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 calvin@christianchronicle.org.
Featured image (above): A new church plant, The Way, meets in downtown Abilene, Texas.
GEORGIA
ATLANTA — Morehouse College, the historically Black alma mater of Martin Luther King Jr., recently inducted Edward J. Cribbs Sr. into its Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers.
The honor recognizes “distinguished clergy from across the nation who exemplify moral leadership, spiritual conviction, and a commitment to justice and service in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Cribbs preaches for the Oakland Church of Christ in Southfield, Mich., and serves as chief operations officer for the Crusade for Christ.
Edward Cribbs poses with Georgia senator and minister Raphael Warnock at the Morehouse induction ceremony.
He’s also preached for the Russell Woods Church of Christ in Detroit and taught middle school social studies.
“Bro. Cribbs’ induction reflects a life of faithful preaching, servant leadership, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the gospel through both ministry and organized evangelistic efforts,” the Crusade for Christ said in a statement.
“Crusade leadership gives thanks to God for Bro. Cribbs’ faithful service and his continued leadership. … This honor reflects … the spirit and mission of the work he helps lead, with a continued impact on the work of evangelism.”
TENNESSEE
PIGEON FORGE — At the LeConte Event Center — minutes from Dollywood, the theme park named for iconic singer Dolly Parton — 13,000 gathered for the Challenge Youth Conference.
“While headlines often focus on a narrative of decline, a powerful story of hope and spiritual hunger is unfolding in our churches,” said P.J. Hicks, minister for the Whitney Church of Christ in Texas.
“This event wasn’t just another weekend getaway,” he added. “It was a vibrant testament to a generation actively seeking a deeper connection with God.”
Kyle Butt speaks at the Challenge Youth Conference in Tennessee
The theme of the year’s youth event was “ChatCYC: Hearing God in a Digital Age,” a play on the name of the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT.
Teens came together to grow closer to God and each other through worship, devotionals and fun activities.
Hicks was encouraged by the passion and energy he saw at CYC.
“Today’s teens are not looking for superficial programs or watered-down messages,” he said. “They are searching for authenticity and substance. They crave solid biblical truth that speaks to the complex challenges they face daily.”
TEXAS
ABILENE — The Remington Ridge Church of Christ on the outskirts of this West Texas city has planted a new church in downtown Abilene.
The new congregation, called “The Way — A Church of Christ,” meets at the 201 Mesquite Event Center west of Front Porch Coffee Co. and Bakery.
A new church plant, The Way, meets in downtown Abilene, Texas.
“From the time we started worshiping together as Remington Ridge in 2017, part of our vision has been to plant more churches in the Abilene area to continue spreading the Word of God,” said Ron McElyea, one of Remington Ridge’s elders. “We’re in our ninth year, and that’s happening.”
Zane Dennis, another elder, explained that Remington Ridge was intentional about growing a church to about 375 to 400 members, which leaders believed was a good size for members to actively engage in ministry and fellowship.
“We didn’t want to be a megachurch,” Dennis said. “So when our numbers neared the 400 mark, conversations started about seeding another church. Matthew 28:19 says ‘go,’ and that’s what we’re doing.”
NEWSMAKERS
BAPTIZED — ROBERT CLANTON of the Maysville Church of Christ in Alabama. BRENT CLARK of the Central Church of Christ in Paducah, Ky. SOPHIA DEBOLT and KENLEE VANDAGRIFF of the North Terrace Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio. SYLOUS GATROST of the Camden Church of Christ in Tennessee. JACOB GRIFFIN and TRAVIS HANEY of the Sullivan Village Church of Christ in Lawton, Okla. LYNN JARVIS of the Millington Church of Christ in Tennessee. YOLANDA JOHNSON of the Bellingrath Road Church of Christ in Theodore, Ala. SAM JONES of the Prattville Church of Christ in Alabama. ANJI ORTIZE of the Roosevelt Drive Church of Christ in Jacksonville, N.C. JASMINE PETTY and TYSHIRA, DAMARI, DAMIAN and DECANTER GORDON of the U.S. 19 Church of Christ in Albany, Ga. RHONDA SESSION of the Dominion Park Church of Christ in Houston. MAXIMO SOTO of the Rome Church of Christ in Tampa, Fla. CHLOE WALKER of the Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tenn. ANGELA WESNER of the Sunset Road Church of Christ in Burlington, N.J.
Elizabeth Krumrei Mancuso, Dr. Deborah Octobre Stock and Joshua Marcum
AWARDED — ELIZABETH KRUMREI MANCUSO, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., a $1.2 million grant from Templeton Religion Trust to conduct three years of research on religious pluralism. The funds are part of a $2.2 million award distributed to the University of Kansas to fund an interdisciplinary team of four scholars within the domains of philosophy, religious studies and psychology. Mancuso is the project’s co-director.
ACCOMPLISHED — DR. DEBORAH OCTOBRE STOCK passed the Philippines Medical Board Exam. She and her husband, Michael, are missionaries for Churches of Christ and work in Tagbilaran on Bohol Island in the Philippines.
Dennis Marquardt, Kristi Reynolds, Rob Phillips and Zechariah Smith
NAMED— GRIFF ALDRICH, head men’s basketball coach at Pepperdine University. ETHAN LASTER, assistant professor of theology, and JOSHUA MARCUM, director of the Christian Workers Institute at Harding School of Theology in Searcy, Ark. The institute is a new program funded through the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. Marcum also will serve as assistant professor of ministry. DENNIS MARQUARDT, dean of the Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration, and BRETT BIGGS, senior advisor to the president and executive in residence for the College of Business Administration at Harding University in Searcy. ROB PHILLIPS, head football coach for Columbia Academy in Tennessee. KRISTI REYNOLDS, head of upper school and assistant head of school for strategic and innovative initiatives at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tenn. ZECHARIAH SMITH, minister for the Dellcrest Church of Christ in San Antonio.
