The progress of the Paul Martin family can be followed at The Martin Box. The family asks that you continue to keep them in your prayers.
Instead of flowers for their son, Stone, a fund has been set up at:
- First National Bank of the Rockies, P.O. Box 600, Meeker, CO 81641
- Memphis School of Preaching, 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Rd., Memphis, TN 38125
Cards can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 125, Meeker, CO 81641.
Martin family involved in auto accident
January 22, 2010
by Greg Howell, elder, Cordova, Tenn., church
MEEKER, Colo. (BNc) — Vanessa Martin and her children, Stone and Alana, were involved in a very serious car accident Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, in Meeker, Colo.
Vanessa is the daughter-in-law of Cordova church minister Jerry Martin. Paul and Vanessa Martin work with the Meeker church, a small mission congregation in central Colorado.
Stone was airlifted to Grand Junction with his father Paul by his side. Ten-year-old Stone passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 20. Read more
Brazil orphanage gets government nod
January 22, 2010
OLINDA, Brazil (BNc) – A new children’s home in northeastern Brazil has gotten approval from the government to take in children.
Executive Director Maciel Viera emailed BNc yesterday that on Jan. 15 the Olinda Rights Council for Children and Adolescents granted the Mannah Chidren’s Home its registration, which now permits it to receive and care for needy children.
“We have already finished the first house and have a family ready, Miguel and Ednea, living in the house, as they wait for the first children to be received,” wrote Maciel.