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.

March 30, 2020

Christian Standard

Christian Universities Switch to Online Instruction

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused our Christian colleges and universities to switch from in-person learning to various forms of Internet instruction or “distance delivery.” Here is a listing of the colleges with very brief explanations of what each has done and links for more information: Alberta Bible College (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)—Campus is closed until further notice. Classes are running on their normal schedule, but now remotely, via Zoom. More information Boise Bible College (Boise, Idaho)—Boise Bible College has scaled back to critical services only. All students were to move out of residential housing by Saturday, March 28. Classes will

March 27, 2020

Christian Standard

Staff Member at Milligan Tests Positive for COVID-19

An unidentified female staff member at Milligan College in Tennessee has tested positive for COVID-19, the school learned Thursday. The individual, who works in Milligan’s business office, was last on campus March 20. She is “doing well,” Milligan reported earlier today. This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 directly related to the Milligan community, the school said. As of Thursday, there were 957 cases of COVID-19, or coronavirus, in Tennessee. Milligan has not had on-campus courses since March 6, when spring break started. After spring break was extended by one week, as many staff as possible began working remotely

March 24, 2020

Christian Standard

E91 Helping Members Live by Faith, Connect with God

East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis is closed until further notice, but it is continuing to serve in both expected and unexpected ways. “At times like these, we have a choice,” associate minister David Faust told theindychannel.com. “Do we live by fear, or do we live by faith? We’re choosing to live by faith.” In addition to livestreaming a Sunday morning worship service, church volunteers offered prayers for individuals in cars during a drive-through Communion kit distribution at the church’s main entrance on Saturday morning. The church has also helped produce the first of several planned devotional videos geared

March 21, 2020

Christian Standard

TSF Helping Ministers, Churches During Uncertain Times

By Jim Nieman The Solomon Foundation has begun hosting weekly Zoom meetings to help connect, encourage, and resource ministers across the country during these uncertain times. Doug Crozier, CEO of the church extension fund that works with Christian churches and churches of Christ, said TSF is seeking to be proactive during the COVID-19 outbreak and related financial unease by reminding ministry leaders that God remains in control. To that end, TSF connected with almost 120 ministers and/or ministry team callers during the first weekly Zoom meeting it hosted this past Tuesday morning. Among the speakers were former Christian college president

March 11, 2020

Christian Standard

William Jessup University’s Aviation Program Starting to Take Flight

By Chris Moon William Jessup University‘s new aviation program is just getting off the ground. The college in Rocklin, Calif., announced plans in January 2019 to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation, starting last spring. Since then, much time and effort has gone into securing the necessary Federal Aviation Administration approvals for its flight school and curriculum. That work is nearly done, said Loo Ng, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who directs Jessup’s aviation program. Two students are working their way through the program, and Ng expects as many as 10 students to be enrolled within

March 9, 2020

Christian Standard

Northwest Christian University Changing Name to Honor Co-Founder

Northwest Christian University is changing its name to Bushnell University. James A. Bushnell co-founded the university and was the first chairman of its board of trustees, the university said on its website. The name change will help the school in Eugene, Ore., reach beyond the Northwest part of the country to students across the United States and internationally. The change will take effect this year, after students graduate in May. The university said its faith commitment remains unchanged. “Our mission, vision, and values are founded upon a faith in Jesus Christ. Our commitment to Christian higher education remains the same,”

February 26, 2020

Christian Standard

Alberta Bible College Adapts to Meet Needs of Today's Church

By Chris Moon Stanley Helton believes Alberta Bible College is in the middle of a turnaround. The president of the Christian college in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has overseen doubling of the school’s enrollment during the past five years. Its adult learning population is starting to take off. And financially, the college finished 2019 in the black—the first time since 2014. “We’ve been steadily chipping away and putting things back in place,” Helton said. The turnaround has been five years in the making. The college hit hard times after several years of inconsistent leadership following the 26-year tenure of Ron Fraser

February 26, 2020

Christian Standard

Milligan's Webb Lectures to Feature Austin Gohn (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Austin Gohn will speak on “Finding My Roots in the Stone-Campbell Movement as a 20-Something Pastor” and “Three Movements that Will Shape the Stone-Campbell Movement in the Next Decade” at Milligan College’s annual Webb Lecture Series at 11 a.m. March 3 and 5, respectively. Coming up in June, Gohn will be writing about the near-term future of the Restoration Movement for Christian Standard. Gohn serves as lead pastor at Bellevue Christian Church in Pittsburgh. He also serves as a ministry coach for Milligan’s Ministry Leadership Program. Milligan’s Webb Lecture Series is named for

February 12, 2020

Christian Standard

CCU Faculty, Staff Relief Effort Distributes More Than $54,000

The GoFundMe effort on behalf of Cincinnati Christian University Faculty and Staff has disbursed $54,576 among 28 individuals left without jobs because of the school’s sudden closing last year. Gifts came from 132 individuals and ministries from around the world. Some of the largest gifts came from local congregations and parachurch ministries, including: Milford (Ohio) Christian Church, $1,000; Owensboro (Ky.) Christian Church, $2,500; Northeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., $5,000; Bob Russell Ministries, $5,000; SouthBrook Christian Church, Miamisburg, Ohio, $5,000; and Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Ky., $12,500. Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., dedicated its first chapel offering of the second semester

February 12, 2020

Christian Standard

2|42 Community Church Celebrates 15th Birthday, Opens 3 Campuses (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon It was a very big weekend for 2|42 Community Church in Michigan. The megachurch marked the 15th anniversary of its launch in 2005 in Brighton, Mich., by launching three new campuses in Livonia, Monroe, and Taylor, Mich. 2|42—which is consistently listed as one of the fastest-growing churches in America by Outreach magazine—now has seven campuses. The campus in Livonia came about in a unique way, as we reported last summer. The former Compass Christian Church in Livonia (previously known as Memorial Church of Christ) had played a significant role in helping start 2|42.

December 26, 2019

Christian Standard

Kenneth T. Norris Played Pivotal Role in Maritime Christian College’s Early Years

Every year, Maritime Christian College in Charlottetown, P. E. I., Canada, hosts a series of lectures. It’s a tradition that started in 1960, the year the college was established. In the early 1980s, the annual event became known as the K. T. Norris Lectureship, honoring a man who helped found the college and became president shortly thereafter. Kenneth T. Norris was born in 1915 in Toronto, Canada. He was baptized at Toronto’s Keele Street Church of Christ in 1932 after spending much of his boyhood in Trenton, Ontario. Starting in 1936, he spent more than a decade attending college and

December 18, 2019

Christian Standard

CCU Faculty, Staff Relief Fund Started on GoFundMe

Three graduates of Cincinnati Christian University have started a GoFundMe page for CCU faculty and staff who are now in need due to the closing of the university. Former Christian Standard editor Mark A. Taylor, The Lookout editor Shawn McMullen, and Linda Mirante, who serves in ministry with Bachelor Creek Church in Wabash, Ind., started the page Tuesday for CCU workers who are “receiving their last paycheck this week.” The appeal states, “Many of these faithful servants still do not have jobs; at least several are left with no income. With the closing of the school, employees have no severance,

December 18, 2019

Christian Standard

ICOM Reports on 2019 Gathering, Makes Plans for 2020 (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon The International Conference On Missions shared some statistics from last month’s gathering in Kansas City, Mo., even as it makes plans for its next annual get-together in Indianapolis Nov. 19-22, 2020. The total attendance of about 8,500 during the Nov. 14-17 Kansas City gathering was on track with ICOM events of the recent past, while the Student ICOM—or SICOM—remained strong with 575 attending. There were 47 colleges and universities represented, along with 42 public decisions to enter missionary service. ICOM set records for its biggest KidZone attendance (585), total number of exhibitors (356),

December 11, 2019

Christian Standard

CCV (San Dimas) Rebranding as ONE&ALL Church, Expanding Overseas

By Chris Moon Christ’s Church of the Valley in San Dimas, Calif., is changing its name to ONE&ALL Church. The rebranding effort comes as the church expands its mission to reach beyond its Southern California turf. The megachurch that averaged almost 6,700 in 2018 has formed partnerships with congregations in New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere and is working on additional ones. Lead pastor Jeff Vines said the church looked at changing its name as it realized its mission was expanding geographically. Vines has multiple connections with church leaders in New Zealand and Africa because of his 20 years of missionary

December 11, 2019

Christian Standard

Professor Walton Retiring from CCCB (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Central Christian College of the Bible will host a retirement reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday for William Walton, professor emeritus of Christian ministries. Walton began his service with CCCB in 1980 and has served the college in various roles, including as dean of students, vice president of student life, and athletic director. CCCB president David Fincher said he was a high schooler competing in a preaching contest when he first met Walton, and that Walton’s comments that day encouraged Fincher to pursue ministry. “A similar story can be told by thousands

December 4, 2019

Christian Standard

Louisville Bible College President Tom Mobley Dies (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Dr. Tom Mobley, 70, president of Louisville Bible College, died Monday morning at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown, Ky., the city in which he lived. “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that Louisville Bible College received word earlier this morning that Dr. Tom Mobley has passed away,” LBC wrote on its Facebook page. “We are eternally grateful and appreciative of his ministry at Louisville Bible College. His presence will be missed.” Through the years, Dr. Mobley served in various capacities as a Christian educator, minister, and chaplain. He served as

November 18, 2019

Christian Standard

Except for God

As Cincinnati Christian University finishes its final semester of classes before closing, there are undoubtedly many stories from the school’s alumni about their time on campus. This remembrance, which originated as a Facebook note, particularly stood out to us. Jerry Borton was born with cerebral palsy and now serves with Luke 14 Exchange, an organization that encourages people with disabilities to use their gifts. His story is just one part of the tremendous legacy CCU has left us. _ _ _ By Jerry Borton Like so many of you, I am deeply saddened by the news that Cincinnati Christian University

November 6, 2019

Christian Standard

CCU’s Trustees Apologize, Plus Other Updates about Pending Closure

As a follow-up to our story last week that Cincinnati Christian University will be closing after the fall semester, CCU board of trustees president Chris Hahn posted a letter on behalf of his fellow trustees to “apologize for the situation we are in and for how our communication of the cessation of academic operations may have caused confusion and pain.” CCU is also now providing more resources for students at its website, including a section of responses to frequently asked questions. CCU previously announced a partnership with Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, Mo.), which will be opening an

October 31, 2019

Christian Standard

Cincinnati Christian University Started with a Merger

Cincinnati Bible Institute started on Oct. 1, 1923, and McGarvey Bible College in Louisville, Ky., opened a day later. In less than a year, the two colleges merged, as reported in the March 22, 1924, issue of Christian Standard. The institution’s new name became Cincinnati Bible Seminary. “The new seminary,” the editor wrote, “will embody all the virtues of each of the merging institutions, and, as each was the complement of the other, it will become one of the most ideal schools of learning that the cause of restoration of primitive Christianity has ever produced.” Many will agree those words

October 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Cincinnati Christian University to Close Doors after 95 Years

Cincinnati Christian University will close its doors and stop offering classes after this semester. CCU, which was founded in 1924, announced the decision on its website Monday and also shared a letter with its 500-plus students advising them of the school’s desire to work with them to find new homes at accredited institutions. To that end, CCU’s board of trustees also announced a partnership with Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Mo. Under the arrangement, CCCB is offering to continue providing accredited training to CCU ministry students in Cincinnati through establishment of a CCCB extension campus in the spring.

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