Organizations & Events

Organizations & Events covers the ministries, institutions, and gatherings that shape church life and the Restoration Movement. Explore articles on conferences, training opportunities, church networks, and the work of organizations serving local congregations. You’ll find news, highlights, interviews, and event coverage—along with updates that help leaders stay connected and informed. Whether you’re looking for what’s happening across the movement or learning about trusted partners and key initiatives, this hub brings together stories and information related to organizations and events that support the mission of the church.

October 19, 2020

Christian Standard

Johnson Receives $1 Million Lilly Grant to Help Launch Three Rivers Collaboration

Johnson University has received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Foundation to help establish the Three Rivers Collaboration to guide congregations in the Knoxville, Tenn., area in a process of refining their God-given mission within a changing cultural context. Mark Nelson, a 1987 Johnson graduate who has served as lead pastor of The Crossings in downtown Knoxville, which he planted in 2007, will join Johnson’s staff as executive director of TRC. Nelson’s experience also includes serving 10 years of campus ministry at Purdue University. His wife, Dr. Monica Nelson, leads the pre-nursing program at Johnson. The TRC is funded

October 16, 2020

Christian Standard

Church Preserves City’s Apple Butter Makin’ Tradition

By Jim Nieman The annual Apple Butter Makin’ Days festival in Mount Vernon, Mo., was canceled—yet another casualty of COVID-19—but then Mount Vernon Christian Church stepped up. The church participates in the festival each year. In fact, MVCC is one of three organizations that actually makes apple butter on-site during the three-day event at the Lawrence County Courthouse square located downtown. “Our recipe is the best,” MVCC lead pastor Jeff Kruger confided. (It’s the old Stotts City Union Church apple butter recipe that has been passed down through family members.) So, upon learning the three-day event was canceled, MVCC—a church

October 14, 2020

Michael C. Mack

2020 SpireConference Goes Off Virtually Without a Hitch

By Michael C. Mack Spire Network leaders pivoted from their planned in-person, three-day conference in Orlando, Fla., to a one-day virtual event held Sept. 30. The online event proceeded smoothly except for a couple technical glitches that were fixed quickly and actually became opportunities for participants to build some community and tell jokes in the comments section. “Even though it was a shift from the three-day conference we had planned in Orlando, the one-day virtual conference turned out to be a great step forward for this gathering, and for Spire Network and hopefully everyone that attended,” said Rick Rusaw, who

October 7, 2020

Christian Standard

Christian College Presidents Share Enrollment Numbers, Describe Challenges

By Jim Nieman Christian colleges and universities were already under significant stress even before the COVID-19 tsunami came crashing over our nation. In fact, two of them—Cincinnati Christian University and Nebraska Christian College—have closed during the past year. We decided to take the temperature of institutions across the United States by asking college presidents to share their year-over-year attendance figures and to describe the challenges they are facing. It might surprise some to learn that a handful of the 16 colleges and universities that shared their data with us actually saw their enrollment increase from fall 2019 to fall 2020.

September 28, 2020

Christian Standard

Virtual Spire Conference Slated for Wednesday

It’s not too late to register for the all-virtual 2020 Spire Conference, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday. A great lineup of speakers is scheduled to participate. And as a bonus, you can forgo paying the $19.95 conference registration fee if you download Spire’s app from Apple’s App Store or from Google Play. More information is available at Spire’s website. The coronavirus impacted this year’s conference—as it seemingly has affected everything else—forcing it to transition from an in-person, three-day gathering to a virtual, one-day gathering. Spire CEO Rick Rusaw called the change in plans due

September 23, 2020

Christian Standard

Deaf Missions Completes American Sign Language Version of Bible

By Jim Nieman Deaf Missions has completed the American Sign Language Version (ASLV) of the Bible—a 38-year project that started in 1982. CEO Chad Entinger said the feeling upon completing the project was something like “a runner crossing the finish line of a marathon. We are beyond exhilarated . . . that now, finally, Deaf people have all of God’s Word in our native, heart language.” “Words in printed English cannot explain the depth of the Bible to Deaf people,” explained Renca Dunn, a Bible translator with Deaf Missions, Council Bluffs, Iowa. “For many in the Deaf community, written English

September 17, 2020

Christian Standard

MACU Awaits Assessment of Heritage Hall

By Jim Nieman Mid-Atlantic Christian University is awaiting a report from engineers who were on campus early this week to assess viability of Heritage Hall, which partially collapsed on Saturday, Sept. 5, as roofing work was commencing. President John Maurice said MACU’s insurance company will use the assessment to “make a determination on total demolition or partial, based on cost.” “Either way,” Maurice said, “this will be a long process.” Classes were not in session at Heritage Hall that morning—a good thing, as the collapse occurred above the school’s three largest classrooms. “If this would have occurred on [a] Friday

September 8, 2020

Christian Standard

Heritage Hall Partially Collapses at MACU

At about 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Heritage Hall, the primary classroom building at Mid-Atlantic Christian University, partially collapsed while it was undergoing roofing work. No one was injured or killed. “God’s protection of human life made this a good day,” the university wrote at its website. “The roof was being reshingled and they were here beginning work that morning,” John Maurice, president of the university in Elizabeth City, N.C., told 13newsnow.com. “The neighbors basically said they started to hear the building shifting. Fortunately the roofers were able to get on the ends where it was safe.” “The collapse is believed to

September 2, 2020

Christian Standard

Johnson Opens New Center for Minority, International Students

Johnson University has opened a Multicultural Student Affairs center on its Knoxville, Tenn., campus to serve as a gathering space for minority and international students, as well as provide office and/or meeting space for the Urban Alliance, Future of Hope, and Students Promoting Social Unity. “We’re trying to create space for students on campus to feel comfortable and to be able to pursue God, and pursue their calling, and pursue their ministry, and to do it while fully being themselves,” Matthew Best said via Facebook during a video tour of the new center at 7903 Brown Drive. Best is director

August 26, 2020

Christian Standard

Milligan’s Mailing Address Changed with Name (Plus News Briefs)

When Milligan College changed its name to Milligan University on June 1, it had to make one switch that wouldn’t have been necessary for most schools in its situation—it had to change part of its mailing address. You see, correspondence and packages mailed to the school for the past several decades have been sent to “Milligan College, TN 37682.” An article from the Milligan Stampede from 2018 explains how the school came to have its own Zip code and, for a long time, its own post office. It all goes back to the 1800s when the school was known as

August 20, 2020

Christian Standard

Christian Village at Mason Breaks Ground for Stone Worship Center and Auditorium

The Christian Village at Mason in Ohio held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the new Stone Worship Center and Auditorium, named in honor of former Christian Standard editor Sam E. Stone and his late wife, Gwen. The worship center will replace the existing chapel as the primary building for Sunday worship services and also will provide a place for various events, banquets, concerts, and meetings for residents of the 85-acre senior living community located north of Cincinnati. The center is expected to be completed in the fall of 2021. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the existing chapel had been seeing

August 19, 2020

Christian Standard

Longtime University President Bryce Jessup Dies (Plus News Briefs)

Bryce Jessup, 85, who served as president of William Jessup University in California for 25 years— until his retirement in 2010—died of a heart attack July 30 during a fishing trip to Yosemite with his son Jim. Bryce Jessup was the son of the university’s founder, William Jessup. The school started in 1939 as San Jose Bible College, was subsequently renamed San Jose Christian College, became William Jessup University in 2003, and moved from San Jose to a much larger campus in Rocklin, Calif., in 2004. “During his presidency,” WJU shared, “the university substantially improved its financial position, achieved regional

August 12, 2020

Christian Standard

Dallas Christian Staffers Connect with Students During Road Trip

By Jim Nieman Two staff members of Dallas Christian College embarked on a 2,511-mile road trip in July to connect with as many current and future students as possible. “We were all in quarantine,” said director of student services Karla Kuhl, “and I was seeing stories of [public school] teachers who were going out and seeing their students. And I thought, Well, I have students. I could do that.” Because Dallas Christian College had switched to an online-only format in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, there hadn’t been many “connections” between students and staff for several months . .

August 12, 2020

Christian Standard

Lipscomb Launches Lanier Center for Archaeology (Plus News Briefs)

Two renowned archaeology scholars—Dr. Steven Ortiz and Dr. Tom Davis—have founded the Lanier Center for Archaeology at Lipscomb University in Nashville. In conjunction with this, Lipscomb will be adding its first PhD program. “The Lanier Center for Archaeology plans to offer a Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology of the Ancient Near East and a Master of Arts in Archaeology and Biblical Studies beginning in January 2021,” Lipscomb announced via a release. “In addition, the center will feature archaeological research libraries, an extensive artifact study collection and a ceramic restoration lab. It will also engage in field research projects.” Ortiz and Davis

August 5, 2020

Christian Standard

ICOM Changes 2020 Gathering to Both In-Person/Online

By Jim Nieman As the world has battled the coronavirus the last several months, representatives of the International Conference On Missions have repeatedly been asked the same question about their annual gathering, “Are you meeting in person or online in November?” The answer finally came this week. ICOM 2020 will be both. The gathering that attracts thousands of missionaries and mission-focused individuals each year will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. But (and this is important), some of the activities that draw the largest crowds—including main sessions and workshops—will take

July 29, 2020

Christian Standard

Faber Continuing to Influence Boise Students after 40 Years (Plus News Briefs)

When Charles “Chuck” Faber began as a full-time professor at Boise Bible College, he committed three years to the school before considering anything else. Forty years later he is still at BBC, influencing young and old to study, think, and live God’s way. Faber, who grew up a missionary kid in Japan, attended Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary, where he graduated with honors. In 1980, when invited to move his family to Boise, Idaho, for his first job after college, Faber and his wife, Patti, sold their house in the Cincinnati area, rented a truck, and drove to Idaho with

July 15, 2020

Chris Moon

An Online Revolution of Necessity

Is online church really church? That question has bounced around church circles for years as more of American life takes place over the internet. Churches and pastors have been all over the spectrum—from all-in to logged out. The conversation persisted right up to the COVID-19 pandemic. A couple of Christian magazine covers from March 2020 help tell the story. The central theme of Christian Standard’s March print edition featured a robust discussion about the benefits of online church. The cover featured Rusty George of Real Life Church in Valencia, California, who said, “Church is engagement . . . with the

July 15, 2020

Matt Proctor

Is There a Future for Our Colleges? (And Is There Even a Need?)

A few years ago, Christian college presidents were invited to our movement’s annual megachurch ministers’ get-together. We gathered in San Antonio, Texas, to talk about greater partnership, and one preacher stood to share his view. “To be honest, do we really need these colleges?” he asked. “So many are small and struggling, and I hire most of my people from within. Maybe it’s time to let them die.” That kinda hurt my feelings. Actually it didn’t. He asked a great question—one I’ve asked myself. After 14 years as president of Ozark Christian College, I understand why management guru Peter Drucker

July 8, 2020

Christian Standard

Kentucky Christian Hires Two New Vice Presidents (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Kentucky Christian University recently hired two new administrators. Calvin Lindell was hired as vice president of academic affairs. Lindell, who had been serving as interim in that position since March, “did an outstanding job throughout the transition to remote instruction in the spring term and with several other projects,” KCU president Terry Allcorn said. Lindell’s transition to vice president was effective July 1. Lindell also serves as preacher with Salt Lick (Ky.) Christian Church. He previously served 31 years with Morehead State University. Donald Damron, a 1990 KCU graduate, began serving part-time as

July 1, 2020

Christian Standard

Christian Colleges Prep for Fall Amid COVID-19

By Chris Moon Restoration Movement colleges are putting plans in place for reopening their campuses this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While most are planning a return to in-person instruction, in many cases the “normal” classroom experience is being modified. Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn., recently created a planning guide for its fall semester. The school will have students meet regularly in the classroom, but it also is bolstering its online content so that classroom time can be more limited and focused on discussion and skill development. More theoretical content will be taught online. “We’re going to be highly flexible

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