'ChristiaNet'

Monthly Global News and Information for members and friends of the
Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches around the world from 'World Convention’

Number 46 – February 2007

To contact us, or discontinue, write only to worldconv@aol.com ChristiaNet uses a send-only address. Clinton J. Holloway, Editor

Malawi Churches Mark Centenary

The history of the Stone-Campbell Churches in Malawi dates to 1906 with the conversion of a man by the name of Elaton Kundago. In the one hundred years since the Movement has grown significantly in the southern African nation. It is estimated today that one in fifty Malawians are members of the Churches of Christ. During recent celebrations at Chancellor College in Zomba to mark the centenary Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika was in attendance and presented Churches of Christ with a gift of 1 million kwacha (about $7,200). In turn the gathering presented the President and First Lady with Bibles. Mutharika encouraged the assembly with these words, “Practice peace and show unity and harmony as you live.” See the Malawi profile at www.worldconvention.org

Cameroon Churches Mark Golden Anniversary

Recently, 700 people representing 137 of the 190 Churches of Christ in Cameroon met for their annual lectureship and celebrate the half-century milestone, according to missionary Doyle Kee. The celebration included a three-day evangelistic campaign that resulted in 24 baptisms. Another highlight was the installation of three elders of the Banso congregation. For more on the history of the Stone-Campbell Movement in Cameroon see the profile at www.worldconvention.org

Fire Destroys Philippine College of Ministry -Update

In the last issue we reported the news of a fire that destroyed PCM. Since then we have received an update from President Rogelio Tenorio and Dean James Huckaba. As was mentioned the building was heavily damaged but the greatest loss was the total destruction of valuable library resources necessary for student study and faculty preparation. Those interested in assisting with book, periodical or video replacement may contact pcmdean@gmail.com Visit the school’s website at www.pcm.ph

Comprehensive Stone-Campbell Movement History Begun

The first ever comprehensive contextual history of the Stone-Campbell Movement is now underway with an anticipated completion date of 2012. The volume, a joint venture of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society and the Christian Board of Publication, is a natural progression of the work begun in the Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia a few years ago. One goal of the new work is to add the story of our Movement to the larger stories of American and world history. Editors for the book will be Paul Blowers, Doug Foster, Newell Williams and Scott Seay; several other historians will be called upon to share in the writing. For more information see www.discipleshistory.org

Call for 2008 Workshop Suggestions

The Local Arrangements Planning Committee for the 2008 Nashville Convention would like to have your suggestions for workshop topics and leaders. The slate of workshops is being arranged and now is the time to suggest or volunteer a topic. Contact Jeff Weston at worldconv@aol.com

Prayer Focus

March 11, 2007 has been set aside as a Global Day of Prayer for Burma. For more than 30 years the country of Burma has suffered internal warfare and military oppression. Burma is one of the world’s poorest countries with one of the worst records of human rights violations. Most of the world’s heroine comes from Burma while half of the national budget is spent on arms. Despite religious persecution the Church in Burma, estimated at 7% of the population, continues to grow.

News Briefs

A World Convention Executive Ajai Lall, founder and director of Central India Christian Mission (CICM), was featured in an interview in the January 21, 2007 issue of Christian Standard. To read the full interview go to http://www.christianstandard.com/interview.asp?id+362 CICM reports many interesting and exciting advances in their work including a February Cleft Palate Clinic that is to be held by visiting doctors through the Leap Foundation from Dallas, Texas.

World Convention Executive Doug Dornhecker was recently named Distinguished Visiting Professor of the Stone-Campbell Heritage at Eugene, Oregon’s Northwest Christian College. Doug, a 1972 graduate of Northwest, has served ministries in both the US and at Churches of Christ Theological College, Melbourne, Australia. As part of his duties, Doug will spearhead the school’s Stone-Campbell Symposium, March 19-21. www.nwcc.edu

In 2006 the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) set a goal of 10,000 Disciples praying daily for the church, the Disciples’ future and mission, and for church leaders. That goal was realized on December 4, 2006. To join the prayer group and your petitions or to post feedback, go to www.disciples.org

World Christian Broadcasting announces the appointment of Gayle M. Crowe as the new Vice President of Programming for the Franklin, Tennessee based ministry. To learn more of the work visit www.worldchristian.org or www.knls.org

Sometime ago ChristiaNet reported on Eastern European Mission’s goal to raise $1 million to place Bibles and Biblical literature in the public schools in the Russian state of Omsk. To date more than $1.7 million has been given for the drive. To read more go to www.milliondollarsunday.org

TCM International is celebrating 50 years of ministry in 2007, preparing men and women for Christian leadership and benevolent assistance in Eastern Europe. TCM currently has 750 students enrolled from 19 countries; 40 servant leaders graduated in 2006. www.tcmi.org

World Convention on the Road: February 26-March 29 Executive Director Jeff Weston will travel throughout India visiting churches and engaging in deputation work on behalf of the World Convention. Please keep Jeff in your prayers!

2007 Calendar of Events

March 5-8, Faulkner University Lectureship, “Our God, He is Alive,” www.faulkner.edu

March 12-13, National Preaching Summit, Indianapolis, Indiana, go to www.collegepress.com and click on “National Preaching Summit.”

March 22-24, International Soul Winning Workshop, “Jesus, The Model, The Mission,” Tulsa, Oklahoma, www.tulsaworkshop.org

March 27-30, Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tennessee will present their annual Frederick Kershner Memorial Lectures, “Pray Without Ceasing, The Apostle Paul & the Life of Prayer” with guest lecturer Dr. Bonnie B. Thurston. For more information go to www.esr.edu

April 13-14, Stone-Campbell Journal Conference, “To the Ends of the Earth: The Christian Mission in New Testament Perspective,” Cincinnati, Ohio, Contact: www.stone-campbelljournal.com

May 1-4, Pepperdine University Bible Lectures, Malibu California

May 21-25, Festival of Homiletics, Nashville, Tennessee, contact dhowell3@earthlink.net

May 31-June 2 Oklahoma Christian University Quest, Focusing Ministry on Transformation, www.oc.edu

June 4-8, 58^th Annual Blue Ridge Encampment and Educators Conference, Great Smoky Mountains, www.blueridgeencampment.org

June 4-7, “The Ascending Voice,” An International Symposium of Sacred A Cappella Music, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, www.pepperdine.edu/provost/conferences/ascendingvoice

June 9-12, Disciples Heritage Fellowship’s national conference “Wherever You Go,” in Estes Park, Colorado, www.disciple-heritage.org

World Convention seeks to build up fellowship, understanding and common purpose within the Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of churches, now serving and witnessing as part of Christ's church in no less than 178 countries.
SHARE YOUR NEWS BY MAILING OR EMAILING TO WORLD CONVENTION

17^th World Convention

“Together in Christ”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE U.S.A

July 30 – August 3, 2008