Tom Blackeagle, Who Led NMC in 2002, Dies (Plus News Briefs)

Tom Blackeagle, who ministered with McKinley Church of Christ for a decade and with the Yakima Indian Reservation and surrounding area (in Washington state) for many decades, was killed in an auto accident in Toppenish, Wash., on Nov. 20. Mr. Blackeagle served as president of the National Missionary Convention—forerunner of ICOM—in 2002 in Wichita, Kan. 

David Empson, now executive director of the International Conference On Missions, was serving as student director of NMC—and was still fairly new to the position—in 2002, when Blackeagle chose as the theme, “I Become All Things to Win Some.” 

“During that year, Tom addressed prejudice in a very classy way,” recalled Empson. “I was so impressed by how Tom was able to help the church at large turn to look at itself in the mirror and think about prejudice.” 

Beyond information listed in the obituary, Empson noted that Mr. Blackeagle and his family were “also known for cooking and serving huge salmon meals for the Wi-Ne-Ma Missions Camp in northwest Oregon. 

“Tom used his tribal heritage for the gospel every chance he could get,” Empson noted.

In addition to Mr. Blackeagle, Dave Butts of Harvest Prayer Ministries, who served as president of ICOM in 2014, also died in recent days. (See that article.)

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News Briefs

City Coast Church had a “soft launch” Oct. 16 in Fairfield, Ct., and 75 people attended—a very good number since the two-person staff, Charlie and Leslie Welke, arrived in town only a year ago and relied on “word of mouth” to inform people of services. A grand opening is planned down the road. Check out the Welkes’ Orchard Group video.

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Manhattan (Kan.) Christian College will host its 46th Women’s World Conference Feb. 24-25. This year’s theme is “Unshakeable: Standing on His Promises.” Keynote speaker Mary Shannon will share that it doesn’t matter what happens politically, morally, socially, or economically in the world if we have Christ living in us. Early registration (by Jan. 31) is $95. Learn more at mccks.edu.

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