October 6, 2025
Ozark Christian College Receives $1 Million Lilly Grant
Ozark Christian College has been awarded a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund Lincoln Seminary's Lifelong Leaders Initiative.
Articles for tag: Matt Proctor
December 31, 2024
Training Programs Continue to Take a Non-Traditional Approach to Preparing Ministry Leaders for the Local Church
In addition to traditional four-year colleges and universities, online and non-degree options are helping to fill the ministry pipeline in local churches.
September 1, 2024
The Passing of the Baton
At the end of the race, it won’t be the name Ozark or the name Lincoln that matters—only the name of Jesus. Our prayer is that God will use a little Missouri Bible college and seminary to make his name known among the nations.
August 26, 2024
SEPTEMBER 1 STUDY | HEAR HIM
The book of Revelation is not as much about charts, predictions, and world events as it is about Jesus. The revelation that John received from God was about Jesus.
June 13, 2024
Reuniting Our Movement
Despite our history of division, the question remains: “Is it still possible to honor our Lord’s prayer for unity and thus carry out his Great Commission?” I would answer, yes, because “with God, all things are possible.”
Concluding a Work, Leaving a Legacy
Silas McCormick, president of Lincoln Christian University, shares about the many considerations that went into the decision to close LCU at the end of this academic year. “Everyone loves a ‘turnaround’ story,” McCormick writes. “Very few go looking for a ‘finishing well’ story.” . . .
The Passing of the Baton
Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College, shares his thoughts on Lincoln Christian University’s closing in a few weeks, and LCU’s decision to gift their seminary and endowment to Ozark. . . .
May 1, 2024
Reuniting Our Movement
Is it still possible to honor our Lord’s prayer for unity and thus carry out his Great Commission? . . .
April 1, 2024
Preacher’s Wife, Another Woman Missing Since Saturday
A preacher’s wife and her acquaintance who left Hugoton, Kan., together on Saturday morning to pick up the second woman’s children haven’t been seen since. Missing are Jilian Kelley, 39, and Veronica Butler, 27. Jilian’s husband, Heath, has been serving with Hugoton First Christian Church, but recently was called to minister with Willow Christian Church in Indianola, Neb. . . .
March 27, 2024
The Best Sermon I Never Heard
"Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?" Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. "If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . ."
March 5, 2024
Bill Hauser Overflowed with Joy, Energy, and Love
Ozark Christian College President Matt Proctor shares a remembrance of Bill Hauser, who preached at New Testament Christian Church during Matt’s growing-up years in Keokuk, Iowa. "When you say the word 'preacher,' the first picture that pops into my mind is always his," Proctor wrote. "He preached loud, and sweat poured off him" . . . Hauser died Feb. 21. . . .
January 31, 2024
News Briefs for Jan. 31
Several conferences and gatherings are planned over the next few months, including the Pressing On Conference (April 9-11), e2: effective elders' LeadWell conference (March 15-16), the Fred B. Craddock Lectures on Preaching (March 27), FAME's Night of Hope Banquet (April 27), and the Spiritual Formation Leadership Summit (in April and May). . . .
November 21, 2023
Big Turnout Among Students for ‘Solid’ ICOM Gathering in OKC
While traveling home from the 2023 International Conference on Missions—which finished up Saturday in Oklahoma City—ICOM Executive Director David Empson said he kept track of his messages. He said he was pleased with what he was hearing. . . .
November 14, 2023
‘Hope’ Is High as ICOM Returns to Oklahoma City This Week
When the 2023 International Conference on Missions opens this week in Oklahoma City, it will do so with high hopes—and in a place ICOM hasn’t been in 50 years. The theme this year is “Hope for the Nations.” Stephanie Freed of Rapha International is serving as president . . .
November 1, 2023
Staying True? (A Christian Standard Report on Our Colleges)
College Presidents Answer Key Questions on Scripture, Sexuality, and Women in Ministry
October 11, 2023
Lincoln Christian University to Close; Ozark to Acquire Lincoln’s Seminary
Lincoln Christian University will close at the end of this school year. However, Lincoln Christian Seminary will be acquired by Ozark Christian College and moved to OCC’s campus in Joplin, Mo., presidents of the institutions announced on Wednesday. . . .
April 5, 2023
News Briefs for April 5
Mulberry International is planning an “American-style” summer camp experience for 29 children who were evacuated from Mariupol, Ukraine, about a year ago and resettled in a German village. Also, briefs from e2:effective elders, Waypoint Christian Church (Lancaster, Ohio), the Northwest Christian Convention, and more . . .
March 21, 2023
I Still Go to the North American Christian Conventions (and You Should Too)
"It’s been five years since the final NACC, [but] I still go to the North American Christian conventions. And I think you should too," writes Matt Proctor. "By 'conventions,' I mean our three biggest national gatherings that are still largely Independent Christian Church folks . . ."
March 8, 2023
SCJ Conference Set for April 14-15 (Plus News Briefs)
This year's Stone-Campbell Journal Conference is set for April 14-15 at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn. (Register in the next week for the lowest rates.) Also briefs from Team Expansion, Ozark Christian College, Central Christian College of the Bible, First Christian Church (Columbus, Ind.) and more.
December 21, 2022
Harvey Bacus, Who Led OCC’s Missions Department for 33 Years, Dies (Plus News Briefs)
Harvey Bacus, who led Ozark Christian College's Missions Department for 33 years, died on Friday. Also, Jack Cottrell's library collection is headed to Mid-Atlantic Christian University. And more . . .
