October 11, 2022
SECC’s ‘More Proactive’ Ordination Process Bearing Fruit
Three years ago, Southeast Christian Church in Kentucky added more structure to its efforts to ordain people into ministry. Since then, it has ordained 90 people.
Articles for tag: Chris Moon
Southeast Christian’s Residency Program Experiences Post-Pandemic Growth
Southeast Christian Church's 215 Residency program—which gives residents firsthand ministry experience along with a deep dive into biblical study and spiritual formation—has recovered and grown since COVID-19.
September 12, 2022
Ministry to Combat Vets in Indiana Plans Major Retreat Center
Point Man of Newburgh—an Indiana ministry that helps combat veterans returning from war—is moving toward purchasing and developing a $4.5 million retreat center. The project is a monumental one for the 13-year-old nonprofit organization that got its start with the help of Crossroads Christian Church in Newburgh, Ind.
After 70 Years, Carroll Kakac Still Preaching the Gospel
Carroll Kakac, 93, has been preaching for more than seven decades. His hearing isn’t great, he said, and neither is his eyesight. But it’s good enough. “As long as my health will permit me to do it, I’m going to do it,” said Kakac, who serves as minister of McLeansboro (Ill.) Christian Church. . . .
Fresno Church Sponsoring Summer Camp for Afghan Refugee Children
CrossCity Christian Church in Fresno, Calif., is spearheading an effort to offer a summer camp for Afghan refugee children in its community. Forty families relocated to Fresno after the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan last summer. CrossCity has been sponsoring one of those families . . .
As It Transitions, LCU to Sell Student Apartments, Lease Portion of Campus
Four months after announcing an overhaul of its educational model, Lincoln Christian University now has a contract to sell its student apartments to a private developer and has entered into a 10-year lease agreement with a local church that will use the university’s chapel and athletic facilities.
June 10, 2022
‘A Focus of Prayer’: Compass Celebrates Baptism Rebound in a Visual Way
A wall at Compass Christian Church in Chandler, Ariz., tells the story of the rebound in baptisms the megachurch has experienced thus far in 2022.
CIY Returning to ‘Full Steam,’ but Facing Inflation Pressure
Christ In Youth could see record attendance at its conferences this summer after suffering two lean years because of COVID-19. But inflation pressures—including the price of diesel fuel for the tractor trailers that transport its gear to various venues—mean that challenges remain.
Church Camps Ready for a More ‘Normal’ Season
After two seasons impacted by COVID-19, directors of Lake James Christian Camp (Angola, Ind.) and Woodland Lakes Christian Camp (near Cincinnati) are anticipating a more normal summer camping season.
April 12, 2022
At Ekklesia, Easter Brings a Season of Discipleship
For the past five years, Ekklesia Christian Church in Conway, S.C., has engaged hundreds of people in a post-Easter discipleship program that moves people from spiritual milk to meat, with a goal of baptizing many on Pentecost Sunday.
Pastor Pens Primer for Inexperienced Preachers
Kentucky pastor Mark Messmore has written a new book, "Simple Preaching Prep," aimed at helping equip both aspiring preachers and seasoned lay leaders for the task of preaching sermons to their congregations.
DeWelt Retires from Ozark but Not from Ministry, Missions
Chris DeWelt is moving on to the next chapter in his life. But he’s not going to slow down—at least not much. “There’s always plenty to do,” said the longtime director of intercultural studies at Ozark Christian College, who retired from that position at the end of 2021.
The Ministry Pipeline
Restoration Movement colleges struggle to produce enough ministry graduates to meet the growing need for pastors. College presidents explain why.
July 14, 2021
CIY President: ‘It’s Good to Be Back’
After 15 months without holding a single event because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christ In Youth is back. In late May, the Joplin, Mo.-based organization resumed its summer conference season for middle and high school students.
Manhattan Christian Plans to Buy Apartment/Retail Building
Manhattan Christian College is about to close on the purchase of a $4 million retail center that will provide additional student housing and a new revenue stream. It also is a chance to buy back a parcel of land the school sold 36 years ago.
May 26, 2021
Job Prospects Strong Among Christian Churches
Despite a global pandemic that limited in-person church services for much of the past year, the job market for pastors in the Restoration Movement remains robust, say those who closely follow the trends.
January 20, 2021
Longtime Sheriff in Ohio to Focus on Ministry During Retirement
By Chris Moon It is not every day someone retires from 50 years as a law enforcement officer, including 20 as the local sheriff . . . and decides to devote his retirement to lay ministry in the church. But that’s exactly what Dave Phalen has planned. “Wherever the Lord leads me. He kind of can surprise us sometime,” said Phalen, who just retired as sheriff in Fairfield County, Ohio, and serves as an elder with Fairfield Christian Church in the city of Lancaster. Phalen set aside his badge after 50 years in law enforcement and he did so with
September 22, 2020
Different Environments, Different Approaches (Ministering in the Midst of COVID-19)
Urban, Suburban, and Rural Church Leaders Share Their Experiences of Leading Through a Pandemic By Chris Moon No two churches are the same, even in how they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, the virus has left a mark on Restoration Movement congregations and pastors across the country. For some churches and pastors, especially in rural, conservative areas of the country, the pandemic seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. The major difficulty was figuring out how to get the internet to cooperate during a brief closure. “There’s a lot of things you face like that
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
March 19, 2020
Ohio Church’s Effort to Feed Schoolchildren Exceeds Expectations
By Chris Moon This past weekend, Christ’s Church in Mason, Ohio, gathered enough food to pack 6,400 meals for students in the local school district who are on free and reduced-price lunches. Schools are closed in the community for three weeks because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Starting Monday, families were welcomed at the church to pick up bags containing a five-day supply of food. The church collected much more food than anticipated, so it was able to pack several thousand more meals for others in need. “I think people are inherently good people,” said Trevor DeVage, the church’s lead pastor.
