Across the Nation is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ across the U.S. Got an idea for this column? Email Calvin Cockrell at [email protected].
Featured image (above): Ed Modicue, third from right, offers a boxing pose with boys from the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, La.
LOUISIANA
MONROE — Ed Modicue mentors youths in physical, mental and spiritual discipline at his gym in northeast Louisiana.
Modicue, a member of the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, won five Golden Glove titles in the 1970s — from the same amateur boxing organization that launched careers of the likes of Muhammad Ali.
Now, Modicue trains boys in the art of boxing at his gym, but he uses the sport not as a tool for violence or victory. Rather, he strives to teach youths to be their best selves.
“Everybody is somebody” is his gym’s motto.
Modicue focuses on life skills such as self-control, preparation and healthy eating.
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He also emphasizes faith: A poster on the wall of his gym in Monroe encourages trainees to “put on the full armor of God,” from Ephesians 6.
He recently taught a boys’ class at the Forsythe church about fitness and faith, preaching minister John Dobbs said.
“Ed is a genuine spirit who has a heart for the kids who need a godly influence in their lives,” Dobbs said. “I call him ‘Champ’ because he is a champion in life and faith. Ed and his wife, Sheila, are bright lights of encouragement.”
NEWSMAKERS
BAPTIZED — CINDY and ABRAHAM ANDRES and KEIRA CRUSE of the North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville, Ala. SKYLAR BASINGER of the Oak Hill Church of Christ in Covington, Ga. JAMIE and HEATHER DUNCAN and SCOTT JONES of the Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville, Ala. JUSTIN FLYNN of the Mesquite Church of Christ in Texas. THEOPLIS REVOY HALE of the Oakland Church of Christ in Southfield, Mich. JADA IVY of the Martin Street Church of Christ in Water Valley, Miss. KALANI JOYNER of the Camden Church of Christ in Tennessee. ARMANDO and IRMA MORA of the Bridge Avenue Church of Christ in Weslaco, Texas. ALLAN MUNDEN and ALEXANDRA STRINGFELLOW of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. TODD NAPPER of the Deep River Church of Christ in High Point, N.C. ALEC RADOSEVICH of the Northwest Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. BOBBY RAINES and HAILEY MELTON of the Wylie Church of Christ in Texas. ERICA RAMIREZ of the Mannford Church of Christ in Oklahoma. ELAINA RENNICKER of the North Terrace Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio. PARKER SOUTHERLAND of the Clear Creek Church of Christ in Hixson, Tenn.
Vlad Malykhin wins the 2026 NCAA Division II national champion in men’s pole vault.
AWARDED — JOHN and BECKY HALEY, the 2026 Friend to Youth Award by Florida College in Temple Terrace, Fla. The college is associated with Churches of Christ. VLAD MALYKHIN, 2026 NCAA Division II national champion in men’s pole vault. Malykhin, a native of Shostka, Ukraine, is a senior at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.
APPOINTED — JEFF VEAL, superintendent of Harding Academy in Searcy, Ark. The pre-K through 12th grade school is associated with Churches of Christ and Harding University. Veal also will serve on the university’s cabinet. “He is mission-aligned with exceptional leadership acumen, communication skills, and experience leading in a Christ-centered institution,” said Mike Williams, president of Harding University. “He is warm, engaging, passionate and genuine.”
NAMED — JOY LEIGH JANE DANNE, Alachua County Court Judge in Gainesville, Fla. She is a graduate of Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in Montgomery, Ala. BRYSON DAVIS, support associate, and BETHANY OWENS, graphic designer for World Bible School. INGRISD RODRÍGUEZ, academic assistant for Baxter Institute, a ministry training school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. JOEL SINGLETON, preaching minister for the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. LAURIE TIMMONS, CEO of Orphan’s Lifeline International. She is a cofounder of the child sponsorship ministry, which is supported by Churches of Christ. CHUCK WYETH, minister for the Casa Grande Church of Christ in Arizona.
