Articles for tag: Community Outreach

Giving & Fundraising Stewardship & Generosity

Meeting Others” Needs on Behalf of the Church

By Jennifer Taylor After studying Nehemiah and the offering recorded in its final chapters, First Christian Church in Champaign, IL, collected its own special offering as a response of gratitude for God”s goodness””then gave some of it back to FCC members. Senior pastor J.P. Jones and his team designated $20,000 of the offering for the local community and involved the church in giving it away. Each week for four weeks, a different group received $5,000 with instructions to use the money to meet the needs of others on behalf of the church. The team selected a variety of people

August 5, 2011

Adoption & Foster Care Family & Relationships

Making a Difference for Foster Care Kids

Students at Journey Christian Church (Midlothian, VA) recently received a grant from The Community Foundation, a local charitable organization, to help kids unable to live with their parents. On Sunday the teens gathered to learn about the problem from area leaders in social work and protective services; after the event Journey distributed empty luggage for the students to fill and return. The bags will be given to children in their county who have been removed from their homes. “We can make a difference for [foster care] kids in the most vulnerable and tumultuous moments of their lives,” the church writes.

July 2, 2011

Christian Living

“˜God Bless America”

By Mark A. Taylor More than a decade ago, my congregation hosted a patriotic pageant each year called “Sea to Shining Sea.” We had a huge adult choir, a children”s choir, a live orchestra, actors, and dancers. We welcomed color guards from all the armed services. We sang every patriotic song you know, including one that invited veterans from every branch of the service to stand and receive the cheers of the crowd. Fireworks accompanied the songs, and after the last note, everyone sat with necks craned to the sky and enjoyed 20 minutes of the rockets” red glare. Our

July 1, 2011

A Church Planting Milestone in Canada

By Jennifer Taylor According to Jim Tune, senior minister with Churchill Meadows Christian Church and director of Impact Ministry Group (both Ontario, Canada), the area is home to only six other Christian churches””and their combined attendance is less than 500. So CMCC”s new building””and the more than 1,200 people who attended the opening services in March””is a milestone for Canadian church planting. “Churches are closing faster in Canada than any other area, including Western Europe,” Tune says. “Church just isn”t on the radar. In fact, people assumed our building was an industrial complex or school because they don”t have

May 4, 2011

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Peachtree City Christian Church campuses

Churches Relaunched

Peachtree City Christian Church expanded by relaunching two Georgia congregations as new campuses, preserving historic church buildings while continuing local leadership and outreach.

May 4, 2011

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Shifting the Focus to Neighborhood Ministry

Christ’s Church of the Valley’s Neighborhood Ministry organizes local groups to build relationships, study together, and serve neighbors through practical acts of care across the Phoenix area.

March 25, 2011

Amity Church Recognized for Helping Fire Victims

Amity Church of Christ was recognized by Rep. Jim Weidner for exemplary community involvement after helping low-income residents displaced by a local apartment fire.

March 23, 2011

Church & Ministry Youth & Children's Ministry

White River Christian Church food pantry

Soul Food

White River Christian Church’s weekly food pantry has grown into a major outreach, offering groceries, a homemade meal, and Thursday worship for hundreds in central Indiana.

January 17, 2011

Karen Wingate

Revitalizing Your Children’s Ministry

Karen Wingate tells how Plymouth Avenue Christian Church revitalized its children’s ministry through honest critique, community awareness, clear vision, and consistent encouragement for volunteers.

January 1, 2011

Playing It Forward for Families, Churches

Area 10 Faith Community launched Cartwheels & Coffee as a creative way to serve Richmond families, lower overhead, and build community before the church’s first services even began.

December 13, 2010

Church on Tour

Crossroads Christian Church uses inner-city van tours to help members see poverty, homelessness, and local outreach opportunities firsthand, preparing them to serve their community.

December 9, 2010

Chris Beard

A New Perspective for a “˜Bunch of Jerks”

Chris Beard reflects on how a Beaumont church billboard sparked national conversation and reminded Christians that apologizing, listening, and acting more like Jesus matter in outreach.

October 28, 2010

Church & Ministry Church Planting

New Spanish-Speaking Church Launched

Central Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas, launched Iglesia Cristiana Casa de Luz, a new Spanish-speaking congregation led by Edwin Ojedis.

October 14, 2010

Partnering with God to Help a New Orleans Church

Indian Creek Christian Church’s Project 52 supports The Gathering in New Orleans with labor, funding, and prayer to complete a new community center after Hurricane Katrina.

September 28, 2010

Offering More than a Meal to the Homeless

His Heart, His Hands began with six breakfast sandwiches and grew into a Sunday outreach serving hot meals, prayer, showers, paperwork help, and friendship to homeless neighbors in Chandler, Arizona.

September 20, 2010

Brad Dupray

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Interview with Jay Akin

Jay Akin describes how Elberton Christian Church embraced slow, intentional change, small groups, and community service to connect people to Jesus and one another in rural Georgia.

September 17, 2010

Kent E. Fillinger

MEDIUM-SIZED CHURCHES: Walking Through the Wilderness

Ron Mobley and Northwest Christian Church endured a long relocation journey marked by prayer, patience, outreach, and renewed growth after moving into a new Cobb County campus.

September 11, 2010

Kent E. Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Planting

LARGE-SIZED CHURCHES: A Church Planting Hick from French Lick

Darrel Land planted the Christian Church of Jasper with little support, trusting God’s call to reach a rural Indiana community through preaching, worship, outreach, and patient growth.

August 18, 2010

Wynne Gillis