STAFF CHANGES
John W. “Tony” Neal, to Walnut Hills Church, Williamsburg, as pastor, effective Aug. 6.
Randy Moore, to Clinchco Missionary Church, Wise, as pastor. He had been serving as interim pastor.
Wayne A. Lowe Jr., to Epiphany Church, Matoaca, as pastor.
Al Wilson, resigning as pastor of Fellowship Church, Ettrick.
David Woods, to Shenandoah Heights Church, Waynesboro, as youth pastor.
Rick Harris, to North Roanoke Church, Roanoke, as associate pastor for student ministries.
Cindie Hayden, to Mill Creek Church, Fincastle, as music director.
Keith Johnson, resigning as minister of college and recreation at First Church, Charlottesville.
Randy McCollum, to First Church, Newport News, as minister to youth.
ORDINATION
Thomas Cohick, pastor of Beulah Church in Schley, was ordained to the gospel ministry on July 2 at Providence Church, Hayes.
CHURCH NEWS
The Chancel Choir of Carlisle Avenue Church, Richmond, will present a “Spiritual Sing” on July 30 at 4 p.m.
Cobham Park Church, Warsaw, celebrate homecoming on July 23 at 11 a.m. Vander Warner Jr., former pastor of Grove Avenue Church in Richmond, will be guest speaker. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Revival services will be held July 23-27 at 7:30 p.m. with Warner as guest evangelist.
Manassas Church, Manassas, honored senior pastor William T. Higgins, his wife Jane, and family at a reception on June 25 in celebration of his 15 years of ministry at Manassas. During his tenue the church has marked several milestones including the purchase of a middle school next door to the church and the creation of multiple community-oriented ministries.
Carrow Church, Virginia Beach, dedicated a mural painted for the sanctuary baptistry by Irene Wood on May 21. As an expression of thanks for the beautiful mural, she was given a certificate of appreciation, which was presented by Pastor Allen Hopkins.
DEATH
Frances Copenhaver DeFoe, former Virginia Baptist missionary and pastor's widow, died July 4 in Roanoke at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Vernon DeFoe, Sr. and a son, David DeFoe. She had served as a campus minister at Longwood College [now university] and with her husband as he served pastorates at Farmville Church, Farmville; Wytheville Church, Wytheville; Rocky Mount Church, Rocky Mount; Bayside Church, Virginia Beach; and Melrose Church in Roanoke. She is survived by a son, James V. DeFoe, Jr.; daughters, Lorraine DeFoe Hughes and Jan Jessee; a sister, Mildred Boisture; five grandchildren; one step-grandson and four great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held July 6 at Melrose Church, Roanoke.