January 10, 2024
News Briefs for January 10
MACU Rwanda has graduated its first two students. Also briefs about Johnson University Florida, ICOM, a Woman's World Conference at Manhattan Christian College, and more. . . .
Articles for tag: Johnson University Florida
Smith Appreciative of Johnson U’s Efforts to Save Florida Christian College
Brian D. Smith is grieving the announcement that Johnson University Florida will close next summer, but he appreciates that Johnson University answered the call from Florida Christian College in that school's desperate hour of need in December 2012. (Smith, a former administrator with FCC, now serves as president of Dallas Christian College.)
Johnson University Florida to Close after Next School Year
Johnson University announced its Florida Campus in Kissimmee will be closing on June 30, 2024, after the upcoming 2023-24 academic year. The school in Florida was originally known as Florida Christian College; JU acquired it in 2013. . . .
April 26, 2023
News Briefs for April 26
On May 1, ICOM is launching a "Pray for the Nations" initiative that will lead up to the annual gathering in November. Also briefs about the New Creation singing group at Johnson University Florida, TCM's Every Nation Summit, and more.
November 21, 2022
Strong Showings in Finals as Cross Country, Soccer, and Volleyball Teams Close Out Seasons
Milligan University, William Jessup University, Great Lakes Christian College, Manhattan Christian College, and Johnson University Florida had strong showings but didn’t win any championships last week in the national finals of several sports.
October 3, 2022
Florida Churches Recovering from Hurricane Ian
Much of Florida is recovering from a direct hit by Hurricane Ian last week. Here’s a sampling of what some Christian churches and agencies in Florida have posted on their websites and via Facebook in the past few days. (We are continuing to update this article.)
Boise, Johnson Striving to Keep College Affordable (Plus News Briefs)
Boise (Idaho) Bible College and Johnson University are taking steps to keep a Christian college education as affordable as possible. Plus briefs from Unionville (Va.) Christian Church, Journey Christian Church (Elizabeth City, N.C.), KCU, HIU, and more.
Wheeler’s Retirement Plans from JU Include Grandchildren, ‘Dorkman’
David Wheeler, 69, is retiring this summer after 24 years as a professor at Johnson University—and 48 years of ministry overall—but he plans to continue his comedy portrayal of “Johnson historian Clyde Dorkman” for the school’s Senior Saints in the Smokies yearly gatherings.
April 21, 2021
‘Apologetics Boot Camp’ Offered Free to Teachers (Plus News Briefs)
Room For Doubt is offering a free “Apologetics Boot Camp” in June and July to teachers in Christian high schools, homeschools, public schools, churches, and camps. . . . Plus news briefs from Florida, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, and more.
December 9, 2020
Students Recognized for Scholarly Papers at SCJ Conference
Several students were recognized for their scholarship at the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference in September. For the second consecutive year, Joel Childers, a graduate student at Abilene (Texas) Christian University, received the Isaac Errett Award. His winning paper this year was titled, “Responses to the Attack on Pearl Harbor in Journals from the Methodist Church and Churches of Christ.” Childers received a $250 prize provided by the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. Students from Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan (in Tennessee) and Johnson University Florida were winners of the 2020 Student Paper Competitions. Samuel Guy of ECS won the graduate division
Lipscomb Launches Lanier Center for Archaeology (Plus News Briefs)
Two renowned archaeology scholars—Dr. Steven Ortiz and Dr. Tom Davis—have founded the Lanier Center for Archaeology at Lipscomb University in Nashville. In conjunction with this, Lipscomb will be adding its first PhD program. “The Lanier Center for Archaeology plans to offer a Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology of the Ancient Near East and a Master of Arts in Archaeology and Biblical Studies beginning in January 2021,” Lipscomb announced via a release. “In addition, the center will feature archaeological research libraries, an extensive artifact study collection and a ceramic restoration lab. It will also engage in field research projects.” Ortiz and Davis
July 22, 2020
News Briefs for July 22
Compiled by Jim Nieman Kentucky Christian University president Terry Allcorn hosts A Restoration Podcast weekly to learn from Christian leaders who are moving the Restoration Movement forward. Among those he has interviewed recently: Matt Wilson of Ekklesia Christian Church in Conway, S.C. (the fastest-growing large church in our most recent survey); Doug Crozier, CEO of The Solomon Foundation; and Douglas Foster, a leading Restoration Movement scholar. _ _ _ Restoration House Ministries’ next church plant—scheduled for 2021—will be Beacon Church in southern New Hampshire. Calvin and Tara Daly are serving as planters. A video about the plant is available at
My Story . . . from Denomination to Renewed Vision
By Gonzalo Venegas The Restoration Movement is an inviting movement—that’s something I’ve learned firsthand. You see, I didn’t start out in the Restoration Movement. For a long time, my faith experience was limited to having served as an altar boy in the Catholic church. Then I spent time in gangs. (See “My Life Story . . . from Gang Member to Church Planter” from March 2019.) After coming to faith in Michigan, I was discipled, educated, and ordained by the Reformed Church in America. I developed a seemingly unquenchable desire to study God’s Word. I preached many sermons and did
February 26, 2020
The Power Room
By Brian Cook Three people gather quietly around a small table. Their bodies hunch forward as their lips move silently. The drone of electrical machinery whirs around them, punctuated only by the soft rustling of Bible pages and the gentle creaking of chairs. The sign on the door says Power Room. It is a cramped electrical closet situated on the far side of the stage in our worship center. Our churchs facilities have been updated significantly over the years, but its sturdy mid-century bones can still be seen amid the bulky circuit breakers and snaking wires that inhabit this secluded
February 22, 2020
The Power Room
By Brian Cook Three people gather quietly around a small table. Their bodies hunch forward as their lips move silently. The drone of electrical machinery whirs around them, punctuated only by the soft rustling of Bible pages and the gentle creaking of chairs. The sign on the door says “Power Room.” It is a cramped electrical closet situated on the far side of the stage in our worship center. Our church’s facilities have been updated significantly over the years, but its sturdy mid-century bones can still be seen amid the bulky circuit breakers and snaking wires that inhabit this secluded
January 8, 2020
'Virtual Prayer Vigil' Saturday for Cincinnati Ministry Education (Plus News Briefs)
The president and trustees of the newly formed Christian Church Leadership Foundation are seeking prayer support this Saturday from those who desire the continuation of Cincinnati ministry education in the wake of the closing of Cincinnati Christian University. The CCLF was created largely through the efforts of Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Mo., and contains the work of what were CCU’s Russell School of Ministry, the Center for Church Leadership, and the George Mark Elliott Library. The 24-hour “virtual prayer vigil” will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. During that day, each member of CCLF’s leadership will pray for
December 26, 2019
Kenneth T. Norris Played Pivotal Role in Maritime Christian College’s Early Years
Every year, Maritime Christian College in Charlottetown, P. E. I., Canada, hosts a series of lectures. It’s a tradition that started in 1960, the year the college was established. In the early 1980s, the annual event became known as the K. T. Norris Lectureship, honoring a man who helped found the college and became president shortly thereafter. Kenneth T. Norris was born in 1915 in Toronto, Canada. He was baptized at Toronto’s Keele Street Church of Christ in 1932 after spending much of his boyhood in Trenton, Ontario. Starting in 1936, he spent more than a decade attending college and
November 6, 2019
Multiethnic Church Planned for Johnson University Florida Campus
By Chris Moon A church plant is in the works at Johnson University Florida. Encounter Church is expected to launch at the Kissimmee campus in September 2020. It will be led by pastor Gonzalo Venegas and is backed by Florida Church Partners and Nexus Church Planting. “Things have gone pretty fast,” Venegas said. The church already has 53 committed adults involved in its prelaunch phase. Venegas was featured in March 2019 article in Christian Standard as he embarked on planting a church in Florida after leaving his former home in Michigan. Part of Venegas’s story is his history as a
Madeline Hansen, Bear Creek Team Win at Bible Bowl (Plus News Briefs)
By Jim Nieman There were at least two “firsts” at this year’s Bible Bowl National Tournament: It was the first time the national event was hosted by a college—in this case, Johnson University Tennessee in Knoxville—and the Individual Written Test saw its first three-time winner: Madeline Hansen of Bear Creek Christian Church, Rochester, Minnesota. And the bad news for the other test takers? Madeline has three more years of eligibility. “What she has done is incredible,” said Josiah Gorman, executive director of Bible Bowl. “She is a very knowledgeable young lady.” Madeline has competed on the Individual Written Test for
April 19, 2018
HEADLINES: May 2018
By Chris Moon KCU Grad Uses Art for the Kingdom A Kentucky Christian University graduate is putting his art to work for Jesus. Cody Sabol always loved to paint. After his freshman year in college, he asked God how he could use his art for the kingdom. God began to answer that prayer when one of Sabol’s friends asked him to paint during an event where the friend was performing. Sabol initially resisted, but then relented after being offered two Taco Bell tacos. (College students can be bribed.) “The paintings turned out awful. A-W-F-U-L,” Sabol wrote on his website,
