Why I’m Optimistic About the Future of Christian Higher Education, and Why You Should Be Too
The public may have lost confidence in higher education more generally, yet I believe we may be entering another golden era in Christian higher education.
Community Outreach
Community Outreach helps churches and believers love their neighbors with practical compassion and gospel clarity. Explore Bible-based articles on serving local needs, building relationships, partnering with community organizations, and creating outreach ministries that are sustainable and effective. You’ll find guidance on evangelism, mercy ministry, hospitality, and engaging your city with wisdom—so outreach is more than an event and becomes a way of life. Whether your church is starting new initiatives or strengthening existing ones, these resources equip you to serve your community in Jesus’ name.
February 25, 2025
Victory Bible Church Is on the Front Lines of Los Angeles Fire Relief
When wildfires tore through Los Angeles leaving a path of destruction, Victory Bible Church became a hub of assistance for those in need in the community.
August 6, 2024
One Year Later: Cornerstone Christian Church’s Response to the Maui Wildfires
One year after the devastating Maui wildfires, the Cornerstone Christian Church has found a way to use the tragedy to share the love of Jesus.
February 21, 2024
Hundreds of Guests Blessed at Ohio Church’s ‘Night to Shine’
Christ's Church in Mason, Ohio, hosted "Night to Shine" for the 10th consecutive year on Feb. 9. Story pastor Dale Reeves writes, “After Christmas Eve, this is my second favorite night of the year!” Among the special guests this year were Tim Tebow and his wife, Demi. . . .
May 23, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: Kids’ Ministry, Local Outreach Spark Baptisms at Kentucky Church
First Christian Church in Monticello, Ky., had a banner year for baptisms in 2022, according to the annual Church Report compiled by Christian Standard. Senior minister Joe Tipton said three factors accounted for the large number of baptisms at the church (which dates back to 1831) . . .
April 10, 2023
Churches Continue to Help Florida Families 6 Months after Hurricane Ian
Six months after Hurricane Ian devastated portions of Florida, the recovery effort continues. “There are short-term victories, and there are long-term challenges,” said Gary Cox, teaching pastor at First Christian Church in Fort Myers, Fla. . . .
April 4, 2023
Church in Sullivan, Ind., Helping with Recovery Effort after Tornado
Sullivan First Christian Church is doing what it can to help its Indiana community respond to and recover from a tornado that killed 3 in Sullivan County and damaged or destroyed more than 200 structures over the weekend.
February 21, 2023
East Palestine Church Helping Town to Recover after Train Derailment
First Church of Christ in East Palestine, Ohio, is pitching in to help its community as the town continues to recover from a toxic train derailment earlier this month. The church on Tuesday began hosting a health assessment clinic for community members who are concerned their health was compromised by the catastrophe. The clinic is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health. "It's been hectic," said senior minister Bob Helbeck. . . .
December 6, 2022
Churches Partner with IDES to Reap ‘Harvest of Talents’ to Feed Hungry Worldwide
Six churches combined to raise almost $190,000 this year for International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) Harvest of Talents hunger projects. Over the past 39 years, Harvest of Talents events have generated $4.3 million to combat world hunger. Any individual or church can participate.
November 21, 2022
Plainfield Church Prepping to Serve Thanksgiving to 2,000
The members of Plainfield Christian Church near Indianapolis are busy this week. The church is sponsoring its 18th Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner—with more than 180 volunteers expecting to serve 2,000 meals.
October 25, 2022
Georgia Church Reaching Hundreds with Adaptive Sports & Activities Program
At Northside Christian Church in Fortson, Ga., children and young adults with disabilities are experiencing the thrill of participating in team sports—some for the very first time—through a new ministry called the Adaptive Sports & Activities Program.
October 22, 2022
Florida Churches Continue to Meet Challenges in Aftermath of Ian
Christian churches in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte, Fla., are scrambling to help their congregations and communities recover from Hurricane Ian.
October 18, 2022
First Christian of Fort Myers, IDES Engaged in Hurricane Ian Relief
Gary Cox has been in Fort Myers, Fla., for 33 years. He’s been through a handful of hurricanes. But he’s never seen anything like the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. “This is just widespread devastation,” said the co-lead pastor of First Christian Church in Fort Myers. . . .
October 3, 2022
Florida Churches Recovering from Hurricane Ian
Much of Florida is recovering from a direct hit by Hurricane Ian last week. Here’s a sampling of what some Christian churches and agencies in Florida have posted on their websites and via Facebook in the past few days. (We are continuing to update this article.)
August 11, 2022
10 Louisville Churches Unite to Serve 40 Local Schools . . . So that the World May Believe
This past weekend, more than 1,000 volunteers from 10 churches united to serve over 40 schools throughout the Louisville, Ky., community. Although each church served their respective schools in diverse ways, there were shared goals.
August 3, 2022
10 Churches Uniting to Serve 41 Schools in Louisville, Ky.
How does your church show love to area schools, teachers, and students? For the last eight years, Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.—known as the Love the ‘Ville church—has done so with thousands of bags of mulch and hundreds of volunteers. . . .
June 24, 2022
Fresno Church Sponsoring Summer Camp for Afghan Refugee Children
CrossCity Christian Church in Fresno, Calif., is spearheading an effort to offer a summer camp for Afghan refugee children in its community. Forty families relocated to Fresno after the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan last summer. CrossCity has been sponsoring one of those families . . .
Food Pantry Ministry Leads to Baptisms (Plus News Briefs)
Four people served by the Fortville Area Resource Mission, hosted by Fortville (Ind.) Christian Church, were baptized at the church last week as about 30 people looked on. Plus additional briefs from IDES, ICOM, Johnson University, SpireConference, and more.
May 1, 2022
Preaching the Gospel
By Chris Philbeck One of the “Core Four” strategies for living out the vision and mission of Mount Pleasant Christian Church, where I’ve been the senior pastor for the past 20 years, is “Serving others across the street and around the world.” A few years ago, that strategy gave birth to a unique multisite model focused on underserved and underresourced neighborhoods in and around Indianapolis. The Message paraphrase of John 1:14 says about Jesus, “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”We have followed that example by expanding the ministry and influence of our church by acquiring two
February 16, 2022
ECDC Launches Initiative Aimed at Boosting Churches
The Englewood Community Development Corporation—founded by Englewood Christian Church in Indianapolis—has launched a major initiative aimed at bolstering churches in its own backyard and nationally. The initiative is funded by $2.5 million in grants from the Lilly Endowment Inc.
