Down the backstretch
When horseracing season comes to Saratoga Racetrack (NY) in July and August, the families of most backstretch workers (those who walk horses, clean stables, etc.) have to find housing elsewhere. The track prohibits men and women from living together in its dorms, even if they are married (with or without children).

Thanks to love extended by local FM churches and nearby Pine Grove Christian Camp (a ministry of the Full Story...

Preaching the gospel to the poor
Did you know that Chicago’s Olive Branch Mission (OBM), a 140-year-old FM ministry, is the oldest rescue mission in the United States? The Chapel at Olive Branch Mission, by contrast, is a relatively new (2003) addition — but it already welcomes hundreds to Sunday worship and holds monthly baptisms where many publicly declare and celebrate their newfound faith.

The Chapel was created to provide ongoing discipleship Full Story...

It's slime time
Kids’Street at CrossRoads Community Church (Ottawa Lake, MI) welcomed the community’s youth for its annual Slime-A-Thon in June. According to ministry director, Pastor Adam Duckworth, the unusual activity is a “modern-day VBS-style event” that typically draws 150 kids to a slime time with musical accompaniment. “It is effective in bringing kids into relationship with Christ,” says Duckworth, “because even though we do not present the message of salvation at Slime-A-Thon, many kids will return to Kids’Street to hear the good news.”

Rainy day vision
Pastors in the Mid-America Conference have a new best friend. He’s Orlando Terrero, evangelist and encourager (inviteorlando@gmail.com). Based in Tulsa, the pastor and district leader travels and speaks — calling the local church to support its vision and pastor(s), and to earnestly pursue an intentional, strategic passion for the lost.

“The ministry of the gospel is the ministry of the church,” Full Story...

Resolved?
The denomination’s African Heritage Network is growing tremendously and now includes more than 30 churches led by African-American pastors in nine states and Washington, D.C. The network aims to provide mutual support for member churches and pastors, and to enhance the FMC’s understanding of the societal distinctives of the African heritage community.

“Our vision is to see the [denomination] committed to Full Story...

Dungy comes home
Indianapolis Colts football coach Tony Dungy signed 500 copies of his new book, Quiet Strength, at Agape Booksellers in Jackson Crossing, MI, Sept. 8. Bill and Shirley Blakemore of Jackson FMC have owned the store for 36 years. Dungy returned to his hometown for a fundraiser to benefit the Wilbur Dungy Endowed Chair in Science at Jackson Community College, where Dungy’s dad was the first black professor. Bill Cosby promised Dungy he would do two promo shows if the Colts won the Super Bowl, which they did. Agape also contributed $2,100 from sales of the new book.

Pitch hitters
Catalyst people. We all know a few. They operate out of the place where ability, character and passion intersect. They have great big ideas for the kingdom, great big hearts for the lost, and a willingness to put feet to their thinking.

Take Pastor Steve Evoy, the third [non-successive] Evoy to pastor Michigan’s Sturgeon Valley Fellowship (formerly Wolverine FMC) since its inception in 1908. Not only is he a Full Story...

Long and winding road
Getting to this year’s IYC (International Youth Conference) in Knoxville, TN, wasn’t a big concern for most. But for Mike McCune, youth pastor at John Wesley FMC (Indianapolis) — who clearly loves a challenge — bicycling seemed the best route. After all, the conference was only 360 miles away!

The team (pictured at right) met up at IYC with 1,400 attendees from 87 churches, including others who came by bike. Full Story...

Commitment — with a passion
New Vision Fellowship FMC (Port Charlotte, FL), was planted in January 2006, and called Pastor Larry Jones 11 months later. “We are enjoying everyone’s faithful support and generous outreach,” says member Henry August, citing church-wide projects and commitments that demonstrate New Vision’s passion.

Through International Child Care Ministries, the church sponsors Wuiston Solano, an 11-year-old Nicaraguan. Full Story...

Go dog, go
Don Cleveland of Spring Arbor FMC (MI) loves mission work. Using a process called Intarsia, he combines wood varieties, colors and textures into a desired pattern — dog, horse, eagle, etc. In three years, Cleveland has crafted 65 figures and sold 45, raising $4,000 for missions projects. “We hope and pray we can continue [this creative work],” says Cleveland, “and that others will receive inspiration for some project they can do in their retirement years.”

Back to school
The Good News Center, six miles outside of Morgantown, KY (some 30 miles north of Bowling Green), has more than 20,000 square feet, 14 large rooms, a big library and a gym — all on ten acres. It’s also an answer to persevering prayer.

Pastor Gene and Connie Poole met Denis and Christine Ward years ago. The couples sensed a calling to minister together. They continued to pray and Full Story...