Newsletter for the College of Biblical Studies
Volume 2, Number 4
October, 2004

GST Graduates Serve at Various Campus Ministry Sites

Over the years various GST graduates have served campus ministries across the United States. eConnections asked some of these graduates to describe their ministries.

Tim Melikian

I graduated from ACU's Graduate School of Theology in 1996 with a M.Div. I have been the campus minister at the University of Oklahoma with the Sooners for Christ in Norman with the Alameda Church of Christ since 1998. Campus ministry is crucial to the life development of our people. I'm committed to see our churches grow in their understanding of how important the college years are in the lives of our young people. Churches of Christ are losing 50% of our young people when they go to college. I believe we can and must do better at changing that trend.

I am also committed to encouraging and aiding campus ministers in answering God's clear call to reach outward on our campuses and not just inward. If we are to grow, we must evangelize. The Sooners for Christ are hosting the National Campus Ministries Seminar on the OU campus August 4-7, 2005. The theme of the seminar is Amazing: A New Day Is Coming," which centers around campus ministry/church planting and evangelism on campus. We are reaching only 7.5% of our nation's universities in Churches of Christ. This seminar is designed to help change that.

I serve on the Campus Crosswalk Board which is a national board of campus ministers that oversees the National Campus Ministries Seminar and the national Church of Christ campus ministry website and e-zine Campus Crosswalk. Hosting the campus ministries seminar is a real passion for me, and I hope to use the expertise of several gifted speakers and teachers to inspire our campus ministers and churches to truly engage in seeking the lost on our campuses. Once this pattern changes, there are no limits to what we can accomplish in campus missions.

My area of involvement on the CCW board is to encourage new ministries and consult with struggling ones, which I have been fortunate enough to do in places such as Kansas, Illinois, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, and many others. If you want to learn more about what is going on in campus missions, go to www.campuscrosswalk.org.

Jeremy Harrison

My wife and I moved to Valdosta, Georgia this summer to work with Central Avenue Church of Christ in starting a campus ministry at Valdosta State University. Prior to this experience I served as the college minister for the University Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas for four years. I was also a student in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University during these years. My experiences in both the congregation and the classroom helped to shape and prepare me for full-time ministry. I was blessed to sit under the feet of experienced teachers who were serious about preparing students for the realities and responsibilities one faces in full-time ministry.

The campus ministry here in Valdosta is enjoying its inaugural semester and therefore has many fresh, new opportunities. We are currently involved in establishing a presence on campus and working with a nucleus of students who have been hungering to become a vibrant, active part of Valdosta State. A key component of our campus ministry is the men's and women's small groups that meet each week. The focus of these groups is the formation of deeper relationships through praying for each other, challenging each other to grow spiritually and sharing struggles and victories. I am finding that students are hungry for this type of fellowship and community. These groups are not formal Bible studies and serve as supplements to our Bible classes and weekly devotionals.

I believe that campus ministry will serve an increasingly important role as we move ahead in the 21st century. College campuses are places where many of tomorrow's leaders are forged. International students are coming to American universities in increasing numbers. College students are at a critical juncture in their lives and many people who decide to follow Christ do so during this season of life. Campus ministry is being embraced by more and more congregations who have caught the vision and recognized the need for active campus ministries. Additionally, many of these congregations are viewing campus ministry as an integral part of their mission, not just an ancillary segment of the congregation. It is truly an encouraging and exciting time to be involved in reaching college students for Christ.

Casey Coston

My involvement in campus ministry started at the University of Arkansas when I was a student. Scott Karnes was my mentor, and it was my participation there that gave me a heart for ministry. After graduation I was convicted to go into full-time ministry. This decision led me to ACU where I received my M.Div. and was trained to have more of the mind for ministry. I am currently in my first ministry after graduate school. I am the campus minister for the Oxford Church of Christ to the University of Mississippi.

I have prayerfully developed two events that are special to me in this ministry. On Tuesdays a small group of us meet on campus in the Student Union for Counter Culture. We share lunch together and have a conversation about the good news of Jesus and how it relates to and challenges our culture. I am indebted to Mark Love for providing the training to help make this event effective. The second event is called Prayer and Praise and it meets on Tuesday nights in our Student Center. This time of worship tries to offer both structure and spontaneity to the students as God reorients us to his ways. As suggested by the title, structure is provided because our time is focused on praying and praising. But I do not lead this event; it is student and Spirit led. Students suggest and lead songs and prayer requests can be made at any time. There is honesty and openness, thankfulness and sadness. And at the end we usually "circle up," hold hands and sing "A Common Love."

The importance of campus ministry is rapidly increasing in Churches of Christ. I think this is because we are beginning to hear how effectively the mission of God intersects this unique time and place in a person's life. It is a unique time because this is when so many young people get to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. It is a unique place because the campus is a melting pot of ideas, ethnicities, religions, and social groups. It is this clash of cultures, with such different traditions and experiences, that makes the campus setting a mission field. Consequently, it is a prime target for the mission of God and his gospel.

Dr. Jaime Goff Added to Department of Marriage and Family Therapy Faculty

Dr. Jaime Goff

The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy is pleased to announce that Dr. Jaime Goff has joined its faculty. Dr. Goff and her husband, Eric, moved to Abilene in July and have been actively engaged in making the transitions from Kentucky to Texas, and from teaching and supervising at the University of Kentucky to the Marriage and Family Institute at ACU.

Originally from West Virginia, she graduated from Ohio Valley College in 1999 with the B.S. in psychology and the B.A. in Biblical Studies. She was selected as outstanding graduate in each of those disciplines at OVC. Similarly, she earned two honors at ACU, the Outstanding First Year Student Award and the Outstanding Second Year Intern award in 2000 and 2001. She graduated in 2001 with the M.MFT degree and then with the Ph.D. in family and child ecology with a specialization in marriage and family therapy from Michigan State University in August, 2004. Additionally, during 2003 to 2004 she worked as a doctoral intern at the University of Kentucky where her responsibilities included teaching undergraduate students, supervising master's level marriage and family therapy interns, and grant writing.

Her teaching, research, and community involvement experiences are extensive. She has presented professionally at two AAMFT annual conferences, the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, the TAMFT annual conference, the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, and the 4th International Beatrice Paolucci Symposium. She has three publications under peer review in areas related to the ecology of marital satisfaction; body image at the intersection of migrant and American mainstream culture; and parental depression, attitudes toward discipline, and low-income pre-school children's behavior.

Dr. Goff comes to ACU with the strongest of recommendations from former professors. They have written about her, "She is an excellent clinician, demonstrating both compassion and respect for her clients," "she has an approachable and accessible style which will transfer nicely into the supervisory process," and "I expect that Jaime will exert leadership as a scientist and scholar." She is described as reliable, a good leader, one who possesses a good disposition, a good person, self-directed, and never one to utter unkind words about others.

Dr. Goff says about her role with the Department and Clinic, "Returning to ACU to teach in the marriage and family therapy program had been my goal since I graduated from the program in 2001. I had such a wonderful experience as a student that I wanted to contribute to the continuation of the program. In addition, I have been a part of multiple MFT programs in differing capacities, and the educational quality at ACU exceeds that of other programs. The opportunity to integrate faith and learning combined with the academic rigor of ACU's MFT program made joining this faculty an easy decision. God has truly blessed me by bringing me back to this place, and I hope to be able to pass that blessing on to our students."

Dr. Waymon Hinson, Chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, says about her, "Jaime is a woman of deep faith and compassion for people, a gifted teacher and researcher, committed to marriage and the family, and one who is actively involved in her church community. We are unanimously as a faculty and staff pleased to have her on board with us at ACU."

She and her husband are members of the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene.

Dr. Carroll Osburn Retires

Dr. Carroll Osburn

Dr. Carroll Osburn, Carmichael-Walling Distinguished Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Abilene Christian University retired from full-time teaching in August.

Osburn has been at ACU in the College of Biblical Studies for seventeen years. He previously taught at Pepperdine University and Harding Graduate School of Religion.

"Carroll's commitment to rigorous study of the New Testament has heightened the academic reputation for Graduate School of Theology. He will be missed," said Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the College of Biblical Studies. Dr. Royce Money, ACU president, also noted that Dr. Osburn has been deeply interested in the application of Scripture to the life of the church.

In addition to his teaching, Osburn has been a prolific author. His books include Women in the Church: Reclaiming the Ideal; Essays on Women in Earliest Christianity; and The Peaceable Kingdom: Essays Favoring Non-Sectarian Christianity.

Osburn also served for many years as the host for the annual Carmichael-Walling lecture series at ACU.

Throughout his time at ACU, Osburn has been actively involved in editing the Greek New Testament. Much of his recent research involves the text of Acts in Greek manuscripts and lectionaries, as well as Coptic (Sahidic) manuscripts, and citations of Acts in the writings of early church fathers. For more than twenty years he has served as a Greek translation consultant for Bible translators among primitive people in Central America and the Amazon and on Native American reservations.

Small Churches Workshop Launched

The first Small Churches Workshop was launched as one of the Summer Workshops on the ACU campus July 29- 31, 2004. The focus of the workshop addressed the unique dynamics, challenges, and opportunities for maximizing the ministries of small churches. Six ministers from churches of 250 or less in Sunday attendance led the sessions. Those six ministers were Scott Clark from Olney, TX, Joe Hailey from Coleman, TX, Tommy LeFan from Fredericksburg, TX, Art Lynch from Dumas, TX, Richard Pruitt from Smithville, TX, and Larry Roberts from Eastland, TX. An average of 40 participants attended the workshop. Plans are already underway for the second annual Small Churches Workshop for July, 2005. Resources regarding Small Church Ministry are available on the ACU Ministry Resources website.

ElderLink Ministry Expands

The ElderLink ministry began in 2000 with an ElderLink Forum in Dallas. The mission of ElderLink is to equip, encourage, and link those who lead and serve as elders in Churches of Christ. Since 2001 ElderLink Forum events have occurred each year in Dallas, TX and Portland, OR. Two additional ElderLink Forum events have been launched this year in Atlanta, GA (March) and in Nashua, NH (September). And two more new ElderLink Forum events will be initiated in 2005, one In Rochester, MI (January) and one in Houston, TX (April). The dates and locations for the six ElderLink Forum events in 2004- 2005 are as follows:

Nashua, NH; September 11, 2004; Nashua Church of Christ
Portland, OR; October 8, 9, 2004; Cascade College
Dallas, TX; November 13, 2004; Highland Oaks Church of Christ
Rochester, MI; January 29, 2005; Rochester College
Atlanta, GA; March 19, 2005; Campus Church of Christ
Houston, TX; April 16, 2005; Bammel Road Church of Christ

For more information about any of these events, please check the ElderLink website at www.acu.edu/ministry/elderli nk.html.

Summer Seminar in Missions 2004

The 2004 Summer Seminar in Missions had several high points. There were 105 individuals who came to take academic classes. This is the highest attendance that Seminar has had in recent years. Attendance in the recent past has been around 80 students. The total enrolled in courses, either for credit or non-credit, was 135. This number reflects that 30 individuals attended both sessions of Seminar.

The three-day Missions Focus was sandwiched in between the two sessions of Seminar. A total of 132 attended Focus with 16 of those attending Focus only. This was a high point in the Seminar. Dr. Paul Hiebert and Dr. Monte Cox gave valuable presentations. All of these sessions shed light on the challenge of presenting the Gospel in a post-modern world.

Dr. Paul Hiebert	Dr. Monte Cox

Church Planter's Workshop

In September ACU hosted the Intensive Organic Church Planter's Greenhouse, a training weekend that outlines principles and practices for planting simple home church networks. Author and church planter Neil Cole was one of three key facilitators. As one of the major American advocates to this missional approach to church planting, Cole stated, "We need to lower the bar for what it means to be a church, and raise the bar for what it means to be a disciple."

Over the past five years Cole has seen a network of seven home churches grow to include hundreds of churches. "This approach—which takes seriously the call to be going and training disciples among all the pockets of people— holds great promise in a continent crying out for authenticity, community and hope," said Dr. Kent Smith, ACU's Missions Coordinator for North America.

Five ACU Supported Missions Coordinators

This Fall is the beginning of exciting days in missions at ACU. For decades we have been blessed with the work of missions coordinators representing various continental interests. In the Spring, as a result of a generous gift to the Institute for Missions and Evangelism, ACU is now supporting five missions coordinators. In the past, missions coordinators brought their support with them. ACU's support of the coordinators will allow them to be free of worries concerning support levels and will enhance the focus of the their work in the interest of missions on campus.

Missions Coordinators Gary Green, Latin America; Larry Henderson, Asia; Kent Smith, North America; Yann Opsitch, Europe; Dan McVey, Africa and the Islamic world

We are grateful for this wonderful donation that is bridge money until the Institutes's endowment is in place. We request your prayers for the work of these men in raising up teams of missionaries at ACU.

Former Missionary, Missions Consultant Gwynneth Curtis Dies

Gwynneth Curtis

On a sad note, our dear friend, Gwynneth Curtis, lost his battle with cancer this month. Gwynneth had been a missions coordinator representing Europe for many years. We all loved his vibrant spirit and his passion for the Lord and the lost. ACU is grateful for the years that Gwynneth and Joyce labored with us. Our love and prayers go out to the family. The ACU press release with more information is at http://www.acu.edu/events/news/archives2004/040902_gwynneth_curtis.html</ P>

 

2005 Annual Bible Lectureship

"Since You Have Been Raised With Christ: Messages from Colossians" is the theme of the upcoming annual Bible Lectureship, February 20-23, 2005. Theme speakers include Billy Wilson (Glasgow, Scotland), David Holmes (Malibu, CA), Harold Shank (Memphis, TN), Prentice Meador (Dallas, TX), Billy Curl (Los Angeles, CA), Phil Ware (Abilene), and Randy Harris (Abilene).

This year Zoe Group will lead worship each evening, setting the tone of praise and prayer typical of each lectureship. Morning prayers, contemplative evening worship (in the Taize style), and special singing groups each day will help make the worship experience at lectureship both diverse and full. In addition to regular lectureship features like Art & Faith, Forum, and Gospel and Culture, this year a new track is being offered entitled "Marketplace Faith." Breakfasts, classes, and forum conversation will all help participants who are interested in seeing the workplace as places of ministry.

As with last year, the Teague Special Events Center will host both exhibits and fellowship space. New vendors with resources for ministry will exhibit, including publishers like Eerdmans and Abingdon. Soon, the full program will be on the ACU website at http://www.acu.edu/events/le ctureship.html, including a link to request printed brochures.

Lectures on Preaching

This year's Lectures on Preaching (LOP), September 16, brought together 250 participants to hear presentations on the relationship between preaching and baptism and the Lord's Supper, and to honor two preachers whose ministries were devoted to overcoming racial barriers. The tribute luncheon, a regular feature of LOP, honored Dr. Gus Farmer who in addition to his preaching responsibilities taught Greek and New Testament at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas. SWCC is a predominately African-American college. Also honored was Dr. Vernon Boyd who served in racially diverse congregations in both Chicago and Detroit. The luncheon including moving testimonials from both former colleagues and students.

Drs. Jerry Taylor (ACU), Jack Reese (ACU), and Dan Bouchelle (Amarillo) made presentations, each taking a different angle on the relationship between baptism and preaching. Dr. Taylor opened LOP with a powerful sermon from Romans 6. Dr. Reese discussed the sermon's place in worship, especially as it is connected to baptism and the Lord's Supper. Dr. Bouchelle suggested that an expansion of atonement metaphors beyond ones most commonly associated with a courtroom would not only enhance our understandings of baptism, but bring a sharper ethical focus to our preaching.

It was announced that next year's program (September 15, 2005) will feature well-known homiletics author, Paul Scott Wilson (Toronto) and Dr. Stephen Johnson (ACU).

New Students Welcomed to the Undergraduate Department

The Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry welcomed 88 new students on campus including 12 transfer students and 75 entering freshmen students for the Fall semester, 2004. Preparing for service and leadership in ministry contexts around the world, these young men and women will make a remarkable contribution in the Kingdom in years ahead.

An extremely talented class, the entering freshmen majors of 45 men and 30 women have qualified for numerous academic scholarships. The class includes fifteen students enrolled in the Honors program at ACU. Six of the entering freshman majors have been named to the prestigious Presidential Scholars award. These entering departmental majors are assuming leadership roles on campus and within the Freshman class as a whole

All of our freshman majors are enrolled in a departmental section of the "University Seminar" course. This course is designed to assist first-year students in the transition to university life at ACU. The course is also linked to a "Learning Community" which promotes social connection and curriculum sharing with two other classes in each student's schedule.

Entering freshmen during a morning session in one of the department's University Seminar classes.

Becoming a Ministry Partner

The mission of the Graduate School of Theology is to equip men and women for effective ministerial leadership in a variety of missions and ministry contexts and to provide strong academic foundations for theological inquiry.

A strong partnership between congregations and the GST is essential for the fulfillment of our mission. Churches shape the students who come to the GST for formative training in preparation for their ministries. Churches are active partners in the process of experiential learning through internships in a variety of ministry contexts. And churches provide the opportunities for graduates to do their ministry. Minister formation requires learning in the classroom and learning through the practice of ministry.

How might your church partner with the GST to form ministers for tomorrow's church?

1. Your church can provide a Ministry Internship for a minister intern. In addition to providing a modest stipend and lodging for the intern, the partner congregation will also provide a Ministry Supervisor (one of your ministers) and an Intern Support Team (members interested in collaborating with the intern). The GST will orient the Ministry Supervisor and the Intern Support Team so that they can provide effective supervision to the intern. Becoming a "Teaching Church" enables congregations to take the responsibility for the future of the church seriously. Additionally, a larger church could support an intern for a smaller church that otherwise could not afford this opportunity during the summer. (For more information see the SPM web page or contact Dr. Tim Sensing, sensing@bible.acu.edu.)
2. Your church can help to support GST students while they prepare for ministry. While the GST provides generous tuition scholarships to reduce the cost of the academic work, students still struggle to pay living expenses without mounting severe debt from student loans. They need assistance with rent, utilities, food, childcare, health care, and miscellaneous items. The Student Associates Fund allows individuals or congregations to make donations to be used for grants to aid GST students. (For more information contact Dr. James Thompson, thompson@bible.acu.edu.)
3. Your church can become a Ministry Support Network Partner. The mission of the Ministers Support Network is to care for ministers and their families as they face the challenges of ministry by providing spiritual nurture, supportive relationships, and wise coaching. Four veteran ministry couples (Paul and Gladys Faulkner, Eddie and Annette Shart, Charles and Judy Siburt, and David and Jeanne Wray) host three annual Sabbaticals (retreats) free of charge for guest minister couples to encourage them in their ministries. (For more information contact Dr. Charles Siburt, siburt@bible@acu.edu.)

Personal or congregational gifts can help these vital parternships to continue. The GST takes its partnership with congregations seriously. We seek to maximize our partnership to the benefit of all involved. Please let us know how we may partner with you more effectively.

2004 Minister Salary Survey Results Available

Last Spring the ACU Church Relations Team administered a nationwide Minister Salary Survey. The survey was conducted via email, and a total of 554 ministers who serve in various ministry roles and in churches of different sizes participated in it. Results of the 2004 Minister Salary Survey are now available on the ACU Ministry Resources website. To see the results of the survey, click on www.acu.edu/ministry/sala rysurvey.html. If you would like to participate in the 2005 survey, just email Dr. Charles Siburt at siburt@bible.acu.edu.

Doctor of Ministry Application Time

Now is the time to consider whether you are ready to apply to the Doctor of Ministry Program in the Graduate School of Theology. Applicants must have completed a Master of Divinity Degree (84 hours) or its educational equivalent and must have completed three years of full- time ministry since completing their first theological graduate degree.

The recently revised curriculum focuses on ministerial leadership for missional churches-- churches that are learning to proclaim and embody the gospel in today's culture. A top- notch team of ten highly qualified faculty provide opportunities for stimulating theological reflection, peer learning, and spiritual formation. Participants in the program grow as theological and ministerial leaders.

For more information about the Doctor of Ministry Program or the application process, contact Dr. Charles Siburt at siburt@bible.acu.edu .

GST Increases Course Offerings in Dallas-Fort Worth

New offerings in the Dallas-Fort Worth area increased the opportunities for students in the fall semester. For the first time in several years, the GST offered three courses. Dr. Houston Heflin, youth minister at the Richardson East Church of Christ, taught Foundations of Youth Ministry at the Richardson East church. Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen, who recently moved to the area to become involved in a church planting mission, is teaching Planting and Developing of Churches, providing academic training while students are involved in field experiences. Dr. James Thompson and Dr. Tim Sensing are teaching Preaching 2 Corinthians, which students may take either for Bible or ministry credit. The North Davis Church of Christ in Arlington is the host for these courses.

These increased offerings are a part of the GST's plan to provide a wide selection of courses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Since all of the courses are taught on weekends in concentrated formats, part-time students are able to travel from various locations.

In the spring semester (2005), Dr. Charles Siburt will teach Managing Conflict in Churches. Drs. Jack Reese and Jerry Taylor will teach Preaching in an African-American Context, and Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen will offer Teaching the Gospel.

For more information see Weekend Courses on the GST homepage.

Internet Courses

Only through the Internet can a student in Mongolia be involved in a lively discussion with fellow students from New Zealand and Japan in the same virtual classroom. In GST Internet courses, students from three continents and numerous cities throughout the United States learn from their professors, chat with each other about the assignments, and complete research projects as they make progress toward their master's degrees. In the fall semester, 31 students are enrolled in two web-based courses. Since web-based courses are especially labor-intensive for faculty, enrollment in each class is limited. Consequently, the Internet courses are the first ones to be filled.

Students may take as many as 18 hours of Internet courses toward their master's degree. According to Dr. James Thompson, associate dean of the Graduate School of Theology, Internet courses serve two primary purposes. In the first place, it limits the residency period for students who cannot afford to be in Abilene for two or three years. In the second place, it allows current students who make progress toward their degrees while they are involved in internships away from the campus.

In the fall semester, Dr. Jeff Childers is teaching History of Christianity: The Ancient and Medieval Periods. Dr. Ian Fair is teaching The Synoptic Gospels: Mathew. In the spring semester 2005, Dr. Douglas Foster will teach History of Christianity II and Dr. Ian Fair will teach Advanced Introduction to the New Testament.

For more information see Internet Courses on the GST homepage.

Future Course Offerings in Abilene

January and Spring Courses for 2005

Maymester and Summer Courses for 2005

Alumni News

Jimmy Lumpkin (BA, 1958) is as an elder at the Inland Valley Church of Christ in Ontario, CA and often preaches. He received his MA and BD at Butler University in Indianapolis. He writes magazine articles for various magazines and has written two children's books. Jose, Can You See? and Rattlesnake Ranch. The third, Legend of the Gold Cannon, should be out later this year.

Robert Allen Diles (M.Div. 1994) has accepted a position on the faculty of Harding University at Searcy, Arkansas for the fall semester 2005. He and his wife, Lori, participated in a church planting in Prague, Czech Republic). He is completing his doctorate at Charles University in Prague. (e-mail allendiles@compuserve.com).

Sam Gonzalez (M.Div. 1998) is is a church planter sponsored in Morelia, Mexico sponsored by Richland Hills Church of Christ. He and his wife Ann have two children: Victoria age 5 and Sophia age 2. (e-mail samgonzalez@juno.com).

Darren Williamson (MS Biblical and Related, 1996) began teaching at Cascade College, Portland, Oregon, beginning in the fall semester 2004. Darren, Melody, and their four young children (Makyra, Conrad, Annelise, Juliana) moved to Portland from Vancouver, B.C., Canada where Darren had served as the Preaching Minister for the Delta Church of Christ and had been working on his PhD in European History at Simon Fraser University. Darren's area of specialty is 16th century European history and his dissertation (in progress) explores contact between Christian Humanism and the Radical Reformation. The Williamsons are especially glad to be close to family, working with a strong group of Christian educators, and living in the Great Northwest (e-mail williamsondt@hotmail.com).

Kenneth Hsu (M.Div. 1999) and his wife Jessica work as missionaries and English teachers in Taiwan, Jessica's home country. They have three children: Benjamin, Evangelina, & Gabriella (email kenneth.hsu@msa.hinet.net).

Kirk Cowell (M.Div. 2002) is the preaching minister at the University Church of Christ in Las Cruces, NM. He is married to Sandra (Long), who received her MS in Christian Education in 1999.

Eli and Kristen Perkins are the parents of Meredith Morgan Perkins, who was born Sunday, June 13, 2004 weighing 6 lbs. 7 oz. and 20 in. long. Eli (M.Div. 2002) continues as worship and youth minister at the Sunset Ridge Church of Christ in San Antonio (eperkins@sunsetridgechurch.org).

Jeremy Harrison (M.Div. 2002) is the new campus minister Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia, a ministry of the Central Avenue Church of Christ in Valdosta. He and Holly moved to Valdosta in July. (e-mail jeremynharrison@yahoo.com).

Bruce and Kathy McIntyre are the parents of Seth Alan, who was born on July 5. Bruce (M.Div. 2002) continues as pulpit minister of the Hohenwald Church of Christ in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Seth's older sister is Emma, who was born during Bruce's student days at ACU. E-mail bruce_hohenwald@bellsouth.net

New from ACU Press

Decades of Destiny: A History of Churches of Christ from 1900-2000

In its "Restoration 21 Retrospective" series, The Christian Chronicle offered an important look back at the history of Churches of Christ in the 20th century. Now, due to popular demand, ACU Press has teamed up with the editors of The Christian Chronicle to produce Decades of Destiny: A History of Churches of Christ from 1900-2000.

Comprising all the articles in the series, this visually appealing work allows readers to review and re-think the past, in order to equip themselves for the future. Including articles by leading historians in Churches of Christ, this attractively bound volume contains over 50 historic photographs and other illustrations.

By receiving this email, you qualify for a special, reduced price of $17.95 for this important new book.

Click here to order: http://aes.acu.edu:8080/store/detail.jsp?find=Discountdod