OCC Observes 10-Year Anniversary of Joplin Tornado (Plus News Briefs)
Briefs about the 10-year anniversary of the deadly Joplin tornado, Passion for Planting, Mid-Atlantic Christian University, Holley Christian Church's 150th anniversary, and more.
Articles for tag: Ozark Christian College
New Book for Wives of Elders (Plus News Briefs)
Briefs from e2:effective elders, churches in Ohio and North Carolina, Ozark Christian College, Kentucky Christian University, and Milligan University. Also, a new student edition of the Core 52 book.
May 12, 2021
News Briefs for May 12
Briefs from Hickory Valley Christian Church in Chattanooga, Ozark Christian College, Visioneering Studios, Milligan University, and more.
Mabee Grant for Ozark Dorm Renovation Exceeds Request
Ozark Christian College asked the Mabee Foundation for $760,000 in grant funds to help renovate its Dennis Hall dormitory. The organization countered by offering $1.3 million. There was one catch . . .
Johnson U. Royals Win Men’s Basketball National Title
The Johnson University Royals claimed the Knoxville, Tenn., school’s first-ever national championship Saturday when the men’s basketball team defeated Arlington (Texas) Baptist University 95-74. The 2021 NCCAA DII National Championship game was played in Joplin, Mo.
Milligan Names Incoming Athletic Director (Plus News Briefs)
Christian Pope will take over as athletic director of Milligan University following the upcoming Aug. 1 retirement of longtime administrator Mark Fox. (Plus briefs from churches in Georgia, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas . . . and more.)
Ozark Adds 10 More Free Bible ‘Classes’ to NextLevel Online
Ozark Christian College's NextLevel Online Bible and Ministry series now features 34 topics. The 290 individual videos —all of them free—have been viewed more than 300,000 times.
February 22, 2021
Feb 28 | Friendship with God
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin. This lesson treatment is published in the February 2021 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. ________ Lesson Aim: Be single-minded in your devotion to the Lord. ________ By Mark Scott Certain words are warm. Words like infant, soft, secure, and love. Another such word is friend. While it sometimes is used in a “distant” and unflattering sense (Matthew 20:13; 26:50), most of the
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Blessings and Curses
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin. This lesson treatment is published in the February 2021 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. ________ Lesson Aim: Be on guard against the damage an untamed tongue can do. ________ By Mark Scott Jesus takes what we say very seriously. He taught that what we say comes from our hearts, that we will give an account for every careless word we say, and
February 8, 2021
Haitian Christian Mission Co-founder Etienne Prophete Dies
Etienne Prophete, 81, who co-founded Haitian Christian Mission in 1974 with his wife, Betty, died Friday, Feb. 5. Over the years, the mission has started nearly 60 churches totaling more than 10,000 members. Many of the churches also have schools that serve a total of more than 13,000 children daily. Prophete was a 1974 graduate of Ozark Christian College, which awarded him with the Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2006. “Since he came to Ozark and returned to his native land, no missionary leader has cast a longer shadow of Christ-honoring influence in Haiti,” said former OCC president Ken
February 1, 2021
Marching Forward
with a Dream of Destiny
How One Ministry Seeks to Lead the Way in Diversity and Racial Reconciliation in the Church When Dream of Destiny was founded in the summer of 2007, I never could have imagined where we’d be as a country some 13 years later. From the coronavirus pandemic and massive unemployment, to the political divide and racial tensions, 2020 was a year like no other. Without a doubt, these will continue to be critical factors that will significantly shape our nation’s future for many generations to come. The tragic death of George Floyd shocked the entire world and became a turning point
January 17, 2021
Jan 24 | Singular Servants
In this latter half of Matthew 6, Jesus employed at least 18 different metaphors or images to drive home his point. He spoke of treasures, moths, vermin, and thieves. He spoke of eyes, light, darkness, masters, money . . .
January 13, 2021
Stine Succeeds Jett as Executive Director of IDES
By Jim Nieman After 16 years on the board of IDES followed by 19 years as the organization’s executive director, Rick Jett has transitioned out of the latter role and David Stine has been named to succeed him. Since 2016, Stine has served as director of operations with IDES—International Disaster Emergency Service—a Christian church/church of Christ organization incorporated in 1973 to provide emergency assistance via missionaries who were in or near disaster situations around the world. “I am honored to continue the legacy of meeting the physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the world in the name of
January 13, 2021
Walls’ Lifelong Service Honored (Plus News Briefs)
A December blog post by CMF International spotlighted Will and Ruth Walls for their years of service with the global mission organization. Will served as a campus minister at Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., from 1972 to 1995, then he and Ruth served as CMF missionaries in England (pastoral care, team training, and development with the church-planting team). Upon returning to the States in 2005, Will served in CMF’s office in Indianapolis. The couple officially retired in October. “The Walls are examples of lifelong service to the kingdom for all of us,” said CMF executive director Kip Lines. “It is
January 12, 2021
RHM Residency Program a ‘Leadership Pipeline’ for Ministry in Northeast
By Chris Moon The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t dampened Restoration House Ministries’ efforts to bring young church leaders to New England. The church-planting organization in Manchester, N.H., is in the third year of its residency program which recruits young people from across the country to gain ministry experience in the Northeast. Five residents are nearing the end of their 11-month training cycle. “It’s a work in progress,” said Aaron Rathbone, residency program director for RHM. This year’s residency program came with its own challenges, he said. The current cohort started work remotely in April 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was
January 5, 2021
Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact
Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.
November 25, 2020
Every Church Is Now a Church Plant
Three Significant Considerations for Every Church in the Midst of and Post-COVID-19 By Trevor DeVage As every aspect of our daily lives is being reconsidered and refashioned by the pandemic, churches are rethinking their futures, too. Or at least they should be. But I’m afraid some are anticipating the days ahead only with a vision of the years behind. And I’m convinced this just won’t work. My thinking on this was influenced by the recent mentoring retreat I attended with Cal Jernigan, lead pastor with Central Christian Church in Arizona. I get together several times a year with Cal and
November 23, 2020
Lesson for Nov. 29, 2020: Seek Reconciliation (Philemon 8-21)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “I Missed You” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 29, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Allow the gospel of Jesus Christ to break down the barriers that divide believers of different social statuses. ________ By Mark Scott The year 2020 will be remembered for virus and volatility. The virus created
November 16, 2020
Three Colleges Adjust Schedules Due to COVID-19
At least three Christian colleges announced changes to their fall semester plans in recent days due to the coronavirus pandemic. The most significant change occurred at Lincoln (Ill.) Christian University, where students were sent home about 10 days early, a main reason being the dwindling number of students receiving in-person instruction. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for our faculty to manage courses that have numerous students in quarantine,” LCU president Silas McCormick wrote on Nov. 9. “While we would all prefer to continue holding these classes in-person, the reality is that over the next week-and-a-half, a number of classes would
November 9, 2020
Lesson for Nov. 15, 2020: Teach What Is Appropriate (Titus 2:1-15)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “How Do We Treat Those Student Drivers?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 15, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Commit to proper application of biblical teaching to every demographic in the church. ________ By Mark Scott Seth Wilson said, “All of our efforts to control people show our failure to
