In the video below, News9 in Oklahoma City interviews Paul and Stacey Herrington, a Helpers in Missions couple serving in Haruna, about 100 miles north of Tokyo.
They are joined by Kent Hartman, a missionary in residence at Oklahoma Christian University. Hartman was an hour from landing in Tokyo when the earthquake struck. Hartman was flying to Japan to visit the Herringtons.

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Other Japan earthquake coverage:
– Facebook group focuses on prayer, relief for Japan earthquake victims
– Christian relief organizations prepare to respond to Japan disaster
– Prayers needed for ‘quite desperate’ situation …

Here is a video report by News9 in Oklahoma City on the plight of Japanese students at Oklahoma Christian University.

Disaster relief organizations associated with Churches of Christ are preparing to respond to the powerful earthquake and tsunami in Japan that killed an estimated 1,300 people. Healing Hands International is accepting donations for Japan relief. WFR Relief Ministries of the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, La., also is exploring how Christians can serve the people of Japan. Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City reports that eight long-term exchange students from Ibaraki Christian University had planned to return home Saturday.

A retired university president can play only so much golf and can spoil the grandchildren just part of the time. After that, what’s on the agenda? For J. Terry Johnson, former Oklahoma Christian University president, writing books fills many hours. His latest two works are bound to interest many Oklahomans and others.

Water from rivers that fed the biblical Garden of Eden, rocks from the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments, a slingshot and smooth stones from the valley where David faced Goliath and a crown of thorns like the one forced onto Jesus’ head are among artifacts from the Middle East that are meant to lead viewers on a visual tour of the Bible, said Cheryl Ginnings. Ginnings and her husband, Monte, recently donated the collection to Oklahoma Christian University, where both attended school and met 45 years ago. The Novak-Ginnings Biblical Artifacts Collection is made up of items the Ginnings and Cheryl Ginnings’ parents, Warder and Lottie Novak, gleaned over many years on 10 trips to 15 countries in what is considered the biblical holy lands.

Lubbock Christian University President Ken Jones has assumed the role of chancellor and CEO. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports that Jones is expected to remain in that role for the next year while LCU searches for its next president. Lubbock Christian University President Ken Jones has assumed the role of chancellor and CEO. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports that Jones is expected to remain in that role for the next year while LCU searches for its next president. Oklahoma Christian University President Mike O’Neal earlier announced plans to step down by June 2012, so at least two major universities associated with Churches of Christ will be seeking new presidents at the same time.

President Ronald Reagan will be honored posthumously with the Libertas award this month by the Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University. Michael Reagan will accept the award on behalf of his father at a ceremony Jan. 20 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

With the beautiful Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Colorado Springs, Colo., this week welcomed hundreds of youth ministers from Churches of Christ. They’re here for the annual National Conference on Youth Ministries (NCYM), which features prominent speakers from within our fellowship as well as leading thinkers and experts from the wider world of evangelical Christianity. “We are really concentrating on family this year, in an attempt to turn what has been called conventional youth ministry into a more generational approach to doing ministry,” said Dudley Chancey, an NCYM executive board member and a youth ministry professor at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Christian University’s adopted astronaut, Doug Wheelock, spoke to students today — from space. Wheelock talked live via video feed from the International Space Station, where he serves as commander of the six-person crew. “Chance favors the prepared mind, ” Wheelock said in a somersaulting space talk in which he discussed his Christian faith and promised to return to Oklahoma Christian in the spring — in person.

All through the day and into the wee hours of the night, Oklahoma Christian University students read the entire Bible in one continuous session this past Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students volunteered their voices and time in 15 or 20-minute increments to make this lofty goal a reality. “It’ll be a cool way to say, ‘Here’s the word we really abide by – the Word that was with God from the beginning,’” sophomore Brett Vanderzee said.