October 2, 2009

Harding University presents Distinguished Christian Service awards

SEARCY, Ark. — Harding University recognized numerous individuals with
Distinguished Christian Service Awards at the 86th Annual Lectureship
held on campus Sept. 27-30.

Janice Bingham has worked tirelessly in medical missions with a
commitment to the needy and underprivileged of Africa, serving as a
teacher and nurse while sharing the Gospel with others.

Dr. Robert and Annette Whitaker have spent 25 years in medical and
educational mission work in Nigeria. Bob is senior medical officer at
Nigerian Christian Hospital, and Annette founded and operates Nigerian
Christian High School. The two demonstrated courage and heroism during
an attack in August that left them and others grievously wounded and
resulted in the kidnapping of Bob.

Dr. Van and Jean Tate were the first missionaries from churches of
Christ in Kenya and worked there for 11 years. Van also directed the
Mission Prepare program at Harding and taught Bible and missions. Jean
worked as a teacher, serving in Kenya and here in the U.S. They are
charter members of the Cloverdale Church of Christ in Searcy, Ark.,
where Van is an elder.

Clinton Brazle has spent 60 years in Christian ministry in Montana and
Canada. He served courageously in military service during World War
II. His Young Timothy Class trained and equipped more than 80 young
men and women for leadership roles. He also started the Yellowstone
Bible Camp in Pray, Mont.

Bill and Shirley Goben have dedicated 40 years of Christian ministry
to Montana and neighboring states through their work with local
churches and Yellowstone Bible Camp. Bill has also worked in drug and
alcohol abuse prevention and recovery through a workshop and
counseling ministry.

Edd and Tresia Eason have served young people in the classroom, on the
playing field, and through youth ministry. Edd worked until recently
as executive director of Wilderness Trek and continues on its board of
directors. He also works with Central Dallas Ministries. They attend
Richardson Church of Christ in Texas, where Edd is an elder and Tresia
directs the Child Development Center.

Ed and Loleta Higginbotham have devoted themselves to public and
private education as teachers, coaches, mentors and administrators. Ed
has helped establish and consulted with Christian schools throughout
the nation. The couple has also ministered to students and residents
from other parts of the world while they are here in the U.S.

Harold and Dolores Valentine have served friends and loved ones in
need throughout Searcy and White County. Harold is an elder at
Downtown Church of Christ in Searcy, Ark., and has served in the
ministry of music. The couple has shown a devotion to young people and
used their love of sports to serve individuals and the larger
community.

Paul and Jackie Harp moved to Iowa right after college because that is
where they found the church small and in need of workers. They have
committed to using the traditional hospitality of their home to invite
others in need of encouragement. They have also shown a dedication to
Chinese students who are guests on the Harding campus.

John and Marsha Dale have been married 40 years. Marsha teaches and
works as coordinator of the infant nursery at the Glendale Church of
Christ in Murray, Ky., where John has been preaching for 36 years. He
has also worked on behalf of higher education and has been a leader in
civic affairs, while Marsha has served many years as an employee at
Murray Pediatrics.

John and Catherine Pennisi were members of the 1961 Sao Paula Mission
Team and have been involved in Brazilian mission work for half a
century. They led the first student campaign group from Harding to
Brazil in 1973 and have continued to work with student campaigns for
more than 30 years. They currently serve as missionaries in Sorocaba,
Brazil.

Lloyd and Ora Harris have been married 40 years. Lloyd has been
preaching the gospel since he was 9 years old, and has ministered in
Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. He has worked with the McAlmont
Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Ark., for more than 10 years.
He founded and taught in the School of Religious Studies and has
Answering Voice radio and television programs that have been broadcast
daily for 34 years.

A special award was also presented to Lectureship Director Howard
Norton and his wife, Jane. The couple has served the Searcy and
Harding communities for the past 12 years. Howard has directed 13 of
Harding’s 86 Lectureships. He developed and then directed the
Institute for Church and Family for eight years. He has also worked
with the Pan European Lectures and the Pan American Lectures in
Central and South America. Jane is a gifted linguist and teacher.