December 16, 2025
God’s Resort: A Unique Ministry of Transitional Housing
God's Resort is a transitional ministry that equips people to move from semi-stability to full recovery through relational encounters.
Articles for tag: Habitat for Humanity
October 23, 2023
October 29 | Application (‘What Does It Mean to Serve?’)
Service has a sound. Service has a frangrance. Service has a feeling. Service has names. Service has role models . . .
November 17, 2022
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Natural Thanksgiving’ (2007)
"Why is the American Thanksgiving celebration characterized more by indulgence than gratitude?" editor Mark A. Taylor asked in 2007.
November 9, 2021
Virginia Church Transforms Horse Farm into First Permanent Home
LifePointe Christian Church in Toano, Va., which started in 2006, is finally moving into its first permanent home—a horse farm on 10 acres it purchased in 2018.
OCC Observes 10-Year Anniversary of Joplin Tornado (Plus News Briefs)
Briefs about the 10-year anniversary of the deadly Joplin tornado, Passion for Planting, Mid-Atlantic Christian University, Holley Christian Church's 150th anniversary, and more.
November 28, 2018
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
March 5, 2016
Lexington Celebrating Restoration 200 on May 15
Restoration 200“”billed as a revival of unity, liberty, and love””happens May 15, 3:00 p.m., at the Courthouse Square Plaza in Lexington, KY. The gathering will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first Restoration Movement church in Lexington. After the Cane Ridge Revival near Paris, KY, in 1801, Christians across the commonwealth shed their denominations to imitate the church of the New Testament. They said, “We are not the only Christians, but are Christians only.” This revival of the church, often referred to as the Second Great Awakening, brought to light the detriments of separation in the church, and emphasized the
June 19, 2015
Millennial Bridge
By Tom Ellsworth I”m not sure when it happened. I distinctly remember being a young minister just starting out who desperately wanted to bridge the gulf between the generation I so respected and my generation, which also needed to find a place in church leadership. Suddenly””at least it seems that way””I find myself moving into a different stage. I turned 60 this year and have become part of the generation to which I was trying to build that bridge years ago. I hasten to add that 60 is not old (my perspective), but neither is it young. So I want
Going Strong
By Jennifer Johnson “I am the least likely person to lead a trip of women,” Gayla Congdon said during our interview. “I grew up with brothers and I”m not a “˜woman”s retreat” kind of person. I want to do something that matters.” Apparently she”s not alone””the Women of Strength trips she started in 2012 have had to be capped at 65 people, and dozens of ladies have attended more than one. A significant number of the participants aren”t even Christians, but find the experience more than worth the investment of money and vacation time. Actually, Congdon does think “women”s events”
September 7, 2013
An Urban Kingdom Church Planter Entrepreneur in Los Angeles
By Thomas F. Jones Jr. I met Kevin Haah in a church planting assessment event in Johnson City, Tennessee. I was immediately impressed by this bright, but humble, Korean-American Christian. Haah”s path to church planting was not a simple one. After graduating from Cornell Law School he married Grace (also a lawyer), and they had three kids. He became partner at a prestigious law firm in Los Angeles only to give up law to pursue a master of divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. Soon he became a pastor, and then a church planter. And now he is the key
July 13, 2012
A Widow’s Faith
By Karen Wingate On May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado bulldozed through the south side of Joplin, Missouri, demolishing a regional hospital, nine schools (including the high school and adjoining tech school), several large stores, churches, businesses, and more than 8,000 homes. Hundreds were injured, and 163 died. In the ensuing months, relief came from across the country. This is the story of just one of those efforts, as churches in 21 small western Illinois communities helped a young widow rebuild her home. As they worked, they saw God rebuild relationships and restore faith. After the violent storm subsided, Stephanie
February 4, 2012
Church Continues with Katrina Recovery Efforts
By Jennifer Taylor Although Hurricane Katrina doesn”t make the news much anymore, Biloxi (MS) Christian Church has not stopped caring for its victims. Biloxi Christian sprang into action immediately after Katrina hit in 2005, opening its building and organizing volunteers and supplies. Today, more than six years later, BCC continues to have an open door for the effort and has partnered with another area church to form New Life Disaster Relief. “People from all over the country and every denomination come to work, and we house them in our building,” says minister John Wester. “We”ve turned our classrooms into
Operation Weatherization
By Jennifer Taylor Since February, Crossroads Christian Church (Newburgh, Indiana) has worked with Habitat for Humanity and local organizations to pilot an energy conservation project for urban housing. The “mission” included weatherizing dozens of homes to reduce energy costs for low-income families. Volunteers caulked and foamed cracks, replaced furnace filters, added attic insulation, and more. CCC coordinated serving days from February through May and provided training for all participants. www.crossroadschristian.com ________________ Jennifer Taylor, one of Christian Standard’s contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Read her blog at www.christianstandard.com. Do you know of a church breaking new ground or leading innovative
December 13, 2010
Church on Tour
By Jennifer Taylor Crossroads Christian Church (Newburgh, Indiana) encourages its thousands of members to participate in churchwide outreach events, volunteer with ministry partners like Habitat for Humanity, and attend seminars on generational poverty, evangelism, and more. But Eric Cummings, community outreach pastor at Crossroads, says the church”s “inner-city van tours” are the most valuable educational tool they”ve developed. Each month, 10-12 adults participate in the two-hour experience, seeing the reality of crime, poverty, and homelessness while also stopping at many of the schools, government agencies, and ministries working to help the city”s residents. “We don”t get out of the van,
August 19, 2009
How Will You Celebrate Great Communion?
By Mark A. Taylor It”s not too late for your church to plan a Great Communion observance October 4. Let me review what we”ve said about this event before, and then give you some new information. Review: Great Communion is an international celebration of the Lord”s Supper to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Thomas Campbell”s Declaration and Address, considered by many as the catalyst for our Restoration Movement. In it Campbell lifted up unity based on faith in Christ and obedience to the Scriptures. He decried divisions among believers in Christ and described the Lord”s Supper as “that great ordinance
It Doesn”t Take a Village
 By Jennifer Taylor “Would you like to use your Macy”s card?” the sales clerk asked. She paused, one hand on the price tag of the new shirt. “No, thank you,” said Laquita. “You can take an extra 20 percent off!” the clerk prompted. “Not today, but thanks,” Laquita answered again with a polite smile. Suddenly Laquita”s two daughters joined the conversation. “Credit cards aren”t good,” piped up Jada, 8. “We don”t have them.” Four-year-old Jamiah stood on tiptoes and gripped the edge of the counter. “We don”t like credit cards!” she added. Laquita”s eyes shine as she tells the
Doing Good”“an Earmark of Our Times?
By Mark A. Taylor Could it be that cultural and sociological trends are supporting and energizing the church”s “external focus” that we seem to be seeing everywhere? Our weekly e-newsletter and semiweekly “Buzz” column are filled with stories of churches reaching out to their communities. Youth groups and seniors ministries and whole congregations are organizing themselves to feed the hungry, erect Habit for Humanity homes, tutor in the public schools, build playgrounds in urban parks, and serve in dozens of other ways. Last year”s National Missionary Convention rode this wave with its challenge to “Get Your Hands Dirty.” And we
Natural Thanksgiving
A reflection on why abundance can dull gratitude—and how Scripture points to thankfulness rooted in Christ, prayer, reverence, and joy “in all circumstances,” even when life changes through loss or hardship.
February 12, 2006
Random Thoughts on Benevolence
Carl B. Bridges offers five practical observations about helping the needy—combining compassion with realism, wise giving, volunteer service, and humility amid political disagreements.
November 30, 2005
Great Communion Celebrated Worldwide!
A sampling of Great Communion reports from around the world, marking the 200th anniversary of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address and highlighting unity across Restoration Movement churches.
