Authority: Review of the Hester-Sungenis Debate
October 18, 2011
by Kyle Massengale
PINSON, Ala. (BNc) — On a Friday evening, an audience gathered at the Pinson High School Fine Arts Center to hear reason and evidences regarding the fundamental point of contention among the ‘religious’ world today: “The Bible is the exclusive standard of authority for Christian faith and practice.”
Robert Sungenis, well known author and president of Catholic Apologetics International, an organization dedicated to teaching and defending Roman Catholicism, was set to defend his belief in additional authoritative sources.
David Hester, evangelist with the Springville Road church, affirmed the Bible as the exclusive will of God to man. Read more
Gospel preacher and camp organizer Hoyt Nelson dies
October 14, 2011
by George Merritt
MOULTON, Ala. (BNc) – Well-known and much loved Gospel minister Hoyt Nelson of Moulton, Ala., died Sept. 25th. He was 81. His wife Gueldine preceded him in death several years earlier. Funeral services were held Sept. 28th in the Hartselle (Ala.) Church of Christ auditorium.
While serving the College Avenue congregation in Enterprise, Ala., in the 1960s and 70s, Hoyt was a driving force in the beginning of Wiregrass Christian Youth Camp at Chancellor, Ala. He remained active in that work the rest of his life. Memorials may be made to this work and sent to Camp Wiregrass, P. O. Box 311072, Enterprise, AL 36331. He also did missionary work throughout the Ukraine, Romania, and the Caribbean. Read more
Heritage Christian University receives G.I. Jobs award
September 19, 2011
FLORENCE, ALA. (BNc) – G.I. Jobs, the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Heritage Christian University the designation of Military Friendly School. The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that do the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students. Read more
Scott Gleaves named Faulkner Univ. Assistant Dean
July 20, 2011
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BNc) – Dr. G. Scott Gleaves has been named Assistant Dean of the V. P. Black College of Biblical Studies of Faulkner University.
For four years, Scott was the preaching minister at Granny White church, Nashville, Tenn. His last Sunday at Granny White was July 17.
During the evening service, Dr. Gleaves was presented a Faulkner Eagle statue by Dr. Ernest Clevenger. The eagle had been presented to Clevenger when he was the academic dean in 1977. In the presentation Clevenger asked Gleaves to “take the eagle back home.” Read more
Heritage approved to offer MDiv degree
June 27, 2011
FLORENCE, Ala. (BNc) – Heritage Christian University announced today that the Association for Biblical Higher Education approved the request to offer the Master of Divinity beginning with the Fall, 2011, semester.
The MDiv is widely considered the first professional degree for ministers.
HCU Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Bill Bagents noted of the approval, Read more
Alabama storm relief efforts continue
June 17, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., (BNc) — The churches in the Birmingham, Ala., area have been using Facebook to help tornado victims.
Communicating together via a group called The Church Connection, they have been able to help with specific needs for tornado victims. They have also promoted their desire to help through the Pleasant Grove tornado Facebook group and the Concord tornado group. Read more
Eulala Williams Celebrates 100th Birthday
June 11, 2011
by Glenda Williams, BNc correspondent
“I’ve never done anything I am ashamed of.” Those words were once spoken by my sweet mother who is celebrating her 100th birthday today.
Eulala Williams was born tenth in a family of eighteen children to Felix and Evie Lee Bryant of Clay County, Alabama. She grew up and married Grady T. Williams from Elba, Alabama, and lived with him 55 years until his death. Together they had three children – Hoyt, Herschel, and me. Mother became a Christian when she was 11 years old.
As my brother once commented, “Mama never had a pity-party.” Eulala Williams’ positive outlook on life, and a strong desire to go to heaven, continues to set an excellent example for my two brothers and me, as well as others who know her.
John D. Stokes passes away
May 23, 2011
Andalusia, Ala. (BNc) – John D. Stokes, long-time elder of the Cedar Grove church, died May 10, at the age of 94 years.
John D. was the fourth child of Leland C. and Callie Alabama “Bama” (Fuqua) Stokes. He lived most of his life in the same community where he and the Cedar Grove church were born during the same year, 1916. Stokes’ grandfather, Burrell Jackson Stokes, was a leader in establishing the congregation of which John D. would become a life member. His parents were active in the church and its ministry.
American churches, Christians suffer from tornados
April 28, 2011
SOUTHERN U.S. (BNc) – Christians and churches across the U.S. suffered from the tornados that left a wake of destruction in the past days.
Ricky Glass noted on Facebook that the Hackelburg Ala., church building is gone; the preacher and wife lost all they had, the town itself, demolished. Amy Hester wrote that Betty Lane, the preacher’s wife, is in the hospital at Hamilton.
The Bethel church in Athens, Ala., got hit as well, the church building is gone (photo, left), many members have lost their homes, according to one report. Read more
Preacher Jerry Jenkins has gone to be with the Lord
October 26, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BNc) – Jerry Jenkins, preacher with the Roebuck Parkway congregation for 44 years, died around 10:45 p.m., Monday, after a massive stroke and massive organ failure, according to his son Jeff.
He had been in the University of Alabama hospital in Birmingham.
The church’s Facebook page noted:
Brother Jerry Jenkins has gone to see the reward he worked so hard for. While we grieve, we do not grieve as those who have no hope! (1st Thes. 4:13) He will be missed beyond what words can put to paper. The family and the Church at Roebuck Parkway covet your prayers. Read more





