Haitian aid shifts gears
February 27, 2010
by Barbara A. Oliver, managing editor
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BNc) – The earthquake that hit Haiti Jan. 12 took more than 230,000 lives, injured approximately 300,000 and left an estimated one million people homeless.
An update from Roberta Edwards, of the Son-Light Orphanage in Haiti, appeared in an email Feb. 24 from the Estes church in Henderson, Tenn.
Edwards reported, “Things are very hard in Haiti. Those that had jobs have lost them. Those that are working are not getting paid. Medical needs are growing as infections and sickness grow from overcrowded tent camps. Aftershocks have been hitting pretty regularly the last 24 hours. The kids are having a difficult time sleeping. We continue to pray and reassure.” Read more
Ernie Brooks: beauty queen, evangelist
February 26, 2010
by Glenda Williams, BNc correspondent
GENEVA, Ala. (BNc) — Ernie Brooks is the present reigning Ms. Senior Geneva County. She is as lovely on the inside as she is on the outside. Ernie’s Christian beauty radiates with her smile and good deeds. A quiet, unassuming person, Ernie goes about doing good things for other people.
Ernie has been going into the local Geneva County jail, and teaching the ladies on Friday evenings for three years. In times past she has had others who have gone with her, but usually she goes alone.
The ladies have two picnic-type tables with benches that they sit around to study the Bible with Ernie. She says her classes range from 3-12 each week. When asked how many she thinks she has taught during the years, she said, “I think approximately 75.”
“While they are confined, they can see what you are talking about. It’s like a light bulb has gone off. I can tell a difference in their countenance. When I go back the next week, I have had them tell me they have been studying all week and waiting for me to come back,” Brooks recalls. Read more
The power of an idea
February 25, 2010
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., (BNc) – Polishing the Pulpit began with three friends getting together to brainstorm sermon ideas. We soon invited a few other friends and someone said, “This is great! We should tell others.”
We did and invited a speaker to discuss sermon preparation and give sample sermons. Interest increased; more speakers were invited. We moved to a hotel conference area. We dreamed big. “Let’s invite the best speakers in the brotherhood and see who we can get.” They came. Wives wanted in, so we added women’s classes. While these great speakers were assembled in one place, we decided to offer classes for elders. They loved it. People began coming from all over the country.
Youth workers and deacons became interested. We added tracks for them. PTP moved to a large event center in the Smoky Mountains. Attendance approached 1000. Christians from other nations began coming. Read more
Paul W. Walden laid to rest
February 25, 2010
BRANDON, Miss. (BNc) – Paul W. Walden, gospel preacher and missionary from Brandon, Miss., passed away Feb. 19 at the age of 78.
Funeral services were conducted Feb. 22 at the North Brandon church with Milton Sewell and Paul’s son-in-law David Fields speaking.
Bro. Walden was born in Tupelo, Miss., on Sept. 13, 1931. Brother Walden accomplished much for the Lord in his life. He is perhaps best remembered for his work as an interim preacher in the middle Mississippi area, having served a number of congregations in this capacity.
He was serving the Lord’s church at Morton, Miss., at the time of his death. He also did a tremendous amount of mission work in the Caribbean, especially in Cuba. He made many trips to this island, where he taught and baptized hundreds.
Paul leaves his wife Larue, two sons Wayne and Wade Walden and one daughter Rene Walden Fields and eight grandchildren. He also leaves hundreds of grieving friends and brethren.
Paul was a unique, very godly man who had a burning desire for souls. He is already being missed. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them,” (Rev. 14:13).
Church meets at Fort Rucker
February 24, 2010
by George Merritt
FORT RUCKER, Ala. (BNc) – In the 68-year history of Fort Rucker, this is the first time churches of Christ have conducted worship on post. In fact, Christian families in the military say it is rare for our brotherhood to be so represented on military installations.
George Merritt, a long-time minister in Southeast Alabama, and CW4 James Baker have both been certified by the U. S. Army to lead the 1:30 p.m. worship each Sunday afternoon at Rucker’s historic Wings Chapel.
“We are targeting some 4,000 student soldiers here, especially those affiliated with the church of Christ,” says Merritt. Read more
William Woodson injured in India
February 23, 2010
by Barbara A. Oliver, managing editor
ANDHRA PRADESH, India (BNc) — William Woodson, while on a mission trip to India, collapsed Monday due to dehydration and hit his head on a table as he fell. He was carried to the hospital where he received stitches for his wound.
His wife called the Pulaski Street church in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and reported that Woodson was to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.
David Pinckley, treasurer for the Pulaski Street congregation, told BNc that Woodson was doing fine.
Woodson is a retired Bible professor from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and author.
Editor’s Note: David Pinckley received a phone call Feb. 24, from Jeanne Woodson about William. He is weak from dehydration and will remain in the hotel where they are staying today to try and regain his strength. He sustained about three pretty severe cuts on his head and face when he fell and has a black eye.
Valentine’s retreat gathers 700
February 23, 2010
by Allen Webster
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (BNc) – The Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreat was held Valentine’s weekend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with 700 attending from 16 states. This retreat began in 1999 as an effort of the Jacksonville, Ala., church to strengthen its marriages and homes. The next year it was made available to any who wanted to come, and it has steadily grown over the years. Read more
Dr. Henry Farrar dies
February 22, 2010
by Barbara A. Oliver, managing editor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BNc) — Dr. Henry Farrar, long-time medical missionary and surgeon collapsed while working at Carthage Hospital on Feb. 17, and as a result suffered a serious spinal injury. He was taken to the St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, where he died on Feb. 22 at 1:25 a.m.
Dr. Farrar was the founder of the Nigerian Christian Hospital, served as a board member for Healing Hands International and was an elder at the College Hills church in Lebanon, Tenn. Farrar also spent a year at Chimala Mission Hospital in Chimala, Tanzania and a year at the China Medical University. Read more
Elder sews blankets for Amerindian babies
February 21, 2010
by Glenda Williams
SUMMERDALE, Ala. (BNc) — Ralph Adams, elder for eight years at the Summerdale church, Summerdale, Ala., is a maker of baby blankets.
“I heard Jerry Davidson say he needed baby blankets for Guyana. My wife had crocheted for years, and I asked Jerry if he needed cloth blankets and he said he did. I knew that was something I could do. I came from a family of four boys and our mother always sewed,” stated Adams.
He buys good quality sheets at yard sales for $2-3 dollars each, or at stores with good discounts. People also give him material they aren’t going to use. One bedroom is so full of material that they can’t use the bed, he said. Adams cuts the material into strips 4″ x 39″ and alternating prints, or prints with solids, sews them together for his finished blankets, 36″ x 42″ or 42″ x 48.”
“They don’t have to be exact, and all the same size,” Adams stated.
Sometimes he cuts out rectangles 5 ½” x 7 ½” and sews them together, so all the blankets won’t look the same.
When asked what kind of machine he has, he quickly replied, “Oh, I have five machines.” Read more
Ralph David Underwood dies at 81
February 16, 2010
FLORENCE, Ala., (BNc) — Ralph David Underwood, 81, of Florence, Ala., passed away Feb. 12. He was born in 1928 in Colbert County, Ala., to Robert and Elizabeth Underwood.
Underwood earned degrees from Freed-Hardeman College, Harding College and Harding Graduate School of Religion.
He began his preaching ministry at age 20. He ministered throughout the U.S. and held full-time preaching positions in Comanche, Okla., Germantown, Tenn., and Sheffield, Ala.
He served as a missionary throughout the Caribbean and in West Africa and served as an elder at Chisholm Hills Church of Christ in Florence, AL for 25 years. Underwood was also Professor of Bible at Heritage Christian University for 35 years. Read more