March 31, 2021
More than 600 people attended a celebration of life service Monday at Antioch Christian Church, Marion, Iowa, for correctional officer Robert McFarland, who was killed last week during an attempted escape from the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The governor ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff Monday.
March 10, 2021
Antioch Christian Church in Marion, Iowa, is taking steps to launch its third campus by purchasing a struggling YMCA facility on the west side of Cedar Rapids. After renovations, the facility is expected to open by Easter 2022.
August 26, 2020
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
February 11, 2020
Several Restoration Movement churches held “Night to Shine” proms for people with special needs this past weekend. The proms are sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. More than 700 events were held this year. Here are some of the ones we heard about. In California, Real Life Church in Valencia partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation for the first time this year—although this was the fifth consecutive year the church has held a prom for people with special needs. “When they walk off the bus, and their eyes light up and their parents burst into tears, that’s coming close to
December 25, 2019
Philippians 4:6 is the “2019 Verse of the Year,” as determined by YouVersion. Users of the popular Bible app engaged with that Bible verse—by bookmarking it, highlighting it, and sharing it—more than any other. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). YouVersion also reported increased use of the app during 2019, including 5.6 billion chapters listened to, 35.6 billion chapters read, and 478 million verses shared. Meanwhile, Merriam-Webster’s “word of the year” is they. Searches of that term rose 313 percent during 2019, and
July 24, 2019
By Chris Moon Antioch Christian Church in Marion, Iowa, has spent the past month doing what few churches ever have had to do—grieve the sudden death of its longtime pastor. John Seitz Sr. had served at Antioch for nearly two decades when he began to suffer from poor health following an overseas trip in January 2018. Seitz had been battling an infection, and doctors were looking for a cause. The pastor had not preached a lot this year after his church elders granted him an extended break to rest and heal. But his health continued to deteriorate. He passed away
June 26, 2019
Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman First Capital Christian Church’s micro-campus initiative called “Church Anywhere” is featured in an article in the Christian Post. The church in Corydon, Ind., launched the program three years ago to help bring the church to people who couldn’t physically attend a formal church service—and for those who don’t like doing so. The church sends members into isolated parts of its community to launch micro-campuses. Today, First Capital has campuses in 15 locations, including prisons, foster care centers, schools, homeless shelters, and in church members’ homes. The services consist of two worship songs, a
October 10, 2018
Veteran Kentucky horse breeder Beau Lane, 76, experienced his most successful auction in September and Bedford Acres Christian Church in Paris, Ky., will see a financial boost because of it. Bloodhorse.com reported that Lane, who with his wife, Gail, operates 160-acre Woodline Farm in Bourbon County, Ky., promised God that he would donate $100,000 of his auction proceeds on 12 yearlings to the Lord . . . if God blessed him with $1 million in sales. Lane said he was expecting only about $800,000 during the Keeneland September Yearling Sale that concluded Sept. 23. But those 12 yearlings ended up
May 9, 2013
By Kent E. Fillinger John Seitz arrived as senior pastor of Antioch Christian Church in Marion, Iowa, in 2000 when the church was averaging 220 in attendance. Seitz and the elders wanted to see the church grow, to reach out, and to love the lost. Antioch Christian purchased 93 acres on a main highway to create space for growth and relocated to its new facility in December 2005. The church”s attendance has almost doubled since 2006, growing 21 percent last year to an average worship attendance of 1,136. Seitz credits the growth to the grace of God working through the
October 17, 2011
By Jennifer Taylor  When John Seitz joined the Antioch Christian Church (Marion, IA) staff in 2000, he challenged the men to join a team committed to praying for his ministry and for the church. “Prayer is so integral in seeking guidance from God and providing spiritual protection for the pastor,” Seitz says. “We have a prayer ministry open to everyone, but I wanted this to encourage strong male leadership in the church.” In addition to praying through the week, each year the team gathers for a retreat, and each Sunday morning several of the men gather at the church building
October 6, 2011
By Jennifer Taylor When John Seitz joined the Antioch Christian Church (Marion, IA) staff in 2000, he challenged the men to join a team committed to praying for his ministry and for the church. “Prayer is so integral in seeking guidance from God and providing spiritual protection for the pastor,” Seitz says. “We have a prayer ministry open to everyone, but I wanted this to encourage strong male leadership in the church.” In addition to praying through the week, each year the team gathers for a retreat, and each Sunday morning several of the men gather at the church building
September 15, 2010
Kent E. Fillinger Some readers may wonder why there is an entire issue devoted to medium-sized churches with an average worship attendance of 250-499. This special issue featuring medium-sized churches reports on far fewer congregations than we had anticipated. There are obviously more than 32 Christian churches/churches of Christ that fit into the medium-sized church category. We hope to include many more of them in next year”s report! Despite its small sample size, this report still provides a one-of-a-kind, detailed snapshot of medium-sized churches that will serve as a sound starting point to develop in the future. If you are
September 15, 2010
This listing of 32 churches that averaged 250-499 for worship in 2009 includes church name, city, senior minister, Web site, and average attendance. (This is not a complete listing of such churches; it is a listing of Medium-Sized Churches that participated in our survey.) Click here to look at the chart of 2009_MEDIUM-SIZED CHURCHES.
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