March 13, 2026
John Hampton and David Vaughan share lessons from more than four decades of friendship shaped by ministry, shared history, and golf. Their “buddy-building blocks” highlight intentionality, grace, loyalty, and finishing well together.
June 23, 2021
David Vaughan plans to step down as senior minister with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio, on Aug. 1, 2022, and be succeeded by senior associate minister Jon Tisevich, the church’s elders announced on Sunday morning.
April 8, 2020
Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon South Side Christian Church in Springfield, Ill., didn’t stage its annual Easter Eggcitement event featuring bounce houses, games, and eggs filled with candy this year, according to the State Journal-Register. Instead, on Sunday—because of the COVID-19 outbreak—children’s pastor Rodney Hull wore a protective mask and handed out treat bags to children in cars via a drive-through process. “I haven’t seen the kids for a few weeks, except on Zoom,” Hull told the paper. “So it’s a chance to wave to them and enjoy a little piece of Easter we’ve put together for them
October 1, 2019
By David Roadcup I love the pioneering personality. Such a person can blaze new trails and find new horizons in education, business, the arts, and the church. A rare breed, indeed. They should be prized for breaking ground that many others would not attempt. Micah Odor is one such pioneer. Odor serves as minister of spiritual formation with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio. A few years ago, he was a student in my seminary class, “Assimilation and Development of Church Members.” I had challenged students to come up with an approach to their ministry that would not only
July 17, 2019
Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Chris DeWelt, who has served with College Press Publishing for many years, became president and publisher of the company on July 1. DeWelt is the son of Don DeWelt, who started College Press in 1959. The Joplin, Mo.-based company is marking its 60th anniversary providing Bible-based material to Christian leaders and students. Chris DeWelt served eight years on the mission field in Chile before returning to the United States and working with his father until Don DeWelt’s death in 1991. Since that time, Chris DeWelt has served with College Press in various capacities,
October 31, 2018
By Jim Nieman An auction bid of $78,750 took home the first John Deere GP tractor ever built and will help pay for renovation of a building shared by Taylorville (Ill.) Christian Church and VisionWay Christian School. “It turned out great,” lead minister James Jones said. Some church members thought the tractor might go for a little higher price, others thought it would go for less. “It was great as far as I’m concerned.” Jones did not attend the auction and did not know the name of the winning bidder. The 1928 general purpose tractor was the first of more
July 25, 2018
By Jim Nieman A storm that rolled through eastern Tennessee late Friday night tore the roof off of part of Love Chapel Christian Church in Erwin, leaving tons of debris and causing extensive water damage. No one was hurt. The integrity of the original 1953 church structure is still being assessed, senior minister Robert Bess said Tuesday, but an adjoining, 1960s-era, rectangular addition that includes classrooms, a nursery, restrooms, and an office is a total loss. In all likelihood, the church will need to relocate for a period of months while repairs are made and new construction occurs, said Bess,
May 4, 2016
By Kent Fillinger AVERAGE SIZE Megachurches: 4,901 Emerging Megachurches: 1,375 Combined average weekly attendance: 386,035 GROWTH RATES Megachurches: 1.3 percent (down from 3.5 percent in 2014); overall, 54 percent of the megachurches grew (down from 68 percent in 2014). Emerging Megachurches: 2 percent (down from 5.4 percent in 2014); overall, 57 percent of emerging megachurches grew (down from 65 percent in 2014). Large churches: 4.1 percent (down from 4.9 percent in 2014). Medium churches: 3.3 percent (up from 3.1 percent in 2014). FASTEST-GROWING CHURCHES Worthington (OH) Christian Church, 35.1 percent New City Church, Phoenix, AZ, 33.3 percent New Day Christian
November 6, 2015
By Jennifer Johnson Paul Janszen did not want to have dinner with a pastor. Janszen is the successful owner of a fitness equipment company, a proud Cincinnatian””and the man who told Major League Baseball that Pete Rose had bet on the game. Today he”s also an active member at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, OH. “I was in a dark place when I met Rose and began placing bets for him,” Janszen says. “I was an aggressive guy, always ready for a fight. My girlfriend Danita, who is now my wife, joined me on a trip to Florida with
ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF OBITUARIES Martha E. (Taylor) Blackmore, 90, of Tulsa, OK (formerly of Hillsboro, OH), died Feb. 18, 2012. Born in Mitchell, IN, on Aug. 30, 1921, to LaVerne and Martha Taylor, she grew up a preacher”s kid as her father ministered in Hillsboro, OH (1918-21), and then for many years in Springfield, IL. She graduated from Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary in 1943, and studied vocal music for four years at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She married Roy C. Blackmore in 1943, and served with him in a ministry in Louisville, KY. They were a singing and preaching
July 11, 2011
Bible background. Pronunciation guide. Real-life commentary. Discussion questions. Find it all in Standard Lesson Commentary. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 17) is written by James Hansee, senior associate minister with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio. ____________ Use God’s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30) By James Hansee Where the world sees disability, God sees potential. Where the world sees disadvantage or defect, God sees opportunity. When people rely on God”s strength, even their weaknesses or perceived shortcomings can be powerful tools in his hands to accomplish his plans. Such is the case
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