Campers ‘Ignite’ at York’s Soul Quest

In York, Neb. , the weeklong Soul Quest camp for middle and high school students at York College features high-energy worship times, challenging Bible classes and fun and activities, organizers said. The theme was “Ignite,” based on Jeremiah 20:9.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

CITY OF CHILDREN

ENSENADA, Mexico —  The children’s home dedicated its new Learning Center and Creative Arts Center, designed to give children “an ideal after-school study environment.”

The facilities include a computer lab, space for private tutors, an art studio, a dance studio and a music room. Children who live at the City of Children will use the center for extracurricular activities.

“Private instructors and professionals from around Ensenada as well as visiting Americans will come and teach those children hungry to discover their talents and gifts,” the home’s newsletter said.

ORPHAN’S LIFELINE INTERNATIONAL

KISUMU, Kenya —  A children’s home in this East African nation specializes in helping the deaf and hearing-impaired.

It’s producing scholars and atheletes.

Children from the home, supported by Kalispell, Mont.-based Orphans Lifeline International, recently competed in a regional track event in Kisumu. Four children qualified for nationals in Nairobi. Churches of Christ support Orphans Lifeline International, online at www.orphanslifeline.org.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FAULKNER UNIVERSITY

MONTGOMERY, Ala. —  Twenty-five boys attended Faulkner’s first Vanguard Preaching Camp this summer. They learned skills ranging from impromptu speaking to the mechanics of baptizing.

“At every session, seeds were planted to generate a desire to work in God’s kingdom,” said G. Scott Gleaves, Bible college associate dean. The university hopes to offer the camp again next summer and increase the number of participants.

HARDING SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  Richard Oster’s recent 65th birthday drew quite a crowd — for a scholarly discussion on “Ephesus As a Religious Center under the Principate.”

More than 200 people gathered in honor of Oster, who has taught New Testament at Harding School of Theology since 1978. He has focused much of his academic energies and publishing on materials related to Ephesus.

Speakers included archaeologists and New Testament scholars from Austria, New Zealand and various parts of the United States. They presented papers ranging from recent archaeological discoveries in Ephesus to cultural features connected with Ephesus that illuminate elements of early Christianity.

MINISTRY TRAINING

DISCIPLETRIPS

LUBBOCK, Texas — Jeff Smith, student minister for the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, has launched a ministry “to make it possible for any Church of Christ teen — 16 years or older — to take a mission trip.”

The ministry, DiscipleTrips, seeks to connect teens with domestic and international mission opportunities. Christian students apply for the program — with the approval of their parents and recommendation of their church’s leadership — and complete an online training program before leaving on a mission trip. The Sunset church oversees the work. This year the ministry coordinated two mission trips to Honduras. For more information, see discipletrips.com

EAST TENNESSEE SCHOOL OF PREACHING

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — David Lipe, a former Bible and philosophy professor at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., has been named director of East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions.

In 45 years of preaching, Lipe has worked with Churches of Christ in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. He has conducted more than 400 gospel meetings.

In his last nine years at Freed-Hardeman, he preached for the Bethel Springs Church of Christ.

Most recently,  he worked with the Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tenn.

MEDICAL MISSIONS

VILLAGE OF HOPE

FETTEH, Ghana — Medical personnel at Hope Community Clinic, a ministry of the Village of Hope, performed two hernia repairs recently — the first surgeries to be performed entirely at the clinic. 

“Both patients are doing very well,” coordinator Araba M.A. Hammond reported. “We are hopeful that we will be able to acquire more equipment in order to provide much-needed services in Fetteh and its environs.”