March 1, 2024
The Solomon Foundation’s Impact
A bottom line measured in outreach, church attendance, and baptisms . . .
Articles for tag: Provision Ministry Group
August 29, 2022
KBF & ICOM: Two Are Better than One
Kairos Benevolence Fund and the International Conference on Missions are partnering to provide encouragement and support to those who have given their lives in service to Christ.
August 19, 2016
Church Development Fund Announces Name Change to CDF Capital
IRVINE, CA””Church Development Fund, a ministry of Provision Ministry Group, announced this July a new name and logo. Debuting at the North American Christian Convention, in Anaheim, the new name, CDF Capital, was met with great enthusiasm. This change was made to better reflect the ministry and its long time mission: “Helping Churches Grow.” CDF Capital, originally established in 1953 as the Churches of Christ Building and Loan Fund, was founded with the express purpose of removing obstacles that hindered church growth. In 1953, the most significant obstacle was access to financial capital to purchase land and build new churches. In 1972, the
November 1, 2014
3 Funds Committed to Growth
By Darrel Rowland We like to tell people that our brotherhood is among the fastest growing in America and contains far more than its share of megachurches. But there”s a unique factor in how God has blessed the Christian churches/churches of Christ that often gets overlooked: a trio of loan funds that now have a combined $1 billion-plus in assets. “I think it”s just a testament to our movement that it has three strong, vibrant funds,” said Doug Crozier, CEO of the Solomon Foundation and former head of the Church Development Fund (CDF). “As far as I know, there”s not
December 12, 2013
Church Development Fund Announces Presidential Transition
IRVINE, California ““ Provision Ministry Group CEO Larry Winger, along with the PMG and Church Development Fund boards, announced today a transition in the presidency of CDF from Brad Dupray to Dusty Rubeck. The news follows several months of reassessment related to the ministry”s current status and needs, which resulted in the identification of a directional shift in the essential leadership qualities needed for future growth. “Brad Dupray stepped in at a critical moment in the history of CDF to assume the role of president and provide much-needed stability during the worst economic recession we have experienced in years,” said
August 31, 2011
Nettle Selected President of Stadia
On Aug. 29, Provision Ministry Group announced the selection of Greg Nettle as the new president of Stadia, Provision”s church planting organization. “Greg is an international church planter as well as the vision caster and senior pastor of a church planting megachurch in northern Ohio,” wrote Provision CEO Larry Winger. “Instead of plucking Greg out of that context to lead Stadia, we are leaving him right where he is to keep on practicing and perfecting.” Nettle is senior pastor with RiverTree Christian Church (Massillon, OH) and also one of the creators of Kingdom Synergy Partners, a church planting group formed
November 6, 2010
Interview with Mel McGowan
By Brad Dupray Mel McGowan grew up with a passion for great storytelling. Whether at a Disney-inspired theme park or in the art of film, he saw the life-changing value a story could bring. Mel has converted that passion into what has been called “architectural evangelism,” using the design of church meeting spaces to preach the gospel to people in ways that meet the eye. As president of Visioneering Studios, which he founded in 2002, Mel has provided architectural insight to ministries across the United States and around the world, including Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, Kentucky), Christ”s Church of the
August 30, 2006
Interview with Jim Stanley
By Brad Dupray As executive minister with Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, Jim Stanley is serving on a leadership team working on a $20 million relocation project. But that pales in comparison to the challenge he and wife Jennifer have in raising 7 year old triplets! Along with Jack, Erin, and Trey, the Stanleys also have a son, Clark, 12. Jim holds a degree in economics and political science from Ball State University and has completed course work toward a Masters of Ministry Degree in Theological Studies at Cincinnati Christian Uni versity. How did Jim Stanley end up as
August 2, 2006
Interview with Rick Rusaw
By Brad Dupray Rick Rusaw has been senior minister at LifeBridge Christian Church, Longmont, Colorado, for 15 years while church attendance has grown from 700 to about 3,300. As an “externally focused church,” LifeBridge has become connected to the culture of its community by providing volunteer services for a wide variety of agencies. Rick’s new book, Living a Life on Loan (coauthored with Eric Swanson), chronicles the journey a Christian can experience in such service. Standard Publishing releases the book September 1. What is an externally focused church? An externally focused church cares about the health and well being of
July 5, 2006
Interview with Shane Sooter
By Brad Dupray At last month’s North American Christian Convention, Standard Publishing introduced H2O, a series of videos designed for churches of all sizes to communicate through media to the modern generation. City on a Hill Productions created the DVDs for distribution through Standard. Shane Sooter, president and director of City on Hill, has a degree in theater arts and previously was on staff at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, directing major productions and themes for worship services. The last I heard, H2O was water. What is it really? H2O is basically an evangelistic tool for Christians and churches
Interview with Lynn McMillon
By Brad Dupray Lynn McMillon is the president and editor of The Christian Chronicle, a Christian newspaper that serves Churches of Christ worldwide. The Chronicle ‘s circulation includes more than 107,000 recipients and over 190,000 readers. McMillon earned a Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University and is the dean of the College of Biblical Studies at Oklahoma Christian University. Â He serves as an elder at the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City He and his wife, Joy, have two married sons and four granddaughters. How would you describe The Christian Chronicle ? The Christian Chronicle is a
June 7, 2006
Interview with Bob Russell
By Brad Dupray Bob Russell says he “anticipated staying four or five years” when he came to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1966. “I saw myself going back to Pennsylvania, preaching somewhere near my hometown.” God had other plans. In 40 years of ministry at Southeast Bob has led the church to weekend attendance of 19,000. The church has become a force for evangelism, a help to those in need, and the conscience in its community. The word on the street is Bob Russell is retiring. How would you define this transition in your life? I think it’s
May 10, 2006
Interview with Teresa Metzger
By Brad Dupray Teresa Metzger met her husband, Jeff, while both were students at Cincinnati (Ohio) Bible College in the 1970s. They traveled throughout the United States representing the school with the Come Alive Singers before entering a lifelong career in ministry. Now the Metzgers are preparing to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary and their three children are grown. Teresa is director of worship and arts at River Hills Christian Church in Cincinnati where Jeff serves as the senior pastor. You headed off to Bible college right out of high school. Did you want to marry a minister? Either a
March 15, 2006
Interview with Brian Jones
By Brad Dupray Twenty years in ministry have given Brian Jones a unique perspective on life and faith. Brian says, “I want to experience life with a pen in my hand, and allow people to go to school on my experiences.” Those experiences are reflected in Brian’s upcoming book, Second Guessing God: Hanging On When You Can’t See His Plan , published by Standard Publishing. Brian and his wife, Lisa, planted Christ’s Church of the Valley in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, in 2000 and continue to serve in that ministry today. Why do you think God allows bad things to happen? I
March 1, 2006
Interview with Steve Wyatt
By Brad Dupray Steve Wyatt is the lead pastor of Christ’s Church at the Crossroads in Phoenix, Arizona. “The Crossroads” was launched on January 9, 2005, and is already averaging almost 600 in Sunday attendance. Steve’s new book, Trading Places: Allowing God to Renovate Your Life, has just been released by Standard Publishing. Once you had the assignment from Standard in hand, how did you tackle the concept? IÂ don’t know that there was a “lightbulb moment.” I started thumbing through various passages of Scripture that meant a great deal to me, and it became clear that God has a specific
February 16, 2006
Interview with Walter Birney
By Brad Dupray Walter Birney, a 1956 graduate of Dallas Christian College, with his wife, Iva Lou, has been the face of the National Missionary Convention for four decades. The Birneys have five adult children and live in Copeland, Kansas, which, says Walter, is home to 300 people and 50,000 head of cattle. Do you have a background as a missionary? Absolutely not. I took one two hour missions course at Dallas Christian College. I had one business course in high school that was typing. I’m really educationally prepared for this job (laughs). Then how did you become director of
February 1, 2006
Interview with David Faust
By Brad Dupray Dr. David Faust has ministered with churches in New York, Ohio, and Indiana. He is president of Cincinnati Christian University and is serving as the president of this year”s North American Christian Convention. “Together in Christ” is the theme for this year”s NACC, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky, June 27-30. Â What are your earliest memories of the NACC? My first North American was in 1972 in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was in a choir and we sang while standing on the field at Riverfront Stadium. I loved baseball, so being down on the field was an exciting
January 22, 2006
You See It in Their Eyes
By Brad Dupray You see it in their eyes. As hundreds of people stream forward for anointing, their eyes tell the stories. Some are hurting. Some are joyful. Many are simply looking for a spiritual connection. When our senior pastor, Barry McMurtrie, came to Crossroads Christian Church (Corona, California) 11 years ago, he introduced a concept to the elders that pushed us way outside of our comfort zone. He took seriously the admonition of James 5 that anyone who is sick should “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him.”* As Communion was served each
January 18, 2006
Interview with Debbie Roeger
Debbie Roeger By Brad Dupray Debbie Roeger and her husband, Derf, are members and adult Sunday school teachers at Worthington (Ohio) Christian Church. Six years ago Debbie left her career as a successful attorney to seek God”s purpose for her life. She now volunteers as executive director of Opening Doors of Ohio, Inc., a ministry to Ohio prison inmates and staff members designed to bring conflict resolution and mediation in the name of Christ. Â How did you arrive at the practice of law? For 15 years I was in human resources management. I went to law school midlife, graduated,
January 4, 2006
These People Are Making a Difference
By Mark A. Taylor “The people are the program.” That advice to me from a mentor in ministry more than 30 years ago has proven true in one endeavor after another. It certainly applies to our work at Standard Publishing. Of course we’re concerned about methods, technology, and knowledge. But we know the best tools mean little without the right spirit among those who use them. That’s why we’re glad to announce the latest addition to our Publishing Committee. Ben Cachiaras , minister with Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland, has the perspective and experience to make a real contribution. In
