Latest news with #Christ-centered
Chicago Tribune
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Worship news: Outdoor service and Wow Fest
CrossPoint Church: 214 S. Court St. — CrossPoint Church will have an outdoor service at Bulldog Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. July 20. After the service, there will be bounce houses and outdoor games for recreation. Attendees should feel free to pack and lunch to picnic with friends and family. The church will have a backpack drive in support of By The Hand, a Christ-centered after-school program serving kids in under-resourced neighborhoods of Chicago. Drop-off bins will be located in the main hallway at the church through August 3. For more information, call 219-662-2211. Living Stones Church: 909 Pratt St. — Living Stones Church will have a widows' luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 26. The event is a time of connection, encouragement and fellowship with others who understand. To register, visit St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church Playground: 889 S. Court St. — St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church will have a 'run your own race' event starting at 6 p.m. July 24. Those interested should meet at the playground and plan to run or walk at their own pace. For more information, visit: St. Mary Catholic Church: 321 E. Joliet St. — St. Mary's will have a Donut Sunday on July 20 following mass. Those interested can head over to Hommes Hall and enjoy a donut and a cup of coffee, and wish Seminarian Ryan Pierce 'arrivederci' as he heads off to Rome to continue his studies. Jeorse Park Beach: 3301 Aldis Ave. — The 2025 Wow Fest, featuring Pastor Beverly Crawford, will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 27. The event will have free haircuts and hair braiding, a backpack giveaway, a game truck and more. The Glen Theatre: 20 W. Ridge Rd. — The African American Achievers Youth Corps, Inc. will host their 15th Annual 'Divas of Gospel' Concert on Saturday, July 26 at 6 p.m. at the Glen Theatre. Jonathan Portis will be the M.C. Tickets for the event are $15 and may be purchased at Beautiful Things, 4335 Broadway. The cost at the door will be $20. For more information, contact Smith at 219-887-2046. St. Timothy Unity Church: 1600 W. 25th Ave. — The church will have Gospel Extravaganza, presented by Urban League of Northwest Indiana, at 4 p.m. Sept. 14. VIP tickets are $75, and general tickets are $25. For more information, call 219-887-9621 or visit Eventbrite: Marquette Park United Methodist Church: 215 N. Grand Blvd. — All are welcome to worship at 11:15 a.m. Sundays at Marquette Park United Methodist Church. There will be refreshments to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Herr Farms: 10150 W. 219th Ave. — Bishop Robert McClory will hold the annual Mass for Migrant Farm Workers at 4 p.m. on July 27 at Herr Farms in Lowell. The bilingual Mass will be followed by an outdoor picnic. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share and chairs for your group. Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: 1628 Ridge Rd. — Join the Carmelite Fathers in celebrating their 75th anniversary with Mass celebrated by Bishop McClory at 5 p.m. on July 19. After the mass, there will be food and a performance from local choirs, and an outdoor eucharistic adoration. St. Peter Lutheran Church: 6540 Central Ave. — The church will host a rummage sale from July 31-August 2. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 1, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 2. Services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m.
Business Upturn
17-07-2025
- General
- Business Upturn
One More Child Appoints Jodi Domangue as Chief Operating Officer
LAKELAND, Fla., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One More Child recently announced that Jodi Domangue has been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With more than a decade of leadership on the executive team, Domangue will now oversee the organization's operations which extend to 26 states and 19 countries. Prior to One More Child, Domangue worked with the Florida Department of Children and Families, where she investigated child abuse cases and became a recognized human trafficking expert. In 2014, she joined One More Child and launched Florida's first certified safe home for minor victims of human trafficking. Domangue continued to lead the expansion of One More Child's Anti-Trafficking program throughout multiple states including Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio. 'I came to One More Child after experiencing the transformative care they provided to foster children and child victims of sex trafficking,' said Domangue. 'I had not seen anything like it while working for the child welfare system. They were doing something different, and I had to be a part of it. It is an honor to lead the operations of an organization that's so committed to its mission of providing exceptional Christ-centered services to vulnerable children and struggling families. Our expert staff are the tip of the spear and selfless in their dedication to serving others.' Domangue's impact extends beyond anti-trafficking services. She led the successful launch of One More Child's Foster Care services in the Tampa Bay area and later served as executive director of the Single Moms program, overseeing five residential campuses and launching national and international community programs designed to help single mothers break the cycle of poverty. 'In every role, Jodi has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fight for children and families in need,' said Stephen Robert, president and CEO of One More Child. 'She's a highly respected professional and a skillful communicator who brings a broad range of institutional knowledge to this position.' Domangue has built strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure victims receive compassionate, comprehensive care. She has become a highly sought-after national expert on human trafficking awareness and prevention, contributing to policy development and best practices in the field. The newly appointed COO holds a bachelor's degree in criminology and psychology and a master's degree in criminology from Florida State University. About One More Child: One More Child operates in 26 states and 19 countries around the world, meeting the needs of foster children, hungry children, single moms, struggling families and sex-trafficked children and teens. In 2023, One More Child provided direct services to 250,259 children and individuals while impacting an additional 143,334 individuals through advocacy, trainings, awareness and volunteering. One More Child provided more than 19 million meals nationally and globally. For more information, visit Attachments Jodi Domangue appointed new COO of One More Child Jodi Domangue speaks at One More Child's 'Traffick Stop' press conference Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Worship news: backpack drive, potluck dinner, gospel music, bible study
CrossPoint Church: 214 S Court St. — CrossPoint Church will have a backpack drive in support of By The Hand, a Christ-centered after-school program serving kids in under-resourced neighborhoods of Chicago. The church will collect backpacks from July 13 to August 3. Drop-off bins will be located in the main hallway at the church. For more information, call 219-662-2211. Momentum Church: 2200 N Main St. — Momentum Church will have an international potluck dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 13. Those who attend can bring a dish to share and invite friends. Interested parties can sign up at the welcome center or email info@ to say what food is being brought. Those bringing food should arrive 15-20 minutes early. Jeorse Park Beach: 3301 Aldis Ave. — The 2025 Wow Fest, featuring Pastor Beverly Crawford, will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 27. The event will have free haircuts and hair braiding, a backpack giveaway, a game truck and more. The Glen Theatre: 20 W Ridge Rd. — The African American Achievers Youth Corps, Inc. will host their 15th Annual 'Divas of Gospel' Concert on Saturday, July 26 at 6 p.m. at the Glen Theatre. Jonathan Portis will be the M.C. Tickets for the event are $15 and may be purchased at Beautiful Things, 4335 Broadway. The cost at the door will be $20. For more information, contact Smith at 219-887-2046. St. Timothy Church: 1600 W 25th Ave. — St. Timothy Church will have Gospel Extravaganza, presented by Urban League of Northwest Indiana, at 4 p.m. Sept. 14. VIP tickets are $75, and general tickets are $25. For more information, call 219-887-9621 or visit Eventbrite Valparaiso Baptist Church: 612 Emmettsburg Street— A Truth Seekers bible study will be at Valparaiso Baptist Church from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 17. The Bible study will be a meaningful time of connection and discovery. For more information, call 219-464-1443 or visit
Chicago Tribune
04-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Worship news: Backpack drive and Christmas in July sale
CrossPoint Church: 214 S. Court St. — CrossPoint Church will have a backpack drive in support of By The Hand, a Christ-centered after-school program serving kids in under-resourced neighborhoods of Chicago. The church will collect backpacks from July 13 to August 3. Drop-off bins will be located in the main hallway at the church. For more information, call 219-662-2211. Living Stones Church: 909 Pratt St. — Living Stones Church will have a widows' luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 26. The event is a time of connection, encouragement and fellowship with others who understand. To register, visit St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church Playground: 889 S. Court St. — St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church will have a 'run your own race' event July 10. Those interested should meet at the playground and plan to run or walk at their own pace. For more information, visit: Marquette Park United Methodist Church: 215 N. Grand Blvd. — All are welcome to worship at 11:15 a.m. Sundays at Marquette Park United Methodist Church. There will be refreshments to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Immanuel United Church of Christ: 2201 Azalea Drive — Immanuel United Church of Christ will have a Christmas in July sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 and July 12. There will be hundreds of Christmas and winter bargains, a $1 room and Mrs. Claus' cafe. Herr Farms: 10150 W. 219th Ave. — Bishop Robert McClory will hold the annual Mass for Migrant Farm Workers at 4 p.m. on July 27 at Herr Farms in Lowell. The bilingual Mass will be followed by an outdoor picnic. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share and chairs for your group. Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: 1628 Ridge Road — Join the Carmelite Fathers in celebrating their 75th anniversary with a 5 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop McClory on July 19. After the mass, there will be food and performance from local choirs, and an outdoor eucharistic adoration. For more information, visit St. Peter Lutheran Church: 6540 Central Ave. — The church will host a rummage sale from July 31-August 2. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 1, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 2. Services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m.
Int'l Business Times
26-06-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
From Orphanage to Business School: How LivingStone International University Helped Shape a Life of Purpose
People often draw their deepest inspiration from the family that raised them, regarding them as their ultimate source of belonging and identity. But what happens when this source is suddenly, violently erased? Eric Kubwimana knows this reality all too well. Born in Rwanda's Western Province in 1993, Eric lost his entire family during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Yet despite this devastating loss, he refused to let this define his trajectory. Instead, he persevered, guided and strengthened by his new home and family that forever transformed his life and purpose. At LivingStone International University , Eric discovered that education could be more than knowledge acquisition; it could be a pathway to profound personal transformation and service to others. Foundations of Resilience: The Orphanage Years Eric's childhood memories are filled with the huge absence of family, a void left by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. At just six months old, he was placed in Orphelinat Noël de Nyundo (ONN) after his mother passed away. A year later, the genocide claimed the lives of his father, two older sisters, and every member of his extended family. With no relatives left, the orphanage became Eric's home. Eric shares that ONN, the orphanage that became his refuge, offered more than shelter. It became the foundation where he learned resilience and developed the inner strength to carry him through future challenges. Eric mentions, "Life at ONN taught me resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. Growing up without a family was difficult, but the orphanage gave me a foundation of care and discipline that allowed me to focus on my education." The Turning Point When the opportunity to pursue higher education arose, Eric was ready to seize it. After finishing secondary school, he was given a chance that he described as "would change the course of his life." He received a scholarship from a non-government organization, His Chase, to study at LivingStone International University in Uganda. LivingStone International University (LIU), a small private non-profit Christian university established in 2012, aims to transform Africa through Christ-centered higher education. With over 250 students from across Africa, LIU provides a deeply relational learning environment rooted in mentorship and discipleship. However, transitioning and entering into this new big world did not become easy for Eric. Like many young people who have grown up in hardship, he wrestled with questions of identity, purpose, and meaning. He recalls, "When I arrived at LIU in 2013 to begin a degree in Business Administration, I was unsure of my future." However, what he encountered at LIU was not just a university but a community of faith, mentorship, and personal transformation. More than an institution of higher learning, Eric shares how LIU offered him a new family, one defined not by blood, but by shared values and a commitment to nurturing spirit-filled leaders and members of society. According to Eric, it was in this environment that he began to heal, not just intellectually, but spiritually and sense of belonging, reinforced daily by the university community, helped him shed the fear and uncertainty that had once shadowed his future. Chad Allen, the CFO at LIU from 2013 - 2018, mentions, "LIU aims to direct its students towards God's mission in the world: a mission of creating, healing, building, loving, teaching, serving, and saving. The university's success lies not just in its academic programs but in its ability to cultivate leaders prepared to serve their communities with integrity and compassion." Beyond Graduation: Leadership, Faith, and Giving Back Graduating from LIU marked the beginning—not the end—of Eric's journey. Armed with a degree in business administration, he returned to Rwanda in 2017 and began working in the banking sector, with positions at Letshego Bank and Access Bank. Yet Eric shared how the sense of calling that began to stir in him at LIU only grew stronger. Eventually, he left the corporate world to enter full-time ministry. Eric describes this decision as a choice rooted in the clarity, conviction, and purpose he had found during those formative university years. Eric shares, "The seeds planted at LIU continue to bear fruit—not just in my career but also in how I live my life. My mentor from LIU still walks with me, offering prayer, guidance, and encouragement." Today, Eric is pursuing postgraduate studies in theology and leadership at Africa College of Theology (ACT), committed to preaching the gospel and discipling others. His story represents one of many similar journeys among LIU's graduates. Regardless of race, ethnic background, upbringing, gender, or physical disability, students are accepted and given equal opportunities to pursue their dreams. While many universities focus primarily on knowledge transfer, LIU recognizes that true personal development is the balance of intellectual excellence and spiritual maturity, rooted in faith and the word of God. The ripple effects of this approach extend beyond individual success stories. Graduates like Eric Kubwimana become sparks for change in their communities, using their education not just for personal advancement but for collective benefit and the glory of God. Eric mentions, "From orphanage to business school, my story is one of grace and transformation. I am a living testament to what is possible when education is grounded in faith and community. LIU didn't just give me a degree. It helped me discover my purpose—and my voice."
