Articles for tag: Anaheim California

March 28, 2019

Christian Standard

Let the Church Be the Church

I recently came upon this “Reflections” column by Floyd Strater from our December 12, 1982, issue. For many decades, as I recall, the editor of Christian Standard would ask a group of 12 or 13 people—a new group annually—to contribute four essays during the year. The topics were not assigned. Sam E. Stone told me he would strive for a variety of writers each year: men, women, preachers, professors, missionaries, and others from a broad geographical area. Floyd Strater was serving as minister with Knott Avenue Christian Church in Anaheim, California, at the time he wrote this. He preached there

March 31, 2017

Christian Standard

In Remembrance of Me

By Becky Ahlberg Do you remember your first Communion? The first time you held the bread and cup and accepted the invitation to this table offered by the Lord himself upon your baptism and commitment to him? How old were you? Where were you? Who else was there? For some of us, that moment was decades ago; for some others, it might be this very day. For all of us, it is a call to remembrance. We”re called to remember our commitment. We”re called to remember our community here in this place and to remember Christians around the world. And

February 6, 2017

Christian Standard

Come to the (After) Party!

By Chris Moon Something new! Something free! Something fun! It’s for EVERYONE! It was like a banana split without the whipped cream. Or hot chocolate without the marshmallows. Or a Thanksgiving Day meal without the pumpkin pie. Something was missing. That was the thinking among the leadership of the North American Christian Convention following the final night of programming at the 2016 convention in Anaheim, California. Everything went so well. Bob Goff was the keynote speaker. The Christian rock band For King & Country put on a concert. The atmosphere was electric. “People were just up in the clouds””excited,” says

February 6, 2017

Christian Standard

NACC Helps One Young Pastor to Bridge the “˜Gap”

By Chris Moon Mitch Chitwood grew up in the Restoration Movement. He spent his childhood attending independent Christian churches in Arizona and Nebraska. His father has served for decades as a Christian church pastor. And Chitwood today works as the operations and multisite pastor for StoneBridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Needless to say, the 27-year-old is very familiar with the movement of Christian churches and churches of Christ that spans the United States. But for his first several years in ministry, Chitwood never fully felt part of that movement. “I always had that one-step barrier,” he says. Chitwood attributes

January 22, 2017

Christian Standard

A Comprehensive Review

By Becky Ahlberg “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.” Isaac Watts penned those words in 1707. He was a masterful preacher and poet and was known for writing hymns as part of his sermons. This particular hymn has lasted more than 300 years precisely because it captures the ethos of the cross for each of us personally. Watts was known to have three “rules” for writing: make it personal, make it sensuous (as in appealing to the senses), and

November 21, 2016

Christian Standard

Studying the City: Hope International University

By Jennifer Johnson Several of the colleges and universities affiliated with our movement understand the need to reach their own cities while preparing students for an urban future. Here”s what one of them is doing. ________ HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Fullerton, California The U.S. Census Bureau defines an urban area as “comprising one or more central places, and the adjacent densely-settled surrounding territory, that together have a minimum of 50,000 people.” So while cities like New York and Chicago certainly qualify as urban, so do urban sprawl areas like Anaheim, California. “Anaheim is home to 350,000 people,” says Kip Lines, professor

July 20, 2016

Christian Standard

An Interview with Gene Appel

Contributing editor Ben Cachiaras speaks with Gene Appel, minister with Eastside Christian Church, Anaheim, California, about next year”s North American Christian Convention (he”s president), why he loves the “tribe” of Christian churches/churches of Christ, and how to lead change in a local church. See this exclusive interview here.

February 20, 2016

Christian Standard

NACC 2016: The Destination Is Worth the Journey

By Arron Chambers This past summer, instead of traveling across the country, we decided to have a staycation and experience some of the beauty and wonders close to home. My wife, who apparently also wanted us to experience a great deal of pain and discomfort, was intent that we all climb the Manitou Incline. The Manitou Incline is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs, Colorado. The 2,744-step trail is the remains of a railway whose tracks washed out during a rockslide in 1990. The incline is as steep as 68 percent in places, making it a difficult fitness

June 25, 2015

Christian Standard

‘Jeopardy’ Brings Generations Together

By Becky Ahlberg Back in 1995, Anaheim (California) First Christian Church made the choice to be a multigenerational congregation. That goal has been manifested in a variety of ways, including keeping our families together in worship, having a midweek family night, and seeking out multigenerational experiences. One of our most enjoyable (and rewarding) activities has been our seniors banquet. It was birthed back in 2001 when our youth sponsors were blown away by the generosity of our seniors in helping provide camp scholarships. Our seniors have always been willing givers for our children; student ministries and camps, both winter and

October 28, 2013

Christian Standard

Becoming the “˜Go-To” Church

By Jennifer Johnson “We were doing missional before it was cool,” says Becky Ahlberg with a smile. In 2005, Anaheim (California) First Christian Church decided to stay in its rapidly changing neighborhood, connect with its residents, and work strategically to be part of the solution. Since then the church has elevated its community profile and even founded My Safe Harbor, a nonprofit ministry that empowers low-income single moms with relationships, life skills training, and personal development. Through its own relationship building, the church also has strong partnerships with a variety of community agencies, the school district, city government, and the

July 4, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Ian DiOrio

IAN DiORIO Director, community life/young adults,  Eastside Christian Church,  Anaheim, California  Ian DiOrio is truly a modern-day Renaissance man. He is a pastor, teacher, author, leader, professor, student, entrepreneur, former rave DJ, loving husband, and sold-out dad. Describing the giftedness of a man like Ian in just 200 words is very difficult, because he has such incredible bandwidth and influence in both the spiritual and secular arenas. His exhaustive passion and love for God drives him to succeed. He has a depth of knowledge and an understanding of the Bible and of the millennial culture like few people I know.

October 4, 2012

Christian Standard

A Day for Hope

By Mark A. Taylor My visit to Hope filled me with hope! At Hope International University in Fullerton, California, last week, I found students serious about their studies and passionate about finding God”s will for their lives. In the two classes I visited, students were engaged with the Bible study their professors presented. (Me, too! I left each session wishing I could stick with the professor all semester!) In the morning I met one young man who told me about his upbringing by missionary parents and his pursuit of God”s will for his life. Later he sought me out to

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: Learning to Obey

By Becky Ahlberg (Becky Ahlberg was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Ahlberg is minister of worship and neighborhood engagement at First Christian Church, Anaheim, California. She serves as a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor.) __________________ The story of Jesus at the temple at age 12 has always fascinated me, but it”s the line just before our “grew in wisdom and stature” assignment that really hits home with me: “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them” (emphasis mine). Many things have led to my own growth

July 18, 2010

Christian Standard

Interview with Al Dimaano

Al Dimaano By Brad Dupray As a young man, Al Dimaano was influenced by American missionaries in his Philippine homeland. Al moved to the United States to teach in the Los Angeles Unified School District and became involved in a local Christian church in Southern California. Seeking camaraderie with other Filipino Christians in the U.S., Al founded the Filipino and American Christian Convention (FACC) in 1982. Since that time the biannual convention has met in locations throughout the United States and Canada. This year, for the first time, the FACC is meeting in conjunction with the North American Christian Convention.

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