December 30, 2025
What’s Next?
For the Christian, a new year means another growth step to take, another goal to set, and more fruit to bear in God’s kingdom.
Articles for tag: Johnson Bible College
Johnson University to Expand Science Program with New Building
Johnson University broke ground of a new science building as part of an effort to bolster the institution's science programs.
February 15, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Future of Johnson Bible College—Will It Survive Its Founders?’ (1924)
In 1924, Ashley Johnson, the founder of what is now Johnson University, wrote: "Nine years ago I broke down completely and was under the care of a physician. While I waited in bed for two months, Mrs. Johnson kept the work going and came nearer freeing it from debt than ever before. During these nine years I have fought for my life and the work which God gave me to do with all my heart." . . .
November 16, 2022
Beloved Christian Minister Ben Merold Dies
Ben Merold, 96, a beloved minister in Christian churches and churches of Christ for almost three-quarters of a century, died Wednesday morning. Merold was known as a church builder and a friend of the small church.
May 17, 2020
The Boy with the Odd-Shaped Head
By C. Robert Wetzel Crew cuts were popular among boys in the late 1940s. What distinguished them from today’s short haircuts was that the closely cropped hair of the crew cut had to stand straight up. This necessitated at least two occasions of special care. It took a bit of thick hair gel to achieve vertical status, and a weekly trip to the barber to ensure the perfect shape. Hence all through high school, I made my Saturday visit to Charlie’s Barber Shop in Hugoton, Kansas, to nurture this dubious bit of fashion. I think I must have been about
February 12, 2020
Longtime Kentucky Pastor Makes Leap to Greater NYC Church
By Chris Moon From Keavy, Ky., to Long Island, N.Y. The change in environment and culture—at least within the United States—probably doesn’t get more drastic than that. And that’s exactly the jump that Tommy Lanham made. The longtime Kentucky pastor is now in his fifth month as co-pastor of Glen Cove (N.Y.) Christian Church, a small congregation on Long Island, about 15 miles northeast of Queens. Lanham says the culture shock wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. “We always had heard that New Yorkers are rude,” he told Christian Standard. “That has not been our experience at
February 20, 2019
Wrestling Champ Gives Shout-out to His Church (Plus News Briefs)
Norfolk (Neb.) High School wrestler Conner Cowling capped a dominant season with a state championship over the weekend, and he credited his church with encouraging him along the way. The senior lost his mother and two grandparents during the last few years. Cowling told the Norfolk Daily News that at one point in high school he started to get into trouble and feel depressed. “But my friend . . . introduced me to Fuel—a youth program at my church, First Christian Church [in Norfolk], and I discovered God and Christianity, which really helped me,” Cowling said. Cowling hasn’t missed a youth
October 25, 2018
Reporting on Johnson University’s Origins
Johnson University is hosting its 125th Anniversary Celebration today through Saturday at its Knoxville, Tenn., campus. We congratulate and extend best wishes to Johnson University, and pray for their continued success. In that spirit, we thought it would be fun to look back on the first few mentions of the school in the pages of Christian Standard . . . from way back in the 1890s. But before we do that, we should provide a few historical facts not contained in our reporting. Johnson University was founded as the School of the Evangelists on May 12, 1893, by Ashley and
February 9, 2018
Ben & Pat Merold: Still Having Fun After 68 Years
By Kelly Carr Ben and Pat Merold—most folks seldom say one of their names without the other, and that’s just fine with them. When they talk, you hear their love for one another, the joy they feel together, and the immense pride they have about the other’s ministry. One could easily declare that Ben and Pat Merold are who we all hope to be when we grow up! Ben and Pat share their story of a lifelong love for serving the Lord and for each other. Jumping into Ministry The year was 1948. Pat, a freshman at Johnson
May 14, 2012
Obituaries from 2011
ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF OBITUARIES Connie Lynn Bolinger, 58, of Nashville, TN, died May 22, 2011, after an extended illness. She was born Feb. 12, 1953, in Gary, IN, the daughter of Elwood and Bonnie (Starks) Bolinger. She grew up in the First Christian Church of Hessville, Hammond, IN. A graduate of Morton High School in Hammond, she attended Indiana University and Saint Brieuc in Brittany, France. After moving to Nashville, TN, in 1990 she became staff assistant at First Christian Church, later Aspen Grove Christian Church, of Franklin, TN, a position she held for 21 years. She was a gifted
Eubanks Institute Hosts “˜Forwarding Agents” Event
The Eubanks Institute for Missions at Johnson Bible College hosted a two-day gathering on the role of forwarding agents in mission work, with sessions on finances, education, publishing, and more.
Alexander Christian Foundation
Tom Scott explains how Alexander Christian Foundation scholarships help Indiana churches invest in students preparing for ministry, reducing financial burdens while strengthening future ministry leadership.
Reading the Book Rarely Opened
Diane Stortz reflects on learning to read the whole Bible not merely for lessons or answers, but to know God more deeply and hear his Word.
Johnson Bible College Changing Name to Johnson University
Johnson Bible College announced it will become Johnson University, a name change intended to support Great Commission work, alumni access, student recruitment, and international recognition.
March 9, 2011
Christian Colleges, 2010-11 (chart)
Christian Standard’s 2010-11 college chart provides attendance, faculty, financial, and contact information for 29 colleges affiliated with Christian church and church of Christ.
The Influence of Just One
Mike Kilgallin and Clay Perkins share how one faithful encourager can help raise up generations of kingdom workers, preachers, and ministry leaders.
July 11, 2010
The Boy with the Odd-Shaped Head
C. Robert Wetzel reflects on baptism, Scripture, and grace through a childhood barber shop debate and a lifetime of ministry shaped by Restoration Movement convictions.
December 31, 2009
Obituaries from 2009
A memorial listing honoring ministers, missionaries, educators, church leaders, and ministry partners whose lives and service shaped congregations, schools, missions, and Christian communities.
March 15, 2009
Spiritual Formation as Leadership Development
Bill Weber urges Bible colleges and seminaries to make spiritual formation intentional, developing Christian character through curriculum, faculty mentoring, spiritual disciplines, and a campus culture centered on discipleship.
January 25, 2009
The Testimony of a Chaplain: Ruined
After a 15-month deployment, Chaplain Craig Honbarger reflects on how war reshaped his priorities, deepened Communion, and changed the way he sees home, worship, and Christ’s coming kingdom.
