The town of West, Texas, took one on the chin when an April 2013 fertilizer plant explosion flattened or damaged scores of homes, destroyed schools, killed 15 people and injured hundreds of others. But the community located about 20 miles north…
First Harvey, then Irma: Is there enough help to go around?
Hurricane Harvey drowns parts of Texas and Irma follows by drenching all of Florida. Are there enough rescuers, volunteers, trucks and helicopters to respond? Experience shows that there will be. But when it comes to financial contributions — that may be a different story.
Mark Zuckerberg displays humility, interest in church trends during Texas visits
Religious, school and business leaders in two Texas cities were stunned to learn that the mystery guest they were scheduled to meet was Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. “You could have knocked me over with a feather” when the 32-year-old billionaire…
Ministers offer a spiritual word to the stressed on Election Day
Remember 2012, when Obama versus Romney seemed like a contentious presidential election? It was enough for a group of Mennonite ministers, who responded back then by launching the Election Day Communion movement. The idea was to inspire Christians to use…
Missional DNA enabled churches to heal communities after Pulse and Sandy Hook
Pastor Terri Steed Pierce knew even before arriving at church the morning of June 12 that worship was going to be radically different at Joy Metropolitan Community Church in Orlando. Many in her LGBTQ congregation knew victims killed or wounded…
Small-town church gives big embrace to phones, social media in worship
Kevin Smith is a big believer is in using a Bible app, instead of a printed Bible, during Sunday morning worship. And he says it’s a good thing given the way his preacher preaches. “Brother John likes to jump around…