8 October, 2024

‘Church Anywhere’ Initiative Gains Momentum (Plus News Briefs)

by | 26 June, 2019 | 0 comments

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman

First Capital Christian Church’s micro-campus initiative called “Church Anywhere” is featured in an article in the Christian Post.

The church in Corydon, Ind., launched the program three years ago to help bring the church to people who couldn’t physically attend a formal church service—and for those who don’t like doing so. The church sends members into isolated parts of its community to launch micro-campuses.

Today, First Capital has campuses in 15 locations, including prisons, foster care centers, schools, homeless shelters, and in church members’ homes.

The services consist of two worship songs, a brief sermon, and group discussion time, the Christian Post reported. The expansion of “Church Anywhere” has resulted in 19 decisions for Christ so far in 2019.

“We are passionate about empowering our people to go out and be the church, which is why we call it ‘Church Anywhere,’” engagement pastor Tyler Sansom told the paper. “It’s empowered our volunteers basically to bring the church to whatever they’re passionate about.”

First Capital has micro-campuses in four local prisons, sometimes requiring significant volunteer support. For instance, 20 volunteers travel an hour each week to hold services at Branchville Correctional Facility. An additional service led by an inmate is set to launch in that prison.

“The sky’s the limit,” Sansom said. “I have no idea what the next stage is going to be.”

(Christian Standard wrote about First Christian’s online campus and remote worship services in “No Small Measure” in October 2018.)

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News Briefs

John Seitz, the pastor of Antioch Christian Church in Marion, Iowa, passed away last week after a long illness. His funeral service was Tuesday. Seitz had served Antioch since 2000.

“Our church has suffered a tremendous loss. It is a time to mourn for the Seitz family and our extended family at Antioch,” the church’s elders and staff said in a note to the church.

Elder Joel Grandon told the Gazette newspaper: “John Seitz was a man who loved Jesus, his family and his church. He knew his purpose was to lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and he worked every day to accomplish his purpose. . . . He was a gifted preacher who would make you feel like his message was meant just for you, and he always had time to listen and pray with you.”

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Gary Hall, 78, who taught at Kentucky Christian University for 14 years and then at Lincoln (Ill.) Christian Seminary for 26 years (from 1986 to 2012), died June 15. Dr. Hall taught Old Testament and Bible doctrine and served as academic dean at KCU. At LCS, he taught Old Testament and Hebrew; he became professor emeritus upon his retirement. He is survived by his widow, Cheryl, among others. The Lincoln Courier published Dr. Hall’s obituary.

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The Crossing Church in Quincy, Ill., hopes to sponsor more than 20 Honor Flights for veterans as part of its Independence Day activities. The church will donate $1 to Honor Flights for every person who attends one of the church’s weekend services. The church also is moving its weekly Thursday evening service to Wednesday, July 3, and will tell the stories of two local veterans, one who served in World War II and the other who served in Afghanistan. The service, called “No Greater Love,” will conclude with a cookout and activities for families.

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Students and staff from Philippi Church of Christ, Creswell, NC, are helping to build a boat that will be used for missions in the South Pacific, according to Mid-Atlantic Christian University’s Facebook site. The church is working with missionaries Patrick and Rachel Whipple and family of One Mission Society.

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Mountain Christian Church continues to work on a plan to build its own wastewater treatment plant to support its campus in Joppa. The Maryland Department of Environment plans a public meeting for July to discuss the church’s proposal, which would allow MCC to discharge up to 5,000 gallons of treated wastewater per day. The proposal has stirred a community discussion about the effects of the proposal on the nearby Gunpowder River, according to NottinghamMD.com.

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Lorelei Pinney Nij, who helped lead Morning Glory Christian Academy, a private school in San Raymundo, Guatemala, that is part of the New Iberian Mission Association, passed away in April. Nij graduated from Dallas Christian College, attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and taught Christian education classes at Colegio Biblico. She wrote the affirmative portion of Christian Standard’s “In the Arena” article, “Q. Should Women Be Involved in Church Leadership and Preaching Roles? (A. YES)” in our March issue.

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Great Lakes Christian College will host two events in the next several weeks:

“Boost—A Retreat for Ministers” is set for July 15-17. Mark Christian will speak on Monday and Tuesday evening. Learn more at www.glcc.com.

A WOW—Women of the Word conference will take place Aug. 1-3. The theme is “Let’s Get Coffee! Inviting Intentional Relationships.” Shelly Larson will be the speaker. Registration is $50 before July 15 and $60 thereafter. Learn more here.

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