Compiled by Jim Nieman
Several people who serve with Ozark Christian College and Christ In Youth described the close ties between the school and ministry in a video posted on their respective Facebook pages. Bob Stacy started CIY in 1968 while serving as a professor at Ozark. Through the years, many CIY participants have been inspired to attend OCC. (Many other Christian universities also have reaped a harvest that CIY helped to plant and water.)
COVID-19 hit CIY particularly hard, forcing cancellation of all of its summer conferences.
The video also serves as an appeal for support for CIY. (We described the situation CIY was facing early this summer in the article, “CIY ‘Rocked Financially’ by Coronavirus Pandemic.” CIY’s Andy Hansen will provide more detail in an article slated for our January print edition.)
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Kentucky Christian University will host a preaching roundtable virtual seminar featuring Arron Chambers on Oct. 15 (and viewable anytime thereafter). Chambers will speak on preaching to nonchurched people during a time when people are searching for something—anything—to make sense of the world; he will also offer encouragement to preachers and ministers to continue in their calling. The free seminar requires no registration and no password. There will be a “playlist” of presentations that people can view at any time. Learn more at kcu.edu/preachingroundtable.
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Team Expansion, through its emphasis called More Disciples, is partnering with a global network called 2414 to stage an online conference from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (EDT) Thursday to ask the question, “Can disciple-making movement (DMM) strategy be effective in North America?” Admission is free (covered by donors who love the strategy). Sign up today at www.MultiplyUs.com.
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E2: Effective Elders and Christian Financial Resources will sponsor The Healthy Elder Virtual Conference from 9 a.m. to noon (EDT) on Saturday, Oct. 24. Speakers will include Jim Estep, David Roadcup, Kent Fillinger, Darren Key, Jerod Walker, Keith Wood, David Faust, and Gary Johnson. Elder teams are encouraged to gather together to participate. Cost is $99, but free to e2 partner churches. Learn more at www.youtube.com; register at e2elders.org.
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The Student Leadership Council at Summit Christian College in Gering, Neb., is sponsoring “The Biggest Loser” fundraiser for students, faculty, alumni, and their families. The goal is to raise funds, lose weight, and improve health. (“This is a zero judgment competition!”) Learn more at Summit’s Facebook page.
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Deaf Missions is planning a virtual celebration of its 50th anniversary and its recent completion of the American Sign Language Version of the Bible. All are invited to the bash Thursday evening at its Facebook page.
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Senior pastor Cam Huxford was interviewed by WTOC.com last week as Compassion Christian Church, Savannah, Ga., resumed in-person services after six months of online-only due to the coronavirus.
“We’re putting a moratorium on handshakes,” Huxford said. “No handshakes, no hugs. Expect a low-touch environment. You know, we’re trying to make it as safe as possible to get from the street to the seat and touch as little as possible.”
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The Solomon Foundation announced last week it has surpassed $700 million in total assets. “[We] give God all of the praise for the ways he has used The Solomon Foundation,” CEO Doug Crozier said upon reaching the milestone.
TSF is currently the fastest-growing church extension fund in America and the fourth-largest extension fund overall. TSF uses money from investors to provide loans for church building projects.
“In addition to the financial growth, we are humbled to have been a part of over 25,000 baptisms and watching hundreds of churches advance the kingdom of God,” Crozier said.
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A series of sermons called “At the Movies” at First Christian Church, Decatur, Ill., was recently featured in a write-up in the Herald & Review. The first two movies in the series were The Sandlot (which was synced with the story of Zacchaeus) and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Joseph).
“Our interest is in exposing people [to the Bible] who don’t know the story of Scripture or might not be interested in stepping foot into a church physically or online,” said associate pastor Brian Talty.
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The Every Life Matters support group for families dealing with suicide or other issues meets twice a month at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Christian Church. The group was started by a couple at the church, Patti and Nick Brush, whose son committed suicide three years ago.
“As a Mom, I can tell you the pain is always there and never goes away,” Patti Brush told myhorrynews.com. “But God has always been there for us. People are ready to blame God when something bad happens, but it’s our faith in God that’s gotten us through this.”
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The 2020 Renew.org Gathering called “The Final Command” will take place Thursday, Oct. 15, at Harpeth Christian Church in Franklin, Tenn. This year’s lineup will feature several TED-style presentations, along with worship, prayer, and discussion time. Organizers say, “We will explore the seven Renew.org network values as they relate to [Jesus’] final command to make disciples.”
Speakers will include David Young, Renee Sproles, Nate Ross, Matt Reagan, Angel Maldonado, Carol Swain, and Corey Trimble.
Space is limited to the first 300 registrants to allow for social distancing. Cost is $59; participants will receive Trimble’s new book, An Authentic Experience. Participants will be asked to wear a mask; temperatures will be taken at the door. Learn more and register for the all-day event at Renew.org.
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TCM will host a global online celebration of God’s love called “PrayerFast” from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Nov. 14. President Tony Twist will host. People connected with TCM’s ministry from dozens of nations are expected to participate. Contact David Wright to learn more.
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Northeast Christian Church, Rockford, Ill., started an onsite program called “Study Hall” to provide local students with a quiet place to study and have access to WiFi, www.mystateline.com reported.
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Samaritan’s Purse’s annual Operation Christmas Child initiative—which has shared God’s love in a tangible way with 178 million children in more than 150 countries over the past 25-plus years—notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everyday life worldwide during 2020.
“We want boys and girls around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them during this time of fear and uncertainty,” the ministry shared. In the interest of safety, some modifications to the collection and processing methods of the traditional shoebox gifts have occurred. Among the changes—there will be opportunities to “build a shoebox” online. Learn more at www.samaritanspurse.com.
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