20 May, 2024

SCJ, Universities Recognize Promising Scholars (Plus News Briefs)

by | 19 July, 2023 | 0 comments

Eighteen students were honored this spring with Stone-Campbell Journal Promising Scholar Awards. Faculty selected these students as the most promising of their graduating class to succeed at their next level of biblical or theological education, whether in a master’s program or a PhD program. The awards were presented at awards or graduation ceremonies. Six graduate and 12 undergraduate students were recognized; 15 schools participated. 

Graduate students recognized included: Jordan Turney (Abilene Christian University Graduate School of Theology); Spencer Taylor (Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan); Clay Smith and Dimitri Sims (Freed-Hardeman University); Wesley King (Lexington Theological Seminary); and Rachel Younis (Lincoln Christian University). 

Undergraduate students honored included: Brandon Reynolds (Abilene Christian University Graduate School of Theology); Annalee McIntosh (Bushnell University); Jessica Prieto (Great Lakes Christian College); Benjamin McDuffie (Johnson University Tennessee); Leah Hardin (Johnson University Florida); Cherish Eckert (Kentucky Christian University); Benjamin Massa (Lipscomb University); Noah Haas and Brynna Romm (Manhattan Christian College); Jesse Hood (Mid-Atlantic Christian University); Maddie Manear (Milligan College); and Amy Redelsperger (Oklahoma Christian University).

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News Briefs

Tomoka Christian Church, Ormond Beach, Fla., raised awareness and funds to help combat human trafficking during an event June 30. Money raised from “Fight for Freedom: A Night to Uncover Human Trafficking” will go toward preventive measures and victim advocacy. 

Ministries were invited to set up tables, share videos, and speak to the attendees, The Observer reported. The evil of human trafficking occurs everywhere. “No matter where we go in the world, this topic is there,” said Tomoka lead pastor Joe Putting

Missions director Connie Davis lined up multiple experts for the event, including Stephanie Freed, co-founder of Rapha International; Tina Kadolph, co-founder of Love Missions Global; Charles Birch with Christian Aid Mission; Devin Chance, director of development at Life of Hope Ministries; and Alex Hill, senior adviser for strategic partnerships at the A21 Campaign

Donations are still coming in for the Fight for Freedom event, which aims to raise $1 million by Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, 2024—a major event where human trafficking takes place. The money will be distributed among the ministries that attended TCC’s event, the newspaper reported.

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The RedeemTV & GNPI ICOM Student Film Festival is open to all high school and college students who wish to have a chance to have their short film shown to RedeemTV’s 200,000-plus subscribers. Industry professionals will choose the top films in seven categories. The RedeemTV audience will select the Audience Choice Award from among the nominees.  

GNPI (Good News Productions, International) and RedeemTV are partnering to present the film festival the afternoon of Nov. 18 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The International Conference On Missions runs Nov. 15 to 17 at the convention center. All festival entrants receive one complimentary registration for ICOM.  

RedeemTV is a faith-based streaming platform dedicated to bringing hope and light to people in darkness; it is a ministry of Vision Video and Christian History Institute. GNPI creates relevant media to proclaim the Good News internationally and empower Jesus followers to do the same. 

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Legacy Christian Church in Overland Park, Kan., has posted obituary information for Reggie Epps, 65, their senior pastor who died July 6. Survivors include his wife, Shara, to whom he was married 44 years; his parents, Ronnie and Darlene Epps of Olathe, Kan.; two daughters Angela Bates of Olathe, Kan., and Abigail Meister of Spring Hill, Kan.; one son, Zachary, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; one sister; one brother; and four grandchildren (with one more on the way). A Celebration of Life Worship Service will take place Aug. 5 at the Overland Park Convention Center. A Reggie Epps Memorial Fund has been established to carry on his legacy.

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As First Christian Church’s iconic 166-foot-tall tower undergoes repairs, people in Columbus, Ind., could see the steel beams being installed inside to help provide support to the brick structure. The Republic provided an update, with photo, of the $3.2 million project that should be completed in November.

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