USA Midwest
Miracles in Springfield
It is still amazing to see how God planted 614 churches in 150 countries in just a few decades. It is encouraging to see church plantings ramping back up among the International Churches of Christ in response to our 2020 Vision plans. While many of our churches are large in major cities of the world, over 300 of them are less than 100 in membership in cities of all sizes. Many of these faithful disciples have weathered storms and challenges we can only imagine. We admire their hearts for God and joyful service.
Be inspired by the miracles in the story of Ivy and Damon Brog and the Springfield Church of Christ in Illinois.
DeKalb: A Sending Church
A recent Disciples Today article placed all churches into three categories: church plantings, churches receiving watering, and sending churches. You might expect that the sending churches would all be large congregations with ample resources. You would be wrong.
The DeKalb Church of Christ, while only consisting of 40-60 members over the last ten years, has continually sent out leaders to strengthen other, usually bigger churches.
Dr. Nicolai Hinds Appears on Oprah Winfrey Spectacular
A major media event airs next week as "Oprah's Spectacular Surprise" honors Oprah Winfrey's closing of her 25 year show to open her own network. As part of the May 24 broadcast, Dr. Nicolai Hinds appears as one of the inaugural Morehouse Men Scholarship recipients funded by Winfrey.
Men's Ministry -- Foxholes and Wrestling Mats
For the past two years the Southland Ministry Center of the Chicago Church of Christ has conducted its April series as a type of survey of masculinity. Last year this series was entitled "the Great Escape" and attempted to suggest what Biblical masculinity might "look" today. This year our April series on Masculinity is entitled "Foxholes and Wrestling Mats".
The goal of this series is to examine need for masculine friendship and camaraderie. Through the series we have tried to demonstrate that male friendships often look very different than female relationships and great care must be taken to make allowances for those differences. More importantly, however, these male friendships must be more than mere golfing partners and drinking buddies. The fun and mirth of male friendships has to be coupled with genuine vulnerability and honesty.
Faith and Health Update
I feel like I am living in a dream that I realize, more and more, thatI have no control. After successfully having brain surgery, whole brain radiation and six cycles of chemotherapy it seems like I would be able to stand up, brush myself off and be ready to go on with my life like I was sick for a few days. That is just not the case.
Couple Wrestles through "Praying Jesus into Your Heart"
Read the letter about Peter and Cindy Van Dyk's journey to Christ. The love and patience of disciples helped lead them to biblical understanding and right conclusions.
The Midwest Family Reunion
Over the past few decades, the Midwest family of churches has experienced the kind of things that occur in many typical families: romantic beginnings, encouraging additions, meaningful memories, growing pains and even trauma. And then, throughout the various struggles, there are signs of reconciliation and maturity.
That is why it was appropriate when Chicago’s lead evangelist, A.T. Arneson, said that this weekend was not a conference or a workshop—it was a family reunion!
Still Willing to Go Anywhere for God
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life (Romans 2:7).
2011 Festival de las Américas in Chicago
It is our honor to invite you to the 2011 Festival de las Américas, “Es Tiempo” to be held in Chicago, IL Memorial Day weekend May 27-29, 2011.
Es nuestro honor invitarte al Festival de las Américas 2011, “Es Tiempo” en Chicago, IL Fin de semana de “Memorial Day” 27 al 29 de Mayo 2011.
Time to Man Up Brothers!
For the last couple of weeks I have been thinking a lot about investing in our Christianity in such a way as to ensure that what we have built lasts longer than just our lifetime. That in fact, we are able to embrace a vision of not only our children but also our own grandchildren and even beyond receiving a faith handed down from us to them.