Across the country: a fundraiser for Healing Hands International, a church destroyed by fire and more quick stuff.

Across the Nation is our monthly digest of news summaries, links and quotes from churches of Christ across the United States. Do you have an idea for this column? Email Audrey Jackson at (email protected).

Featured image (above): Participants in the Greater Together for Water Walk walk through Smyrna, Tennessee, on a recent Sunday to raise money for Healing Hands International, associated with the Churches of Christ.

The inaugural fundraiser organized by Greater Together — a collaborative effort between various churches of Christ in Middle Tennessee — attracted the largest number of participants in Walk4Water history, with many participants returning this year. This event aims to raise funds and awareness about water needs around the world.

RELATED: Walk4Water in the Rain

California

HOLTVILLE — A recent early-morning fire destroyed about 90 percent of the main building of the Holtville Church of Christ, leaving only the adjacent annex remaining.

The fire had already spread to the attic of the main building by the time the fire department was called, according to Holtville Fire Chief Alex Silva. The Holtville Fire Department later determined the cause to be an electrical fire.

However, despite the devastation, church leaders remain optimistic.

“The church will continue to meet. We have sister congregations that we will meet with as well, and we have a small annex here that we will meet there if necessary,” Minister Alvin Evans told KYMA.

The twenty members met the following Sunday in the annex, but have since begun traveling to nearby churches of Christ to worship. Evans and church leaders are working with their insurance company to settle their claim so the congregation can begin rebuilding.

Texas

Salado — The Salado Historical Society wants to transform the former Salado Church of Christ building into a new community space.

The building, which is more than 100 years old, is the third-oldest religious building in the city of about 2,400 people. The Salado Church of Christ vacated the building in the 1960s but purchased the building in 2018 for a donation to the historical society.

Salado Christ Church building in 1908.

The building has fallen into disrepair since its use for worship and will need major renovations before it is ready to host community members again.

But first the building must change its locations.

The Salado Historical Society has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to move the church down the street to the Salado Historic District, where it will join two historic log cabins and a cemetery.

Newsmakers

Designated: Chris Perkins As a sports director Jordan Malone As assistant athletic director at Crowley Ridge College in Paragould, Ark. Matt Parker As station manager for WFHU 91.5 FM, produced by Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn. Scott Holmes And Steve Glenn As elders and Donnie Christian As a deacon of Bluff Springs Church of Christ in Smithville, Tenn.

hired: Colin rose As the new Youth and Family Minister for University Church of Christ in Conway, Arkansas. Aaron Nelson As a minister of Versailles Church of Christ in Indiana. Corey Spivey As a pulpit minister for Smith Springs Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. Bud Moorefield As an Associate Minister at Elizabethton Church of Christ in Tennessee. Jerry Neal As Minister of Preaching and Teaching for Cedar Lane Church of Christ in Tullahoma, Tenn. Dominic Benetti As a minister of the Danbury Church of Christ in Connecticut.

Christened: Colby Wasserbeck at Miami Valley Church of Christ in Dayton, Ohio. Saria Sanders At the Newburgh Church of Christ in Louisville, Kentucky. Marty Davis at Fairfield Church of Christ in Centreville, Tennessee. Johnny And Carly Lynn at New Hope Church of Christ in Celina, Tenn. Brittany Darenbush at Bluff Springs Church of Christ in Smithville, Tennessee.

Filed under: Church Fire Across the Nation , Electrical Fire , Healing Hands Fire , Historic Church of Christ International , National News , Newsmakers , Salado Historical Society , Top Stories , Walk4Water