Chaplain reports on military church in Afghanistan
March 4, 2010
Contributed by Glenda Williams, BNc correspondent
KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (BNc) – Captain Anthony Holloway, Family Life Chaplain, reported in a letter back home of the goings on with the church in Kandahar Air Field (KAF), Afghanistan.
A major from the unit they replaced began the service at the Chapel Ministry Center (CMC), which is something of a general purpose building used for Bible studies, classes and meetings. At that time it was basically an informal Bible study around a table with about six people attending.
When the 135th arrived, the numbers grew to about 10-12. They were able to find a time slot on Sundays in Fraise Chapel. 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
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
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
Ga. preachers meet for fellowship
February 2, 2010
Ministers in Southeast Georgia find strength and fellowship in monthly meetings.
by Richard Mansel
HAZLEHURST, Ga. (BNc) — Ian Burgin said, “So many churches are small in Southeast Georgia, and we remain true to the pattern and serving God.”
Burgin, minister with the Nashville, Ga., church extolled the virtues of serving in a small congregation as he gave a report on the work in his community, at the church workers’ meeting.
Workers from a variety of congregations in Southeast Georgia drive on the first Monday of each month to Sisters Country Kitchen to fellowship and edify one another. Read more
Interim preacher closes gaps in church needs
January 14, 2010
by Jerrie Barber
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BNc) — A preacher’s departure from a church, especially after an extended tenure there, creates stress. While most congregations face this event with Christian maturity and love, even the most stable find this time difficult, and some find it a time of crisis.
Since we completed our stay in Hendersonville December 30, 2009, I am available to work with another congregation as an interim preacher.
An intentional interim preacher can be helpful if a congregation finds itself in one or more of the following situations: Read more
Old Mulkey celebrated its bicentennial
December 4, 2009
By Gina Kinslow, Glasgow Daily Times
TOMPKINSVILLE, Ky. (BNc) — A celebration to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of Old Mulkey was held Saturday, Nov. 21, at Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site.
“During the bicentennial observation we will be examining what happened at the historic service of Nov. 18, 1809, and the effects of that service,” said Sheila Rush, park manager. “We’ll take a look at excerpts from the minutes of the church dated 1798 to 1809 and sing period-accurate songs.”
Lynwood Montell, a noted historian and folklorist, led an interactive history activity, asking questions about the origin of Old Mulkey and it’s beginning as Mill Creek Church.
Loy Milam, author of Old Mulkey, A Plea for the Ancient Order discussed “the split.” Read more
Loudoun County, Va gets first permanent facility for the church worship
November 20, 2009
by Laura S. Tinnel
PURCELLVILLE, Va. (BNc) – The first and only permanent facility for the saints’ worship and Bible study in Loudoun County, VA was completed after ten years of determined labor and prayer.
The 6,100 square-foot facility, located in the town of Purcellville, includes a 150 seat auditorium, a baptistery, five walled classrooms, a multi-purpose room (also used as a classroom), and a small office.
Prior to completing the new facility, the Purcellville congregation met in a small, rented office space, which it was outgrowing. It also met in the community center, the local skating rink and member homes.
While worshiping in the community center, the church began in earnest seeking a permanent place of worship but found no suitable existing facility in Purcellville. In 2004, the congregation purchased a parcel of land in the newly planned Village Case subdivision, which included plots for three church buildings in the back of the subdivision. The church paid cash for the property from savings and began efforts towards obtaining blue prints, county permits, and securing financing. Read more
Extreme Barn Makeover – Church Edition
November 16, 2009
by Barbara A Oliver, Managing Editor
V
ILONIA, Ark. (BNc) — The Vilonia congregation celebrated its two-year anniversary in their new barnitorium, as Marty Knight, one of the three elders, dubbed it Sunday morning, Nov. 8.
The new Ministry Center was started the week before. Using the metal exterior from an old horse barn, they built a new 36×36 structure to serve as a temporary meeting place until they can build a new building.
When asked why they decided to use the old barn, the elders replied, “It was there and it was cheap!” Read more
Publication helps local congregation
October 8, 2009
by Jeremy D. Smith, used by permission of Demopolis Times
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. (BNc) — Over the next few weeks, Demopolis and Gallion residents will receive the latest issue of “House to House, Heart to Heart.” The publication, which took its roots in Tiplersville, Miss., in 1994, began circulating in the Demopolis area in March 2008.