‘A lawyer by trade and a preacher at heart’ — Fred Gray receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON — The East Room of the White House was…
Across the Nation: Baptizing moms in Massachusetts, tackling sexual sin in Mississippi and more quick takes
Our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ across the U.S.
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Across the Nation is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ across the U.S. Got an idea for this column? Email Calvin Cockrell at [email protected].
Featured image (above): Cedrick Jackson, minister for the Lampton Street Church of Christ in Mississippi, baptizes Nijia Jones.
MASSACHUSETTS
SPRINGFIELD — When five moms and one of their children were baptized on the front porch of Christina’s House in October, their new birth was the next in a succession of big steps they had taken to overcome homelessness and begin a new life.
Gareth Flannery, minister of the West Springfield Church of Christ, baptized the group. He’s one of two local ministers who conduct Bible studies as part of the required program at the nonprofit that provides transitional housing for women and their children.
Mothers in the yearlong program also attend classes in life skills necessary to work toward self-sufficiency, participate in counseling and work to decrease debt and establish savings.
Gareth Flanary baptizes women and a child on the porch of the nonprofit Christina’s House.
Carolyn Martinez, director of Christina’s House and a graduate herself, has seen the impact.
At first they attend because it’s a requirement of the program, Martinez said.
“But as time goes by, they really start looking at it as part of their community,” she said. “The Bible studies help them to understand their relationship with Christ and dependence on God. Seeing his hand moving in their lives is the thing I’ve heard them talk about.”
MISSISSIPPI
BOONEVILLE — On a recent Sunday in this town 30 miles north of Tupelo, the Booneville Church of Christ hosted the Exposing the Darkness, Strength in Brotherhood Summit.
The theme drew on Ephesians 5:3 — “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
Brothers in Christ fellowship at a summit on sexual immorality at the Booneville church.
More than 80 brothers in Christ came together for a time of breakfast, fellowship and prayer before a lesson on “How We Got Here.” It addressed sexual immorality among men, particularly pornography.
“This lesson was direct and ‘no holds barred’ (about) what is happening and what we need to do about it,” said Booneville involvement minister Doug Smith.
Related: ‘A lawyer by trade and a preacher at heart’ — Fred Gray receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Later, during Booneville’s normal worship service, preaching minister Ken Forrest spoke on “Choosing Victory Over Our Eyes and Mind.”
Before lunch, men stayed for a final lesson on “What’s Next,” where they were challenged to be pure in all things and not just confess wrong but to have a change of heart.
“This was an outstanding day, and every person present was challenged to be better,” Smith added.
TEXAS
HALTOM CITY — The new David E. Smith Elementary school was dedicated here, in the same place its namesake spent his 36-year career as a principal.
For 56 years, Smith was also an elder of the historic Birdville Church of Christ, where he still reads announcements and has a sermon ready to preach on his next birthday.
David Smith, center, cuts the ribbon on a new elementary school that honors his name.
“This is a great day for me,” Smith said at the ceremony. “What other 99-year-old World War II veteran have you ever known that has gotten to participate in the opening of a new building that will bear his name?”
The cornerstone of his speech drew from the early superintendent, W.G. Thomas, on the essential of mutual respect, never forgetting that the student is the purpose of education.
In addition to teachers and new students seeing the building for the first time, many neighbors, three generations of Smith’s family, previous students — many of whom Smith still recognizes 70 years later — and members of the Birdville church came to celebrate.
NEWSMAKERS
BAPTIZED — BOB CAGLE of the Owl Hollow Church of Christ in Winchester, Tenn. KEYMARI DIXON of the Oakland Church of Christ in Southfield, Mich. NIJIA JONES and TYSON SMITH of the Lampton Street Church of Christ in Mound Bayou, Miss. MAKENLEE FAIRCHILD of the Turkey Church of Christ in Texas. CHARLES PORTER of the BCS Church of Christ in Bryan, Texas. BRITTANY WALLS of the Quail Valley Church of Christ in Batesville, Ark.
Left, Rhys Becerra is honored as Student of the Month by the Paragould Exchange Club in Arkansas for academic success and community involvement. Right, Teddy Copeland is named 2025 Alumna of the Year by Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Ala.
HONORED — RHYS BECERRA as Student of the Month by the Paragould Exchange Club in Arkansas for academic success and community involvement. He is a student at Crowley’s Ridge Academy in Paragould. Crowley’s Ridge students GRACIE STALLINGS, KENSLEE SHEPPARD and ELISABETH EVANS were finalists. COURTNEY PRUITT, a 2018 graduate of Alabama Christian Academy in Montgomery who died in 2019 after battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as namesake of a $2.5 million community center. The Courtney Harman Pruitt Community Center will host classes, workforce training and benevolence programs, said Montgomery mayor Steven Reed.
From left, Courtney Pruitt, Stephen Green, Charlotte Jackson and Hallie Marie Waugh.
NAMED — TEDDY COPELAND, 2025 Alumna of the Year by Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Ala. “Teddy’s life is a shining example of faith, service, and dedication,” school administrators said. STEPHEN GREEN, Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professional. He is chief development officer at Agape Child & Family Services in Memphis, Tenn., a ministry associated with Churches of Christ. CHARLOTTE JACKSON, National Merit Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, an honor awarded to less than 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide. Jackson is a student at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tenn. HALLIE MARIE WAUGH, Poet Laureate of the Oklahoma City Metro Library System. She is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University.
