Tiny House Ministries Sees Expanding Opportunities
Tiny House Ministries in Missouri began as a simple idea to build housing for homeless people, but it has expanded in some unexpected directions.
Articles for tag: International Conference on Missions
March 1, 2021
An Ending and a Beginning
Maureen closed the book she’d been trying to read and switched off her bedside lamp. Burrowing into the covers, she tried not to think about the future. She felt her spirit stirring, as if God was about to do something big and different, but she didn’t yet know what that would be. “God, here I am. Send me,” she prayed for what seemed like the millionth time. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, still unsure of where God would take her. Several months later, an insightful missionary friend invited Maureen to attend a Global Perspectives on the World
January 27, 2021
Sam E. Stone: ‘A Steel Hand Inside a Velvet Glove’
Mark A. Taylor shares memories of his colleague, teacher, and friend, Sam E. Stone. Sam, who was Christian Standard's longest-serving editor, died on Monday.
December 16, 2020
News Briefs for Dec. 16
Compiled by Jim Nieman The 26th installment of New Hope Christian Church’s annual outdoor “Journey to Bethlehem” underwent a major change this year due to COVID-19. The interactive Nativity, which traditionally starts in the Washington, Ind., church’s building and then leads participants out to a wooded area for a series of scenes telling the story of Jesus’ birth, was filmed this year for presentation via Facebook and YouTube. “We’ve always done it live but we knew that would not be an option this year,” senior pastor Joe Coquillard told the Tribune-Star. The goal of the video “is not just to
October 28, 2020
Interview: David Empson Discusses ICOM’s Roller-coaster Year
By Jim Nieman The International Conference On Missions’ executive director, staff, and this year’s president have had to overcome monumental challenges in planning this year’s event in the age of COVID-19. Work for the November conference essentially had to begin anew over the summer when ICOM announced it was switching to a hybrid format—both online and in-person. ICOM officials have promised the in-person portion will be safe and comfortable, but limited mainly to the popular exhibit area where so many friends and mission agencies connect. The virtual aspect, meanwhile, will be robust and comprehensive, so that as many as possible
October 24, 2020
The Mission that Became a Movement
One mission launched by J. Russell and Gertrude Morse nearly 100 years ago produced several global movements that have impacted millions. Today, third- and fourth-generation members continue to serve as missionaries. Here’s the story—in words and pictures—of those involved through the years. By Ziden L. Nutt The last trunk had been lowered into the hold of the ship. The gangplank was withdrawn. The engines throbbed and quivered. The Empress of Japan seemed to shudder as it swung away from the pier on August 13, 1921. Among those on board were Dr. and Mrs. Albert Shelton and J. Russell and Gertrude
October 24, 2020
The Pandemic’s Impact on International Missions (and What We All Can Learn from It)
By David Empson The church in America could learn much from how foreign missionaries persevered during the coronavirus while continuing to advance the cause of Christ. In early April, I received an email update from sisters Megan and Michelle Moss, missionaries serving in Tanzania. At the time, most Americans were still homebound and wrestling with internet issues, virtual meetings, and restaurant withdrawal. Mostly, we were wondering how long this pandemic would last. The Mosses wrote: ________ Many times, as missionaries, we really need you to be there for us. But right now, we’re seeing how God has equipped us in
September 2, 2020
Empson Shares about ICOM’s Challenges During 2020 (Plus News Briefs)
The challenges and struggles Dave Empson and the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) have faced this year were the subject of the Face > Fear podcast hosted by Mike Schrage of Good News Productions International (GNPI) on Monday. And the challenges have been many—physical, financial, logistical, and organizational. GNPI wrote on their website: “The table seemed set for the International Conference on Missions’ biggest year yet. They had a popular location in Indianapolis, a talented president in Jeff Vines, and a remarkable main speaker in Ravi Zacharias. And then, a few weeks ago, they made a change. ‘We decided to switch
ICOM Changes 2020 Gathering to Both In-Person/Online
By Jim Nieman As the world has battled the coronavirus the last several months, representatives of the International Conference On Missions have repeatedly been asked the same question about their annual gathering, “Are you meeting in person or online in November?” The answer finally came this week. ICOM 2020 will be both. The gathering that attracts thousands of missionaries and mission-focused individuals each year will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. But (and this is important), some of the activities that draw the largest crowds—including main sessions and workshops—will take
May 17, 2020
The Starfish Effect: Why Our Decentralized Approach Is Our Strength
By Scott Kenworthy A few years ago, I attended the International Conference on Missions with a friend from a different church tradition. As we entered the exhibit hall filled with hundreds of missionaries promoting their various initiatives, I said to my friend, “This is the strength of our movement.” When we left the same hall a couple hours later, he turned around, took one last look, and commented, “That is the weakness of your movement.” Where I saw innovation, entrepreneurship, and bold risk-taking for the sake of the gospel, he saw chaos and the lack of a centralized strategy. So,
May 13, 2020
Keeping Facility Clean an Obstacle to Reopening (Plus News Briefs)
Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Churches are taking different approaches to reopening their doors as local governments begin to lift social distancing requirements. Lead pastor Glen Elliott provided insight to the Arizona Daily Star about Pantano Christian Church’s decision to remain closed at least until June. Elliott said the challenges of cleaning the Tucson church—including children’s areas—between each of its three services of more than 1,000 people each make it “near impossible to open,” he said. “Can you imagine the incredible challenges we’d have just cleaning every classroom for kids between every service? And then cleaning doors, cleaning bathrooms,”
January 2, 2020
River of Life
By Laura McKillip Wood “When I was 14 years old, I traveled with my father to a little town in the middle of nowhere to teach one man. This man was planting a church in his house. My dad went there every month to teach him, and when I saw this, it really touched my heart. He left the city where we lived, a classroom full of students, and a big church where he ministered to go to just one person in a small town.” Jeff Fife watched his father on that trip. He saw his father’s care for that
December 18, 2019
ICOM Reports on 2019 Gathering, Makes Plans for 2020 (Plus News Briefs)
Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon The International Conference On Missions shared some statistics from last month’s gathering in Kansas City, Mo., even as it makes plans for its next annual get-together in Indianapolis Nov. 19-22, 2020. The total attendance of about 8,500 during the Nov. 14-17 Kansas City gathering was on track with ICOM events of the recent past, while the Student ICOM—or SICOM—remained strong with 575 attending. There were 47 colleges and universities represented, along with 42 public decisions to enter missionary service. ICOM set records for its biggest KidZone attendance (585), total number of exhibitors (356),
December 4, 2019
Three Stories of Hope: The Legacy of Cincinnati Ministry Education
By David Fincher (This article is adapted from comments delivered at the Cincinnati Christian University alumni homecoming on November 9 and at the International Conference on Missions on November 15.) As a graduate of Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Mo., I have long known the influence of Cincinnati upon our Christian churches and colleges. In 1989, I began as a freshman at CCCB. My teachers were primarily graduates of Cincinnati Bible Seminary who quoted their teachers and shared memories of their school. Before I ever visited the Cincinnati campus, I was already grateful for the work of CBS.
October 1, 2019
Christ for Asia, Mission to the People (Myanmar): An Unwavering Urgency for the Mission
By Walt Wilcoxson I was sitting in a flimsy, plastic chair under a bougainvillea so large and beautiful it defies description. I looked over at Ahdee Wayezi, a short man who stands tall in the lives of pastors and teachers of the Lisu people of Myanmar, Tibet, and the China border towns. Myanmar, also known as Burma, seems an unlikely place to find a Christian mission with the outreach and effectiveness of CAMP (Christ for Asia, Mission to the People). After all, estimates of the Buddhist population of Myanmar range from 80 to 89 percent. Regardless, about 1.4 million Lisu
September 18, 2019
Kelly Clarkson Announces Food Pantry Moving to Oregon Church (Plus News Briefs)
Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Beaverton Christian Church in Oregon is the new home for a significant local food pantry—and it made quite a splash in becoming so. The announcement that Sunshine Pantry is relocating to the church was made Sept. 9 on the inaugural episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, a syndicated talk show. On the show, Clarkson interviewed Sharon Straus, the founder of the Sunshine Pantry—which started as a Cub Scout canned food drive that continued for years in Straus’s garage before moving into its own warehouse more than a decade ago. Straus told how her
July 22, 2019
Let’s Revitalize Our Urban Churches!
By Michael Bowling I have a confession. I have served two inner-city congregations for a total of 35 years, yet I am no fan of urban ministry. Here’s why. The greatest challenges to healthy church communities that are dynamic witnesses to the redemptive way of Jesus have little to do with urban-specific techniques or new resources. Our challenges in urban, suburban, and rural contexts are the same: faithfulness to biblical discipleship, a theology of the church (ecclesiology) informed by the New Testament pattern, and a God-sized view of salvation. An overemphasis on new and innovative practices of “urban ministry” is
Five Areas to Help Your Intern Succeed
By Emily Drayne People who serve mission organizations or other ministries that utilize interns should consider five important matters to ensure the experience is enlightening, enriching, and enjoyable. Be a Mentor Come alongside the intern. Work with them. Take time to explain what you do and why you do it a particular way. Encourage workers—whether in an office or in the field—to do the same. During my internship in China, I taught English. Even though I loved my internship, I quickly learned that teaching was not my strong suit—or something I wanted to do my entire life. But it didn’t
Young People in Ministry: Invest, Invest, Invest
By Emily Drayne As a child, when I heard the word missionary, I envisioned an elderly lady sitting around a fire talking about Jesus to unreached peoples. Now, eight years into my job working with missionaries, I know that’s not (always) the case. Kendi’s Cows of Grace is a great example. Kendall Grace Kemerly visualized her mission when she was 8 years old. I’m not sure what you were doing at that age, but I was playing with Barbies and Cabbage Patch dolls. Purchasing livestock wasn’t on my radar. It’s key to note that no one pooh-poohed Kendi’s idea simply
March 25, 2019
Taking a Break: Reevaluating the Post-High School Path
By Emily Drayne Education is crucial for success in life, but many students just graduating high school, and any number of students already studying at college, have no clear goal or plan for the next 30 to 40 years . . . or even the next 5. Are there other paths available besides a four-year college program? If you know someone who is about to graduate high school or who is struggling for direction in college, a new program starting up later this year might prove a good alternative. I am a millennial (born between 1981 and 1996), and it
