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About This SiteMembers of Milton Road Chapel (formerly Franor Church of Christ) in Alton, Illinois, had known and loved Carl Ketcherside for many years and shared his passion for unity. They frequently joined members from the Hartford, Illinois, church for fellowship and unity meetings with Carl as their principal speaker. They travelled by carloads each week to Carl’s Tuesday Bible study at Oak Hill Chapel in St. Louis, Missouri. By the time of Carl’s death, the congregation’s membership had dwindled to less than 30 members, nearly all over 60 years old, but still keenly interested in promoting the unity plea of Carl Ketcherside in whatever way they could. Shortly after Carl’s death, they set about making plans to use proceeds from the sale of their building to finance the fulfillment of a dream to reprint Carl’s MISSION MESSENGER. They maintained that dream, but unfortunately, their building did not sell (not until September, 2000). Undaunted, after much prayer, early in 1996, they pursued the promise of the Internet. They believed Carl would have wholeheartedly endorsed the idea of making his plea for unity and MISSION MESSENGER freely accessible to everyone in the world at no charge. A retired school teacher, Natalie Murrie, volunteered to do the computer work, and several members from Milton Chapel, along with some from Fenton, Missouri, provided the financial support to purchase a computer, scanner and software. With the help of e-mail and Cecil Hook, Freedom's Ring, Natalie was able to enlist the insight and expertise of Dr. Hans Rollman, Dept. of Religious Studies, Memorial University of Newfoundland, who offered free web space on Memorial University's web site. Also via e-mail Natalie was introduced to Bob Lewis (manager and technical advisor for Unity-in-Diversity.org) who provided technical expertise, teaching, encouragement, and endless time and patience. The work began in December, 1996. The first issue of Mission Messenger was not ready to go online until March, 1997. At that rate, work on the project would not have been completed for many years; however, as time and work progressed, so did skill, resulting in completion of the Mission Messenger and several of Carl's books by June, 1998. At that point, we felt a need to have a domain name and a web site dedicated exclusively to Carl's work, hence, our current site Unity-in-Diversity.org. (Files can also still be accessed at the Memorial University web site.) Bob Lewis designed the pages including Mission Messenger pages, Carl's books, a photo page, a visitor's comment page, a search engine, and Bob has just recently added an audio page. Thankfully, Bob maintains the site and remains the technical advisor.
Commendation must be given to Bill Gahr, elder at Fenton, Missouri, and
Guy Mudd (now deceased), Giff Roux, and Clint Evans, the elders at Milton Road
Chapel, for their foresight, prayers and support of this project until
April, 1998.
We cannot relate the history of this site without acknowledging Carl and Evelyn
Craig, members of Milton Chapel, for their interest and passion for this project
from its inception. Carl and Evie Craig, (93 and 91 years old) were long time
personal friends of Carl and Nell Ketcherside. In addition to financial
support along the way, Carl and Evie have been there quietly in the background
with many prayers, a little advice and loads of encouragement. They have
also donated a generous trust fund to provide financial needs for the
Unity-in-Diversity web site in perpetuity. We thank God for giving us Carl and
Evie Craig.
This site was developed as a result of prayers, sacrifice, dedication and hard
work. A spirit of harmony, patience and good will prevailed throughout.
Our prayer now is that God will bless all those who visit with a passion for the
unity expressed in these pages.
Natalie Murrie
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