July 24, 2023
Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled this messianic prophecy about “a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely” (Jeremiah 23:5). Isn’t it interesting that Jesus, the Righteous Branch, called his disciples branches, too? . . .
October 31, 2022
The pursuit of happiness moves us to seek comfort and convenience, treasure and pleasure, recognition and admiration. But how intense is our desire to know God?
As Katie Hughes made her way to her car at the end of another long school day, she reflected on her day in the classroom. After years of studying to become a teacher like her mom and other family members, she felt disappointed and exhausted in her student-teaching experience. The more time she spent in the classroom, the more she questioned her decision to become an educator. Was this really what God had planned for her? A New Plan Katie talked with her parents and began to take an inventory of the gifts and interests God had given her. She
November 10, 2020
By Jim Nieman In this time of COVID-19, Vail Christian Church in Tucson, Ariz., figured out a way to bring people together, improve physical and spiritual health, and raise money for a Christian mission. As a bonus, participants in the church’s inaugural Masquerade 5K—the culmination of VCC’s 12-week Run for God class—were encouraged to dress up in costumes, since the big event took place on Halloween. “Due to the closures of all [running] races around Tucson, we wanted to provide a race that our Run for God class participants could end their 12-week walk/run training program with,” said Mat Miller,
October 22, 2019
By Beau Bruton Jesus told us, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else” (Luke 12:31, New Living Translation). It’s something all Christians should do. But life gets in the way; things happen—work, family issues, health problems, you name it. The world tries to pull us away from God’s kingdom, but Jesus draws us closer to it. The world hands us problems, trials, lies, and deception. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; [but Jesus said,] I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). So, what should we do
January 5, 2015
By Jennifer Johnson In 2009, Gayla Congdon attended a planning meeting for the International Conference on Missions and realized she was one of only three women in the group of more than 60 people. “Our guest speaker, a man from Wycliffe Bible Translators, pointed out the discrepancy,” she says. “Then he said one of the biggest demographic groups in developed countries, and especially in the United States, is educated women age 55 and older who have discretionary income and are looking for meaningful experiences. I was reminded of the Barna study reporting that, for the first time in U.S. history,
January 9, 2014
By Rick Chromey Like most Americans, I love to spend, consume, and accumulate. But my whole outlook on capitalism and cash was turned upside down by just three weeks in Africa. Americans are addicted to affluence. We love our money. We hoard cash in retirement plans, savings accounts, and safe boxes. We love to spend and accumulate. We buy boats, Buicks, bikes, televisions, toasters, sofas, and super-sized stuff like it”s everybody”s business. We take grand vacations to exotic locales and pamper ourselves with spa treatments. Our garages are so full our driveways display a lineup that looks like a used
November 22, 2013
TRUE STORIES OF WORLD CHANGERS WHO STARTED ALONE:Â This month we share stories of individual Christians who couldn”t wait for others to tell them when to help the hurting and share the gospel. Their clear vision of a pressing need pushed them to do what they could as soon as they could. SOLE TO SOUL / www.facebook.com/ShoesForKenyaKids By Janet Smith As Andrew and Rachel Scott and their four children, members of Crossway Christian Church in Nashua, New Hampshire, prepared for a mission trip to lead a VBS program at Missions of Hope International in Nairobi, Kenya, an event occurred that sharpened
July 6, 2013
JUSTINE HAYES Missionary serving with CMF International My first dealings with Justine were through e-mail. Justine works with Missions of Hope in Kenya. Our church was planning a mission trip to the slums outside Nairobi, and Justine was our contact person. I assumed she was a retired woman who had moved to Kenya to help the mission there. A few months later I was in Kenya to attend a Christian Missionary Fellowship board meeting. Imagine my surprise when someone knocked on our cabin door as my roommate and I were settling in for the night. The visitor was to be
August 23, 2010
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 29) is written by Jonathan Feathers who serves as senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. Upheld by God (Acts 28:16-25, 28-31) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) Several years ago, I traveled to Mexico on a short-term mission trip. I had no idea what to expect when I got there. I found myself living in a foreign country where I was unable to read or speak the language, or understand the culture, but I knew I would be there for about
May 23, 2010
By Tracie Stanley On January 7, I traveled to Grand Goâve, Haiti, for a 10-day mission trip with Lifeline Christian Mission. The trip”s objective was to serve through hosting a day for the ladies from Lifeline”s churches, distributing Christmas gifts to children sponsored by the ministry, working in the infant nutrition program, and distributing shoes to Haitian children. By midweek we learned the Lord had a different objective in mind for this trip. My first glimpses of Haitian life were as we flew into Port-au-Prince””houses made of cement block and scraps of metal were stacked on each other and against
January 31, 2010
By Tom Ellsworth  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).   Six days out of seven they hurried off to work. Toting their specialized tools and equipment, the men were visibly energized by their careers. They always left before dawn and never returned until the last rays of the sun had sleepily disappeared behind the surrounding hills. There were seven in all””men who were totally preoccupied with their jobs. Rumor has it they even whistled while they worked! Then tragedy struck. Late one afternoon when the men
By Vince Antonucci “Hi, I heard your radio ad and I was wondering if I can come to your church? You see, I”m gay, but you seem like a church that might welcome everyone. Thanks, Annette.” We promoted our church”s opening day with radio ads on secular rock stations. I received that question from Annette, and my in-box quickly filled with e-mails asking the same question. I am perplexed. I want to e-mail my own question to churches: Why do gay people need to ask this question? God Incarnate Recently, I received another e-mail. It was from the CHRISTIAN STANDARD:
January 29, 2006
By Mike Schrage The highlight of my mission trip to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, was watching in amazement the joyful giving by Christians on that crisp and clear Sunday morning of July 31, 2005, at the Makokoba Church of Christ building. But before I go on, let me give some context to the event. Zimbabwe has been struggling under poor governance for two decades. Queues for staples like salt, sugar, cooking oil, flour, gasoline, and diesel are commonplace. The economic inflation rate is more than 700 percent. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is ravaging the nation, robbing her of her best and most precious
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John B. Penrose Jr
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David Faust
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