Murder at a Family Ranch, Different Denominations, & Truth 50th Reunion

Three days after a grandfather and four of his grandsons were found murdered at the family ranch, family members stood before Houston Northwest Church and encouraged others not to lose hope or forget that God is gracious.

“I lost my best friend. He kept me sharp,” said Glen Collins of his brother, Mark.

Mark Collins, 66, was found dead at the property west of Centerville alongside his grandsons Waylon, 18, Carson, 16, Hudson, 11, and Bryson, 11. The group had gone there Thursday, June 2, to do some fishing at the conclusion of the school year. Investigators believe they were killed by a prison escapee who then stole their truck and was killed later that evening by police in a shootout.

Hundreds of mourners gathered the next day at a baseball field in Tomball, northwest of Houston, to commemorate the victims. Waylon Collins was a recent graduate of Tomball High School and an umpire for Little League baseball.

Speaking June 5 at Houston Northwest Church, Glen Collins urged attendees and viewers to find comfort in the Lord, as he has.

“My message is encouragement,” he said. “This is my home and you are my people, and this is where I find solace and comfort. God is still God, and we’re not.

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Most Americans, including many people of non-Christian faiths or no faith at all, are open to a variety of denominations of Christian churches.

Americans have more favorable than unfavorable impressions of most denominations, whether they would personally attend a church of that denomination or not. More Americans have favorable impressions of Baptist churches (61 percent) than any other Christian denomination. But Baptist churches are not alone in giving generally favorable impressions. Most Americans think favorably of every denomination.

One of the most popular musical groups born out of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s will celebration its 50th anniversary in June.

The Truth 50th Reunion will be held at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile on June 17.

“We chose Father’s Day weekend because my dad has really been a father figure to so many of the hundreds that have traveled on the road in life and in ministry – and in music,” noted Jason Breland, son of Roger Breland.

The night will include some of the most talented singers and musicians in the country, Breland said, many of whom became well-known in the music industry after their experience with Truth, including Russ Lee, Tiffany Coburn, Jody McBrayer, Alicia Garcia, 4Him members, Natalie Grant, Leigh Cappillino and Dick and Mel Tunney.

You can find the full story at our website, Baptist Press.com.