Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC

Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC (reporting from Indianapolis). Currents.

INDIANAPOLIS — The crowd was loud and rowdy, ready to explode with excitement.

From all over the Midwest — and as far away as New York — they had traveled for the big event, filling a downtown hotel.

Giant red banners and colorful balloons decorated the stage. Hundreds of trophies adorned a white-clothed table.

But before the festivities commenced, silence washed across the ballroom as nearly 1,400 men, women and children bowed to pray.

For two days leading up to the Saturday night awards assembly, boys and girls — and Scripture-quoting puppets — from Churches of Christ in 10 states packed the Downtown Marriott in the heart of Indiana’s capital city.

The future church leaders came for Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, a national training program that features competition in speaking, song leading, Bible Bowl, mass media, puppet theater and art.

Children’s home dedicates prayer room in memory of ACU bus crash victim (reporting from Medina, Texas). Page 1 lead.

12-year-old has a date — with Dad. Inside Story.