August 9, 2023
William Jessup University, Rocklin, Calif., has been accepted to compete in NCAA Division II. . . . Plus briefs from CampusPastor.com, Harding University, and more . . .
What is the future of kids’ ministry and how can churches successfully adapt to meet the challenges?
May 12, 2021
Briefs from Hickory Valley Christian Church in Chattanooga, Ozark Christian College, Visioneering Studios, Milligan University, and more.
April 25, 2019
The Vital Role of Setting in a Church’s Master Plan By Mel McGowan Imagine a 2,400-member church that has a rare and beautiful, four-acre setting on the Main Street of Surf City USA, and just down the street from where Huntington Beach Pier juts out over the Pacific Ocean. Not long ago, if you drove by that church—yes, it’s real—all you would have seen was the brick backside and moss-covered roof of a dated A-frame sanctuary. It was so closed off, some area residents thought the century-old church had disbanded. So, when First Christian Church asked for navigational design help
December 1, 2017
By Mel McGowan A campus redesign is helping Shepherd Church to be an influence in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and the world. Imagine if the world”s cultural capital and dream factory exported God”s truth instead of Hollywood”s “false north” of political correctness and moral relativism. Imagine if a church in Los Angeles expressed the diversity of the City of Angels and offered a taste of kingdom come, where “all the colors will bleed into one,” as Bono sang. Dudley Rutherford””an Ozark Christian College and Hope International University alumnus””leads the 12,000-member Shepherd Church, called “the most racially diverse church in Los Angeles”
July 17, 2015
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Mel McGowan, president of Visioneering Studios, Irvine, California. ________ Eric O. Jacobsen: He has been one of the best theologians of space and an “interpreter” of our contemporary cities and communities through his advocacy of “New Urbanism,” which describes the maturing of the American suburban dream into a denser, more diverse, polycentric, postmodern reality. Dave Gibbons: David is my Jedi kung
November 15, 2010
Visioneering Studios Architecture, a niche firm focused on “designing destinations that lift the spirit” and the 2008-09 Solomon Award winner for “Best Church Architect,” is opening two new design studios this month. The two new Visioneering Studios are located in Chicago, IL, and Charlotte, NC, and complement Visioneering Studios located in Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta. Randall Coy, previously director of planning and design for General Growth Properties, will lead Visioneering Studios-Central in Chicago as regional director. David Dial, previously president and chief steward for Living Stones Architecture, will lead Visioneering Studios-East in Charlotte. Dial has designed more than 120
November 6, 2010
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 28, 2005
After years as a Disney “imagineer,” Mel McGowan now helps churches think differently about campus design. Visioneering Studios calls it “architectural evangelism,” pairing story, stewardship, and practical flow so facilities better serve leaders and welcome communities.
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April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok
April 28, 2026
David Faust
April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok