wfn.org | Disciples News Brief

["Wilma Shufitt" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: April 14, 2003
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Melinda Mains
Phone: 317-713-2496
E-mail: mmains@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

Disciples News Brief
April 14, 2003

VARGAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF OVERSEAS MINISTRIES
The Rev. David A. Vargas has been elected as the President of the
Division of Overseas Ministries (DOM) at the April board of directors
meeting.  He will also serve as co-executive for Global Ministries, a
common witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the
United Church of Christ with the Rev. Dale L. Bishop, Executive Minister
for Wider Church Ministries. 

Vargas has served in overseas ministries for the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) 20 years, and is himself a product of the mission
of DOM. At one time a DOM scholarship recipient, he served as executive
for the DOM office for Latin America and the Caribbean since 1983, and
for both DOM and Global Ministries since 1989. 
For the full story: http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2003/0320.htm

LONG CALLED AS REGIONAL MINISTER IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The Reverend Sotello V. Long has been called to be the new Regional
Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in South
Carolina. The 39-church region voted overwhelmingly at the Regional
Assembly on March 15 to call Long, who most recently completed work as
the Minister of Evangelism for Disciples Home Missions. 

Long is a native of North Carolina, a graduate of North Carolina State
University and Lexington Theological Seminary, and formerly served as
Associate Pastor at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis,
the largest church in our denomination. He will make his home in
Charleston with his wife Dee and will begin his new job on May 1.

MOMENT FOR MISSION FROM INDIA
Sue Burbage, a member of First Christian Church in Russellville,
Kentucky, traveled last October to India with 10 other Disciples women.
They participated in the Woman-to-Woman Worldwide program. Here is what
she shares with us today about her trip. She says:

There was a time when I questioned our Christian Women's Fellowship
group about why we sent large amounts of money to Basic Mission Finance
 now Disciples Mission Fund. Did we know where and how the money was
being spent? It was assumed the money was forwarded and dispersed as
needed. This was the procedure, and we seldom questioned it. Our local
CWF also sponsors a child in India. We send money to her twice a year.
Once again, we did what was expected without knowing the reasons. I
could not help but wonder  is this what we do to Jesus? 
For the full story:
http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/pages/dmf/easter03/india.htm
 
2-2-2/news brief/April 14, 2003

NEW FACULTY MEMBER TO TEACH CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS AND 
BLACK CHURCH STUDIES AT PHILLIPS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Ray A. Owens, who anticipates receiving a Ph.D. degree in Christian
Social Ethics from Princeton Theological Seminary this year, will soon
become the newest faculty member at Phillips Theological Seminary in
Tulsa, according to PTS Dean Don A. Pittman.

Owens will join the faculty July 1 and begin teaching a course during
the fall semester. He will carry the title of Instructor in Christian
Social Ethics and Black Church Studies until he receives his Ph.D.
degree (expected in December 2003).  At that time he will be promoted to
Assistant Professor.
For the full story: http://www.disciples.org/dns/releases2003/0321.htm

IRAQI NEEDS GROW
As the U.S. led military campaign closes in on Baghdad, Disciples
continue to respond to humanitarian needs in Iraq. Earlier this week, a
truckload of hygiene supplies for nearly 15,000 Iraqi children entered
the country and is now being distributed in 68 hospitals in central and
southern Iraq through the UNICEF Child nutrition program. The shipment
was made possible by the Church World Service campaign,  "All Our
Children," and was funded by Disciples' Week of Compassion, Reformed
Church in America, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA,
Church of the Brethren, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
For the full story:
http://www.weekofcompassion.org/pages/updates/2003/april0304.html