|
|
Post by Church News on Mar 31, 2012 8:47:20 GMT -5
The Rogersville Review
‘Expecting God’s Help’ Rally heads to Church Hill on Saturday
by Joel Spears, Features Editor
 Bulls Gap, TN
CHURCH HILL – Last February, the organization Expecting God’s Help (EGH) organized a rally at Cherokee High School in Rogersville to begin “taking back” Hawkins County from what it deemed to be the disparaging grip of things such as drugs and corruption. This Saturday, March 31, at Volunteer High School in Church Hill, EGH will take its message on the road, expanding efforts to unite the county and take back the community. At the February rally, more than 1,000 people attended, Dr. Blaine Jones said. Jones is chairman of Four Square, Inc., the organization which helped establish EGH. With the same goal in mind, Jones said both groups aim to “unite all of the Hawkins County Christian believers as one, and to have true repentance so God will hear and answer their prayers.” The EGH movement began after several members of the community became aware of a similar situation in Clay County, Kentucky through the documentary film “Appalachian Dawn.” In the movie, which records real-life events that took place in a small Southeast Kentucky town, drugs and other corrupt behavior had overtaken the county, that is until the determined Christian community paved the way for God to take it back. Read more about this story: tncommunityhealth.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/rally
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Apr 21, 2012 9:15:50 GMT -5
upperroom.org
Reflection on prision stay at Manchester FCI
 I RECEIVED WORD early this month [April 2003] that I should report April 6 to the federal prison in Manchester, Kentucky. Later I learned that I could bring nothing except a Bible, my eyeglasses, and my watch. I was concerned about whether I could bring my medicine for diabetes.
A Man of Peace, at Age 73, Pays Ridiculous Price
by Will D. Campbell When a nation becomes so insecure that it sends elderly and ill citizens to prison for taking a few steps on native ground, that nation is in danger of losing its soul. Or so it seems to me. I am referring to an aging prophet named Don Beisswenger, 73, a Nashvillian who has been sentenced to half a year in federal prison and fined a thousand dollars for taking steps past a NO TRESPASSING sign at Fort Benning, Ga. Beisswenger describes himself as a “post-Holocaust Christian” who believes that “Christian nations can too easily ignore brutality and atrocities done in their name.” From pages 23-24 of Locked Up: Letters and Papers of a Prisoner of Conscience by Don Beisswenger. bookstore.upperroom.org to learn more about or purchase this book daily.upperroom.org/?p=1238
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on May 14, 2012 9:11:10 GMT -5
"An Appalachian Dawn - Christians Took Their Town Back!" Premiers in Laurinburg, NC
East Laurinburg Pentecostal Holiness Church, located at 302 Sanford Road in Laurinburg, North Carolina, will premier the incredible true video “AnAppalachian Dawn” in its entirety beginning at 7 p.m on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Produced by The Sentinel Group, “An Appalachian Dawn” explains how local churches and residents united through prayer and a common goal to fight back against drugs and corruption, and how this movement has made a radical change in their community. The lives of a former drug addict and a notorious drug dealer, both of whom found salvation and a reason for living because of their community’s actions, are chronicled in the movie. Read the entire blog at: greatawakening.blogspot.com/2012/05/appalachian-dawn-christians-took-their.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on May 16, 2012 15:52:25 GMT -5
Christian rock band from Manchester will perform at TNL on June 14
For a casual and comfortable evening of fresh air filled with the best voices and talents from local musicians, treat yourself to Cumberland Valley National Bank’s “Thursday Night Live!” summer concert series held every Thursday.
Thursday Night Live! hosts a DIFFERENT GENRE of live music every Thursday night beginning at 7:00 PM. downtown London on the Courthouse Square. Live music performances including bluegrass, blues, rock, dance, jazz, and country will be performed and hosted by local & regional artists.
Autumn’s Way is a Christian rock band from Manchester, Kentucky. They love to spread the love and gospel of Jesus with our music. Members include: Deidra Roberts: Guitar/Vox, Jordan Philpot: Bass, Josh Maxie: Drums/Vox, Brandon Mobley: Lead Guitar, and Zech Siler: Lead Vox/ Guitar. They will perform at TNL on June 14.
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Jul 30, 2012 12:24:57 GMT -5
James Estep demonstrates his faith by handling four rattle snakes without fear, July 5, 1959. The meeting was held in the home of Forester Asher on the Clay and Leslie County line. (Photo from The Blaze)
theblaze.com
Why Do Snake-Handling Churches Still Do It?
by Liz Klimas
Snake handling churches have long been a fascination for the public, the majority of whom consider the practice rash and dangerous. The media has also been shedding light on this form of worship by some Christian churches for many years as well. After the death of the well-known snake-handling pastor Mack Wolford from West Virginia in late May though, the controversial practice is being spotlighted again. With the risks of snake-handling and some states even making the tradition illegal by banning ownership of venomous snakes, Anderson Cooper’s 360 went inside some of these churches to find out why they still do it. Watch the clip at: www.theblaze.com/stories/life-threatening-and-in-some-cases-illegal-why-do-snake-handling-churches-still-do-it
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Sept 15, 2012 6:13:59 GMT -5
wkyt.comChad's Hope gives drug addict a second chance
Three years ago, Carl Varney said his life was spiraling out of control. At first glance, the man dressed in a firmly pressed collared shirt, slick coal slacks and a pair of square-toed, polished black loafers might not be the typical mental image of a former drug addict. Varney said he faced seven felony drug charges and had a choice to go to jail or seek help. The Huntington, W. Va. native said that was when he said he decided to turn his life around. The preacher’s son talked about his road to recovery and how he is now helping folks who are walking down a similar path. Varney said his substance abuse problem did not start until he began working at a restaurant in Ashland, Ky., in 2006. Varney said he traveled to Florida to traffic pills. He said he was miserable with the lifestyle, but did not know where to turn. He said he knew his life was on the line and he had to admit to himself that the addiction was beyond his control. He said he decided to change his path. Varney said he entered Chad’s Hope after meeting some officials from Operation UNITE. Though they did not pay for his treatment, he met several people in the program who had utilized the voucher program the organization offers. Officials said Chad’s Hope is one of many treatment programs Operation UNITE refers people to. The facility is a faith-based program located in Manchester, Ky. Varney served as a youth pastor after completing a one year program at Chad’s Hope. UNITE officials said they try to find programs that work for people who call in to the treatment line. Varney said he has been married for two months and met his wife in one of the churches he joined after coming out of Chad’s Hope. Varney said he has also served as a worship leader at a Manchester church in addition to the other jobs he has taken on. September is National Recovery Month. The number for the UNITE treatment line is 1-866-908-6483 Read the entire article at: www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Former-addict-talks-about-recovery-169842746.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Oct 19, 2012 12:50:06 GMT -5
wordpress.com
Support STAND Prayer Rally Against Drugs
All Scott County (Tennessee) citizens are urged to participate in the “Stand in the Gap” prayer march on Sunday, November 4 at 3:00 pm at the Huntsville Mall. This event is sponsored by STAND. (Schools Together Allowing No Drugs) and is supported by local churches. STAND is an organization dedicated to preventing and stopping drug abuse among children from 6th through 12th grades. This program mandates and provides drug testing for any student who wishes to participate in ANY school activity (sports, band, clubs, field trips, parking on school property, etc.) that is not part of the basic state-supported curriculum. Those testing positive face mandatory after-school counseling, and transportation home is provided. Records are confidential and are destroyed after graduation so that they will not cause trouble later in life. Alcohol and drug abuse are major problems for youth and adults in rural areas such as Scott and MorganCounties, just as they are in urban areas. The innocent victims of this problem are the children. Not only are the children of families with drug and alcohol problems more likely to become addicted themselves, but they are more likely to be abused. Moreover, the money spent on drugs and alcohol deprives these children of the food, clothing, healthcare, and stable homes they need to succeed in life. Young people raised in an environment of addiction are much more likely to make the wrong life choices that lead to poverty. According to Director Ella Smith, most of the families MSP serves have been touched by an addiction problem. Frequently, grandparents call to say that they have taken children into their homes because one or both parents are using drugs. Yet they are reluctant to draw attention to the problem. STAND was introduced to Scott County in 2000 by Judge Jamie Cotton. It has been very popular because it addresses the problem of drugs early in the child’s life, because it allows parents to avoid the uncomfortable confrontation of having their children tested, because it provides educational information to both parents and children, and because each child’s slate is wiped clean after he or she graduates. The “Stand in the Gap” prayer movement was started a couple of years ago in Clay County, Kentucky. It is now being observed in nine counties in Kentucky and Tennessee and continues to grow by calling attention to the problem and to the help offered by STAND. The poster for this event states “Only God Can Help Us!” We couldn’t agree more, but remember: we are God’s hands on earth. Therefore, we urge you to attend this prayer rally and while you are there, pray about what God is leading you to do about the drug and alcohol problem in ScottCounty. Then pray about what God is leading your church, your school, your club, your business, and your local government to do. Then make it happen. This is a problem that reaches into every aspect of our lives, and it will take a cooperative effort, with God’s help, to solve it. msp2011.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/support-stand-prayer-rally-against-drugs
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Oct 21, 2012 17:29:41 GMT -5
WYMT
Local ministry serves community
Hundreds of families were fed another meal, thanks to a local ministry. Big Creek Missions in Leslie County held its monthly food distribution today. Food was provided for nearly two-hundred families in Leslie and Clay County. Four churches along with volunteers helped with the distribution. One of the missionaries from Knoxville, Tennessee says that for everyone serving at the ministry, faith is what motivates them. Big Creek Missions hosts new groups each week for service projects like the food distribution. www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Local-ministry-serves-community-175138641.html
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Oct 26, 2012 5:33:20 GMT -5
WYMT-TV
Young Professionals of East Kentucky meet at Chad's Hope
Law enforcement officials said more lives have been lost to overdoses than in car wrecks in Kentucky recently. Some young people wanted to know how they can help fight the drug epidemic in the region. Young Professionals of East Kentucky members came to Chad's Hope rehabilitation center in Clay County to hear from people who have battled addiction and are turning their lives around. Each person said rock bottom is different to the individual. Others who had fought methamphetamine, the so called “devil drug,” echoed the same sentiment. They said it is important to understand it affects more than those who deal with substance abuse. Officials said it takes a community to fight the epidemic which has destroyed the lives of many families. Dan Smoot of Operation UNITE who spent several years in law enforcement said he believes it is important to advocate that treatment is the only answer to battling addiction. He said treating addiction helped to fight the war on drugs. Smoot said the goal was to get people functioning in society, working and raising their kids. A new facility is being added to Chad’s Hope, which Director Mike Leonard said should be complete by December. That facility will be used to teach vocational skills so when individuals complete the one year treatment program, they will also have resume experience to find jobs. Those in recovery said they believed it was the only answer. Chad’s Hope is one of several places that operation UNITE offers a voucher program to get treatment for those who qualify. To learn more, just log onto: HTTP://OPERATIONUNITE.ORGHTTP://www.chadshopeky.comwww.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Young-professionals-attend-forum-to-learn-how-to-fight-drug-problem-175904771.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Oct 30, 2012 16:12:59 GMT -5
Leading Music in a Small Catholic Parish
by Denise Day Spencer
Chaplain Mike asked me to write an essay about leading music in a small Catholic parish. What are some of the challenges? The rewards? I am sure a small Catholic parish faces many of the same challenges as any small Protestant church. Where are the people who are able and willing to work with the music ministry? The key word is often “willing.” Some would be able, but are already overextended in other ministries or are too busy with their lives outside of church. Still others have the ability to help, but are too shy and hold back in self-doubt. There are days when I imagine our parishioners wish I would hold back myself. But willingness wins the day and I bang out the next hymn on the piano. I take solace in the belief that St. Ann Mission truly needs me, for they asked me to play at Mass well before I joined the Church. At that time we had one lady leading music with the help of her young adult children. Becky had put her heart and soul into it for years, but the family was preparing to move to another county. Partly because the family was busy building their new house and partly because she knew she would eventually be leaving, Becky brought me on board to substitute for her when she needed a break. As their building project intensified, she asked me to lead music every other week. By the time Becky and family relocated our other parish musician, Jim, had returned from active military duty. A busy man with a large family, Jim was more than happy to let me continue to do music twice monthly on a rotation basis with him. Read the entire blog at: www.internetmonk.com/archive/denise-spencer-leading-music-in-a-small-catholic-parish
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Nov 2, 2012 21:03:31 GMT -5
Middlesboro Daily News
Stand in the Gap set for November 4
Stand in the Gap is a growing prayer movement, and is moving in Bell County, Lee County, Va., and across East Tennessee from Kingsport, Tenn., to Scott County, spanning more than 100 miles. Stand in the Gap has organized five prayer marches for five cities that will involve eight counties and are anticipating over 20,000 people to be involved in the event on at 3 p.m., set for November 4. The Bell County march will take place at Bell County High School. Participants will march to Bell Central and return to the high school where there will be a speaker and prayer. Each march will take place simultaneously. The Stand in the Gap movement is the result of Claiborne County's effort to identify and unify prayer efforts in East Tennessee counties, as well as mount an effort to combat a growing regional drug problem. The prayer movement has grown out of a revival that took place in Clay County just a few years ago. The catalyst was the epidemic drug problem drawing people together from all backgrounds to pray. The problem was so bad that one in six people in their county had been arrested for drugs, said event organizers. After months of prayer efforts around their county, they decided to take to the streets as a show of unity asking God's help for the drug problem. There were 4,000 people, representing 20 percent of their county, showed up to participate that day. As a result, residents will say, God Came to Town. Today just a few years later, the drug problem has been turned around with few cases coming before their courts. In addition to many other benefits, in Manchester, a town of 1, 900, there are 1, 400 new jobs. This is a big change for Clay County which was the sixth poorest county in America. The Clay County march caught the attention of a ministry that documents moves of God around the world. This ministry called The Sentinel Group traveled to Eastern Kentucky and produced a documentary about this revival called Appalachia Dawn. This documentary has gained international attention and gives hope that God can bring change to drug infested regions of America. A free 17-minute trailer is found on The Sentinel Groups website: www.Glowtorch.orgIn unrelated efforts, drugs have pushed groups across Appalachia East Tennessee to come together, praying for children and grandchildren who have become addicted to either prescription or manufactured drugs. The East Tennessee prayer groups have begun learning about and seeing the documentary which spreads new hope through rural communities that God can do the same thing for them. Union County, developed a prayer march in August 2011 with 2,000 people marching, Cocke County with 1, 500 and Lee County recently with 1, 500 people, but the greatest response was 8,000 participants meeting to pray and march to Cumberland Gap in Claiborne County. Participants marched from Kentucky, Virginia and Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., to converge at Cumberland Gap for a prayer meeting. Claiborne County's efforts and the documentary Appalachia Dawn have further fueled the fire of expectancy and hope that God can bring light at the end of this dark tunnel of drugs, county by county. Dr. Edwin Robertson, who organized the Claiborne County March, has been having regional monthly planning meetings to continue the prayer initiative and work together across county lines to end the epidemic of drug abuse in East Tennessee. In August, a decision was made to promote prayer walks or marches in five cities at one time, all to demonstrate how people are crossing denominational lines to cry out to God to eliminate illegal drug and alcohol abuse in the Stand in the Gap Region. The plan was to organize five marches, in five cities involving eight counties, spanning over 100 miles on Nov. 4. The Jonesville, Va.march was held Sept. 23. Participants were overheard making statements like We've prayed our whole lives to see what is happening around us. Another marcher said, We're making history today. Everywhere these marches go on, significant changes begin taking place in their county. Marches will be in Rogersville, Tenn., (Hawkins County), from the First Baptist Church to the City Park, in Huntsville (Scott County), La Follette, Tenn. (Campbell County), New Tazewell, Tenn. (Claiborne County) at Gose Park, and in Pineville. www.middlesborodailynews.com
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Nov 4, 2012 20:39:43 GMT -5
knoxnews.com
Standing in the Gap: Event aimed at stemming drug, alcohol abuse [/b] By Mike Blackerby
Steve Collett was known as the meanest man in Clay County, Ky. The drug-dealing son of a roughneck moonshiner, Collett had a mile-long rap sheet, a penchant for violence and a lengthy arrest record. Finding religion was the last thing on Collett's mind. In 2004, the broken and homeless Collett finally got his chance — and he met his match. Collett, who has since been described as having led more people to Christ than any preacher in the country, shared his remarkable testimony of rebirth at Sunday's Stand in the Gap march against drug and alcohol abuse. About 1,000 people marched in Sunday's event for Claiborne and Union counties, and attended a praise and worship service at Gose Park. New Tazewell was one of seven cities in East Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky to host a Stand in the Gap rally on Sunday. The impetus for Sunday's marches came from "An Appalachian Dawn," a 2004 documentary that featured Collett and detailed how residents and churches in Manchester, Ky., banded together through prayer to fight drugs. Read the entire article at: www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/nov/04/standing-in-the-gap-event-aimed-at-stemming-drug
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Nov 5, 2012 6:35:09 GMT -5
Melanda Adams
WYMT
Melanda Adams speaks at Eight county rally against drug abuse
People came together in three different states to fight against drug and alcohol abuse. The second year of "Stand in the Gap" included eight counties in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. Their walk was silent, but the message behind it was loud. Former drug user, Melanda Adams was one of the many voices. She along with hundreds of others, marched against alcohol and drug abuse at Stand in the Gap. With every step during the walk, they prayed for different topics in the fight against drugs. Seven other counties in the tri-state area are marched as well, and even though they were in different places, people in Bell County said it is about coming together as a community. The march was followed by a worship service, where Adams shared her story of recovery with the crowd. www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Eight-counties-rally-against-drug-abuse-177190201.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Nov 6, 2012 8:25:04 GMT -5
Steve Collett, a former drug addict and drug dealer in Manchester, Ky., was one of the speakers for Sunday's event. Collett is featured in the documentary, "An Appalachian Dawn".
Claiborne Progress
Still standing in the gap one year later
by Marisa Anders, Editor
One year later, and Stand in the Gap is going strong and growing in numbers. It has been one year since the movement started gaining attention, and in that year Stand in the Gap has been a catalyst for unity among churches, awareness of a tremendous drug and alcohol abuse epidemic, awareness of the need for law enforcement that crosses state lines and much more, say organizers. The one year anniversary was marked Sunday by another march, this time at New Tazewell’s Gose Park. The movement has grown from three to eight counties and there were marches at several different sites. Locally, Claiborne, Union, Hancock and Lee counties gathered at Gose Park and there were an estimated 3,000 people in attendance. In Hawkins County, approximately 5,000 participated; 2,000 in Scott County; 1,000 in Campbell County, 500 in Bell County and 300 in Grainger County. An estimated 8,000 people attended last year’s march in Cumberland Gap. Other counties are planning prayer marches in the near future. The movement’s name comes not from the Cumberland Gap, where the first prayer march took place, but from a Bible verse — Ezekiel 22:30. “… I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one,” it says, and the theme of the movement could be summed up in those words: Heal our land. Mike Gibson of Sneedville was on hand Sunday to sing his original song by that title, “Heal our Land,” which was inspired by the 2011 march. As the participants walked in silent meditation and prayer around a one-mile perimeter at the field beside Gose Park, there were 20 different prayer stations asking for prayer for various needs in the community. Some of the needs listed included: Repentance, unity among churches, the addicted, marriages and homes, law enforcement and undercover officers, schools and to expose corruption. After completing the prayer walk around the field, participants were led into the park to a stage area where a service was held. Music was provided by a community choir and several people addressed the crowd. Steve Collett a former drug addict and kingpin from Manchester, Ky., who was featured in the documentary “An Appalachian Dawn”told the crowd about receiving salvation in a port-a-potty one night after leaving jail on drug charges because that was the only place he had to sleep. The Stand in the Gap Coalition will continue to work toward its goals, said organizer Edwin Robertson, adding that one of those goals is to have a federal drug task force in the area to help enforce drug laws across the state lines. The next meeting of the coalition is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2013, at 3 p.m. in Duke Hall on the LMU campus. Read more: www.claiborneprogress.net/view/full_story/20724266/article-Still-standing-in-the-gap-one-year-later
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Nov 13, 2012 6:23:11 GMT -5
WYMT-TV Report and Video
Ken Bolin talks about Sunday's "Fire in the Mountains" prayer rally
A prayer rally is scheduled for Sunday in Pikeville, Corbin and Somerset. In the fight against drug abuse, officials say children too often become the victims. And many teenagers in the region experience this firsthand. Two of those teens have partnered with Operation Unite to end the cycle. Local churches and community members will join them Sunday at the "Fire in the Mountains" prayer rally. “We've got a problem and now let's go do something about it. And I think the first thing we need to do about any problem is pray, so that's why the churches are coming together to launch this,” said Pastor Ken Bolin of Manchester Baptist Church. The rally will be in three different locations, Somerset Christian School, the old Civic Center in Corbin, and the Pikeville Expo Center. www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Fire-in-the-Mountains-rally-scheduled-for-Sunday-179019331.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Jan 19, 2013 14:13:56 GMT -5
Claiborne Progress
Stand In The Gap marches forward
The first meeting of the Stand in the Gap Coalition (SIGCO) for 2013, headquartered in Cumberland Gap, was held Sunday at LMU’s Duke Hall to continue developing strategies against drug and alcohol abuse as well as family violence in the Tri-State area. SIGCO is a coalition of eight East Tennessee Counties, Bell County, Ky., and Lee County, Va., who have joined forces to fight prescription and manufactured “Drug/Alcohol Abuse, and Family Violence” in the Tri-State areas of eastern Kentucky, Tennessee and southwest Virginia. SIGCO originated in the fall of 2010 as an outgrowth of similar efforts in Manchester (Clay County), Kentucky as documented through An Appalachian Dawn and based on the Biblical principles, especially II Chronicles 7:14. Dr. Edwin Robertson, regional leader, reported on a recent project undertaken by SIGCO. The project involved the invitation of DEA, TBI and county drug enforcement officials to Harrogate, Tn., where they could begin discussions on how to join forces to better identify and make cases against drug dealers skipping between county and state lines. Since November, these Law Enforcement agencies have reported already making new cases and awaiting arrests/convictions as a result of their efforts. A Joint Drug Task Force is envisioned in the near future for the SIGCO/Tri-State area. Read more: www.claiborneprogress.net/view/full_story/21429888/article-Stand-In-The-Gap-marches-forward
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Jan 25, 2013 12:06:48 GMT -5
Funding Friday
St. Anne Mission works to help the unborn, the dying, the poor, and the imprisoned
By John Matthew Swaim
Today, we recognize a tangible, boots-on-the-ground effort that empowers a particular parish to acknowledge the face of Christ in the unborn, the dying, the poor, and the imprisoned. St Anne Mission in Manchester, KY is the only Catholic parish in Clay County, KY, nestled in the heart of the Appalachan Chain. Their 20-family parish in Eastern KY could be focusing on basic maintenance, but instead, they’re focusing on Jesus’ call to give out of their need rather than from their surplus. Though they struggle to make ends meet, they still find the time and resources to reach out to their community, whether via pregnancy center help (pro-life), hospice care (pro-life) or prison ministry (pro-life, especially given how many imprisoned fathers are living with post-abortive consequences). It costs less than ten bucks to buy a pack of diapers for a newborn. How many mothers do you think are out there who are tempted to abort because they think they can’t afford diapers? You have no idea what impact a small contribution can have in terms of helping an abortion minded Eastern Kentucky mother keep her baby. What if the next Governor of KY, or the next great pro-life activist survived because of the simple fact that she or he had the opportunity to sleep in clean clothes? $5, $10, that’s all it takes. More or less than that is always welcome. Just know this: no matter who you are, your parents gave you life because they knew the sacrifices they’d have to make to help you into this world would outweigh the negative consequences of supporting you. If you’re grateful for life, there’s no way to put a price tag on that gratitude. $5 is merely a symbolic gesture. Why not make that $5 or $10 donation to recognize the dignity of Kentuckians in need, be they in the womb, on the verge of the tomb, or abandoned in the netherworlds of the imprisoned and forgotten? God loves everyone, including you, no matter what you’ve done or failed to do. I don’t know about you, but it’s about time I paid that mercy forward. It’s super easy to give here. www.indiegogo.com/stannemanchesterWhat’s stopping you? mattandcolleenswaim.com/2013/01/24/this-weeks-fundingfriday-may-be-the-most-pro-life-one-weve-featured-to-date
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Feb 23, 2013 12:23:51 GMT -5
Ken Bolin to lead spring break mission trips
Campbellsville University students, staff and faculty members will serve on six different mission trips during spring break, March 4-8. Trips include two to Haiti (one with CU's School of Nursing), two to Florida, one to New York and one to Guatemala. The team is working with Missionary Support International to arrange clinic locations and is working with Ken Bolin, a 1981 graduate of CU from Manchester. Atwood said the team's focus is to "support both the spiritual and physical needs of the Haitian people. As Bro. Ken Bolin says, 'Spiritual healing is eternal.'" Jeremy Bell, a junior from Harlan, will travel with the Neply, Haiti team. Bell's team will travel to Neply, Haiti, led by Dustin Ford, a 2011 nursing alumnus of Campbellsville University. They will work with an orphanage which takes care of disabled children and finds them families within the village. Ford, who has been to Haiti twice already with CU's School of Nursing, said, "When I found out we would be working with disabled children I couldn't turn down the opportunity. I love Haiti and have a passion for the people there." For more information regarding Campbellsville University's spring break mission trips, contact Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries, at ecpavy@campbellsville.edu or (270) 789-5227. Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentuckybased Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight preprofessional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Mar 20, 2013 16:40:48 GMT -5
Journal-Times
Standing together in prayer
By Crystal J. Damron
In September 2007 more than 3,000 concerned Carter County citizens held a rally in the streets of Grayson to take up arms in the war on drugs which had spilled over onto the doorstep of their small community. Sadly, turning the tides against an unyielding foe is a slow process. Grayson Freewill Baptist Church Pastor Jim Varney is the first admit things have not go as well as planned since then. Varney said there have been several positive changes in the past four years, but it has not been quite the massive change the group had hoped would come from their efforts. In an effort to rekindle the fire, more than 60 concerned individuals, along with a dozen or so local pastors from multiple churches of varying domination, congregated on the campus of Carter Christian Academy to discuss the issue last Tuesday night. New Beginnings Pastor Kyle Burchett said that the hope is “God will breath on those embers of the 2007 Enough Rally and reignite the passion for unity.” Burchett went on to explain the goal is to “keep the momentum going and to establish fellowship among the body of Christ.” The meeting is one of the first of what this group of pastors plan to turn into a monthly prayer meeting. Pastor Scott Porter, one of the event's main organizers, said the first meeting was back in November. Porter was proud to say “with just the handful we have seen participate so far we are already seeing change.” He is currently reaching out to other area pastors, hoping each event will grow in size. Meetings will rotate locations between the east and west ends of the county each month, making it easier for more individuals to participate. The plans for April's location is still in the works. During the Tuesday night meeting, the group was lead in multiple prayers by a handful of pastors and watched videos of transformation from around the world. “Appalachia Dawn,” a documentary about transformation in Manchester, KY, seemed to get more attention in the room. Once known as the pill capital of Kentucky, Manchester is now known as the “City of Hope.” One of the Manchester pastors, Doug Abner, has already made a trip to Grayson, where he spoke at New Beginnings and met with some tri-state preachers. Abner was quick to say “one of the things we promised the Lord when he transformed Manchester was that we would help anyone, anywhere, anyway we can” in getting there transformation off and running. With friends and ties to Carter County he is excited to help the area people take back their home town just like the residents of Clay County did in May 2004. The over all theme of for Tuesday's meeting was a joining of forces and taking church outside the four walls of a building. “This is not a battle any one church can win on its own, it will take the whole body of Christ coming together,” Burchett said. “Until we, the leaders of the church, make unity and prayer a priority in our lives and in our ministry this will not happen. But, if we do all speak the same language we will turn this world upside down.” This fight is nowhere near over and the citizens of Carter County are ready to tackle it one hurdle at a time. “We are surrounded by so many wonderful people, who are very busy in making a living and being great citizens, the very fact that over 70 people would take time out of their busy schedules to be part of an inter-denominational prayer efforts truly humbles me,” says Varney. Local minister Terry Sexton added, “I was thrilled to see so many people of our community with the attitude to prayer for those hurting.” Varney went on to add, “I trust that this is just the start of a great revival sweeping through this valley; much like the Wesleyan revival that swept through here in the early 1900's. The fellowship of so many outside the walls of church buildings testifies to the heart throb of those seeking to further the kingdom and see healing to our land.” journal-times.com/local/x2000916426/Standing-together-in-prayer
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on May 14, 2013 9:54:35 GMT -5
Hazard Herald
Upcoming event aims to overcome addiction through faith
by Cris Ritchie, Editor
Organizers of an event planned for this coming weekend in Hazard say faith can be a powerful ally in bringing a halt to drug addiction. Joseph Engle, a preacher from Lost Creek, said the meaning behind Saturday’s Healing Hazard event is meant to illustrate that addiction to drugs can be overcome. The program will include testimony from several local residents who Engle said were able to break their own addictions through Christianity. The hope is that others will be inspired to take a similar journey to recovery. Drug abuse in Perry County has come with a heavy toll in recent years. More than 60 people died as a result of drug overdoses in the county in 2010 and 2011, according to the coroner’s office. Authorities in Hazard have estimated that nearly 90 percent of the local crime, from theft to forgery, can in some way be traced back to the local problem with drug addiction, mainly to prescription medications such oxycodone. Engle actually spends his days as the deputy chief of the Hazard Police Department, and while he noted that Healing Hazard is in no way affiliated with the department, it is his experience that tells him drug addiction is not something that can be cured through law enforcement alone. Healing Hazard will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Perry County Public Library. In addition to testimony from former addicts, officials with Chad’s Hope, a faith-based rehabilitation center in Clay County, will also be on hand, as will officials with Operation UNITE. Engle noted that UNITE operates a program to help cover the costs of rehabilitation for residents of Congressman Hal Rogers’ congressional district. Read more: www.hazard-herald.com/view/full_story/22571004/article-Upcoming-event-aims-to-overcome-addiction-through-faith?instance=popular
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Jun 23, 2013 7:10:55 GMT -5
Logan Banner
Clay County is an inspiration for West Virginia Churches to unite for prayer
by Martha Sparks, Society Editor
A newly formed group in Logan County is uniting to fight addiction of drugs and alcohol and other problems in Logan County in a religious way — with prayer revival. HEAL (Help Eliminate Addictions in Logan) was created for the purpose of bringing revival to the entirety of Logan County and is a group effort made by Logan County churches of all denominations. Barnhouse said the first and most important goal of the movement is to get all pastors and Christians united in prayer. Barnhouse refers to two other communities which have been successful in uniting churches for the purpose of revival: the first is Manchester, Ky., (Clay County), which had a revival a few years ago due to the churches in the area from various denominations uniting for the purpose of prayer for revival. A documentary film was made about the revival called “An Appalachian Dawn.” Another community which claims success in uniting various denominations together for prayer for revival is Boone County. The churches in Boone County refer to their movement as “The Mercy Revival” www.mercyrevival.comRead more: www.loganbanner.com/view/full_story/22962208/article-Churches-unite-for-prayer-for-Logan-County
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Jul 27, 2013 9:07:53 GMT -5
Dear God, This is Kelley
Lessons from Clay County, Kentucky
I watched a documentary last night, Lord. I think You had a hand in my watching it, yes? It is called An Appalachian Dawn, and it is about Your movement in Clay County, Kentucky. They were cursed with corruption, drug abuse, and looking the other way. But after one too many of their children was buried from the violence of drugs, the churches rose up, bonded together despite denomination, and began to pray. Oh, what tumult happens when we begin to pray! I've been there twice. Once in college, I went down with a group to help paint, clean, and just be with those who were in need. I remember the poverty, Lord; it literally scared me. I went back with a photographer as a journalist in 1998. I picked up on the poverty, the determined spirit, the strength of these people. I did not notice the drugs, the corruption, the hopelessness which, at that time, according to the documentary, was just beginning to settle in. We, too, can become mired in hopelessness. We can let our problems just weigh us down, like lead bars, one after another on our chests, making it hard to breathe, hard to smile, hard to be at peace. But we can rise up, too. We can take the hands of someone, some ones, and ask them to pray with us. We can send that sinking weight off and take hold of You, just like Clay County did. You moved down there. You move within us, each of us, when we turn ourselves wholeheartedly to You. O Lord, thank You for moving within us. Thank You for urging us to turn to You. Thank You for removing the weights that keep us locked into despair. We dance at such times, celebrating the weight removed, feeling strengthened, walking taller. May we always realize it is You. It is all because of You. www.deargodthisiskelley.com/2013/07/lessons-from-clay-county-kentucky.html
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Aug 24, 2013 13:05:21 GMT -5
Free showing of the documentary “An Appalachian Dawn”
by Martha Sparks, Society Editor
A free showing of the documentary “An Appalachian Dawn” will be held this Sat., Aug. 24, at the Coalfield Jamboree in downtown Logan (West Virginia) beginning at 7 p.m. The documentary is being promoted by HEAL (Help Eliminate Addictions in Logan). HEAL is comprised of people of all religious denominations who gather together to pray for the elimination of addictions in the county. “One of the major reasons our church has shrunk in size over the last few decades is directly related to the mass exodus of people fleeing downtown Logan. People are looking for better opportunities to work, and raise their family,” said Tim Barnhouse, pastor of First Baptist Church in Logan. “This trend can be reversed, but it’s going to take the churches working together to find our voice.” “An Appalachian Dawn” is a documentary Clay County, Ky., located in the mountains of Central Appalachia. The description for the film reads “For over 200 years, the people who lived in this secluded corner of America generated enough heroism and infamy to salt the headlines of virtually every major newspaper in the land. Sadly, much of the news was dark—vicious feuds, crushing poverty, pervasive corruption, and epic drug abuse. By the early 2000s, the situation was so bleak that any family that could was fleeing to greener pastures. “Those who stayed behind fought a running battle with hopelessness as illicit drugs threatened to consume an entire generation. And then it happened. As a desperate band of believers cried ‘Enough!’ the Presence of God descended on the town of Manchester, Ky., and transformed it into the City of Hope.” “What happened in Manchester is beginning to happen in Logan,” said Barnhouse. “Come be a part of the greatest move of God southern West Virginia has ever seen. Come get a glimpse of the future of Logan County.” Speaking at the event will be Steve Collett of Manchester who ministers throughout the country on addiction. Collett, a former drug dealer and abuser, is featured in the documentary. Again, the movie will be shown Saturday at the Coalfield Jamboree at 7 p.m. and it is free for everyone to attend. www.loganbanner.com/news/news/2452775/Free-showing-of-the-documentary-An-Appalachian-Dawn
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim Wilson on Sept 16, 2013 17:26:54 GMT -5
Flat Creek Church of the Brethren celebrated its 70th anniversary on September 15.
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Oct 17, 2013 20:24:41 GMT -5
Team West members, from left: Audrey Miller, Lexington, Ky.; Josh McFarland, New Carlisle, Ohio; Zach Gay, Oneida, Ky.; and Kandace Miller, Hutchinson, Kan.
Zach Gay of Oneida part of Rosedale Bible College team venture
By Vicki Sairs, Rosedale Bible College
It takes a certain mindset to realize you’re building God’s kingdom while you’re busy spreading mulch. Karl Delagrange and his fellow workers on Summer Teams USA had that attitude as they served at 10 camps in six states this summer. The teams were a joint project of Rosedale Mennonite Missions and Rosedale Bible College, sister institutions of the Conservative Mennonite Conference. Delagrange, who graduated from RBC in May, said the teams’ primary goal was “to take part in expanding God’s kingdom through service.” At the same time they promoted RBC and REACH. REACH is RMM’s 12-month missions experience for young adults. Last winter Matt Showalter, dean of students at RBC, approached Kevin Mayer, director of RMM’s SEND Ministries, and suggested the college partner with RMM this summer. “REACH has a really good track record of recruiting for their program with summer camps,” Showalter said. Working together made it possible to serve more camps and increase the scope of summer recruiting. REACH participants and RBC students made up both teams. Some team members had experienced both programs, while others were transitioning from one to the other. Kandace Miller attended RBC last year and is in REACH discipleship training now, gearing up to travel with a team to South Africa, where she’ll work in an orphanage. She sees her summer on Team West as good preparation for the teamwork that REACH requires. She learned to appreciate others’ views by listening to and working together with her team, even when she disagreed. Miller said she found the summer a bit more draining than she expected it to be. Working at six camps in eight weeks (with a week of orientation to start and a break in the middle) was a challenge, even though she loves camp ministry. Her team did whatever was needed, serving as support staff, working in the kitchen, helping with worship and acting as counselors and camp pastors. Josh McFarland, also on Team West, had just finished serving with REACH in Kenya before joining the team in early June. He took away a couple of lessons from this summer. www.mennoworld.org/2013/10/14/rosedale-team-venture-helps-camps-bolsters-recruit/#sthash.U73dpAZy.dpuf
|
|
|
|
Post by In The News on Oct 24, 2013 13:20:54 GMT -5
THE FRESNO BEE
Fresno women make, take dresses to Clay County girls
By Ron Orozco
The Anglican Church Women organization at St. Columba Church in Fresno is helping girls in Appalachia — known as one of the most impoverished regions in the United States — by sewing dresses. JoAnn Hagstrom, a parishioner at St. Columba, and Barbara Brotsis, a parishioner at St. James' Anglican Cathedral, recently returned from Manchester, Ky., where they worked with Manchester Christian Church members to distribute 40 dresses to 25 Appalachia girls, ages 2 to 14. The dresses were a mission project for the Dress a Girl Around the World program of Hope 4 Women International. The program has more than 1,600 members sewing throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and other countries. So far, more than 100,000 dresses have been sewn for girls in nearly 60 countries, including many U.S. cities that are described as having developing world living conditions. The Anglican Church Women group at St. Columba has been active in Christian outreach for many years, serving at or helping to fund the Poverello House, Samaritan Women (now Rescue the Children), Hope Now for Youth and Good News Clubs. Read more here: www.fresnobee.com/2013/10/18/3560218/fresno-women-make-take-dresses.html
|
|
|
|
Post by Church News on Jan 7, 2014 21:51:38 GMT -5
Bethel Memorial Church of Princeton (IN) Youth Mission Trip to Manchester
This spring 23 youth along with three leaders will spend their spring break ministering 20 miles outside of London, Kentucky in the small town of Manchester. They will be serving through LeaderTreks, a mission organization, who partners with local pastors to improve the lives of some of the poorest people in America. Through the local church LeaderTreks has been able to identify people who need work on their homes. This gives the BMC teen mission team the opportunity to help people in their greatest need while insuring that follow-up by the local pastors will take place. The service projects range from yard clean-up to building fences and everything in between. The team will also engage in relational outreach programs at local churches or in local neighborhoods. The goal is to make a deep impact by providing assistance, love and healing through the Gospel. Through the experiences of service projects, learning from others, devotions, team work, and leadership training the youth will mature as disciples that become leaders who influence their culture, peers, families, and ultimately make more disciples. Thank you for your prayers and financial support as the teen mission team prepares to serve in Kentucky. www.bethelmemorial.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Newsletter-January-2014-for-PDF-to-work.pdf
|
|
