(posted 5-7-08)
In April, Tim Snyder celebrated his 10th year serving with South Main Street Church of Christ, Bethesda, OH. In June, the church will celebrate her 140^th anniversary. The church, which is in a building campaign, is planning a name change to Bethesda Christian Church.

(posted 5-2-08)
Gary and Becki Pearson completed 25 years of ministry with Westminster (MD) Church of Christ on April 17. Gary was also recently elected secretary of the board of directors for the European Evangelistic Society.

(posted 4-21-08)
On March 16, Elton and Edna Carlson celebrated their 60th anniversary of ministering to Christian churches and churches of Christ. The Carlsons began in ministry with Cowden Lake Church of Christ, Coral, MI, on March 14, 1948. They have since served congregations in Michigan, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and—currently—with the Christian church in Griffin, IN, where they are beginning their ninth year. The couple have served on several mission trips to both Pakistan and Russia. They have seven children, all of them active in congregations, with two sons serving in ministry: Daniel at Sumner, IL, and Timothy at Johnson City, TN. A reception in their honor took place March 16 at Griffin Christian Church; it was sponsored by their children and the church.

(posted 4-10-08)
Letitia-Jane Benjamin recently began her 13th year with the National Church Growth Research Center, Washington, D.C. She also coordinates the 80 directors who work with the Safety Net Program.

(posted 4-10-08)
Lanis Eugene Kineman is beginning his seventh year as director of visitation with the National Church Growth Research Center and the Safety Net Program. He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Arizona during the winter and spend summers in Indiana. Contact him for mission speaking through the center at P.O. Box 16575, Washington, D.C., or call (703) 471-0300.

(posted 4-10-08)
Tim Craig began his ninth year as stewardship officer with Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch, Shelbina, MO, on May 15.

(posted 3-26-08)
The Welcome (OH) Church of Christ in Holmes County plans to celebrate her 175th anniversary Sept. 7. The church invites all past and present members and their guests to attend. Food will be served from 12:30 to 5:30 followed by a 6 p.m. service that includes past ministers of the church. Period dress is welcome and there will be 1800s-style games for the kids. For more information, contact Gary Paddock at (330) 473-2805 or gandpad@peoplepc.com, or write to 6689 Township Road 323, Millersburg, OH 44654.

(posted 2-28-08)
Carolyn and Russell Lieb began their sixth year of ministry with the Mount Olive Church of Christ, New Vienna, OH, on Feb. 16.

(posted 2-15-08)
On March 16, Kathy Craig began her second year as administrative secretary with Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch, Shelbina, MO.

(posted 2-15-08)
Eastern Heights Christian Church, Ponca City, OK, is planning a Homecoming Celebration for July 5 and 6. The church is in her 40th year of ministry and invites past and present members, along with other guests, to attend the celebration. For more information, contact ehcctoo@cableone.net or Roxie Berry at 5100 Lake Road, Ponca City, OK 74604.

(posted 2-11-08)
On Feb. 3, Guy N. Brown celebrated 50 years in the preaching ministry at Palestine Christian Church, Wolcott, IN, which he and his wife, Laura, have served the last three-plus years in semi-retirement. A record attendance was present for a day that featured photos, a slide show, and many greetings. His three children and their families, along with 10 grandchildren, also attended. He is a graduate of Milligan College, TN, and also attended Lincoln (IL) Christian Seminary and Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, TN. He has served churches in Bristol, TN; Pearl, IL; Williamsburg, KY; and for more than 34 years with the Linnwood Church of Christ, Lafayette, IN. Additional greetings may be sent to Guy and Laura at 3446 Teasdale Court, Lafayette, IN 47909.

(posted 2-11-08)
Gary Morning and Janet (Lindstedt) Morning completed 50 years in the ministry on March 16. They will celebrate 50 years of marriage on Aug. 28. They live in Brownstown, IN, having retired from the Brownstown Christian Church after a 22-year ministry. Gary, a 1960 graduate of Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO, continues to preach for a small congregation in Memphis, IN.

(posted 2-11-08)
Ajai and Indu Lall have completed their 25th year as directors of Central India Christian Mission, located in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, India. Under the Lalls’ direction, the mission has focused on evangelism, church planting, and leadership training. Currently a team of 250 evangelists serve the 620 churches the mission has planted during the past 25 years. CICM also operates a Biblical Academy, hospital, dental clinic, village medical clinic, nursing college, and children’s home. Other ministries include literature, publications and media, outreach to prisoners, children’s sponsorship ministry, Bible correspondence course, and emergency disaster services. Cards or letters of appreciation for the Lalls can be sent to Central India Christian Mission, 9911 Emnora Lane, Houston, TX 77080, or via e-mail to lvspencer@indiamission.org.

(posted 5-9-08)
Ron and Doris Rife recently retired from Ghana Christian University College (GCUC). In 1967, the Rifes, along with their three young children, went to Africa at the request of Minnesota Bible College professors Howard Hayes and Gerald Gibson. Ron was instrumental in establishing GCUC. After several years, the Rifes returned to the United States, leaving college administration in the hands of Ghanaian citizens. In 1996, the couple returned to Ghana at the request of GCUC to help expand the program and move to a new, large suburban campus. The Rifes returned to the U.S. in August 2007 and are now with Dallas Christian College.

(posted 5-9-08)
James M. Owston, administrator and associate professor at Mountain State University, Beckley, WV, successfully defended his dissertation on the topic of higher educational rebranding on Nov. 19, 2007, and was subsequently awarded the Doctor of Education (EdD) in leadership studies from Marshall University, Huntington, WV, on Dec. 11, 2007. Owston is a 1977 and 1978 graduate of Kentucky Christian University, Grayson, and holds additional degrees from Mountain State, Marshall, and West Virginia University, Morgantown.

(posted 5-7-08)
Wayne and Sue Unger are relocating to southern Indiana after serving in Ceres, CA, for the past 21 years. Wayne was with Ceres Christian Church for three years before planting Grace Community Christian Church in October 1990. During their time at Grace, the church has grown from 99 to 225, purchased 20 acres of land, and built a worship facility. Prior to serving in California, Wayne was vice president in charge of the European Center for TCM International, 1982-85; senior pastor with Franklin (IN) Memorial Christian Church for eight years; and the couple served together with the Central Africa Mission in Rhodesia, Africa, 1965-73. Wayne will be available for supply/interim preaching beginning in August. Sue will be available for women’s retreats. As a couple, they will be available for speaking at marriage retreats and leadership training. Contact the Ungers after June 15 at wayneunger@wirelessilliana.com or at 4719 S. CO. RD. 450 W., Merom, IN 47861.

(posted 4-21-08)
Randel Frederick is now serving full-time as executive director with For the Good of the Kingdom (FGK). He has served in that position as a volunteer since 2000. FGK is a national ministry that offers help to churches experiencing internal conflict. The ministry teaches individuals and congregations how to maintain their focus upon Christ, his kingdom, and his purposes. More information is available at www.ftgotk.org, (724) 561-2769, or at P.O. Box 145, Wadsworth, OH 44282.

(posted 4-21-08)
Charles and Shirley Salmon have left Texas after serving there for nearly 30 years to retire in Pennsylvania to be near their grandchildren. “Brother Chuck” served as minister with the Forest Grove Christian Church in Rockdale for nearly 11 years, beginning in 1997. During his time there, the Forest Grove Church experienced considerable growth, with 80 new members and 45 baptisms. A new fellowship hall was built, additional land was purchased, and there were many other improvements. Prior to moving to Forest Grove, Charles served nine years as assistant to the president at Colegio Biblico, a school in Eagle Pass, TX, that trains Spanish-speaking preachers and leaders. While there, Shirley directed a thriving parochial elementary school that served families on both sides of the border. Prior to moving to Texas, the Salmons ministered in Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Charles has served as a chaplain in long-term care and mental health facilities and as an offset operator at Mission Services. He led in the establishment and early growth of two new congregations in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Salmons have two grown sons and six grandchildren, all of whom live in Pennsylvania. Charles Salmon will be available for interim and supply preaching within driving distance of Lock Haven, PA. He can be reached at 4 Croak Hollow Road, Lock Haven, PA 17745.

(posted 4-2-08)
Donald Nash, author and longtime professor at Kentucky Christian University, and his wife, Mary, recently moved to Sayre Christian Village, Friendship Towers, 580 Greenfield Drive, Apt. 318, Lexington, KY 40517.

(posted 3-4-08)
After serving with Cookson Hills Christian Ministries (Kansas, OK) for 38 years, Ralph and Leona Gorman are leaving to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The Gormans were charter members of Riverside Christian and East Point Christian churches, both in Muskogee, OK. They also helped establish Northeastern Christian Church in Tahlequah, OK. While serving with Cookson Hills, the couple helped build children’s homes in seven states and also Haiti, caring for as many as 383 children at one time. In Haiti they also helped build seven churches and schools plus a medical clinic and orphanage for 75 children. Of those original 75 orphans in Haiti, several are now serving as preachers, leading mission stations, serving in education and health care, etc. Ralph plans to return to Haiti this year after a 15-year absence. Ralph has studied theology and church history, particularly the Stone-Campbell Movement, his entire life. He has written extensively about alarming current issues of American churches, such as a 61 percent recidivism rate among youth who make a profession of faith in Christ, and that 80 percent of American churches are static or declining. Anyone interested in sharing ideas or information on these or other current issues may contact him at 4817 S. McKinley Ave., Sand Springs, OK 74063.