12 Steps to Growth
Mars Hill FMC (Indianapolis, IN) was founded in 1926. For many years the church experienced growth and impacted its neighborhood in a wide variety of positive ways. Then, during the 80s and 90s, Mars Hill slipped into a decline. Its roster shrunk to just over a dozen members; there was talk of closing the doors. By the turn of the century, the church had expanded again to include a couple dozen people, but hope definitely wasn’t springing eternal. Full Story...

Filled to Overflowing
“It’s not about the building,” says Pastor Steve Macaluso of Liverpool Community Church (NY). Actually, it’s more about how a group of committed believers can serve the community by filling the four walls of a 102,000-square-foot facility.

After purchasing and renovating a building in the heart of Liverpool just over two years ago, Macaluso and his team began to strategize about bringing the community inside. Hundreds of suggestions included Full Story...

Blanket of blessing
Bread of Life (Ocala, FL) volunteers create comfy coverings that local police carry in their patrol cars for distribution to victims of crime and tragic situations so they can
wrap themselves in God’s loving care — literally! (Click on the image to a see a larger version)

Naturally supernatural
Pastor David Hino likes to ask questions. “What would happen if a group of people were desperate to see God’s Spirit move in supernatural miracles? What would happen if we allowed God to work as He did in the Bible?”

When the superintendent of the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference and his wife Sharon felt a call to start a church in Long Beach, CA, they left the superintendency and entered into a partnership with Pastor Larry Walkemeyer of Full Story...

Through Jesus' eyes
Any given Sunday, some 30 nationalities worship at Layhill Community FMC (Silver Spring, MD), where Pastor Dick Dickinson leads the way in ministering to the masses. Members and visitors hail from every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Scriptures are read in a variety of languages.

One way the mission is accomp-lished is through Hope House. The home next door to the church was purchased to serve as a place for offices, classes and connections. Full Story...

Beach baptism
A group from Living Water FMC (Orange City, FL) enjoyed lunch on the pier and a baptism in the Atlantic Ocean. (Pastor Montana Mormur is on the far right.) (Click on the image to a see a larger version)

Carrying the cross
“We wanted a new way to be out in the community,” says Pastor Paul Eckenrode of Bridgeport FMC (Mt. Pleasant, PA). A traffic sign gave him the idea he sought: the church would hold a CrossWalk, and this Easter would be the first annual event.

Volunteers fashioned 2x6s into a cross, torched it a bit (for an old, scarred look) and varnished it for protection against the elements. A few phone calls produced a police escort for Full Story...

Bishop Emeritus Elmer Parsons passes on
March 23, Bishop Emeritus Elmer Earl Parsons (87) died in Centralia, WA. He was praised in his obituary for being “strong, honest, intelligent, fun loving and warm,” a man who “fostered loving relationships and was ever an encouragement to others.” The following biographical sketch gives a brief glimpse into his life and ministry:

In August 1947, Elmer and Marjorie Parsons (with 16-month-old son, Karl) boarded a converted troop ship bound for Full Story...

Rex Carpenter heads chaplain ministries
Retired U.S. Air Force Chaplain Rex E. Carpenter is the new Endorsing Agent and Director of Chaplain Ministries, overseeing the denomination’s more than 75 institutional, active and reserve-duty military chaplains.

Carpenter plans to focus on connections and communication — among the chaplains, and between them, the military and institutional organizations where they serve, and the many FM churches who support their ministry — ever strengthening the Full Story...

Partnering in Pendleton
At Pendleton FMC (OR), they’re firmly committed against reinventing the wheel. The church gives half its tithe (10 percent of its operating budget) to world missions; the other half allows the congregation to partner with other organizations locally who reach the lost and disenfranchised.

Ministries chosen for financial and volunteer support are those who share Pendleton’s ultimate goal: to introduce people to Christ and His transforming power. Three current partner ministries Full Story...