Volume 3, Number 2
March, 2005
Two Department Chairs Announce Transition, New MFT Chair Announced
In recent weeks two CBS department chairs have announced they will be moving from their administrative roles to return full time to the classroom. Both served as leaders in their academic departments for eight years.
Dr. Waymon Hinson has been a visionary and most competent chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy. As only the third chair in the history of the department, Waymon has continued the tradition of excellence. He has pushed the program to national recognition in a variety of ways. He and his faculty have served in state and national offices, participate in substantive research, and function with extraordinary abilities in the classroom. Waymon has been especially effective in bridging between the MFT program and the ministry programs housed in the Graduate School of Theology. A number of students now do joint programs, combining their M.M.F.T. degree with either the M.A. in Christian Ministry of the M.Div. Waymons initiative and creativity has been indispensable in this process. He has also supervised two successful COAMFT site visits.
Waymon has been an effective administrator, setting goals, finding resources for faculty and students, and insisting on nothing less than excellence. More than that, he has been a good friend to me. I am grateful for his years of work.
He is not leaving ACU, of course. He returns to the classroom full time where he continues to serve as an valuable faculty. His research and personal interests, in addition to his state and national offices, will focus on the plight of African-American farmers. We wish Waymon well in this important project and express our gratitude for great work as department chair.
It is my pleasure to announce the new chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr. Jackie Halstead. Dr. Halstead over the last several years has established herself as one of the universitys best professors. She is a leader on campus and is devoted to her MFT students. An outstanding therapist in her own right, she inspires as well as equips her students for the life of Christian therapy. She is a great leader and good friend. I am extremely pleased that she will begin this three-year term as program director, which includes both department chair and clinic director. Her tenure as chair begins June 1.
In the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry, Dr. David Wray recently announced that he will be moving to full-time faculty status and leaving his role as chair. Davids reputation as a great leader is well known, not only on campus but among churches everywhere. David brings together two rare qualitiesgreat vision and competent management. Having both of these qualities in one person is certainly uncommon.
Managing a department of 350+ majors plus general education courses for over 2000 students a year is not easy for anyone. Just keeping up with the details seems like a full time job. But David has done that and more. He has worked with the department to dream dreams, to think big. Under his leadership, the undergraduate programs have thrived. Moreover, faculty think more than ever about good pedagogy, about student mentoring and spiritual formation, and about establishing community.
We are thrilled that David will continue as full-time faculty, but he will be missed on the leadership team of the college. His attention will turn primarily to equipping students and churches in missional church leadership and spiritual formation. The faculty will be making recommendations soon concerning his replacement as chair. We wish David well in this transition.
Biblical Studies Building Named in Honor of Onstead, Packer
Abilene Christian University's Biblical Studies Building was officially named the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building to honor two late ACU trustees who helped make the building a reality 16 years ago.
The building was officially named at a ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 19 with the families of Lynn Packer and Robert Onstead and about 200 guests in the Hall of Servants in the Biblical Studies Building.
Both Packer and Onstead were instrumental in the campaign to raise money to fund the building during their time as trustees. They also worked closely to ensure its construction was of the highest quality.
"Both men dearly loved the church and wanted ACU to be a leader in preparing students for a life of service and leadership," said Dr. Royce Money, ACU president. "We wanted to honor these two longtime trustees and distinguished leaders, as well as their wives, for their dedication to this university."
Onstead was the CEO and chairman of Randall's chain of grocery stores and was known throughout Texas for his business success and civic leadership. Onstead served ACU as a board member beginning in 1978.
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Dr. James Thompson
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During the ceremony, Dr. James Thompson, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Theology, was named the next Robert and Kay Onstead Distinguished Chair of Biblical Studies. The Onsteads have funded numerous scholarships for ACU students preparing for careers in business and ministry, and have provided internship programs through Randall's for many ACU accounting students.
Packer was the CEO and chairman of Wyatt's Cafeterias at the time of his retirement, after 36 years with Wyatt's. Lynn became an ACU trustee in 1972, served as chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1984-92, and was a member of the senior board from 1998 to 2001.
Packer was honored as ACU's 1984 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. He and his wife, Barbara, received the highly esteemed Christian Service award from ACU in 1992. Barbara and their children established the Lynn Packer Chair for Missions and Evangelism in 2002, in memory of Lynn and his passion for missions.
"Since You Have Been Raised with Christ"
Thousands gathered on our campus Feb 20-23 for the annual Bible lectureship and enjoyed sermons, classes, worship and other experiences tied to the theme, "Since You Have Been Raised with Christ: Messages from Colossians." In addition to the typical lectureship experience, this year's program introduced a new feature: Marketplace Faith. Breakfasts for area professionals, special classes, and an afternoon forum all focused on issues of spirituality and work. These sessions were well received and lectureship planners are already looking for ways to expand this emphasis.
The opening night of lectureship brought two surprises for guests. First, the room was arranged differently with a new stage in a new location. The new set-up allowed for greater intimacy and more seating on the floor. Dr. Money announced that lectureship will be finding a new place on the university calendar. Next year, coinciding with the university's centennial celebration, will be the last year for a February lectureship (Feb 19-22). Beginning in the Fall of 2006, lectureship will find a new home during the third week of September (Sept 17-20). This means that there will be two lectureships in 2006, one in February and one in September. From that point on, lectureship will only occur in September. The reaction of lectureship guests to the announcement of a date change was overwhelmingly positive. We'll look forward to seeing you twice in 2006.
One other announcement about the future of lectureship deserves notice here. 2006 also marks the centennial of the religious census that recognized the split between Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. As a part of our centennial, ACU will host the annual Restoration Unity Forum during the February lectureship. Participants from both fellowships will gather to discuss our common story and the potential for Christ's peace to rule in all of our hearts. Help us prepare for this momentous occasion by praying for God's leading.
Halbert Institute for Missions
Watershed moments are not an everyday occurrence. With regard to missions at ACU, such a moment occurred on Saturday, February 19. A mission-minded family has generously provided the majority of the funds for endowing the Institute for Missions. In honor of their generosity the Institute, at a dedication ceremony, was renamed the Jo Ann Walling Halbert Institute for Missions. Jo Ann loved missions. In her 60s, she became personally involved in Australian missions. The gift from the Halbert family significantly secures the endowment for the Institute and the future of missions at ACU.
The primary use of income from the endowment is to allow ACU to fully support five missions coordinators. In the past missions coordinators, previously known as missionaries-in-residence, have come with their own support. Their help has always been invaluable. The one-time gift allowed us to begin supporting the missions coordinators last August. They will be able to work with greater focus and energy now that their support is secure.
The future is bright. We pray that God will continue to raise up workers for the harvest. Our vision for the first decade of the new century is: to prepare 200 men and women to be used by God to establish and nurture at least four church planting movements on each continent. We thank God for these recent developments that will allow ACU to form men and women to be engaged in his mission for years to come.
Graduate Students Experience PreMAC
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Pre-Mac graduate students
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In January, we had nine new graduate students who participated in PreMAC. Not only was it a time for these students to build new relationships among themselves and with instructors/mentors, but it was also a time for them to gain new insight into their personalities and life journeys. In spite of biting winds and rain, the outdoor activities on the "Ropes" course was filled with laughter and a combination of appreciating the experience held by some and the innovation provided by others. One exercise that is always valued by both students and mentors is when the students move from station to station while being presented with challenging questions and situations from life that require their immediate response based on their knowledge of the Bible, communication skills, and worldview. Without fail, this session results in challenged presuppositions and a greater commitment to seek maturity and balance.
As the program concludes, each student is given a time of personal assessment by their mentors and peers. Each student is given a personal blessing by the mentors through prayer and words of affirmation. The weekend concludes with a period of devotion led by a senior graduate missions student who has already passed through PreMAC. A blessing of prayer and Scripture is the final word for the group.
Women of Missions Retreat
Several months ago two missions minded graduate women planned a retreat for women who had a serious interest in missions and those who had been on the mission field. On January 28, 2005 this came alive in the first annual Women of Missions Retreat started by graduate students Ginny Coleman and Jen Hale.
The purpose of the retreat was to encourage women interested in missions. It was a time to discuss the excitement, fears, concerns, and obstacles that prevent us from committing to God's mission.
The retreat consisted of talks, small groups, and panel discussions that concentrated on both married and single issues on the field. Two keynote speakers, Kelliann Hale, a former missionary in St. Louis, MO, and Rosalinda Walker, a former missionary in Botswana, Africa, spoke of the peace we can choose to have with God. Too many times we let the cares of life overwhelm us, and preventing us to take the time to be still and know God. As we live our lives we must consciously make an effort to choose God's peace and not allow life's worries to choke our trust and faith in God; through him all things are possible.
The retreat opened the hearts of these women to God's call and help shape future missionaries for the work of the Kingdom.
Missions Focus
The heart of Summer Seminar in Missions is Missions Focus (May 24-26). We are thankful for the growth of the Kingdom worldwide. The multiplication of churches in other countries presents the American church with new possibilities and challenges in missions. Rather than planting churches, often there is the need to partner with national churches. In a world where Americans are no longer the primary catalysts for missions, incarnational ministry is more important than ever. Dr. Sherwood Lingenfelter will be addressing the issue of "Incarnational Ministry and Partnership." During the mornings he will help us explore and understand the important related facets of partnership and the need to be incarnational.
During Missions Focus the afternoons will provide opportunities for special equipping. Practical workshops will be presented that will benefit missionaries and the local church. Topics will be: "The Work of the Mission Committee", "Evangelism", "Reaching the World of Islam", "Managing Stress", "Financial Challenges for Missionaries", and "The Role of Technology in Missions". These sessions will be helpful to elders, mission committee members, missionaries, future missionaries, and church leaders. Visit our website for costs related to Summer Seminar in Missions and Missions Focus, http:// www.bible.acu.edu/missions/summerseminar. Come and spend a productive three days that will help you organize your congregation's missions ministry for effective Kingdom work.
Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry Connects Churches and Interns During Lectureship
Intern Interviews were a great success this year. Ministers traveled to Abilene from as far away as Virginia and Wyoming to interview interns face to face on campus. Just under 100 churches registered with the Field Education Office to hire an ACU student in a ministry internship this summer, and over 50 churches and organizations participated in our on-campus interviews during Lectureship. This is the largest number of churches and organizations registering for interns to date and promises to continue to grow in the future. Interns interviewed for a variety of summer internships ranging from youth and family ministry and children's ministry to worship ministry and hospital chaplaincy programs. Each year we also see an increase in the number of urban ministries attending who seek to incorporate our interns. Robert Oglesby of the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry coordinates the internships and field education.
If your church or ministry organization would like to give an ACU student an opportunity in ministry alongside you in the summer 2006, take the following link: http://www.acu.edu/academics/cbs/mail_list.html
Fill out the requested contact information, and select the option to be added to the intern email list for advance notice and instruction about the process next year.
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Dr. Sonny Guild at Freshman Blessing
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Freshman Blessing 2005
"God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6) At this year's annual Freshman Blessing, the faculty of the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry pledged to give their best to our new Bible majors and challenged them to let Christ shine in their hearts. After sharing a meal, the faculty and students joined together for a time of prayer and blessing for the years they will spend together here at ACU in preparation for shining Christ's light into the world.
Administrative Changes within the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy
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Dr. Waymon Hinson
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by Waymon Hinson
After much prayer, reflection, and dialog with family and friends, I share with you my resignation as Chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy and Director of the Marriage and Family Institute effective June 1, 2005.
After nine and a half years in those roles, it has been important that we put several things in place: first, that we find ourselves managing well the strategic cuts announced about this time a year ago, and that is being done; second, that we have in place a faculty that can continue the tradition of excellence that was started in 1978 by Dr. Paul Faulkner, and we have those people on board with us; and third, that as a team we complete the COAMFTE site visit, and that went extraordinarily well. The staff is competent, the student body is gifted, and the faculty is outstanding. The future is bright and we must be about the business of doing well what we are called to do in this place.
So, you might wonder what I'll do. The new chair and director and I will manage the transitions. I'm confident that we'll do that well. Sometime this spring the Governor of Texas will appoint me to chair the MFT licensing board, or so I've been told. That will offer new challenges. Then, all will be normal through the summer. The University has granted me a faculty renewal for the fall semester. That will allow some time to work on matters that are deeply rooted in my heart, work with African American farmers and their families. Then, when the spring rolls around again, I'll be returning full time to the classroom, teaching an additional course, mentoring, supervising, writing, researching, taking on assignments as requested by the Chair, and doing other important things for the program.
I am especially pleased that Dr. Jack Reese, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies, has chosen Dr. Jackie Halstead as the new Chair and Director. Her seven years of experience on the faculty of the Department and leadership skills as evidenced within the University setting and within the larger context of MFT in Texas, along with her passion for excellence, will serve her well. She has a ministry heart and a vision for our place within the Kingdom of God. As a senior faculty member, I will be honored to work alongside her in the important business that makes MFT and MFI what they are. Our full time faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, and students all make for an exciting and meaningful future.
Thanks for your support and your generous spirits during this time of transition. Pray for these transitions and for Jackie as she becomes Chair and Director.
A Time of Transition
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Jackie L. Halstead
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by Jackie L. Halstead
This is a time of transition. We are anticipating three major changes. Jaime Goff as our new faculty member is completing her first year, Waymon is moving into a senior faculty position, and I into the roles of chair of the department and clinic director. These are exciting times! I want to express my gratitude for my predecessors--Paul Faulkner, Tom Milholland, and Waymon Hinson. I appreciate them for the time they spent as chairs of the department. Each added their own influence to the shaping of the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Many of us have been blessed by their leadership throughout the years. We would not have the training we have if not for the vision and skill of these Godly servants. God certainly had a hand in bringing each of them to the program and I am honored to follow in their footsteps. We trust that God has great blessings in store for the department and look forward to the coming years. I covet your prayers as we move ahead into this new chapter of preparing servants for God's kingdom.
The Running Tradition in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy
The analogy of a marathon is often used to describe the two year marriage and family therapy program. Unlike strictly academic programs, this professional program packages theory, therapy, clients, and one's own maturation process into two years. The program is designed in a way that allows all participants to finish the race, knowing that each person varies in terms of starting, pacing, and completing requirements.
Speaking biblically, all enter the race, and unlike most races in which only one wins (I Cor. 9:24-25), all finish and win the prize, submitting to the discipline the program involves. We learn to strip off things that hinder our racing (Heb. 12:1-2), train ourselves emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually (I Tim. 4:7-10), and recognize that the ultimate prize is found in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:12-14).
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Marriage and Family Therapy running the race
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George Sheehan wrote in "Why do I run?" reprinted in a recent issue of RunnersWorld, "Excellence is not something attained and put in a trophy case. It is not sought after, achieved, and, thereafter, a steady state. It is a momentary phenomenon, a rare conjunction of body, mind, and spirit at one's peak...I run so I do not lose the me that I was yesterday and the me I might become tomorrow." For some, then, running is a deeply personal, even spiritual experience.
For our MFT students here at ACU, several have found ways to incorporate running into daily routines. Since 1996, MFT faculty and students have raced in a number of 5K and 10K races. The Fredericksbug Wildflower Run, Tiffany Hamilton 5K, Steamboat Mountain 5K, and the Kirk Goodwin Run, just to name a few. Some of us run competitively, and actually enter and win 5Ks, 10Ks, or half marathons. Most of us, however, run for noncompetitive but important reasons. "I am getting one of the best cardio workouts of my life," it is a way of "relieving stress," and "it continues to be a means of drawing near to God as I experience His creation during my running" are comments of three runners. Keeping weight down, friendships, and discipline are noted by other MFT runners as important factors. Another person says that running connects her to the outdoors and to her father. Quoting the movie Chariots of Fire, "When I run I feel God's pleasure," another runner finds it a gift, an ability from God, a passion, one that has taught determination, hard work, and perseverance. One runner says, "During those times when I have a string of bad runs, I keep pressing on for the sweet taste of just one more good one."
Focus on MFT Alumni
In this and future eConnections installments, we would like to highlight alumni of the MFT program, emphasizing the types of kingdom work in which all of you are involved. We would like to solicit short paragraphs from all alumni describing the work that you are doing. They can be sent to jaime.goff@acu.edu. This month, we are highlighting Randy Porter, class of 2001, and Shawn Boggs, class of 1996.
Randy Porter, a 2001 graduate, and his wife, Jennifer, along with their one-year-old son Kelton, are preparing to depart for Salvador, Brazil, where they have initially committed to five years of mission work. They will begin their journey on March 12, 2005. The Porters are one in a team of five families who have committed their lives to service and leadership throughout the world by planting a church in the large metropolitan city of Salvador. The team of missionaries has been in preparation for their mission for several years, being trained by Continent of Great Cities in Abilene, Texas. They have been learning Portuguese, the primary language, and studying the cultural customs of Brazil. In addition, they have been raising funds to support them during their mission work. The Porters are primarily supported by the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, although several other congregations are also providing support. While Randy's primary work in Brazil will not be in the therapeutic realm, he does hope to provide marriage and family therapy services as a ministry to the people of Brazil. He also stated that his training in MFT will help his team to understand the acculturation process which they will be experiencing. Randy is confident that his MFT training will serve as a resource as they embark on this important mission.
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Shawn Boggs
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Shawn Boggs is a graduate of the class of 1996. After working a year in a juvenile detention facility, he moved to Dallas and began to work for Christian Works for Children, where he has been an employee for nearly eight years. CWC is a non-profit, faith-based organization that in the last nine years has experienced an incredible expansion from nineteen clients served in 1995 to 525 clients in 2004. The clinic provides typical therapy services but aims to make therapy affordable by charging ten dollars an hour for every ten-thousand dollars a client earns annually. The counseling program originated from the foster care services in an effort to provide more stability for children who returned home. As the number of clients increased, the program began to develop independently. During that time, the staff also provided in home therapy to accommodate busy and disadvantaged families. The program experienced its most recent growth when its fifth full-time therapist was hired. All counseling takes place on site at the Christian Works offices. Two supervised interns also provide counsel along with one practicum student. The agency has been a practicum cite for therapy students of local universities for the last three years. It also has an adoption program and a grief support program for children and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. To learn more about Christian Works for Children, log onto www.christian-works.org .
Preview Weekend for Graduate School of Theology Prospective Students
On Sunday and Monday, February 27 & 28, sixteen prospective students came to campus from Texas A & M, Ozark Christian College, Kentucky Christian University, Lipscomb University, Harding University, Abilene Christian University, Clyde (just outside of Abilene), and Tulsa to participate in the first Graduate School of Theology Preview Weekend. During the event students met with faculty and students for a meal Sunday evening and then gathered for worship with even more faculty and students listening to a lesson presented by the Dean of the College of Biblical Studies, Dr. Jack Reese. On Monday the prospective students received a welcome from the President of the University, Dr. Royce Money, and then heard presentations from faculty in the areas of Missions, Old Testament, New Testament, and History and Theology. In formal presentations and informal conversations students heard and talked about campus life for graduate students and the characteristics of the graduate community, the time demands of a rigorous graduate education, the differences between resident and non-resident students, the possibilities for moving on to doctoral studies with an ACU degree, and the generous scholarships available for GST students.
The vision for the Preview Weekend formed last August during the examination of several seminary websites. Schools like SMU, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary, to name a few, argued the importance of a campus visit for students as they decide on which graduate school to attend. With the assistance of ACU's Admissions Office, the date was chosen and flyers were sent to students who have expressed an interest in the GST over the past year, to lists of students shared with us by our sister schools, and to campus ministers across the United States. In addition, with the help of the Admissions Office staff, we made dozens of phone calls in an effort to publicize the event. We decided on the Sunday/Monday format because it seemed important to bring guests to campus, first, to experience the GST family as a worshiping community and, second, to experience ACU on a day when the campus was buzzing with its normal activity.
We are currently gathering feedback from the participants to determine what refinements we need to make to the Preview Weekend to make it more beneficial for future prospective students. We will look at the calendar timing, costs, and publicity efforts to see how we can better get the word out, and we will look at the schedule to see if we gave prospective students the information they needed. Currently we are considering the possibility of extending invitations to current juniors since many of them are already considering graduate school. We are also considering hosting a "virtual visit" in the Fall semester for people who live a little further away and who would have difficulty traveling to Abilene.
For information about GST degrees and course offerings or if you know a prospective student we need to contact, please send an email to B. J. McMichael at gst@acu.edu.
Students in Ministry
Several first year students in the Graduate School of Theology are actively working in nearby churches. Students have often found places to minister and serve while attending school. Churches benefit from the students in numerous ways, but through providing ministry opportunities, students are blessed far more. These churches become more than places of employment. Students find places to grow and develop as they follow God's calling. Recently, Thurman Thomas from Leuders, Texas expressed his desire for his congregation to serve churches throughout the world by being a place where future preachers, church planters, and leaders could gain valuable experience. Brother Thomas sees the partnership with students as a ministry of the Leuder's congregation.
A sampling of first year students in formal ministry positions include: Brad Irwin, preaching for the Jim Ned Church of Christ in Tuscola; Jared Cramer, campus minister for the University Church of Christ in Abilene; Mark Clancy and John Mark Davidson, preaching for the Colorado City congregation; Tera Harmon, children's ministry intern at the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene; Justin Lillard, preaching for the Truby Church of Christ; Jon Noble, preaching for the Tye Church of Christ; Trey Shirley, youth minister for the Buffalo Gap Church of Christ; Justin Thompson, youth minister and Geoff Carroll, worship minister for the Hope Church of Christ in Abilene; and Philip Cunningham preaches every other week at the Cottonwood Church of Christ.
The list could on if second and third year students and if volunteer hours given to Bible classes and various other ministries are included. Graduate theological education is greatly enhanced due to this vital partnership with area churches.
Graduate School of Theology Alumni Meet During Lectureship
Alumni of the Graduate School of Theology gathered for the first time for lunch at the Williams Performing Arts Center and an organizational meeting on Wednesday, February 23, the last day of Lectureship. Dr. Carl Holladay, Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and an alumni of the GST, spoke about the challenges of ministerial education. After Dr. Holladay's presentation, the alumni held a brief business meeting to elect officers and present plans for the future of the Alumni Association. Elected president is Dan Bouchelle from Amarillo; President Elect is Paul Clark from Nashua, NH; and Secretary Treasurer is Tommy King from San Angelo. Since there is no past president, a one time position of President Elect Elect is Charme Robarts from Dallas.
Membership in the Alumni Association is open to all former students of the graduate program in Bible and the Graduate School of Theology. The Association will exist to encourage mutual support among alumni, to provide resources for alumni, and to build support for the Graduate School of Theology. For more information see the original announcement at http://www.acu.edu/academics/cbs/gst/alumni_assoc.html
Graduate School of Theology Alumni News
Matt Stead (MDiv 1996) is the senior minister of the Greenville Church of Christ in Greenville NC ( GOTOBUTTON BM_1_ MATTSTEAD@cs.com; 2317 Lighthouse LN, Greenville, NC 27858). He and Traci have two sons, Jonathan and Amos.
Chuck Poulos (MDiv 1999) teaches Bible and computers at Pacific Christian Academy. He and Megumi have two sons, Thomas and Timothy. Their address is P. O. Bolx 434, Graton, CA 95444.
Matthew Rawlings (MDiv 2001) is an attorney with the firm of Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff and Love in Charleston, WV. Matt has also served the Nitro Church of Christ as an interim minister. (BM_2_ mrawlings@bowlesrice.com) .
Dale Dowling (MS 1998) is an evangelist for the Westview Church of Christ in Greeley, Colorado (whereisdaled@qwest.net) . He and Sandy have three children: Emily, Andy, and Sarah. Their address is 2405 Marina Street, Evans, CO 80620.
Atlanta ElderLink Forum 2005
The Atlanta ElderLink Forum 2005 is gaining momentum daily. This will be the second Atlanta event, and is co-sponsored by ACU and Lipscomb University. It is scheduled for Saturday, March 19 at the Campus Church of Christ on the campus of Greater Atlanta Christian Schools. Presenters will include Randy Harris, Doug Foster, David Wray, and Charles Siburt from ACU, Jay Guin from Tuscaloosa, AL, Stephanie Bell from Montgomery, AL, Jerry Sherrill and Jason Thompson from Nashville, TN, and Janice Massey, Charles Holton, and Paul Watson from Durham, NC. More information about schedule, lodging, and registration is available at http://www.acu.edu/ministry/elderlink/conferences/atlanta.html.
Houston ElderLink Forum 2005
The first Houston ElderLink Forum is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2005 at the Bammel Road Church of Christ. Presenters will include Randy Harris, David Wray, Jeff Childers, Ken Cukrowski, Tom and Sandra Milholland, and Charles and Judy Siburt from ACU, Rick Marrs from Pepperdine University, Virgil Fry, Hal Elrod and Richard Fancer from Houston, TX. More information about schedule, lodging, and registration will be available soon.
Small Churches Workshop 2005
July 28-30 are the dates for the 2005 Small Churches Workshop on the ACU campus. The first Small Churches Workshop was offered last summer and was enthusiastically received. This year's workshop promises to be another excellent experience for leaders and members from small churches. The two presenters will be Randy Stephens, minister of the Sulphur Well Church of Christ in Springville, TN and Roy Young, minister of the Apache Church of Christ in Apache, OK. Both are outstanding ministers in small churches and will bring a wealth of experience and expertise in small church ministry. More information will be available soon.
