Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon
Classes are starting this month, and Christian churches across the country are trying to help children, parents, and schools begin the year successfully. Here are just a few examples:
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than 2,000 members of Northeast Christian Church helped spruce-up the exteriors of 32 schools on Sunday.
“Volunteers laid mulch, raked leaves, and pulled weeds at schools throughout Louisville and Oldham County,” WDRB reported. The church focuses on the campus and grounds of schools because principals say that is where help is most needed, said David McKinley, marketing director for Northeast.
The church started its back-to-school cleanup efforts in 2014.
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QUINCY, Ill. — The Crossing is launching an after-school program called CKX (Crossing Kids Xtra) that serves kindergartners through fifth-graders from 2:00 to 5:15 p.m. on weekdays that correspond with the public school calendar.
The church will offer transportation from school to church, WGEM reports. “Organizers say a snack, devotion time, homework time and free time will be part of the program.”
“The mission of CKX is to offer a quality program that provides a safe, nurturing place of supervision for children,” said The Crossing’s website, “a place where there are opportunities to reinforce learning from school, teach social skills, and encourage good citizenship and Christian values.
“Our goal is to change the after work/school family dynamic and ensure homework is accurate, complete, and on time for you and your child. We want to give family life back to families in the evenings!”
The idea for the program originated with the church’s Macomb, Ill., campus, according to KHQA.
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GROVER BEACH, Calif. — Oak Park Christian Church hosted its annual “Back to School Bash,” where it gave away 200 backpacks and 50 bicycles to students. It is the fifth year for the event, according to KSBY 6 News. The church also gave away dental kits, and a local barbershop provided free haircuts.
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BELOIT, Wis. — Central Christian Church is teaming with fast-food chain Culver’s to provide school supplies for local families. Beloit Daily News reports “Backpack Saturday” will be held Saturday, when parents can pay $5 for a backpack full of supplies for their children. The annual event typically distributes more than 100 backpacks.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Five churches, a school, and a children’s home affiliated with our movement were among 89 workplaces honored by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute for 2019. Churches honored included Community Christian Church (Naperville, Ill.), Eastview Christian Church (Normal, Ill.), First Christian Church (Johnson City, Tenn.), Traders Point Christian Church (Indianapolis), and White River Christian Church (Noblesville, Ind.) Other employers recognized included College Heights Christian School (Joplin, Mo.) and Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (Wooster, Ohio).
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Central Christian College of the Bible’s Heritage Day is set for Aug. 30. The annual gathering of parents, alumni, and friends of the college in Moberly, Mo., will include a chapel at 10 a.m., banquet at 12:15 p.m., and reception at 2 p.m. The schedule includes alumni class reunions, music and messages by CCCB graduates, and a celebration of the teaching career of Bill Walton, professor emeritus of Christian ministries. Register at CCCB.edu/events.
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The Christian Post and CBN News published stories last week recounting the June death of Christ in Youth worker Jace Smothers. Smothers was on his way to a CIY event when the vehicle he was riding in was rear-ended by a semi-truck in Kentucky. Smothers, 19, was a student at Ozark Christian College and a member of Norton (Kan.) Christian Church. OCC has established a scholarship fund in memory of Smothers.
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Following up on an earlier report. . . . Another website has identified Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn., as having among the best college dormitories in the country. The most recent honor comes from Insider.com. Earlier, Niche.com ranked Johnson as having the third-best dorms among the nation’s colleges.
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Archaeologists say they have discovered the Church of the Apostles, believed to have been built over the house of brothers Peter and Andrew, Jesus’ disciples, near the Sea of Galilee, according to a Fox News story.
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