April 14, 2024
Four people have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of two missing Kansas women—including a Christian church pastor’s wife. All four of those arrested have been booked into an Oklahoma jail on two counts each of first-degree murder and kidnapping, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said. . . .
April 5, 2024
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is not certain two missing Kansas women—including a Christian church pastor’s wife—are still alive. The women—Jilian Kelley, 39, and Veronica Butler, 27—have been missing since March 30. Kelley is the wife of Heath Kelley, pastor of Hugoton First Christian Church. . . .
Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Leonard Phillips has been appointed chief diversity officer at Point University, West Point, Ga. In this newly created position, Phillips will report to university president Dean C. Collins and lead all of Point’s diversity initiatives. He will also work to facilitate racial unity through the church in the various communities Point serves. Phillips has served the past two years as vice president of church and business partnerships with Point. “Leonard’s extensive background in the Atlanta business community and as a lay pastor in various churches makes him immensely qualified for this important role,”
August 22, 2019
By Barney Wells “In this part of the country, there’s a Christian church every five miles, and three in between,” quipped the minister, who had served small-town congregations in the Midwest for decades. Though an overstatement, it does point to a challenge for the rural church. Many rural churches were planted in the days before automobiles and good roads, when the population density of the rural countryside was much greater and you could travel only a few miles in 30 minutes. Back then, more schools, stores, and churches were needed. Over the years, schools have consolidated and stores have closed,
March 27, 2019
A recent article in Forbes features Karis Hortin, a student-athlete at Lincoln (Ill.) Christian University, who started a business as part of an entrepreneur program during her senior year in high school. Hortin says God’s been answering prayers throughout the process of starting and operating Jars of Hope, a pre-mixed meal company. The Forbes article states: “Hortin [says] it was her mother’s suggestion to donate part of Jars of Hope’s proceeds to charity. After praying on the topic, however, she decided to do more, donating all her profits to the orphanage where she lived until age 9. After fundraising to cover travel expenses, Hortin visited the orphanage in
September 27, 2015
By Michael C. Mack Studies show more than a quarter of American adults are divorced or raising children alone. Yet surveys indicate only 5 percent of single parents attend church regularly. What can the church do to reach single moms? One congregation has thrown baby showers for single moms-to-be. The goal is to show love to someone struggling and unsure of God”s love in a difficult time. Women from the church cook, plan games, and act as hosts at the event. The Single Moms Ministry at McCook (Nebraska) Christian Church started a new Bible study group and handed out fliers
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
April 7, 2026
David Faust
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok