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Great NorthwestEvangelism Workshopin Tacoma, Washington

—See Cover Story on page 2

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cOVER

Cover Story: "There's a Great Day Coming"

The Lakeview Church of Christ inTacoma, Washington, is hosting the 10th

Anniversary Great Northwest EvangelismWorkshop, June 29 through July 2 of thisyear. The theme is 'There's a Great DayComing," and the list of speakers is out-standing: Lynn Anderson, Paul Faulkner,Milo Hadwin, Bill Humble, Jerry Jones,Milton Jones, Bernalyn McGaughey, KayannMcPeak, Howard Norton, Marvin Phillips,

Richard Rogers, Jerry Rushford, Rubel Shelly,Dale Smith, Jeff Walling, "Big" Don Williams,and many others.

Classes of special interest to women areoffered, and an entire youth program, with thetheme "It Takes The Master's Touch," has beenorganized with many of the speakers listedabove. There are Bible classes, art classes, andfilms for children, kindergarten through sixthgrades. Also, special events for singles are

planned, and several singing groups willperform.

The workshop will be held on the campusof Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.The first session will begin on Wednesdayevening, June 29, at 7 p.m. For registrationand reservation or other information, write:Great Northwest Evangelism Workshop,1601 South 110th Street, Tacoma, WA 98444;or call Rowena Hanson at (206) 848-5740.

A view of the city of Tacoma with Mount Rainier in the background.

Pepperdine Universityannounces the

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MINISTRYin Seattle, Washington

This off-campus program is presented as a service to the church and is intended to betterprepare persons for ministry within the local congregation. It is a two-year, 36-unit, non-thesisprogram that will begin in September of this year and conclude in 1990. Substantial scholarshipaid is available for interested applicants in the Seattle area. Classes will meet every otherweekend and will utilize the facilities of Northwest Church of Christ in Seattle and PugetSound Christian College.

For application or more information write or call:

Religion Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 90265 (213) 4564352

RVCIFIC CHURCH NEWS

Volume VII Number 3

EDITOR

Jerry Rushford

ASSOCIATE EDITORSBill HenegarPaula MarrsMary Speaks

CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS

Garth Black, Bakersfield, CALarry Cain, San Jose, CA

Kelly Carter, Victoria, B.C.

Ken Chaffin, San Diego, CAKelly Deatherage, Portland, ORClifton Ditmore, Stockton, CA

Walt Fennel, Sacramento, CA

Milo Hadwin, Bellevue, WABillie Silvey, Los Angeles, CA

Mel Weldon, San Leandro, CAEdwin White, Phoenix, AZ

Bud Worsham, Long Beach, CA

John York, Roseburg, OR

DESIGN AND PRODUCTIONLinda Hodgkinson

PACIFIC CHURCH NEWS ispublished three times each year by theDepartment of Church Services atPepperdine University. Send all corre-spondence to Pepperdine University,Malibu, CA 90265.

P C N

L IFESTVLE

Canadian Church Bridges Miles to Zambia

By Kelly Carter

' I 'he Shelbourne Street Church of ChristJL in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is

taking seriously these two passages:

Sing to God, sing praise to his name,extol him who rides on the clouds—his name is the Lord—and rejoicebefore him. A father to the fatherless,a defender of widows, is God in hisholy dwelling. God sets the lonelyin families, he leads forth theprisoners with singing.

-Psalm 68:4-6

Religion that God our Father acceptsas pure and faultless is this: to lookafter orphans and widows in theirdistress.

—James 1:27

Wendy Charko, Canadian missionary andEnglish teacher at Namwianga Christian Schoolin Kalomo, Zambia, was converted at theShelbourne Street church. Then, in 1985,Wendy, having gone through the Mission 1000training program through the Highland StreetChurch of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee,selected Zambia as the country in which shewould work. The Shelbourne Street congre-gation gladly agreed to support Wendy, one oftheir own.

Since then God has richly blessed thechurch and Wendy's ministry. Because theShelbourne Street church is supporting one oftheir own members on a foreign mission field(and a recent convert at that!), there is a specialbond between the church and their missionary.Members are personally and emotionallyinvolved in Wendy's work. They are willing tohelp bear her burden, and they have extendedtheir compassion to the people of Zambia. Forexample, in fall 1987 the congregation of 155was able to send (via a trip to Zambia by SteveMann and Kelly Carter) over $19,000 to be usedfor food relief and for a vehicle to aid in Wendy'sministry.

Already this year, wonderful blessings havecome to Wendy and the church in Victoria.Following Steve and Kelly's trip to Africa, fourZambian babies, whose mothers all died eitherin or as a result of childbirth, have been adoptedby Wendy and by members of the church inVictoria. Wendy, still in Kalomo, Zambia, nowcares for a four-month old baby girl, appro-priately named Hope, who would have been

buried with her mother had Wendy not beenwilling to take her in. Because Hope's fathercould not feed his new baby, the grandmotherwas going to follow traditional practice and placethe new baby girl in the grave of her mother.Wendy's compassion quite literally saved Hope'slife.

In Victoria, Steve and Joan Mann are nowthe adoptive parents of one-year-old Tanya, whowas found lying in a Zambian maize field withumbilical cord still attached. Tanya's mother,partially incoherent, had wandered into Kalomoafter giving birth. The townspeople, recognizingthat she had delivered, searched the area untilthe baby was found. After a ten month stayon the Namwianga School campus, Tanya iswith her new family in Victoria. Brad and CarolWilkerson, already parents of four girls, nowhave adopted a Zambian son, James, fivemonths. What a blessing James is to Brad, whoalways wanted a son! And Tom and DianeMann now welcome their new arrival, Kaitlyn,six months. Kaitlyn fits perfectly into the familyof seven!

Steve and Joan's Tanya arrived in Canadaon January 21, with the help of KathyKumalo, secretary at Namwianga ChristianSchool. James and Kaitlyn, along with specialtraveling companions—Wendy, Hope, and twoescorts— came together to Victoria on

April 8. On Sunday, April 10, the ShelbourneStreet church held a special dedication andwelcome for Hope and the three babies whowere to remain in Victoria. Proud adoptiveparents, grandparents, and great-grandparentswere all present. The church in Victoriarejoiced.

The Shelbourne Street congregationrecognized immediately the blessings thatcould come to both Zambian orphans andfamilies in Victoria if babies could be adopted.Children in need were easily located, and theadoptions were arranged. In all this God hasblessed his people. Four precious children,three now in Canada, are being nurtured inChristian families. Parents and siblings areblessed with the presence of their new littleones. The adopted children have received anopportunity for life and happiness in a countrywhich far surpasses Zambia in economicopportunity. And the church in Victoria is filledwith a warm sense of service and love as itministers to those less fortunate. The brothersand sisters at Shelbourne Street are beingblessed as they share in the lives of the threelittle pieces of Zambia which God has broughtto Victoria, and the people of Zambia, especiallyHope, are blessed as a piece of Victoria, in theperson of Wendy Charko, remains in Zambiato serve.

The Shelbourne Street Church welcomes four Zambian babies. (1. to r.) Joan Mann with Tanya, Carol Wilkersonwith James, Wendy Charko with Hope, Diane Mann with Kaitlyn.

PCN 3

R I B U

Damon Williams: A Suitcase of Memories

By Billie Silvey

Damon Williams leading a Bible study in his home

D amon Williams has a suitcase full ofmemories—literally. It's full of awards and

resolutions— from the cities of Compton andLos Angeles, from Los Angeles County, fromPepperdine University, from the Watts/Willowbrook Church of Christ, from theCalifornia State Assembly and Senate, theUnited States Congress, and others. How didthis 94-year-old preacher from the South gainsuch recognition?

Born July 8, 1895, in Port Gibson,Mississippi, he was named De Epimaetheusby an uncle who was professor of Greek atAlcorn A &. M. His father started himstudying the Bible at the age of six andsent him to Southern Christian Institutein Edwards, Mississippi, to train to be amissionary to Africa. At the age of 13, hewas accepted at Alcorn A & M, where heeventually received his B.S. degree in 1915.

Upon graduation, he left for San Franciscoto visit the World's Fair. Having studiedshoemaking, carpentry, and concrete layingin addition to his academic classes, he wasable to get a job in the "City by the Bay."He attended Armstrong Business College inOakland and took courses in biblical studiesand archaeology at the University of California,Berkeley.

When the Great Depression settled bleaklyover the nation, he closed the business he hadbegun in Oakland and returned to the South

to find a wife. He marriedKatye K. Hopson the next yearin 1931.

Damon and Katye werebaptized into Christ in1946. And that very year,Williams started preachingin Mobile, Alabama. Inaddition, he started a housingproject there, and todaymany of the streets in thearea are named for him andKatye and their children."Katye was a great personalworker," he says, telling ofthe time she went to a doorand a woman turned a dogloose on her. She calmlytalked to the dog and wasthen able to teach the womanand baptize her.

In the 1950's, he startedchurches in Lenett, Alabama,and in Hattisburg, Laurel,

Columbia, and Gulfport, Mississippi. He movedthe family to Los Angeles in 1961, where, fortwo years, he did personal work for variouschurches.

All ten of his children attended college.Four have master's degrees and one, adoctorate. All but two attended PepperdineUniversity, and four—Mary, Maurice, John,and Thamar—are Pepperdine graduates. Atone time, six of his children were in Christianschools.

Williams suffered a heart attack in 1954and had another nine years later. Recuperatingat his home in 1963, he sent his wife andson to bring people to his bedside so hecould continue teaching. He baptized fifteenpeople in the first month and tried to getthem acquainted with already-establishedcongregations, but they kept coming to hishouse on Belview Avenue. The house beganto overflow with visitors, and they soon hadto buy and borrow chairs. He found a smallchurch building on Holmes Avenue, whichhe leased for two years. When the propertywas condemned for the construction ofMartin Luther King Hospital in 1964, hefound another, larger building on MonaBoulevard.

Why would an elderly minister who hadsuffered a series of heart attacks want towork in a difficult area like Watts? "Thosepeople had lost hope," he explains. "They

were stubborn and arrogant, and they hatedpreachers. They thought preachers had robbedthem by taking their parents' money for churchwork." Using Bible students from Pepperdineto teach classes, Williams began an extensiveprogram of evangelism, youth work, andbenevolence. Young women were trained tocook and sew, and young men were taughttrades and given on-the-job training. A literacyprogram taught young people to read and write.

After the Watts riots, hundreds of childrenstreamed into the summer Bible classes.There were not enough experienced teachersto handle them all, so teachers came from theVermont Avenue, Inglewood, Burbank,Glendale, and West Covina congregations tohelp. Pepperdine furnished teaching materials.Tents were set up outside the building to housesome of the classes and others met on chairsset up on the lawn.

In 1982, the church began a program forpeople on drugs. "Since then, we have had manyyoung people to change their lives from drugsto the Bible," he says. Are they botheredby gangs? According to Williams, one of thegangs once wrote on the sidewalk, "God is inthis place."

Katye, his wife of 52 years, died inMarch of 1983. She had been at his sidethrough all the years and all the fruitful labor.Their three daughters are active in thechurch today and their seven sons have allpreached.

Two congregations have been established-one in the Watts area and the other inCompton. Many of those converted at Wattshave scattered to strengthen churchesthroughout the Los Angeles area. "Themajority of our work is with young people,and when they get old enough to go towork for the Lord, I ship them out," Williamssays.

Because he is no longer able to teach fromdoor-to-door, many come to Williams duringthe week for Bible teaching. And he still doesmarriage and family counseling. His daughterMary says he has never had a real vacation."My work is my vacation," Williams says. Hehas baptized about 16,000 in his entirepreaching career—62 from his Bible classes inthe past year alone.

Damon Williams may have a suitcase fullof memories, but his focus is still on thefuture—and on the children who will be thefuture of the Watts/Willowbrook Church ofChrist.

PCN 4

T,R I U M P H

Good News for the World from a Wheelchair

By Edwin White

Were it not for a tragic accident whichleft her paralyzed, Rosalie Yurk might

never have become one of World Bible School'smost inspiring teachers.

Rosalie's impaired physical condition beganin 1972 when she was involved in a trafficaccident which resulted in a prolonged periodof head and back problems. In 1975,excruciating headaches and lower backproblems made it necessary for Yurk to becomea patient at a Phoenix pain clinic where doctorsdecided, among other things, that the painshould be treated with injections in the neck.During one of the injections, an artery to thebrain was pierced. Six weeks later, when Rosaliecame out of the resulting coma, she was totallyparalyzed and unable to speak.

It was two years before she could attendchurch services again. It was then that an elder'swife, Ruth Burnett, challenged Rosalie tobecome involved with World Bible School. "Iaccepted the challenge" says Rosalie, "onlybecause I did not have the courage to say no."She then took a list often prospective studentsand began her career as a World Bible Schoolteacher. At first, the new teacher had to bestrapped in her wheelchair to prevent herfrom slumping over the typewriter. "I was alsovery slow," says Rosalie, "taking two to threeweeks to write one letter". Gradually, however,the determined teacher became more efficient."I'm not your typical quadriplegic anymore,"she says. "I can dress and feed myself and do

Rosalie Yurk seated before the computer she plans to use in her WBS work

World Bible School"Always willing to face a new challenge, the

busy World Bible School teacher recentlyacquired a computer. She confesses, "I don'teven know how to turn the thing on, but I'lllearn, just as I learned how to use a typewriter."Rosalie feels the task of becoming computerliterate is worth the trouble. "I have becomeconvinced," she says, "that a computer will makeit possible for me to correspond with five times

Rosalie Yurk going through her WBS correspondence drawer

as many students as I do now." Though a hardworker, she acknowledges, "I will always beslower than other people, but I can handle onehundred students easier now than I did thethree I started with, and once I learn to usethe computer, I will be much more efficient."

A mother of three, Rosalie credits herfamily, especially her husband, Vic, for hersuccess. "Vic is very supportive," she says. Whenasked about her goals, she replied, "World BibleSchool is my life. Because I have kept myselfso busy, I don't have time to feel sorry for myselfand have no time for worry. I feel that myaccident was a blessing. I do more for the Lordnow without all my physical gifts than I everdid with them."

When asked what message she would liketo leave with those who may read her story,Rosalie replied, "I would like to say thateveryone can evangelize. When I had all mygifts, I often said, 'we are missing the boat'.But it was I who was missing the boat. Eachindividual must decide to do something.Others are willing to listen. My students aredesperately poor and make me feel so humblethat they take the money for postage to learnmore about God."

Rosalie Yurk is a member of the Stapelyand Dana Church of Christ in Mesa, Arizona,and is one of those rare individuals who defythe odds, overcome difficulties, and work inthe Kingdom regardless of circumstances.

PCN 5

M INISTRIES

Go East, Young Man!

By Bill Henegar

Andre and Mary Resner at Princeton

God works through our hopes and toils,our triumphs and tragedies, to bring

about his great and remarkable will...Andre Resner grew up on the west coast—a

"California kid" to the core! AlthoughCarlsbad was his home, he attended theChurch of Christ in nearby Oceanside, wherehe was baptized in 1967 by the minister,Eugene Winters. During two years ofcommunity college, Andre was the youthminister for the Oceanside church.

Then, in 1978, he transferred to PepperdineUniversity to complete a bachelor's degreein religion. It was about that time thathe met his wife-to-be, Mary, who was aUCLA student—but not for long. Andrebrought her to the Lord, and while hewas at it, he brought her to Pepperdine, aswell.

The two were active in the Malibu churchand Andre served as associate campus minister.A few months after graduation, Andre accepteda full-time position with the Santa Monicachurch as associate minister, and in 1983 hemoved to the Conejo Valley church in thatsame role. During those years, he continuedhis education at Pepperdine, eventually earning

an M.S. in ministry.Andre and Mary made a crucial decision

in 1985, said their goodbyes, and set outfor New Jersey, a continent away from theirhome in the Golden State, in order forAndre to attend Princeton TheologicalSeminary.

At Princeton, Andre continued hisscholarship in Greek and Hebrew, preparinghimself to preach and teach, with a specialemphasis on Old Testament. He excelled at theprestigious institution, working as assistant tothe Editorial Committee for the new RSV Bibleand as computer coordinator for the Dead SeaScrolls Project, as well as serving as a Greekand Hebrew Teaching Fellow. Craig Bowman,a fellow Princeton graduate student and alsoa Pepperdine alumnus, describes Andre as "themost gifted student of his class." The rest ofthe class agreed—they elected him classpresident.

But in the midst of this most challengingchapter in their lives, tragedy struck likelightning. Tripp, their 15-month old son,died suddenly of a rare childhood disease—and their world came crashing down aroundthem. Through months of agony, however,

they gradually learned to comfort otherswith the comfort they experienced from aloving God. And their direction in lifeseemed to shift, as Andre sensed a call toministry in a way he had not before.

One of Andre's professors at Princeton wasJ.J.M. Roberts, who is also an elder for theLiberty Street Church of Christ in Trenton.Andre worked as an assistant minister for thechurch under Professor Roberts, who says,"Andre is a brilliant preacher and an excellentclassroom teacher. He is better prepared to teachthe Bible than 99 percent of the preachers Iknow. Despite, or actually because of, hisprofound knowledge, Andre is able tocommunicate effectively to audiences with verydiverse backgrounds."

For the past several months, Andre hasbeen serving as interim minister for theWestwood Church of Christ in Woodbury,New Jersey, across the Delaware River fromPhiladelphia. Two hours from New Yorkand only 20 minutes from Philadelphia, theWestwood church is the result of an excitingproject that began in 1981 when 11 peoplemoved to Woodbury from St. Louis wherethey had trained with Stanley Shipp, BenWilliams, and Ryan Howard. The "pioneers"found jobs, adjusted to New Jersey, andbegan ministering to the community. Throughaggressive outreach, the group has nowgrown to 65 in attendance. In the last sixmonths alone, God has added 17 to theirnumber—an increase of 34 percent. Andnow they believe that God has sent Andreand Mary to become the catalyst for futuregrowth.

Andre says, "Numbers are not always asure guide that things are going well, butthe Westwood church evidences a deepongoing spiritual growth among its members.I have grown to love them and feel that ourunity of heart and mind will be conduciveto a very productive relationship as we worktogether the works of God in the Woodburyarea."

Someday they may return to the goldencoast of California. But for now, Andre andMary are committed to that dense sprawl ofpeople on the northeastern coast of ourcountry. The field is white—harvest is near.

If you or your congregation would like tohave a part in this pioneering work, contactAndre Resner or the Steering Committee,Westwood Church of Christ, 57 West CentreStreet, Woodbury, NJ 08096.

P C N

NEWS

"Thine Is The Kingdom'1—A Week to Remember

By Bill Henegar

U A nother great lectureship! Not even theI k rain could dampen our spirits." That note

from Houston, Texas, was an excellent 11—wordsummary of the 45th Annual Pepperdine BibleLectureship. There was, indeed, an onslaughtof problems—rainstorms, road closures due togas leaks, rock slides, heavy traffic, in additionto the usual problems associated with agathering so huge. But even the drivingrainstorm couldn't keep more than 4,000 peoplefrom being on hand to hear Landon Saundersset the tone for the whole lectureship with hiselectrifying message, "A Joyful Kingdom WhoseTime Has Come!"

Many people attended for the first time-like the man from Minneapolis, who wrote,"What a fantastic Lectureship!... It was myfirst trip to Pepperdine and I'm sure it will notbe my last" And from the Nashville area, acouple wrote, "For years we've heard that there'sno lectureship like Pepperdine's—and now weknow what they were talking about. We havenever had a more refreshing and wonderfulexperience."

But others were oldtimers. A minister fromDayton, Ohio, wrote, "You've done it again!This year's lectures continued in the greattradition of excellence which you've establishedduring the past six years. This year was my thirdlectureship, and I continue to be amazed atthe quality of the presentations, the fervencyof spirit, and the physical beauty of thePepperdine campus."

The program continued to grow this year,with seven theme lecturers, seven choral groups,15 songleaders, 42 meal programs with speakers,and a record 144 classes, plus a variety of latenight specials. In addition to Landon Saunders,the theme lecturers were Randy Fenter, SteveFlatt, Kregg Hood, Larry James, Dan Anders,and Max Lucado. The largest, major classes,taught by Max Lucado, Oliver Howard, RubelShelly, and Lynn and Joy McMillon, overflowedSmothers Theatre. In fact, virtually every classwas filled, some to more than capacity.

It was also a week of honors. On openingnight, President David Davenport awarded aplaque to the Associated Women for Pepperdinefor 30 years of outstanding support and serviceto the University. On hand to receive the awardwere three of the seven founders of AWP: HelenPepperdine, Helen Young, and ElizabethRandolph. Others receiving awards were PaulMethvin and WB. West for distinguishedChristian service, Bill Humble for the 20th

Century Christian Educator of the Year, andJ.P. Sanders for distinguished lifetimeachievement.

But the lectureship was much more thana frenetic schedule of lectures, classes, dinners,and awards. A minister from Eugene, Oregon,said, "The blessings I received will stay withme for many years to come." And fromLouisville, Kentucky, came, "Thank you fordealing with difficult subjects which help usto be on the cutting edge of society." One of

On Friday evening,Dr. J.P. Sanders received

the distinguished lifetimeachievement award.

the theme lecturers, a first-time attender, wasoverwhelmed: "I can honestly say the week onyour campus was one of the best in my life.The spirit among the people present and theteaching shared was truly remarkable."

One man from California warmed the heartof Jerry Rushford, lectureship director, in aspecial way when he said, "There are surelygood days ahead for the Church." That is reallythe "bottom line." That is what all the heroiceffort is about.

President Davenport honors AWP and three of the seven founders, (I. to r.) Elizabeth Randolph, HelenYoung, and Helen Pepperdine.

P C N

Scenes from Pepperdine's

Great Tnemesfrom the Gospei of

MATTHEW

Tfie 4mPepper&ne Uiuv^^BCr LAturesfiif

Bright, sunny days after the rainstorm

Opening night with Landon Saurders

Leonard Allen on church history A time for families A time for prayer

Oliver Howard packs Smothers Theatre Larry James lectures on Thursday night

PCN 8

45th Annual Lectureship

Grvat Th£from tfa

Browsing among the displays Cynthia Rowland-McClure at women's dinner

Wednesday night lecturer Steve Flatt

Mike Armour in Staufrer Chapel Lynn Mitchell on worship

Marriage seminar by Carl Brecheen Standing room only for Max Lucado

PCN 9

PE PE P P E R D I N E . E O P L E ON MOVE

By Paula Marrs

Vice President for University AffairsMichael F. Adams spoke for six consecutiveSunday mornings at the Conejo Valley Churchof Christ in Thousand Oaks on the subjectof "Discipleship" this spring.

Dan Anders, minister of the MalibuChurch of Christ, was a theme lecturer for thePepperdine Bible Lectureship in April. He willserve as a theme lecturer and teach three classesat the Yosemite Family Encampment in July.

Randy Lowry, director of the Institutefor Dispute Resolution, taught a 3-day classat the Pepperdine Bible Lectureship inApril.

Associate Professor of Religion Rick Marrstaught a class at the Pepperdine BibleLectureship in April. He preached for thechurch in El Segundo on May 15, and he wasa presenter at the Ministers Sermon Seminarin Austin, Texas on May 23-26.

Lectureship, In July he will serve as a keynotespeaker at the Yosemite Family Encampment.

William Stivers, director of foreignlanguages, spoke at a lectureship in SanFelipe, Baja California, Mexico, May 3. Hewas the principal speaker for the lectures atInstitute Baxter in Tegucigalpa, Honduras,May 23-31, and on June 18, he will speak atthe graduation of Institute Biblico de Tijuanain Tijuana.

Calvin Bowers, director of the equalopportunity office, spoke at a Gospel meetingat the Del Amo Church of Christ in LongBeach on May 8-13. He gave three lectures anda keynote address at the Ohio State Lectureshipin Cleveland on May 27-29, and he will holda married couples seminar on July 29-30, inAustin, Texas.

President David Davenport preached forthe Madison Church of Christ in Madison,Tennessee on Sunday morning, May 1. Over9,000 were present for the attendance driveservice. He preached at the Ashwood congre-gation in Nashville on that Sunday evening.He also spoke at the preachers' luncheon inNashville on May 2. On June 5, he will preachat the Central congregation in San Jose on theoccasion of their 50th anniversary.

Professor of Biology Doug Dean spoke ata youth rally May 27-29, at the AndersonChurch of Christ near Redding on the topicof "Science and Religion".

D'Esta Love, director of the CareerDevelopment Center, was the featured speakerfor a women's fellowship day at the Centralcongregation in Stockton and a mother-daughter banquet at the Davis Park church inModesto on May 8. She will speak to campersfrom the Campbell church on June 3-5.

Stuart Love, associate professor of religion,will be the featured speaker for a family retreatat the Church of Christ in Victoria, BritishColumbia, on July 30-31.

Tom Olbricht, chairman of the religiondivision, taught a class at the Pepperdine BibleLectureship in April. He also presented a lectureon April 19, in Claremont, California, as a partof the Alexander Campbell BicentennialLectures.

Vice President for Finance Mike O'Nealwill speak and serve as a counselor on ChristianEstate Planning at the Yosemite FamilyEncampment July 25-29.

Frank Pack, distinguished professor ofreligion emeritus, taught a 3-day class at thePepperdine Bible Lectureship in April. He alsopresided at two sessions of the AlexanderCampbell Bicentennial Lectures in Claremont,California, on April 18.

Jerry Rushford, associate professor ofreligion, spoke at the Westside Church ofChrist in Bakersfield on May 1. He will serveas a keynote lecturer for the Great NorthwestEvangelism Workshop in Tacoma on June 29,and he will preach for the Northwestcongregation in Seattle on July 3.

Steve Sale, professor of history, preachedseveral times this spring for the Church ofChrist in Heidelberg, West Germany, and willcontinue to preach there occasionally duringthe summer.

Professor of Law LaGard Smith taughta 5-night series of lessons at the PrestonRoad congregation in Dallas in April. Healso was a speaker for the Pepperdine Bible

Dwayne D. VanRheenen, associatedean, Seaver College, preached for the ConejoValley Church of Christ in Thousand Oakson six Sundays during April and May. He alsoserved as coordinator for the AlexanderCampbell Bicentennial Lectures held April18-19, in Claremont, California.

President Emeritus Howard A. Whitepresided at the opening session of the AlexanderCampbell Bicentennial Lectures held inClaremont, California, on April 18-19.

"Big" Don Williams, associate directorof Church Services, spoke at a retreat forthe church in Pullman, Washington, and ayouth rally in Long Beach in April. In May,he spoke at a youth ministers' seminar inLittleton, Colorado; a singles' seminar inCulver City, California; and a youth nightat the Malibu church. During June he willspeak in New Orleans, Lubbock, Houston,Oklahoma City, Stockton, and Tacoma. InJuly he will speak in Tusculum, Tennessee;Tempe, Arizona; and Dallas.

Helen Young spoke at the annualfund-raising dinner for Orange CountyChristian School on April 9. She also taughta class at the Pepperdine Bible Lectureshipin April. During May she spoke at a mother-daughter lectureship in San Diego and awomen's lectureship in West Covina. In Mayshe also taught a class on women's roles atthe Conejo Valley church in Thousand Oaksand a seminar on "Pepperdine's SpiritualHeritage" in Malibu. In June she will speak tomembers of the Sunny Hills church at theEncino retreat grounds.

PCN 10

PROF i LES

WALT FENNELWalt Fennel, minister for the Palm Avenue

Church of Christ in Fresno, California, since1971, has accepted the position of pulpitminister for the Rancho Cordova Church ofChrist, near Sacramento.

Walt and his wife, Llona, are both graduatesof Pepperdine University. Their older son, Scott,graduated from the Pepperdine School of Lawin May of this year. Their younger son, Troywill begin his senior year at Pepperdine in thefall.

Leaving the Palm Avenue congregationafter nearly seventeen years was a majordecision for the Fennels. They believe thatGod has called them to respond to thischallenging opportunity to serve Christ in thegrowing area of Rancho Cordova. They willbe joining the ministry team of Dennis Smith(involvement), Dan Jocoy (youth), and KevinFuchs (outreach). The Rancho Cordova churchis made up of 500 members and has recentlycompleted the construction of two newbuildings.

During Walt's ministry in Fresno, the PalmAvenue church experienced significant growthand stability. The Rancho Cordova congre-gation is looking forward to a long and fruitfulpartnership with the Fennels.

ROBERT HAILEYThe new minister for the Norkenzie

Church of Christ in Eugene, Oregon, is RobertHailey. He comes from the Sealy Church ofChrist in Sealy, Texas, where he has served

since 1984.Hailey holds a B.A. from Abilene Christian

University and a M.Ed, from the Universityof Houston, where his major was counseling.He has held seminars and gospel meetings, andtaught in camps in Kansas, New Mexico, andTexas.

He and his wife, Betty Anne, are the parentsof two sons: Jeremy, age 8 and Benjamin,age 2.

DAVID HILLDavid Hill is the new minister for the

Central Church of Christ in Sacramento.He comes from the River Oaks congregationin Ft. Worth where he has served as ministersince 1983. Prior to that he served as ministerto the Kearny Church of Christ in Kearny,Arizona.

Hill served as camp director, counselor,teacher, and song leader for the SouthernArizona Bible Camp. He organized and directedthe first North Texas Evangelism Workshop,and has held evangelism workshops, men'sleadership classes, teachers' workshops, andspecial classes for parents.

Hill was a student at the University ofArizona where he studied accounting andvoice. He and his wife, Cindy, have threechildren.

RICHARD HUGHESPepperdine University has announced the

addition of Richard Hughes as a professor

in the religion division. Hughes, who taughtat Pepperdine in 1971-76, comes from AbileneChristian University, where he served asprofessor in the history department. Priorto that, he taught in the department ofreligious studies at Southwest Missouri StateUniversity.

A graduate of Harding University (B.A.)and Abilene Christian University (M.A.),Hughes holds a Ph.D. from the Universityof Iowa. His special area of expertise ischurch history. Hughes is the aughor ofseveral books including his recent TheWorldly Church: A Call for Biblical Renewal,jointly authored with Leonard Allen andMichael Weed.

Hughes is a native of Lubbock, Texas, andis married to the former Janice Ann Wright.They are the parents of one son, ChristopherAndrew.

DAN WHITAKERDan Whitaker is the new education

minister for the Westside Church of Christ inBakersfield. Since 1979 he has served as ministerof education for Turnpike Church of Christin Grand Prairie, Texas. Prior to that he servedin that capacity for several other congregationsin Texas.

Whitaker is a graduate of Abilene ChristianUniversity. He is married to the former LoisBixler, and they are the parents of one daughter,Debbie.

A member of the board of directors ofthe Association of Leaders in ChristianMinistry, Whitaker frequently serves as aspeaker for teacher training workshops. Heand Lois have taught at Camp Blue Havenin Las Vegas, New Mexico, for sixteensummers. They are co-authors of a studyseries for Christian youth camps entitled"Getting to Know God". In 1977 theyreceived the "Excellence in Education" awardpresented by Sweet Publishing Company for"outstanding contributions to Christianeducation through professional leadership andcurriculum development."

PCN 11

NEWS

Awakening '88 Builds Bridges

By Mary Speaks

Youth minister Kevin Bryan

(CL^icls today need to know how toJ\.build relationships" says Kevin Bryan,

youth minister at the Long Beach Church ofChrist and major organizer of "Awakening '88".The youth rally, held at the Long Beach churchApril 29 through May 1, was entitled "Bridges"and focused on relationships.

Speakers included Rex Boyles, who addressedrelating to the world; Andre Resner, who helpedthe teens understand their relationship to God;"Big" Don Williams, who emphasized theimportance of relating to the church; and JayUtley, who stressed that the cross of Christ,which connects man to God, is the mostimportant bridge. "Awakening" is known notonly for its excellent speakers, but also for itslineup of out-of-the-ordinary entertainment.Brute Wolf, a member at the Long Beachchurch, performed juggling and a comedy act.Saturday, teens were treated to a multimediapresentation entitled, "Bridges", which requirednine slide projectors, a movie projector, andthree screens. Also on Saturday, the Long BeachYouth Chorus, "Triumph", performed, as well as

Some of the teens who attended the rally

the Long Beach Drama Troupe.Over 600 were in attendance for

"Awakening '88". The largest group came fromVentura and the groups who traveled farthestcame from Chester and Chico.

This was the fourth year for "Awakening".Kelly Carter originated the event in 1985 whilehe was serving as youth minister for the LongBeach church. The annual event has gainedmomentum every year and was up 140 fromlast year.

Bryan feels that the most important part ofeach "Awakening" is the spiritual awakeningexperienced by teens who come from churcheswhere there is not a youth minister workingwith them or where the group of teens is verysmall. "Teens need to see themselves as thebridge to reach out to their friends.. .they needto know that they can have an effective outreacheverywhere, even in the church.. .they AREthe church" says Bryan.

A Dream Come True

'P'he Moorpark Church of Christ is a dream1 come true for a number of people dedicated

to spreading the news of Christ in the city ofMoorpark. The city, located in SouthernCalifornia's Ventura County, is approximatelyan hour and a half north of Los Angeles.

In the 1960's, Ken Ary gathered a grouptogether in Moorpark and purchased a parcelof land. But a short time later plans for a churchwere abandoned because there didn't seem tobe enough interest in the small town, then witha population of only 4,000. There were alreadyChurches of Christ in neighboring cities, sothe land was eventually sold.

However, the 1980's have brought majorgrowth to Moorpark. The city has grown to20,000. And after many years of discussing theidea of a church in the city, last year HowardEwing and Jerry Botts, with the help of theFillmore congregation, decided the time wasright. The Fillmore elders and members askedEwing to coordinate the project, and on April 5,1987, the first service was held.

In the beginning there was a core groupof 6 families, totaling 17 people. After two otherlocations, the church now meets in a newelementary school called Mountain MeadowsSchool. There are 2,500 new homes being builtnearby, and there seems to be great potentialfor church growth.

Today, the Moorpark church has 16 families,

consisting of 54 people, and Howard Ewingcontinues to do the preaching. At the anniversaryservice on April 10,1988, Jerry Rushford deliveredthe message, as 84 people attended. With anemphasis on spreading the good news of Christto the growing community, the future of the newMoorpark church seems bright indeed.

World Evangelism Forum

The Church of Christ in Bellevue,Washington, climaxed its Fourth Annual

World Evangelism R)rum in April by contributingabout $25,000 to its world evangelism program.That program includes the support of a familyin the People's Republic of China and the sendingof over twenty teens to Mexico each summer.During the forum the church was challenged byBerkeley Hackett, Jack McGhee, and GloverShipp, who have worked on three continents.The previous week, after hearing Otis Gatewood,the church pledged over $140,000 over a five-year period toward the purchase of facilities forEuropean Christian College in Vienna, Austria.

Ministers Enrichment Seminar

By Kelly Deatherage

UT) reaching Christ Crucified: Competent toi. Minister" was the theme of the Eighth

Annual Ministers Enrichment Seminar held onthe campus of Columbia Christian CollegeMay 16-19.

John Paul Blankenship, professor at LubbockChristian University and specialist in youthministry, discussed ethics, discipleship, and thecommunication of the central message of the NewTestament to our young people.

Bill Love, minister for the Bering DriveChurch of Christ in Houston, examined "Christcrucified" as the central message of the NewTestament.

Other speakers included John Q 'fork, whoexamined Christ as a model for leadership; DaveBland, who discussed the use of supplementalresource material in sermon preparation; andGordon Teel, who presented ideas concerningviable ministry in a graying church.

In addition to daily study sessions, optionalevening activities include opportunities forsightseeing and fellowship. This annual event ispresented as a service to the churches of theNorthwest by Columbia Christian College.

PCN 12

NEWS

A Christian Endeavor

By Ken Chaffin

Jim Bobo and his employees make service a high priority.

S ituated on the main street of LemonGrove, near San Diego, is the leading

supplier of Christian books, material, andcurricula to Churches of Christ in Californiaand neighboring states. Known to most of usas "Bobo's," the operation changed its nameto the West Coast Bible Bookstore in 1986 whilegoing through an expansion phase. It is locatedat 7917 Broadway in Lemon Grove, California,and is owned by Jim and Carmen Bobo.

West Coast Bible Bookstore has a longhistory. It was operated for several years by DougWhitehead as Whitehead's Book Service. Dougwas a member at the Clairemont congregationand worked out of his garage. For the next nineyears, Ross Turner, an elder at the Bostoniachurch, ran this business out of his basementas Turner's Book Service. In 1978, Jim Bobotook over and soon moved the store to itspresent location and put it on a solid financialfooting. These last ten years have seenphenomenal growth in this business, which Jimand Carmen view as their personal ministry.

Jim Bobo was baptized in 1975 by TerryMcCormick, minister of the Lemon Grovechurch at the time. Ten weeks later, Jim andCarmen were married. They bought thebookstore some three years later. Carmen isfamous in her own right in San Diego, appearingnumerous times on stage throughout the countyas an accomplished actress. Jim has thrownhimself into the work of the bookstore and ithas paid off, in both reputation and service.

West Coast Bible Bookstore carries a com-plete line of Bible school curricula and suppliesfrom all the major brotherhood publishers. Jim

has one of the largest selections of Biblesanywhere in California, keeping approximatelythree thousand copies in stock at almost anytime. The bookstore also prides itself in keepingan inventory of nearly every book that has beenwritten by members of the Churches of Christ.In addition, a customer can also find all thepopular, quality religious reading materials thatyou come to expect in any Christian book store,from authors such as Swindoll and Dobson.The bookstore is also the largest supplier ofcommunion cups on the West Coast.

The store has been very successful over thelast ten years, with incredible growth for abusiness its size. It is clear that the reason forsuch growth is the servant attitude of the

operation and its employees. Bobo states thathe has always tried to follow the New Testamentteaching of treating the other person (customer)as he himself would want to be treated. If aproblem arises, the bookstore will work withthe customer to solve it to their mutual satis-faction. This attitude of "business as ministry"is perhaps most apparent in their shippingprocess. If you call in an order on a given day,it will be shipped to you that same day.Employees tell of incredible energy expendedin order to fulfill this promise. Anotherindication of their attitude is the feeling youget when you call on the phone—the feelingthat someone really wants to help you, thatthey really do care about you and your needs.These attitudes, incorporated throughout thestore's operation, are the reason why so manyconsider this business to be truly Christian.

On June 11, 1988, the West Coast BibleBookstore will be hosting its ten yearanniversary celebration. Sharing in this daywill be three noted Christian authors—MaxLucado, Marie Chapian, and June MasterBacher. The authors will be available toautograph their books. Also at the store thatday will be the host of the popular "Kids'Praise" audio and video tapes, Psalty. A localChristian radio station, KPRZ, will bebroadcasting "live" from the store andthousands of dollars worth of Bibles, books andgifts will be given away. Jim Bobo would liketo invite all his friends to this special day. Ithas been a wonderful ten years both for WestCoast Bible Bookstore and for the brethrenit serves on the West Coast.

Jim Bobo is proud of the eight'foot'tall castle he built as a play area for shoppers' children. He patternedit after the castle in C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

P C N 13

LE C T U R E S H I P

48th Annual Yosemite Family Encampment

By Florence Johnston

/Christians cherish the family vacationV> because it serves as an invaluable tool forkeeping family ties strong. But have youthought about adding a spiritual dimension?Thousands of Christians do this yearly asthey take their families to the great YosemiteFamily Encampment in California. A programstarted in 1939 with only a handful ofpeople now involves thousands of familiesfrom across our nation. This year's encamp-ment will be held July 25-29. For theeighteenth consecutive year, Paul Methvin,of Orangevale, California, will direct theprogram.

People say about the encampment, "Myparents brought me to this encampment whileI was growing up—now I am bringing myfamily"; "For twelve years I tried to teach myhusband about Christianity—last year duringencampment week he decided to become aChristian"; "My son is a different person sincehe was baptized during last year's encampment".Many similar comments could be related;families do grow spiritually because of theprogram!

Each YFE activity, planned around Godand family, presents positive, upbeat programsto encourage and challenge each person toa greater devotion to God and a happier life-style. Envision hundreds of children tucked

Upper and lowerYosemite Falls are a

powerful reminder ofthe "water of life" the

campers come to drinkevery July.

away in the rugged terrain learning about God'screation through devotionals, puppet programs,and crafts. Below the majestic Half Domesit hundreds of junior and senior highstudents, learning to build and maintain betterrelationships with parents, peers, and God.Nearby is a special class for singles, many ofwhose lives have been devastated by divorceor the loss of a loved one, each wanting tolearn how to become a better servant whilecoping with sometimes stressful situations.At the foot of a giant mountain is a ladies'class being taught by Christian women fromvarious backgrounds, sharing ideas onbecoming better wives and mothers. At thesame time, another dozen classes are insession, aimed at sharing ideas to helpchurch leaders, husbands, wives, fathers, andmothers better fulfill the roles God has giventhem.

Four keynote speakers each day, manynationally recognized, share a variety ofbiblical topics to challenge participants intheir devotion to God. All programs are

High above the valleyfloor, majestic HalfDome reigns over theactivities of theYosemite FamilyEncampment.

taped for future use by individuals andcongregations.

Afternoons are free for family fun andreunions. However, some people choose toattend update sessions presented by the variousChristian colleges/universities, preachers'schools, and other worthy brotherhoodprograms.

Each evening provides two fun-filledcampfire programs where adults and youngpeople relax after a full day of activities. Theseprograms consist of quartets, singing groups,local talent shows, and devotionals.

In addition to the planned program,the national park offers many familyactivities such as sightseeing tours, raftingin the Merced River, hiking, backpacking,bike and horseback riding, and other funactivities.

Housing accommodations are difficultdue to demand, but campground facilities,tent cabins, cabins with/without bath, andlodge rooms may be rented. For housing orother information, write Florence Johnson,2950 Routier Road #19, Sacramento, CA95827-1922 or call (916) 361-7149.

PCN 14

NEWS

STUDY RELIGION THIS SUMMERAT PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY, MALIBU

The religion division of Pepperdine University announces four courses especially designed for those studying for ministryor who are currently involved in ministry. Each of the following courses will meet Monday through Friday, six hoursa day for two weeks and is for four credit hours.

Abraham J. Malherbe"Paul as Minister"May 31 -June 10

Ray Fulenwider"Church Administration and Growth"

June 20 - July 1

Frank Pack"The General Epistles"

July 11-22

Ken Durham and Dwayne VanRheenen"Communication in the Church"

July 25 - August 5

Courses may be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit. Scholarship reduces cost to only $400 per course. Reasonablehousing available. For additional information call or write:

Thomas H. Olbricht, Chairman, Religion DivisionPepperdine University, Malibu, California 90265, (213) 456-4352

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine Hosts Christian Scholars Conference

T)epperdine will host the eighth annual1 Christian Scholars Conference July 20-22.The 3-day conference, attended by Christiancollege professors and other interestedindividuals, will expand on last year's topic ofethics, and focus on how the universitycommunity can best teach and encourageethics. William B. Adrian, provost of PepperdineUniversity, will give the keynote address at thekick-off luncheon on Wednesday. Bill Love,minister of Bering Drive Church of Christ inHouston, and J.J.M. Roberts, professor at

Princeton Theological Seminary, will presentthe other mealtime speeches.

Some of the topics that will be dealt withare "Ethics, Community, and the ChristianFaith on Campus" Qarnes Thompson, Institutefor Christian Studies); "Advice from WisdomLiterature in Regard to Community" (JohnWillis, Abilene Christian University); "Ministersin Pastoral Counseling" (Tom Milholland,Abilene Christian University); and "Studentsand the University Community" (StephenLemley, Lubbock Christian University). Papers

will also be presented by Gary McCaleb, James E.Priest, Gary Collier, Douglas Downs, PhillipLewis, M. Norvel Young, William E. Jones, andothers. Participants represent several Christiancolleges and churches from across the country.

For more information you may contact:

Dr. Thomas OlbrichtReligion DivisionPepperdine UniversityMalibu, California 90265(213) 456-4352

P C N 15

The 48th Annual Yosemite Family EncampmentJuly 24-29, 1988

Theme: "The Pursuit of God and Holiness"

Date

24

25

26

27

28

29

Time

10:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Title

Is God Real?

Who Is This God?The God Who Runs

God's SpiritDeveloping the Spirit of God

The God Who SpeaksLonging For God

Striving For PurityGod's People

God Is My SalvationWhere Is God When I Hurt?

Seeing The Unseen GodGod's Holiness and Righteousness

The Greatest Contrast—God/SatanThe Worship of God

God's Grace and ForgivenessGod's Ways and Nature

The Goodness and Severity of GodGod's Judgements

The God Who Pursues ManThe Indefinable God

Pursuing God In The HomeMy Prayer For You

Speaker

Mike Armour

Jimmy AllenIan Fair

John BanksHarvey Stow

Leonard GrayEdwin White

Dan JocoyRusty Bolton

V.E. HowardMike Cope

Joe JohnsonDan Anders

Randy GrayBob Hendren

Warren WilcoxJack Exum

Johnny RamseyLaGard Smith

Norman GipsonJay Utley

Eddie CloerWillard Tate

City and State

Dallas, TX

Searcy, ARAbilene, TX

San Diego, CAModesto, CA

Ovilla, TXPhoenix, AZ

Rancho Cordova, CAVisalia, CA

Texarkana, TXSearcy, AR

Gadsen, ALMalibu, CA

Fresno, CANashville, TN

Denver, CORoyston, GA

Clearwater, FLMalibu, CA

Lubbock, TXLong Beach, CA

Searcy, ARAbilene, TX

Paul Methvin of Orangevale, CA will direct the encampment for the 18th consecutive year. For more information about the encampment andaccommodations, write to Mrs. Florence Johnston, Encampment Secretary, 2950 Routier Road #19, Sacramento, CA 95827 or call (916) 361-7149.The 1989 Yosemite Family Encampment will be held July 23-27.

See story on page 14.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPepperdine University

Pepperdine UniversityDepartment of Church ServicesMalibu, California 90265

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

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