Chandler (Ariz.) Police Officer Christopher Farrar, 50, a member of Compass Christian Church, was struck and killed by a stolen vehicle driven by a person attempting to flee from police April 29. Another officer was seriously injured.
Lead pastor Brian Jobe told www.azcentral.com that Farrar was an example like Jesus for “service, love and sacrifice to others” and had a “big smile” on his face all the time. Farrar, an 18-year police veteran, volunteered as one of the church’s watchmen.
The church held a vigil for Farrar two days after the officer’s death. Friends, other officers, and church members shared personal stories of the officer. They said Farrar loved his kids and his parents, and he had a heart for Jesus and others.
The suspect is facing murder charges.
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News Briefs
Lincoln (Ill.) Christian University will offer a Christian Women’s Conference called “Be Still” from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12. The conference will feature Alli Worthington and Christy Nockels and is for women who seek renewal and Christian fellowship. Cost is $35 for those who register by the end of today; $40 starting tomorrow. Learn more at lincolnchristian.edu.
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Waypoint Church Partners will host a one-hour webinar “Church Safety for Kids 18 & Under” at 8 p.m. (EST) May 17. Don Keehner, director of SafeMinistry, will discuss the six-step vetting process every church needs to build a solid defense to keep a predator out.
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Phil Forehand, 80, who served as minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Va., for 45 years before retiring in 2009, died April 26. Survivors include Judy, his wife of 58 years. A full obituary is available here.
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Belmont Christian Church in Christiansburg, Va., hosted a crew of volunteers who constructed 100 beds for children in need on April 25. The church worked with the nonprofit Sleep In Heavenly Peace, www.WDBJ7.com reported.
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Mark Ziese, dean of the School of Bible and Theology at Johnson University, will retire June 30. JU has named Steve Cook, professor of Old Testament, as the new dean, effective July 1.
Dr. Cook is completing his 18th year teaching Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Johnson.
“Dr. Cook is a seasoned faculty member, having served well in the classroom and in other leadership capacities at Johnson for 18 years,” said Johnson president Tommy Smith. “He brings academic experience, love for students, respect from his colleagues, and a pastoral heart to this new leadership role as dean.”
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David Bayless, 84, an Ozark Christian College graduate who had served as a missionary in Brazil since 1959, died April 26 in that nation after being in declining health the past year. On Facebook, daughter Barbara Joanne Bayless described her father as a “loving husband, father, grandpa, and servant of God.” He was the 1993 recipient of Ozark’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award. Among those surviving is his wife, Carol.
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White Mills (Ky.) Christian Church is conducting a series of fundraisers as it progresses toward building a new church sanctuary, the News-Enterprise reported. The most recent event was a barbecue chicken dinner Saturday during the community’s White Mills Days. The church has raised about $460,000 toward the project and is planning to break ground next spring.
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Southeast Christian Church will celebrate the grand opening of its South Louisville Campus this Sunday at the site of the church that gave birth to SECC in 1962. About 50 people from South Louisville Christian Church were there for SECC’s first worship service on July 1, 1962 (which took place in a school lunchroom in Louisville’s growing East End). SECC’s new campus is located at 3845 Southern Parkway. Justin Weece serves as campus pastor.
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The Lookout Sunday School Lesson material formerly available as part of our print magazine continues to be posted online weekly. Each month we also are creating a PDF of the following month’s lesson material that will be sent in advance to subscribers who request it. Sign up for the easy-to-print PDF (“+The Lookout Study”) at https://list.robly.com.
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E2: effective elders will sponsor its first-ever conference for elders’ wives on July 23-24 at The Creek in Indianapolis. “Not Just an Elder’s Wife” will feature guest speaker Fanchon Stinger, Jesus follower and Fox 59 news anchor. The event will run from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Registration ($25) will include worship, main sessions, multiple workshops, and meals.
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Bryan J. Smith, co-lead pastor of Summit Christian Church in Sparks, Nev., was among the faith leaders who answered the Reno Gazette Journal‘s question, “Should we seek divine forgiveness for our shortcomings?”
Smith answered, in part, “Our desire to seek forgiveness will depend on both our understanding of the offensive nature of our sin and the holiness of God. . . . We’re not good people with a sin issue, but broken people who are sinners in need of redemption.”
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