Series: News

February 9, 2019

Christian Standard

A Profitable Sermon on Generosity, Any Way You Slice It

By Jim Nieman Mark Jones is glad he opted for a simple devotion one week in the midst of his sermon series on generosity. The decision resulted in a finale that had greater impact, and which, at the same time, garnered quite a bit of positive press. Jones opted for the devotion one Sunday when “horrific weather” swept through the Bardstown, Ky., region and Nelson Christian Church saw lower-than-average attendance. But that set things up nicely for the final message, Feb. 3—which happened to be Super Bowl Sunday—when Jones called in a pizza order from the stage early in his

February 6, 2019

Christian Standard

Christian Colleges Offer Fellowship and Enrichment Opportunities This Spring

Christian colleges have planned numerous opportunities for fellowship and spiritual enrichment this spring. We scoured their websites and came up with this calendar of activities. If we happened to miss an event or two, please let us know at **@********************ia.com and we will be happy to add to this chronological list. _ _ _ Summit Christian College, Gering, Neb., is offering a series of “Bridge Seminars” throughout the spring. Attend the free events in person or online. Seminars led by SCC professors begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and last about 45 minutes. Church groups are welcome. Learn more at www.summitcc.net.

February 6, 2019

Christian Standard

Church Helps Indy 500 Connect with New Presenting Sponsor (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman A lot of connections can be made in church, and that is no more apparent than in the story about how the Indianapolis 500 came to find its newest presenting sponsor. It started two years ago at Traders Point Christian Church in Zionsville, Ind., when open-wheel driver Zach Veach, then 22, asked his pastor, Aaron Brockett, for help in finding a race sponsor. Brockett connected Veach with another church member, Dan Towriss, CEO of what soon would become Group 1001, a major insurance holding company based in Indianapolis. One thing led to another

January 30, 2019

Christian Standard

Jay Craig Retiring after Long Career with Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch

By Jim Nieman Jay Craig, who has served Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch almost since its beginning in 1977, is retiring this week after nearly 40 years of service to about 700 youth who were once abused or neglected, but found refuge through the years at one of Shiloh’s six homes. Craig came on as the ranch’s administrator on Jan. 1, 1980, and later transitioned to direct fund-raising for the Christian nonprofit. Shiloh has a $2 million budget and operates primarily through the generosity of churches and individuals. (The ranch receives virtually no government funding.) Today about 50 children, ranging in

January 30, 2019

Christian Standard

John Derry to Step Down as HIU’s President (Plus News Briefs)

Hope International University President John L. Derry has announced his retirement. Derry will step down on Aug. 15 after 15 years as Hope’s president, HIU said in a news release. “Over the past several months, Jane and I have been praying and considering when would be the best time for us to transition to retirement,” Derry said. “A decision like this is certainly not easy and in no way reflects on our confidence in the future of the university.” The Derrys have grandchildren in Texas and Ohio and hope to spend more time with them. Since becoming president of HIU,

January 23, 2019

Christian Standard

Real Life in Virginia Rebuilds after Tornado (Plus News Briefs)

Real Life Christian Church, Chesapeake, Va., celebrated their first worship service in a new building Sunday, almost two years after a tornado ripped through their original building. “It was a very special service to be here together again,” executive pastor Brett Coates told WAVY. “We’ve been through a lot the past 22 months, but we’ve bonded together and that made today even more special.” The new building, constructed on the site of the old, features a cross inside made from pieces of the previous church, along with artwork made from pieces of a tree knocked down by the tornado. “We

January 16, 2019

Christian Standard

A ‘Day of Pentecost Every Sunday’

By Jim Nieman In last week’s Christian Standard newsletter, editor Michael C. Mack mentioned a question asked in response to our January issue: “Should church leaders even bother to concern themselves with racial integration and building a multiethnic congregation?” Jim Book, senior minister with Kissimmee (Fla.) Christian Church—located in a cultural melting pot region just south of Orlando and right next door to Walt Disney World—provides an interesting viewpoint on that. “It’s the Day of Pentecost every Sunday at Kissimmee,” Book says. Kissimmee Christian Church provides multiple services every Sunday that go well beyond two “blended/contemporary” and one “traditional.” There

January 16, 2019

Christian Standard

First Christian Church in Decatur Marks 185 Years (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman   First Christian Church of Decatur, Ill., took a moment between regular services Sunday to mark the 185th anniversary of the congregation and 25th year of service by lead pastor Wayne Kent and his wife, Leslie. “The original home of the congregation was the log courthouse in Decatur, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law,” Morgan Arseneau, the church’s discipleship assistant, told the Herald & Review. Church members had their choice of celebratory cupcakes marked with either “185” for the church anniversary or “25” for the Kents’ silver jubilee. “The word of God never changes,

January 9, 2019

Christian Standard

Rapha House’s Freed Graces Magazine Cover (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman   Stephanie Freed, an Ozark Christian College alum who cofounded Rapha House, was named a “2019 Pathfinder” by J Mag, a lifestyles magazine published by the Joplin Globe. According to the Globe: “The award honors individuals, couples or groups who have accomplished something unique and who have made it possible for others to follow in their footsteps.” The entry for Freed reads: “Stephanie Freed . . . co-founded Rapha House International in 2003, after her father challenged her to research human trafficking. Today, there are safe havens in Cambodia, Thailand and in Haiti, where

January 2, 2019

Christian Standard

‘Pastor’s Project’ Offers Help to Struggling Ministers

By Chris Moon Dick Creek has been busy lately—and it’s the result of having knee surgery. A year and a half ago, he launched The Pastor’s Project, an initiative to help struggling pastors. The effort has grown since then to include a “Rapid Response” ministry for pastors who find themselves in crisis and a “Rural Church Initiative” to connect thriving churches with those that might be struggling, in hopes of sparking a revitalization. And all of this emerged from the time Creek was stuck in his chair, healing up from knee replacement surgery. “I had a lot of time on

January 2, 2019

Tyler McKenzie

Rise City Church Helps Student Buy New Prosthetic Foot (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon As part of its annual Christmas offering, Rise City Church in Lakeside, Calif., is helping a college student struggling with bone cancer to buy a prosthetic foot. According to NBC 7 News, the church—pastored by Brandon and Jamie Grant—presented a gift in person to Sam Bodger, a first-year UCLA student. Bodger had some of her left leg amputated as part of her treatment for osteosarcoma. Insurance, however, wasn’t sufficient to provide a quality prosthetic. Rise City Church takes up a Christmas offering—this year totaling $260,000—that it spreads to worthy causes in the community. Bodger was nominated

December 26, 2018

Christian Standard

Ozark Plans Preaching-Teaching Convention (Plus News Briefs)

Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., will host a Preaching-Teaching Convention Feb. 18-20. The theme is “No Matter What: Holy Living in a Hostile Land.” Among the speakers will be Caleb Kaltenbach, Brad Tate, Shan Moyers, Ashley Wooldridge, Daryl Reed, Nathan Rector, and Mark Scott. There also will be pre-convention seminars held during the day Monday, Feb. 18, including “Church Leadership: Conversations for the Smaller Church,” “Children’s Ministry Training,” and others. Click here to learn more and to register. _ _ _ Three conferences have been scheduled by e2: effective elders over the next several weeks. Manhattan (Kan.) Christian College will

December 19, 2018

Christian Standard

Johnson, e2 Headed to India to Lead Elder Training

By Jim Nieman Gary Johnson of e2: effective elders is excited to offer a three-day Elders’ Conference early next year in India, at Ajai Lall’s suggestion, for church leaders from six Asian countries. “This is e2’s first venture into a cross-cultural elder setting,” Johnson said. “The men will leave with both biblical and practical ways to recruit, train, and release elders to lead courageously for God’s glory.” The groundwork for this training venture was laid earlier this year when Lall, founder and director of Central India Christian Mission, suggested it during Johnson’s visit there. “There has never been a meeting like this,” Lall told

December 19, 2018

Christian Standard

Church Sponsors ‘Christmas Shoppe’ for Struggling Families (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon Owensboro Christian Church did its part to help families who are struggling to buy presents for their children this Christmas season. The Kentucky church opened its “Christmas Shoppe,” where the church sells low-priced toys to families in need. Hundreds of toys were purchased by the church or donated to it. There was a purpose to selling the toys rather than simply giving them away. “Through all of the outreach we’ve done, a lot of parents really would rather provide Christmas for themselves and not really have to rely on other people doing it for them,” the

December 12, 2018

Christian Standard

Churches Rescue City’s Hoops Program (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon Calvary Christian Church in Winchester, Ky., is ramping up for the little league basketball season one year after the church helped rescue the sports program after the closure of the community’s YMCA. Calvary Christian is one of several churches sponsoring Upward 40391, a Christian-based basketball and cheerleading program. The program came into existence after the Winchester YMCA closed in late 2016. “We were breaking down barriers and coming together for the cause of the kids,” CCC’s lead pastor Mike McCormick told the Winchester Sun. About 940 preschoolers through 12th-graders are signed up for the program this

December 5, 2018

Christian Standard

Megachurch Helping Asylum-Seekers (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon Central Christian Church in Mesa, Ariz., is one of several nearby churches that have helped house nearly 5,000 asylum-seekers who have crossed the Mexican border into the United States since October. According to the Arizona Mirror, the megachurch has received five large groups of migrants released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The asylum-seekers are brought temporarily to the church’s worship center, where they are fed and clothed and connected with local families who can house them temporarily. Eventually, the migrants go to live with relatives across the United States until their asylum cases can be

December 4, 2018

Christian Standard

CRA Trustee, Former College President Harvey C. Bream Jr. Dies

Former Christian college president and longtime Christian Restoration Association trustee Harvey C. Bream Jr., 95, of Mason, Ohio, died on Saturday, Dec. 1. His funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Christ’s Church at Mason. Mr. Bream served the Lord in many roles through the years. He was president of Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary (now called Cincinnati Christian University) from 1970 to 1986, and was chancellor an additional 3 years. He had served as trustee with the CRA since 1951, while also serving 10 years as CRA director and editor of The Restoration Herald, and 7

November 28, 2018

Christian Standard

Discovery Church Provides Land for Low-Income Housing

By Jim Nieman Discovery Christian Church in Broomfield, Colo., is playing a role in helping to solve a low-income housing problem in its well-to-do region north of Denver and east of Boulder. The church is providing a zero-cost lease of about 1.25 acres to Flatirons Habitat for Humanity to build four triplexes for 12 low-income families. The homes will be affordable and energy-efficient, according to an article in the Broomfield Enterprise. “[Lead pastor] Steve Cuss is the catalyst for this,” said Tom Morris, executive pastor of Discovery. “He has worked extensively with the [local] government asking, ‘What are some problems

November 28, 2018

Christian Standard

River Valley to Merge with Southeast (Plus News Briefs)

River Valley Christian Church, Goshen, Ky., has approved a merger with Southeast Christian Church, Louisville. Leaders from River Valley approached Southeast a few months ago and discussions led to the agreement to merge, pending Sunday’s approval by RVCC’s congregation. “We’re grateful that River Valley and Southeast are like-minded churches who have similar missions, and who are unified under the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:13),” SECC pastors Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman wrote in an email. “Join us as we praise God for this unique opportunity to continue to build His church as we share the hope and love of

November 21, 2018

Michael C. Mack

The ICOM 2018 Recap

  By Michael C. Mack The International Conference On Missions was held last week in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the theme, “Unhindered.” Kevin Dooley served as president this year. Christian Standard Media was a sponsor and exhibitor. We plan to report in more detail about the conference later in our print/digital issue, but here is a quick recap: — ICOM is still tabulating total attendance, but 3,500 people pre-registered and several thousand registered onsite. — About 2,300 people attended the first three sessions, which is an increase of about 400 to 500 over last year’s sessions. — There were 314 exhibitors

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