5 AUGUST 2018 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Taking the Church Outside the Walls of the Building New Hope Baptist Church was well represented in the recent Miss Colorado and Miss Teen Colorado competitions held at the Pace Center in Parker, Colorado. Taking the "church outside the walls of the building" were New Hope’s Miss Contestant, 20 year old Marissa Murdock, teen contestant Kendal Ruffin (15) and (8) Year old twins Dominique and Aerika Morris. These young ladies dedication, aca- demic excellence, ability to step outside their comfort zones and raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network were just a few of their many accomplish- ments and recognitions. New Hope’s Marissa Murdock was the receiptant of several Miss Contestant awards, including the 2018 Most Photogenic Award, the 2018 Preliminary Swim Suit Award, the 2018 People’s Choice Award and a $1,400.00 scholarship. Not only was Murdock the youngest to make the Top 5, but she was the second runner-up winner overall out of 24 contestants com- peting state wide. She will begin her junior year at Baylor University this fall. Miss Colorado Executive Director, Suzi Doland stated that “we are so incred- ibly PROUD of Marissa and all that she accom- plished and she is a fantastic role model for all young women!!” Murdock’s individual awards were the first time in the history of the Colorado pageant that one contestant received all of those specific honors. New Hope’s teen Kendal Ruffin, is a Smokey Hill High School sophomore, varsity cheerleader and an excellent student. Kendal currently holds a 4.2 GPA and is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. Stepping outside of her comfort zone, first time pageant participant Ruffin credits this experi- ence with building her poise, and self-confidence. She plans to compete in Miss Colorado’s Outstanding Teen in 2019. Rounding out the generational ages of New Hopes youth were 8 year old twins Dominique and Aerika Morris who participated in the Miss Colorado Princess program. The Morris twins are students at Park Hill Elementary School and will be going into the 2nd grade. The twins are excellent students, enjoy numerous extra-curricular activities and appreciate all types of dance. The Morris twins showcased their dance moves during their front row on stage princess dance; as well as their love for ballet as they escorted Murdock on stage. Desirea Thames, the twins’ mom said that they truly enjoyed the experience and are excited to participate again. This year’s 2018 pageant not only had three African American contestants to make the Top 10, which included 25 year old Maya Aggen, a CU Denver grad- uate, and Ellery Jones a Harvard University neuro- science graduate who was crowned Miss Colorado 2018 and New Hopes own, Marissa Murdock a junior at Baylor University. Dr. Dorothy Haden-Watkins, New Hope Baptist Church Community Affairs Liaison stated that we are very proud of NHBC youths who are doing outstanding things in the community and symbolically representing the church and the com- munity in such a positive manner. A reception will be held on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at NHBC following morning worship to recognize these outstanding young New Hope members. CHURCH NEWS