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Post by Church News on Oct 13, 2007 21:10:46 GMT -5
Mansfield using Manchester as example for something goodBy ANGEL N. ROSS, mansfieldnewsjournal.comDon Merritt, the Rev. El Akuchie and Ben Muttie stand near a highway sign in Manchester, the city once known as the "painkiller capital of the world" is now regarded as the "city of hope." PHOTO BY: DAVE POLCYN, NEWS JOURNALBen Mutti, the Rev. El Akuchie, Don Merritt and Gilbert Howell believe Mansfield and Richland County can be transformed. Their example is Manchester, in Clay County, Kentucky. That city was transformed from being known as the "painkiller capital" to the "city of hope" after a 2004 march by local churches, law enforcement, government officials and residents protesting local drug abuse. Getting the world's attention through media publicity, 43 states and five nations have contacted Manchester about its stand against drugs. On March 23 and 24, the "Delegation of Hope," -- Mutti, Akuchie, and Merritt -- visited Manchester to talk with the city's mayor, sheriff, local media, pastors and residents about the community transformation. "Many of the interviews disclosed a vice-like grip drug addiction had on their city and how the march of May 2, 2004, brought a pulse back to their community," Mutti said. "The contrast seen after this climactic event was so evident that not only were political leaders acknowledging God and promoting justice and righteousness, but also businesses like the local Wal-Mart were awarding its employees for the 'best Christian witness,' and its customers lining up at the checkout line to be prayed for," he said. After witnessing the Kentucky community's experience, the men formed a group called the Christians and Concerned Citizens for a Drug Free Richland County. Their goal is to get drugs and drug dealers out of Mansfield. "The Lord said he wanted me to contact all the leaders in the city and connect them together because they had their backs turned and the drug dealers were coming in from other cities and taking over our streets," Howell said. "The Lord says use the churches, the neighborhood watches and help the police department to take back the streets from the drug dealers." Through Project Turn Around, they hope to achieve renewed justice, increased volunteerism, regional influence and deliverance. A "march of commitment" will be led through the city from its north and south ends at 3 p.m. Oct. 28. There will be two starting points: Main Street United Methodist Church, 230 S. Main St., and Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 343 N. Main St. The groups start forming at 2 p.m. and converge in Central Park downtown on the square. "By marching we are saying 'No more!' " Howell said. "We want drug dealers to know we are praying for them to get saved or be busted. We are also asking our court system and law enforcement to be tough on drug dealers." Mutti asked Mansfield City Council Tuesday to be part of the project. The group hopes local government, law enforcement, churches and residents will support the rally by marching and making a commitment to rid the city of drugs. "After the Manchester pilgrimage, it was concluded with the idea that spiritual intimacy can impact societal health, and spiritual renewal can produce political reform," Mutti said. "A determined activism, combined with persevering prayer, can change a district that matches Bourbon Street to a location that can compare with Sesame Street. "If it can happen in Clay County, it can happen in Richland County."
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Post by Church News on Oct 15, 2007 16:57:39 GMT -5
Presbyterian Leader to Retirekentucky.comRev. Clifton KirkpatrickThe Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick said yesterday he will retire when his term as top officer of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) expires next year. He plans to spend more time with family and as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Some conservatives have criticized him for a continued membership decline and his handling of the ongoing controversy over homosexuality in the church. H.E. Smith and The New Chopbottom Church Located on Chopbottom Rd, in Garrard 1288 Chopbottom rd Garrard, Ky. 40962 Ph# (606) 598-1316 Church services start at 7:00 pm Friday nights. Everyone welcome For prayer feel free to call anytime! For love offerings see the above address. Thank you very much and may God Bless you. H.E. Smith Appalachian Ministry Network awards grants, hires consultantBy Vicki BrownMANCHESTER, Ky. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network looks toward its 35th anniversary in 2007 amid financial struggles that have forced severe cuts. At the September meeting in Manchester, the network approved a recommendation to make the executive coordinator part time, OK?d $14,500 in grants to fight hunger and poverty in the region, and hired a consultant to complete a strategic analysis of the organization, its mission and its funding. The network was designated in 1972 by the General Conference to work with local, district, conference and church leadership to coordinate United Methodist ministries in Appalachia. Its vision is "a society free of injustice and exploitation, where Appalachian people are valued for who they are, where sustainable community is created and where each person has the opportunity to realize their God created spiritual, social and economic potential," according to its Web site. Sharon Leatherman"Appalachian church folk and some general church agency staff constantly tell me how valuable this regional organization is, yet we find it struggling for financial support to keep it moving forward," said Sharon Leatherman, who has been executive coordinator of the network for 12 years. CLICK HERE for more information Work is on schedule at Chad's Hope Center Drug Rehab. The Center is located on Gumm Branch Road in Northern Clay County. Since this picture was taken the roof has been put in place. Photo by Frank Peters. The Miracle of ManchesterBy Wendy Griffith, CBN NewsCBNNews.com - MANCHESTER, Kentucky - It was the day that changed a town and gave hope to a nation. On May 2, 2004, despite the unseasonably cold and rainy weather, more than 3,000 people representing about 60 churches in Clay County, Kentucky, marched through town to send the drug dealers a message. "This is my home. Don't plan on going no where, drug dealers are not running me off the creek - this is where I live," said Pastor Doug Abner, Community Church. In what many believe was the key to that march, the pastors of Clay County from every denomination repented and asked God to forgive them for being more concerned about their buildings and programs than the people of Clay County. Almost immediately they began to see change. Drug arrests went way up! Drug dealers and users started coming to church and getting saved and the story of Manchester was heard around the world on the 700 Club. Little did they know - their march against drugs would ignite a fire of hope that continues to spread across the country. Dozens of towns, from Georgia to Texas, after seeing the stories on the 700 Club held their own marches and are taking back their communities for Christ. "The story I saw on the TV gave me hope," said one female viewer. In fact, the miraculous stories have helped so many communities, the Manchester city council recently voted to change the name of their town to Manchester - the City of Hope. Abner said, "I thought for a couple of weeks if we had a theme or a name on the sign prior to May of 2004, it would have been Manchester, City of hopelessness and how far we've come with the Lord's help in three years." Abner and his wife Linda of community church have come a long way themselves. They've been key leaders in the transformation of Manchester. And just as God is using the 700 Club to tell the miraculous story of their town, it was the tool God used to lead a young Abner to Christ. Late one night in the spring of 1976, Abner was on the couch watching the 700 Club and the galloping gourmet,Graham Kerr, was giving his testimony -- interestingly -- the story sounded a lot like his and Linda's. "And there was something about what he said that just touched my heart - his wife was a Christian - he didn't think he needed God - that was exactly where I was, and I just quietly prayed and asked Jesus to come into my heart," Abner said. "Linda was sitting on the couch with me - I didn't tell her what I'd done." CBN News asked Abner whether he knew something was going on? "Well, for him to sit there and watch the 700 Club - if it wasn't sports - that was his big thing, I knew something was going on and he was really listening - and he was real quiet and that was different." Abner said, "As I slept that night I had a dream that two men were fighting over top of me. One was dressed in total black and one was in total white. And it's like, they say a dream doesn't last a long time, but it seemed like it lasted all night and at the end of the dream, the guy in the white had his foot on top of the guy in the black - and I woke up and I was a totally different human being." How long after this did he feel God calling him into the ministry? "Almost immediately," Abner said, "but I wouldn't tell anybody, I would be in the shower and I would preach. And I thought I was losing my mind and I would tell the Lord, I'll do anything but I'm not going to preach or be a missionary." Linda wasn't keen on being a pastor's wife either. But the call of God proved stronger than their fears. After leaving his job as a banker and owning a Christian book store, Doug became the pastor of community church in Manchester where he and Linda are now part of a growing band of believers who are having a world wide-impact. Abner says what's happening in Manchester today was actually prophesied some 20 years ago. "One day, a lady was on the Daniel Boone Parkway, it runs through Manchester - and she came to my bookstore - and she had a word about a dove in the sky and she saw it three times. And it was pointed in different directions, all pointed back to Manchester, and she said 'I've come to tell you that God said he's going to do a work in this town, that when it's completed no man can take credit for it because it's so big,'" Abner said. Clay County family helps with London Homeless ShelterSentinel-Echo.comThe Wheeler family spent Thursday tearing out walls and throwing the remains into a Dumpster in the area that will eventually be one of eight apartments where families may stay at the Christian Shelter for the Homeless in London. The nine members of the family, including children ranging in ages from 23 to 9, were hot and sweaty but had smiles on their faces. “My kids were the driving force behind this,” said Michael Wheeler. “My daughter Monica thought this would be a good family project,” he added, “and my wife contacted Mr. Beck and told them we would do whatever needs to be done.” For the family, a little hard work is typical, as they can usually be found pitching in to keep up the family farm in Clay County. The family heard about the shelter and the community help it needed from Father Charles Howell, pastor of St. Ann’s Parish in Manchester, where they are members. “If it helps other people, we are willing to do it,” Michael said. “In these little towns you wouldn’t think there is a homeless problem, but it is there.” As Michael and his eldest son, Mark worked to tear out the bad walls that had to be replaced, mother Becky and the other children carried the debris to a window an threw trash out to the Dumpster. The Wheeler family includes parents Michael and Becky and children Mark, Teresa, Monica, David, Catherine, Stephen and Jonathan. The building, located on East Fifth Street in London, has been undergoing renovations for more than a year. The drywall is being put up downstairs which will house the entrance along with separate rooms for the men and women who come to the shelter. Upstairs will be nine apartments. One of the apartments will be for the on-site managers while the remainder will be used so families in need of assistance from the shelter can stay together. Schism widening in Presbyterian Churchkentucky.comThe Episcopal Church isn't the only mainline Protestant group shaken by conflict between theological liberals and conservatives. The Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is facing similar trials, with traditionalist congregations planning to bolt and a conservative denomination preparing to take them in. About 30 of the nearly 11,000 Presbyterian congregations have voted to leave the national church since the denomination's national assembly session in 2006, according to The Layman, a conservative Presbyterian publication. Denominational leaders say they could lose 20 more congregations. Presbyterian leaders emphasize that only a fraction of their congregations are leaving. But any litigation over church property could hurt the church's reputation and its bottom line. And the departures come after years of dwindling congregational membership and recent budget woes. Presbyterians have been debating for decades how they should interpret Scripture on salvation, truth, sexuality and other issues. Tensions erupted in June 2006, when delegates granted new leeway in some cases for congregations and regional presbyteries to sidestep a church requirement that clergy and lay officers limit sex to man-woman marriage. Delegates at the national assembly also voted to let church officials propose experimental liturgies with alternative phrasings for the divine Trinity -- "Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Among the possibilities: "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend." Former Muslim was Clay County pastor at age 17timsoddplace.blogspot.comErgun CanerFormer Muslim Ergun Caner appears on The 700 Club to discuss Islam and give us an inside look at Muslim beliefs. Ergun is the oldest son of a Muslim mwazien. The mwazien is similar to a preacher. In 1982 when he was 16 years old, he attended a revival service in Columbus, Ohio, at the invitation of a high school friend and accepted Christ. Ergun started attending church on Monday, accepted Christ on a Thursday -- and had his first piece of ham at a Youth Afterglow activity days later. When Ergun refused to repudiate his faith in Christ, his father disowned him -- by facing Mecca and praying a prayer of abandonment because it was embarrassing that his oldest son would accept Christ. Sadly this effectively ended their relationship. Ergun didn't see his father for 17 years, until three days before his dad's death in 1999. Ergun's Swedish mother met and married a Turkish man . They relocated to the U.S .where the younger brothers were born. Ergun says he was called to preach one year after salvation (he began college at 16), becoming a pastor at age 17 to a small country church in Manchester, Kentucky. He says it was a mystery to him that God would call him because at the time, Ergun didn't speak English very well and didn't fully understand the Scriptures. He felt that he was all alone because neither his mother, nor his grandmother, were Christians. But he gladly accepted the call, and led his brothers to Christ the same week of his salvation. erguncaner.com
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Post by Church News on Feb 2, 2008 8:51:19 GMT -5
SEMINARY PRESIDENT TO RETIRElextheo.eduPresident Cueni Announces Plans to Retire Dr. R. Robert Cueni announced January 7 that he intends to retire this year as president of Lexington Theological Seminary, effective upon the naming of a new president. Cueni, 66, has been president at LTS for six years. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), his career has included 34 years as pastor of local congregations and two years as an area minister in Texas. Lexington Theological Seminary is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “I have loved ministry and continue to recommend ministry as a wonderful way to expend life’s energy,” he said. “I have come to love the people, mission and ministry of LTS.” Cueni told trustees he has accomplished the goals set when he became Seminary president, including having a strong faculty, being financially solid and providing a sound curriculum that prepares ministers for the 21st Century. LTS Board Chair Gary Kidwell of Indianapolis, IN, praised Cueni for his faithful service. “LTS owes a great debt of gratitude to Bob and his wife, Linda, for the leadership they have provided the seminary. His ministry as seminary president and pastor has touched the lives of thousands of people, and future generations will benefit from his witness.” A search committee is being formed. A national search will be conducted using the executive search model developed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
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Post by Church News on Feb 17, 2008 13:20:57 GMT -5
Presbyterian Church Says No To Gay Clergykentucky.comThe highest court of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruled that there are no exceptions to the church's ban on ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbians. The ruling, issued last week by the Louisville-based church, the Courier-Journal reported, ends hopes of some that the policy adopted in 2006 would allow regional governing bodies flexibility in enforcing the rule. The constitution gives "freedom of conscience" to disagree with church law, which restricts ordination to singles living in "chastity" or those living in "fidelity" in a heterosexual marriage, the court ruled. But the constitution "does not permit disobedience to those behavioral standards," according to the court, known as the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. "The fidelity and chastity provision may only be changed by a constitutional amendment," it said. Unless that happens, everyone "must adhere to it." The ruling drew praise from conservative groups, such as Presbyterians for Renewal in Louisville. "The (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.) is still one body that follows one set of clear standards for its officers," said the group said in a statement. "Nothing has changed." Other, liberal groups promised an effort to repeal the ban, something that's been twice attempted and failed. The ruling "does not give room for local governing bodies, churches and presbyteries, who know their people best, to make thoughtful, informed and faithful decisions about calls to ministry and ordination," said the group More Light Presbyterians, which advocates ordaining gays and lesbians. The court's ruling came on a 2006 policy change that many had promoted as a compromise in the extended fight over homosexuality in the 2.3 million-member denomination. The denomination's legislative General Assembly that year adopted a policy that tapped into a historic Presbyterian tradition allowing candidates for ordination to declare a "scruple," or reservation, about a point in the Presbyterian constitution. A church or presbytery considering the candidate for ordination would then have the option of ordaining the person if it decided the "scruple" didn't involve an essential tenet of the faith. Presbyteries in California and Minnesota put the policy to its first test last month by giving approval to openly gay candidates for the ministry. The appeals in those cases were just starting when the denomination's top court handed down its ruling in a separate set of cases.
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Post by Church News on Mar 27, 2008 15:10:27 GMT -5
Mohler's health problems stops run for SBC Presidentkentucky.comDoctors had some good news for Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: A tumor taken from his colon was not cancerous. The 48-year-old underwent surgery March 20 for what doctors thought was a precancerous tumor. Testing later showed that the growth found during a routine examination last month was not malignant. Mohler made the announcement Tuesday during the seminary's morning chapel service. Because of the time needed to recover from surgery, The outspoken evangelical leader has dropped a bid to become Southern Baptist Convention president. Mohler has been the seminary's president for 15 years.
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Post by Church News on Apr 26, 2008 9:45:27 GMT -5
Presbyterians review case on gay marriageBy Jim Niemi, kentucky.comA female Presbyterian minister sat Friday to be judged by the denomination's highest court, which will decide whether she violated church law by performing marriages for same-sex couples. The Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, retired after 30 years in the ministry, was charged in California two years ago with officiating at the weddings of two lesbian couples in 2004 and 2005. Routinely, disciplinary cases in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are heard by a Presbytery, a larger body to which the church belongs. In 2006, the Redwoods Presbytery court affirmed her ministry and ruled that same-sex marriages are not "outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith as understood by the Presbytery of the Redwoods." But that ruling was challenged by those who prosecuted Spahr, and was appealed to the next-highest church court, the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission. The synod court overturned the presbytery decision and ordered Redwoods Presbytery to censure Spahr, but recommended the minimum penalty, a rebuke. Spahr then appealed to the denomination's highest court, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, which heard the case Friday at the Presbyterian Church USA Center in Louisville. Spahr, 65, believes the Presbyterian faith should be inclusive, that all humans are acceptable to God. But she contends the church has refused to recognize all its members on an equal footing. "In this church, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people are marginalized, they cannot fully participate," said Sara M. Taylor, an attorney representing Spahr. "We, as LGBT people, are equal in the eyes of God," Taylor said. "She (Spahr) acted pastorally in the eyes of Jesus Christ."
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Post by Church News on Apr 30, 2008 16:53:40 GMT -5
Minister not to be censured for performing same-sex marriagesBy Jim Niemi, kentucky.comThe Presbyterian Church (USA) should not censure a minister who performed same-sex marriages, the church's highest court ruled Tuesday. The order by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission overturns the ruling of a lower court that found Jane Adams Spahr in violation of the constitution of the church because she performed ceremonies in 2004 and 2005. The basis of the high court's ruling was the definition of "marriage," as described in the church's Book of Order. It says, "Marriage is a civil contract between a man and a woman. For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship." The order issued Tuesday said, "The ceremonies that are the subject of this case were not marriages as the term is defined (by the Book of Order). These were ceremonies between women, not between a man and a woman. ... It is not improper for ministers of the Word and Sacrament to perform same-sex ceremonies."
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Post by Church News on Jun 27, 2008 6:39:47 GMT -5
Presbyterian Church suffers membership drop
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) suffered its worst annual membership decline in decades last year. The Louisville-based denomination reported 2.2 million active and confirmed members in 2007, a loss of 57,572 members and a 2.5 percent decrease from 2006. It's the denomination's largest membership loss in terms of numbers since 1981 and the steepest percentage loss since 1974, when it fell 2.7 percent. Opinions differ about the cause for the decline, including controversies over homosexuality, low birth rates, an aging white population and a societal move away from institutions in general. Some congregations also have left for a more conservative Presbyterian denomination.
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Post by Church News on Jun 28, 2008 10:04:46 GMT -5
Presbyterian assembly votes to allow gay-clergyBy Eric Gorski, kentucky.comThe Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), bitterly divided over sexuality and the Bible, set up another confrontation Friday over its ban on ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbians. The denomination's General Assembly, meeting in San Jose, Calif., voted 54 percent to 46 percent Friday to drop the requirement that would-be ministers, deacons and elders live in ”fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.“ The proposed change to the church constitution requires approval from a majority of the nation's 173 presbyteries, or regional church bodies — a yearlong process that has been a barrier to similar efforts in the past. Of equal importance to advocates on both sides of the debate, the assembly also voted to allow gay and lesbian candidates for ordination to conscientiously object to the existing standard. Local presbyteries and church councils that approve ordinations would consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. Both votes could put further strain on the 2.2 million-member church, which like other mainline Protestant denominations, has seen some conservative churches leave after losing battles over the place of gays and lesbians in the church and what the Bible says about gay relationships. The denomination adopted the ”chastity and fidelity“ clause in 1996, replacing language that had the same effect: excluding non-celibate gays and lesbians from ministry. ”This week the General Assembly voted from faith rather than fear,“ Lisa Larges, minister coordinator of the advocacy group That All May Freely Serve, said in a statement. ”They voted for a vibrant future of our church.“ Paul Detterman, executive director of Louisville-based Presbyterians for Renewal, which opposes changing the ordination standards, said the debate is not about homosexuality, but following the Bible. More conservative Presbyterians can take comfort in the fact that twice before — in 1997 and 2001 — the nation's presbyteries overwhelmingly rejected efforts to rescind the gay-ordination ban. Ministers and lay people who vote at the church's General Assembly meetings generally are more liberal, and in the next step small conservative presbyteries have an equal vote as those of larger liberal ones.
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Post by Church News on Jun 11, 2011 12:08:35 GMT -5
CBN News Global Day of Prayer to Focus on Revival By Wendy Griffith, Anchor/Reporter
Hundreds of millions of Christians representing 200 nations across the world will gather on Pentecost Sunday to pray for their nations. Since its beginning more than 10 years ago, the Global Day of Prayer has been inviting the world's believers to pray together. Many communities experience revival when they turn to God for direction and strength. Manchester, Ky., or the "city of hope," is one example. George Otis Jr. has documented such transformations around the world. Watch as he explains what happens during these revivals, and how people can open themselves up to this powerful change. Read the article and see the video at: www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/June/Christians-Worldwide-Gather-for-Global-Day-of-Prayer-
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Post by Church News on Jun 12, 2011 7:50:40 GMT -5
CBNNews.com Drug-Infested Kentucky Town Changed by Prayer
Just a few years ago, the town of Manchester, Ky., was torn apart by drugs and corruption. But residents have since experienced revival. Thousands of people marched through the streets of Manchester in May 2004, telling drug dealers to "get saved or get busted." Doug Abner, pastor of Community Church in Manchester, said when the city prayed and asked God to forgive them for letting the enemy take over their town, God's presence showed up in a powerful way. George Otis Jr. documents transformation revivals around the world and spent 18 months in Manchester. Click on the link below for a video of his comments on the changes that took place there and how other cities can experience spiritual revival. www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/June/Drug-Infested-Kentucky-Town-Changed-by-Prayer
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Post by Church News on Jun 14, 2011 9:24:54 GMT -5
herald-leader.com Police officers lead prayer meeting to combat Eastern Kentucky drug problem By Bill Estep
HAZARD — A group of officers who enforce man's law called on a higher power Monday might to help with Eastern Kentucky's devastating drug problem. Several Christian police officers led a prayer meeting in Hazard, seeking God's help and urging Christians in the crowd to witness to their neighbors and co-workers in an effort to turn the tide of drug abuse one soul at a time. The prayer service, attended by about 200 people at The Hal Rogers Center in Hazard, grew from weekly prayer meetings that Fugate, Engle and James East, a major with the Hazard Police Department, began having several months ago. The appeal for divine help against the region's crippling substance-abuse problem is an example of increasing efforts the last few years by churches and people of faith to deal with the issue. A 2004 march in Manchester was an early example. On a rainy Sunday, more than 3,000 people from dozens of local churches marched to a city park for a prayer service that helped galvanize people to get involved. Doug Abner and others from Clay County have since given presentations around the country, and to groups from outside the country, on how people of faith can help tackle drug abuse and community problems. Read more: www.kentucky.com/2011/06/14/1774123/police-officers-lead-prayer-meeting.html#ixzz1PFwrjG1Y
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Post by Church News on Jul 10, 2011 8:30:40 GMT -5
The Mercury: Pottstown, PA Church of Christ group to conduct VBS in Manchester
BECHTELSVILLE — A church mission team from Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ, 527 Hoffmansville Road, will meet for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. today at Butter Valley Airport Restaurant, Bally and will leave for a one-week trip to Manchester, Ky., where members will conduct a vacation Bible school program. pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/07/09/life/srv0000012314833.txt?viewmode=2
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Post by Church News on Jul 16, 2011 6:37:54 GMT -5
lostbibletruth.blogspot.com You Can Make a Difference -- Praying the News By Nico Bougas, Special to ASSIST News Service
I met up with Craig von Buseck, CBN Director of Ministries during the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta this week. (The last time I attended this event it was known as Christian Booksellers Association Convention). Craig is passionate about the need for Christians to do more than just Google the news - he is urging believers to "pray the news." And he and co-author, Wendy Griffiths have produced a book that they hope will stir people out of complacency and into prayer. Craig's co-author, Wendy Griffith, who anchors the CBN Newswatch, shares the story of what happened in the city of Manchester, KY where the town was in a desperate state with gangsters and drug lords dominating the landscape. The local pastors got together and organized a march of victory to claim their town back for God. Over a thousand people turned out for the march. Within months the city was rejuvenated and the gangs and drug lords withdrew as they saw their influence and sales dramatically diminish and the town has adopted a new moniker, "City of Hope". He goes on to cite many other incidents in this challenging book. The May 2004 Manchester March
Instead of being intimidated by the news we should be asking the Holy Spirit to lead us to pray and show us what to pray. For Jesus promised "My sheep hear my voice." Satan's task is to divert us from praying and he tries to bring us under condemnation. He is "the accuser of the brethren" and tries to tell us we are not worthy to pray and that our prayers are just empty words. But God removes all condemnation and takes our feeble words and makes them mighty weapons of change. lostbibletruth.blogspot.com/2011/07/you-can-make-difference-praying-news.html
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Post by Church News on Jul 17, 2011 6:59:38 GMT -5
Altavista Journal Road to pulpit began at Red Bird By James Meadows, Staff Writer
The Rev. Alan Combs is Lane Memorial United Methodist Church's new pastor. The 28-year-old preacher believes worship is training, and it's a time when individuals can learn the basic practice of becoming a Christian. Combs had no intention of becoming a pastor. It all happened by chance when he was doing mission work as a 19-year-old at Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Ky. "When I was on the mission trip, I had an experience in conversation with someone who volunteered to lead groups. I don't remember his name or what he looks like," Combs said. "We had the conversation after dinner and he asked if I was going to be a minister. When I told him I was 19, his response was, 'You have time.'" Read the entire article at: www.wpcva.com/articles/2011/07/14/altavista/faith/faith01.txt
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Post by Church News on Jul 23, 2011 1:43:18 GMT -5
christophermckinstry.com God’s Work, Our Hands Chris McKinstry
In my last blog post I mentioned that over the week of the fourth of July I would be traveling to Clay County, Kentucky to be a part of what is called the Appalachia Service Project. For those of you who might have missed this post ASP is an organization that reaches out to low-income families living in the Appalachia region of the United States who are in need of essential home repairs. St. Paul’s has been participating in this ministry for 24 years and since I am the pastoral intern I was given the opportunity to go along and be a part of the team. Our group consisted of 27 youth and adults from the congregation some of whom were veterans of this project (one of our members was celebrating his 20th year on ASP) and some others, like myself, were brand new to the experience. Once we had arrived at Clay County Middle School in Manchester, Kentucky, our home for the week, we were given our group assignments and informed about the work that we would be doing throughout the week. There were a variety of different tasks assigned including roofing, flooring, insulation, siding, painting to name a few. Our group was assigned to a home that had sustained a lot of water damage which ASP was trying to repair. Previous groups had done a lot of work to the interior of the house and so we were assigned to the exterior. The house was built next to a very steep hill and so when it rained the water would drain off of the hill and pool behind the house causing damage to the exterior and the interior of the home. Our job was to create a drainage ditch to move the water away from the house as well as to repair the damage done to the exterior of the house. Our team worked incredibly hard through the heat, the humidity and the rain to accomplish all of our tasks and even finished a bit early on some of them. Each night we would come back from our work-site unpack the truck, run for the showers and then reflect on what we had done that day. We would share stories at mealtimes with the other teams so that we could all get a sense of what the group was doing that week and also grow together as a group. In addition to the work we took time to relax together, to play games, share stories and take many trips to the local dairy queen for blizzards. It was a very empowering experience at the end of the week to reflect on what had been done for all of these families and how grateful they were that their needs were being met. It was also a great bonding experience for the people of our group. When we left Red Hill we were linked together by the fact that we were all from the same congregation but beyond there was not much else that connected us to one another. After this trip that was no longer the case. We had each spent time working together, sweating together, laughing together and playing together. We had shared our stories of what we had learned, how much this trip meant to us and how our faith was effected by it. I often shared that my biggest regret about the whole experience was that it didn’t come sooner in my internship than one month before I had to leave. Each of us will treasure the memories that we shared while on that trip and I imagine that those families will be in our thoughts and prayers for quite some time. Blessings & Peace to you all. christophermckinstry.com/2011/07/18/gods-work-our-hands
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Post by Church News on Aug 5, 2011 21:13:53 GMT -5
The Muskegon Chronicle Grand Haven church hosting craft show to benefit Red Bird Mission By Megan Hart
This toy is one of the many handcrafted items that will be on sale at the fundraiser.
A Grand Haven church will host a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at United Methodist Church of the Dunes to raise money for the Kentucky-based Red Bird Mission. Red Bird is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has worked in rural southeastern Kentucky since 1921. It operates a school and a medical clinic and brings volunteers to help residents with home repairs. The proceeds from the crafts, made by Kentucky artists, sold at the fair go to support the mission programs. The Dunes members have gone on three mission trips to Red Bird, but interest waned in the past decade as more people directed their charitable efforts overseas. In addition to offering its facilities, the church will provide shelter and meals to two or three Red Bird volunteers and help with travel expenses. Items for sale include wooden carvings, kitchen utensils, Christmas decorations, jewelry, woven baskets, furniture and toys. www.mlive.com/living/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/08/grand_haven_church_to_hold_cra.html
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Post by Church News on Aug 5, 2011 22:33:51 GMT -5
Kingdom of God Band Mission Trip to Kentucky
This is a group from the Lynchburg Baptist Association in Lynchburg, Virginia on a mission trip to Manchester, Kentucky. This is the singing group that traveled the area singing in nursing homes, parks, and other places. Others did construction, Bible clubs, etc. www.customink.com/photos/kingdom-of-god-band-mission-trip-to-kentucky
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Post by Church News on Aug 5, 2011 23:15:49 GMT -5
Let’s put on a show! ‘Nunsense’ production to help fund Red Bird Mission trip By Doug Staley, IndeOnline.com staff writer
Joel Berresford traveled halfway around the world to pursue a music teaching career, only to return home to break new ground. Despite some struggles along the way, Berresford hasn’t backed down from the challenge of starting a community theater group in the Fairless area. His hard work will come to fruition next month, when the newly formed Fairless Community Players presents “Nunsense” on Aug. 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. in the Fairless Elementary School cafeteria, 12000 Navarre Road SW. Ticket sales will benefit 15 Brewster-area residents headed in September to the Red Bird Mission in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Berresford is hoping to raise $5,000 for the trip. www.indeonline.com/communities/brewster/x643160014/Let-s-put-on-a-show-Brewster-native-returns-to-direct-Nunsense
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Post by Church News on Aug 14, 2011 7:19:09 GMT -5
Jonathan Carmack of Manchester part of Appalachian Ministries Courtesy of University of the Cumberlands Media Relations
Members of Appalachian Ministries work with area children during a recent mission trip.
During the summer months, University of the Cumberlands Appalachian Ministries has been working hard to lead people to Christ. Their goal is to share the love of Christ with surrounding communities through the avenue of children and youth ministries. AM students look to grow as disciples by finding additional disciples from building relationships with the children, youth and families in the areas they work with. This allows them to show the love of Christ. Appalachian Ministries are there to meet not only spiritual needs, but emotional and physical needs as well. AM desires to see others come to know the love and forgiveness of our Savior Jesus Christ. “I love watching the students grow as the summer progresses as they begin to discover their spiritual gifts and realize what a great purpose God has for them,” said Magan Atwood, Appalachian Ministries director. “It is truly a blessing to watch them learn, serve and grow.” This summer students arrived on campus at the end of May to start their training. During training week student missionaries learn the Vacation Bible School curriculum, choreography, crafts and games. Students are also taught how to share their testimonies more effectively and how to help lead a child to Christ. Students who participated in the program this summer were: Ezra Anderson (St. Louis, MO), Psychology and Theatre major; Seth Schilling (Dayton, OH), Criminal Justice major; Lee Sharp (Paris, KY), Religion major; Jonathan Carmack (Manchester, KY), Elementary Education and Religion major; Stephanie Lawless (Corbin, KY), Elementary and Middle School Education major; Kirby Sowder (Lexington, KY), Special Education major; Michelle Pratt (Rosebud, MO), Early Elementary Education major; and Abbey Cherry (Cincinnati, OH), Middle School Special Education and Math major. AM also has a North American Mission Board Semester Missionary, Michael Marsh, working with them this summer. “AM fits in with UC’s overall goal because it gives students an opportunity to do hands on ministry by putting into practice what they are learning in the classroom and in their own walks with God,” exclaimed Atwood. “They have an opportunity to discover areas in which they are gifted and they get to serve the local community which is something Cumberlands strives to do.” Over the 2011 summer months, Appalachian Ministries have been involved in many activities. They began the summer by working with Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Corbin, Ky. helping the run a day camp for their youth group and serve with them at a Back Yard Bible Club at Corbin Manor Apartments. From there they served as camp counselors in Centralia, Illinois for Kaskaskia Baptist Associates. The camp is run by one of the original founders of the program in the 1970s, Mr. Jim Shemwell. Then the group teamed up with Walnut Street Baptist Church (Louisville, KY) to serve in Canada Town in Whitley County during Vacation Bible School and worked on projects at Friends for Families. The summer continued with work in the Davenport Community during Bible School and at Blackford Baptist Church Bible School and Mt. Eden Baptist Church Bible School in Western, KY Back in Williamsburg, AM served at the Brush Arbor Apartment complexes conducting a Vacation Bible School and participating in warehouse projects for Friends for Families. Their final projects were a Bible School in the R.D. Rains community and serving at the local nursing home. “Appalachian Ministries provides a way to meet the needs of the community and share the love of Christ in a powerful way,” said Atwood. “It’s a great experience to watch children, youth, and families come to know the Lord or grow closer to him through the work He is doing through Cumberlands students. So leading this program means more to me than I could ever put in words; I just feel blessed and honored to be a part of what God is doing here.” Established in 1975, Appalachian Ministries gives students the opportunity to minister to area children, youth and families. Under the direction of the Appalachian Ministries director, student workers pick up and take participating children to local churches to lead them in recreation, crafts, games, and Bible lessons.
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Post by In The News on Aug 23, 2011 20:36:43 GMT -5
WYMT NewsAnti-Christian bigots stop high school pre-game prayer
Bell County High School football games normally start with a prayer over the loudspeaker. But that was missing from Friday's home opener! Before anyone takes the field, they usually hear a prayer. But not anymore. Bell County Schools received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation earlier in August. The letter instructs the school district to stop "a flagrant violation of the law." It's referring to a prayer before the football game, given by a local pastor. The foundation said the complaint was filed by a concerned family, whose identity they will not reveal. www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/Complaint_forces_school_district_to_pull_pre-game_prayer_128212533.html herald-leader.comFriday's home game was first in decades that didn't include a prayerBy Bill Estep
Bell County school officials have ended the tradition of having a minister lead prayer over the public-address system before high school football games because of a complaint from a Wisconsin-based group that promotes the separation of church and state. Friday's home game against Lexington Catholic was the first in decades that didn't include a prayer before the game, said Bell County Superintendent George Thompson. Read the entire article at: www.kentucky.com/2011/08/23/1855157/under-threat-of-lawsuit-bell-county.html#ixzz1Vu47x7WM
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Post by In The News on Aug 29, 2011 20:40:57 GMT -5
wbir.com/news Union County march against drugs inspired by Clay County
More than 4,000 people participated in a prayer march Sunday afternoon in an effort to erase drug addiction from Union County. The three-mile long march took place along Maynardville Pike and other nearby streets. Organizers got the idea for the march from Clay County, Kentucky. That county had a drug problem, but according to resident Steve Collett, they used prayer to deal with it. He said Union County wanted to try the same thing. Organizers say more people showed up than they were expecting. That said, they were happy with the turnout. According to Pastor Ken Luton of Millers Chapel United Methodist Church, a representative of every congregation in the county showed up for the event. Following the march, participant then went to Wilson Park for more prayer. www.wbir.com/news/article/181809/2/4000-pray-march-against-drugs-in-Union-Co
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Post by In The News on Nov 4, 2011 4:56:03 GMT -5
wymtnews.com Thousands expected to 'Stand In the Gap' this weekend Reporter: Kendall Downing
They're calling it "Stand In the Gap!" A weekend march will bring together religious groups from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Organizers believe faith is the only way to rid the Tri-State of drug and alcohol abuse. At 2 o'clock, marchers will leave from the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate and walk to the Cumberland Gap. There they will be met by folks from Kentucky and Virginia. Walking is not the only way to get there, more than twenty buses will be taking people to the rally. If you plan on attending do not bring your car to the Cumberland Gap. More than 5,000 people are expected at the rally - a large crowd, to fight a large problem. It's a crisis many believe can only go away with help from above. The original plan called for a march through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. We're told the Kentucky Department of Highways was willing to allow that, but the Tennessee Department of Transportation decided against it. www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/Thousands_expected__to_Stand_In_the_Gap_this_weekend_133198253.html
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Post by In The News on Nov 7, 2011 19:49:10 GMT -5
wbir.com Clay County story inspires over 8000 to "Stand In The Gap"
Thousands of people from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia joined together in Cumberland Gap to pray against drugs and corruption. Sunday's march was named "Stand in the Gap." It was inspired by the documentary, "An Appalachian Dawn," which followed the story of Clay County, Kentucky, a community that used prayer to fight drugs. More than 8,000 people participated in the march, and subsequent prayer rally. Three branches walked from Harrogate, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia to one center point in downtown Cumberland Gap. Union County held a similar Clay County, Ky, inspired march in the summer. It attracted more than 4,000 people. Clay County, Kentucky resident Steve Collett said it's nice to see the movement spread across East Tennessee. Next week, at 3 p.m., church leaders will gather at Lincoln Memorial University to discuss new ways to tackle the region's drug problem. www.wbir.com/news/article/190316/2/8000-march-pray-against-drugs-in-Cumberland-Gap
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Post by Church News on Nov 27, 2011 9:43:17 GMT -5
Small, Limited Resouce, Minority Farmers Conference by Grow Appalachia Field Worker, Chad Brock Me and Grow Appalachia participant Richard Mason were given the opportunity to attend the “Small, Limited Resource, Minority Farms Conference” at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. This opportunity was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the Clay County Extension Office/Clay County Ag Development Council and Red Bird Mission’s Grow Appalachia and Red Bird Farmers Project programs. We spent two days in tracks learning the many valuable resources available for small farmers in Kentucky. We also had time to speak with other farmers and find out what they were doing with their farms and what kind of problems and successes they have had. I learned a lot of new ideals for planting and some helpful hints on Farmer’s Markets. We also learned of ways to create income from your forested property from timber improvement grants to cultivating medicinal plants such as Golden seal and Ginseng that can be sold annually. growappalachia.blogspot.com/2011/11/small-limited-resouce-minority-farmers.html
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Post by In The News on Jan 3, 2012 19:50:28 GMT -5
claiborneprogress.net Continuing to Stand in the Gap by Marisa Anders, Editor
What began in the fall of 2011 as an effort to pull the community together and unite against drug abuse and corruption is continuing with a community forum next Sunday. Stand in the Gap, a prayer march that involved residents of the Tri-State area and counties beyond, brought over 8,000 people to the town of Cumberland Gap. They marched on Sunday, Nov. 6, from Lincoln Memorial University's Tex Turner Arena parking lot, as well as starting points in Kentucky and Virginia. A follow-up meeting will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at Duke Hall on the campus of LMU. On March 4, another follow-up meeting for Stand in the Gap will take place. There, Doug Abner, who was in the documentary "An Appalachian Dawn", will share how the Tri-State area can undergo a transformation much like his community of Manchester, Ky., did. The Stand in the Gap movement started after several people saw the documentary, which tells the story of how Manchester was changed after the residents united in their fight against drug abuse and corruption. The March 4 meeting will be held also at 3 p.m. in Duke Hall at LMU. For updates on Stand in the Gap, call 423-300-1302. That number is also being used for updates about upcoming meetings and further information. The movement has a page on Facebook as well, where events are updated continually. Read more www.claiborneprogress.net/view/full_story/16970927/article-Continuing-to-Stand-in-the-Gap?instance=home_news_lead
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Post by Church News on Jan 21, 2012 12:05:04 GMT -5
Sentinel-Echo.com Tri-County to honor Rev. Gene Huff By Nita Johnson, Staff Writer
A lifelong commitment to serving God, his country, his state, and his community is yet another accolade for the late State Senator and local pastor, Rev. Gene Huff. Leadership Tri-County has posthumously named Huff as the 2012 Leader of the year and the award will be presented at the annual banquet and awards ceremony on January 30 at the London Community Center. Tickets for the event are available for $20 per person. Silver sponsorship is $500 for four dinner tickets and a half-page ad in the program. Gold sponsorships, which cost $1,000, includes eight dinner tickets and a full page ad in the program. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Juanita Westerfield at (606) 521-4485. Read the entire article at: www.sentinel-echo.com/local/x1405465275/Tri-County-to-honor-late-Senator
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Post by Church News on Feb 24, 2012 21:08:57 GMT -5
Here are the Voting Details on the Casino Bill
Here’s how Kentucky senators voted on the casino gambling bill yesterday. Senate Bill 151, which would have given Senate approval to placing a constitutional amendment on the November ballot allowing up to seven casinos across the Commonwealth, needed to receive 23 votes (three-fifths of the senators) in order to move the proposal along to the House of Representatives. The bill received 16 votes in favor and 21 votes in opposition. YES REPUBLICANS: Buford, Nicholasville; Gibson, Leitchfield; Harris, Crestwood; Higdon, Lebanon; Schickel, Union; Thayer, Georgetown. DEMOCRATS: Blevins, Morehead; Clark, Louisville; Harper Angel, Louisville; Palmer, Winchester; Parrett, Elizabethtown; Pendleton, Hopkinsville; Rhoads, Madisonville; Ridley, Henderson; Shaughnessy, Louisville; Stein, Lexington. NO REPUBLICANS: Bowen, Owensboro; Carpenter, Berea; Denton, Louisville; Givens, Greensburg; Hornback, Shelbyville; Jensen, London; Kerr, Lexington; McGaha, Russell Springs; Seum, Louisville; Smith, Hazard; Stine, Southgate; Stivers, Manchester; Westwood, Erlanger; Williams, Burkesville; Wilson, Bowling Green; Winters, Murray. DEMOCRATS: Carroll, Frankfort; Jones, Pikeville; Turner, Prestonsburg; Webb, Grayson. INDEPENDENTS: Leeper, Paducah. NOT VOTING DEMOCRATS: Neal, Louisville. If your senator voted against this very bad piece of legislation, please send him or her a “thank you” letter. Our senators need to know that we appreciate it when they take courageous stands like this despite the huge amount of pressure that is exerted by the gambling industry. www.kbcpublicaffairs.org/2012/02/24/here-are-the-voting-details-on-the-casino-bill
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Post by Church News on Mar 2, 2012 18:02:20 GMT -5
Claiborne Progress Stand in the Gap participants want real transformation
Organizers said that the November 6 walk was just the beginning, and there have been several follow-up events to the Stand in the Gap movement. Thousands of people gathered on a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon and marched from Lincoln Memorial University's Tex Turner Arena parking lot to the town of Cumberland Gap, ready to take a stand and take back the community. The march was part of the Stand in the Gap movement, culminating in the prayer march of approximately 8,000 people that involved residents of the Tri-State area and counties beyond. The movement started after several people saw the movie, "An Appalachian Dawn," which tells the story of how the town of Manchester, Ky., was changed after the residents united in their fight against drug abuse and corruption. On Sunday, March 4, there will be a Stand in the Gap meeting at 3 p.m. in Duke Hall on the LMU campus in Harrogate, Tenn. The audience will hear from The Sentinel Group, producers of "An Appalachian Dawn," as they reveal the results of over 20 years of research into “Real Moves of God”. In addition to The Sentinel Group, Doug Abner and Karen Ingle, both participants in "An Appalachian Dawn," will be at the meeting to talk about the Clay County and Manchester, Ky., movement and how God continued to act. For more information call 423-300-1302 or visit the Stand in the Gap Facebook page. Read more: www.claiborneprogress.net/view/full_story/17712212/article-Stand-in-the-Gap-participants-want-real-transformation?instance=popular
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Post by In The News on Mar 26, 2012 4:38:39 GMT -5
timesnews.net Collette to speak at 'Expecting God's Help' rally
CHURCH HILL — A Hawkins County Christian movement that attracted a gymnasium full of people last month at Cherokee High School is moving east to Volunteer High School this weekend. The VHS gym will host the second meeting of a group called “Expecting God’s Help” on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. More than 1,000 Christians met at Cherokee High School in early February and “united in repentance” at a rally planned by local organizers including Dr. Blaine Jones. This group has continued its efforts in organizing other activities and now in assisting a group in Church Hill to plan a similar rally for the upper end of Hawkins County. Current plans are for the 17 minute trailer of “An Appalachian Dawn” to be shown followed by a talk by Steve Collette, who is featured in the film. Expecting God’s Help is a non-denominational, non-profit group under the umbrella of Four Square, Inc. based in Rogersville. www.timesnews.net/article/9044295/39expecting-god39s-help39-rally-set-for-saturday-at-volunteer-high-gym
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