NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BNc) — Well-known Christian evangelist and author Jim Bill McInteer died on Monday, March 8, according to the website of 21st Century Christian.

Funeral services for McInteer will be held Wednesday, March 10, at 2 p.m. at Brentwood Hills church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike, Nashville, Tenn. Visitation opportunities will be on Tuesday, March 9, from 2-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 10 from 12-2 p.m. at Brentwood Hills.

McInteer preached for the West End church of Christ in Nashville for about 30 years. He was the former president and publisher of 21st Century Christian and Power for Today. He also served on the board at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., for many years.

Commenting on the passing of such a giant of the faith, Dale Jenkins said, “One of my heroes died today. Brother Jim Bill McInteer was a prince of a man, a gentleman, a man of God’s Word. Where do you start in remembering this godly man?  He casts a long shadow and in the minds of many he the last of small group of preachers who so strongly influenced our brotherhood – Ira North, Willard Collins, BC Goodpasture, Batsell Barret Baxter and Jim Bill McInteer. His life entered into so many spheres.”

Like Jenkins, many Christians have been influenced by the dedicated service of McInteer. And though he has passed from this physical life, his work and legacy will continue to expand among those who have been touched by his life.

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.

They have managed to increase attendance each week by one or two as word about the service has spread.

On February 7, 2010, Captain Holloway reported that they had 21 in attendance.

Holloway, better known as Craig back home in Alabama, shares the preaching responsibilities with a major from their unit who is a minister in his civilian life at a church of Christ in Tennessee. If neither of them is available they have a Marine colonel who can preach as well as a SFC from the unit who is an elder in the states.

Holloway reports that there is also another church of Christ chaplain who can fill in if needed. However he mainly concentrates his efforts on another part of KAF.

Holloway supplied the picture of a group who recently gathered to worship. Captain Anthony Holloway is pictured as tallest on back row.

Editor’s Note: Anthony Craig Holloway is the son of Duncan and Mary Holloway of Geneva, Ala., and the husband of Kim Holloway, Montgomery, Ala.

In a recent sermon, a fellow officer delivered a message that made me sit back and think. Maj. Jerry Sayre said that one can tell a great deal about a person by looking at the things that bother him. In other words, those things that make us uncomfortable say a great deal about us. I find Maj. Sayre’s statement to be quite profound.

While conducting my first ramp ceremony, I found myself ill-prepared for the wave of emotion that swept over me. “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes as the fallen soldiers were slowly carried past a solemn line of their comrades.

Of the things that passed through my mind, none is greater than the thought of the impact on the lives of the family members and friends of each soldier. Their lives will be changed forever. Big plans developed by husbands and wives or brothers and sisters will never take place. Plans for vacations, plans for college, plans to spend more time together will never materialize.

I also think about the other soldiers who face the fight every day. I think of how they deserve the best that we at our level can provide them. They are the reason we are here.

I was fortunate to spend two weeks at a base in the vicinity of Herat last month. I slept in a tent with young soldiers from the 82nd Airborne. Many of them face the same problems common to all who are separated from friends and family. However, they often face those challenges without the benefit of easy Internet access and the additional 30-plus years of life experience that many of us have.

Overall, I found them to be a good group of young Americans who do dangerous jobs for a living. I know this: I pray that nothing bad happens to any of them. I want each of them to one day chase those big dreams and big plans they have made.

Take Maj. Sayre’s comment to examine your own conscience: what bothers you the most?

I know that I speak for most, if not all, military members: ramp ceremonies.

We pray that they will always bother us.

Capt. Holloway is the son of Duncan and Mary Holloway, of the Geneva, Ala., congregation.

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.”

“But we have been able to share over 100,000 lbs of food with 11 churches of Christ and many other local groups. We have received 48 tents and a handful of tarps that were also shared. We have been able to help hundreds in mini medical clinics that have been held by the groups from Estes. We are expecting two containers this week with food and supplies. We have 5000-6400 tents coming in Fri. or Sat. The tents were collected through a joint effort with CRF, Harding University and Manna Global. To date since the earthquake we have had 21 baptisms. Last Sunday night we had 300+ folks attend service,” said Edwards.

Jesse Robertson, an Estes deacon in charge of logistics, said, “From the beginning it has been clear that all of our donors were concerned about emergency food and medical care. That has been our primary focus so far.”

However, focus is shifting to more permanent needs, such as housing and equipment for job creation. The Estes congregation is asking for ideas on how to fulfill these needs.

If you would like to help, you can contact them by email or call 731-989-7990.

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.

She looks forward to studying with them each week.

On Friday, Jan. 29, another one of Ernie’s converts was baptized into Christ at the Geneva, Ala., church building. Terri Webb felt a special bond to Ernie as they sat on the front pew waiting for her baptism. A close friendship often develops between student-inmates and teachers.

In thinking about her jail ministry work, Ernie said: “The downside is seeing those who make a full circle but come back in, like a revolving door. Deep down they haven’t made that commitment, and that is disappointing. If we had a program where we could be over them for a year after they get out and help them …” and her mind trailed off with that thought.

Some inmates get out and some go on to larger prisons. Ernie said, “We often lose contact with them when they move on, but we have to keep trying and teaching them, believing and hoping that we’ve made a lasting impression on their lives. At least we have done what we could. That’s all we’re commanded to do is go and teach.”

A smile came across her face when she thought of the one she has taught and seen baptized who she calls her “star.”

Ernie said, “I had high hopes and expectations for Brandi. After two relapses, she has gotten her head on straight.”

Ernie recalled how this past Christmas Brandi went with her to buy gifts to give the inmates.

“She has made drastic changes in her personal life, enrolled in a nearby college and is studying to be a drug counselor. I’m proud of Brandi.”

“That makes it all worthwhile,” Ernie said.

At one time Ernie said all her students were people she had already taught and baptized. She doesn’t let that discourage her from continuing to go and teach. She goes week after week, at 6:00 p.m., and encourages those who have returned to “get back up one more time than you fall down.”

May Ernie’s example inspire us all to reach out to those confined to jails. Those fields are indeed “white unto harvest” (John 4:35). “I was in jail and you visited me,” (Matthew 25:36) surely must mean more than stopping by to say hello on visitation day.

When asked how many she has taught and seen baptized, Ernie said, “I don’t know. I haven’t kept records.”

God has kept records, and he knows them by name.

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.

“Why don’t you have classes for regular members?” we were asked. So we added a Spiritual Renewal Weekend, as well as tracks for members, teens, and children. Attendance surpassed 1400.

That brings us to 2010. The largest PTP ever is in the works – 102 speakers and worship leaders, 10 concurrent sessions each hour, 375 separate classes spread over seven days. Our attendance goal is 2000.

What does God have in store for PTP now? Come and see!

The scheduled PTP for 2010 will be from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2.

View the PTP Schedule.

Register online or call 1-877-338-3397.

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).

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.

The first meeting on post was in mid-September, 2009, after six months of paperwork for approval.

In the first few months, the brethren coming onto post from surrounding congregations have had a taste of how they hope to assist more and more troops and their families.

One WOC candidate saw the service promoted on the marquee soon after arriving. For two months, the early afternoon service gave him a Lord’s Day respite from the confines of “lock down” and the rigors of class and field training. It afforded him the opportunity to observe the Lord’s Supper, study God’s word, sing, pray, and fellowship with other Christians.

A Christian father and his two children came after seeing a flier announcing the service in the PX immediately upon arriving at the “Home of Army Aviation”. A young soldier’s wife with two small children and expecting a third sees the worship service as a way to be near her husband during his time away from his family. Other soldiers, too, have already found this unique “congregation”, including a Lieutenant from Nashville, Tenn., in flight school.

Several nearby congregations have committed to supporting this work with their presence on designated Sundays. Among those who come each week is Betty Marcum who was a civilian employee at Fort Rucker 37 years and whose husband is retired military.

“It’s such a blessing that the chaplain’s office has embraced this work and made it possible,” Marcum says.

This ministry is under the direction of the Ariton, Ala., congregation, with which Merritt works. Congregations sending people to assist  are Christian Home at Wicksburg, College Avenue in Enterprise, the Ozark, Geneva, and Clio congregations.

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.

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.

The Sevierville, Tenn., church has partnered with the retreat over the years and hosts the Wednesday night service. The attendees ranged from newlyweds to those who had celebrated fifty years together. Some traveled more than a thousand miles to attend.

David Shannon, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and Phillip Hines, of Hartselle, Alabama, did an excellent job teaching sessions on “Joy in the Journey. Celebrating God’s Gift of Matrimony.”  Jim Dearman, of GBN television, hosted the event and at times had the crowd rolling with laughter.

If the Lord wills, the next Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreat will be held February 16-19, 2011, so mark your calendars for a very special Valentine’s weekend.

CDs of this year’s classes, as well as previous years, may be ordered at their website or by calling 1-877-338-3397.