Ashland Terrace church calls McDowell
* The Rev. Brad McDowell, a Nashville native, will begin his ministry with Ashland Terrace Christian Church, 915 Ashland Terrace, on Sunday.
He returns to Tennessee after 10 years, having most recently served as the Disciples of Christ pastor of Rhett Avenue Christian Church in Charleston, S.C.
Mr. McDowell attended Duke University and Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.
He and his wife, Lisa, are expecting their first child, a son, this fall.
Evans named Covington dean
* Dr. Angela R. Evans, associate pastor at Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, has been named dean of Covington Theological Seminary Southeast Extension in Chattanooga. Affiliated with the seminary extension since its founding in 2005, she is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Covington Theological Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Dr. Evans succeeds Dr. Jay P. Trimble, the seminary extension’s initial dean. Registration for the fall semester is Aug. 24 for classes beginning Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. For information, call Dr. Evans at 624-7604 or Dr. Willie Paul at 423-394-5497.
Assistance
* Ware Branch Church of Christ, 11203 Birchwood Pike, will give away clothing, school supplies and household items on Saturday, July 31, at 8 a.m. For information, call minister Raleigh Wooten at 894-4498.
* East Ridge United Methodist Church, 1601 Prater Road, will give away school supplies on Saturday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. For information, call the church at 892-8451.
Conference
* A prophetic conference will be held Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 31, at 8:30 p.m., at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, 1400 Market St. The leader of the conference is Dr. Chuck Pierce, president of Glory of Zion International Ministries of Denton, Texas. The cost to attend is $15 for singles or $25 for married couples. For information or to register, call Dr. Bettye Lundquist at 622-0851 or visit www.gloryofzion.org or www.hiswarriorbride.org.
Enrichment
* Second Missionary Baptist Church, 2305 E. Third St., will host a “Gangs & Drugs Rap Session” on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. The guest speaker is Lt. Van Hinton of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. Topics to be discussed include what to look for to see if your child is using drugs, what to look for to determine if your child is in a gang, how to recognize bullying and whether your child is the bully or being bullied, and things to know about teens and dating. For information, call the church at 624-9097.
Music
* The Diplomats, a Southern gospel singing group from Carrollton, Ga., will present a free concert on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Delray Baptist Church, 784 Steele Road, in Rossville, Ga. A love offering will be taken. For information, call Don Robinson at 706-866-2752 or Richard Brandt at 899-8382.
* Naomi and The Segos will present a concert on Friday at 7 p.m. at Calvary Independent Baptist Church, 911 Lovell Road, in Hixson. For information, call 877-2665.
* Steve Ladd, a former tenor for the Gold City gospel quartet, will present music at the 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday, Aug. 1, at Rock Spring Baptist Church, 194 E. Turnipseed Road, in Rock Spring, Ga. For information, call Kevin Weaver at 706-375-5345.
Vacation Bible schools
* Cedar Hill Baptist Church, 60 Dyer Bridge Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., today, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., theme: “Saddle Ridge Ranch,” 706-858-0976.
* Chamberlain Memorial Baptist Church, 4239 Benton Drive, Wednesdays through Aug. 11, 6-8:30 p.m., theme: “Saddle Ridge Ranch,” 624-3508.
* Cloud Springs Baptist Church, 210 Cloud Spring Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Sundays through Aug. 29, 6-7:30 p.m., ages 3-fifth grade, theme: “Saddle Ridge Ranch,” 706-866-0164.
* First Baptist of Hixson, 4815 Winding Lane, Wednesday-Friday, 6-8 p.m., all ages, 875-2781.
* Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, 4131 Ringgold Road, Sunday, ages 2 through fifth grade, 624-6073.
* Lakewood Baptist Church, 6626 Hunter Road, Harrison, Aug. 1-5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., ages kindergarten-high school seniors, 344-6334.