logo
#

Latest news with #churches

Topeka churches swap locations to accommodate congregation sizes
Topeka churches swap locations to accommodate congregation sizes

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • General
  • Yahoo

Topeka churches swap locations to accommodate congregation sizes

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Two Topeka churches are proving that faith and flexibility can go hand in hand. When one congregation grew and the other downsized, they made an unusual move to help each other out. It's not often you hear of two churches trading places, but two congregations in Topeka say swapping locations has been an amazing decision. Topeka Baptist church had been steadily growing, eventually outgrowing their place of worship off of 45th and Southwest Gage. 'The church is a family. And we are a growing family, so we just needed a bigger space,' Topeka Baptist Pastor, Mark Doss said. 'We were looking to either expand and it's just so expensive to build right now.' Just a few miles away, light of the world Chrisitan center was having a shift in numbers. Topeka man gets Bobo's Drive In logo tattoo With a smaller congregation, they realized some of their space was going unused. 'First day we listed it. They are the first ones that come look at it that day,' Light of the World Pastor Wes Oakley said. And so, we knew that maybe something was aligning. And we'd drive around Topeka looking for another place, so we could kind of downsize. We'd always come back to this place.' Now Topeka Baptist is holding services in Light of the World's old location near 33rd and Southwest Gage. They say they saved around $10,000,000 on reconstruction. Light of the World has moved into the smaller space that they left behind. 'Two different denominations that can work together to get something done,' Light of the World Member, Chris Croft said. 'I mean, that's a good example for anybody.' Both churches say the swap is a win – win. Both groups now have spaces that can accommodate the size of their congregations. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Trio to release book detailing all the best churches in and around Salisbury
Trio to release book detailing all the best churches in and around Salisbury

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • General
  • Yahoo

Trio to release book detailing all the best churches in and around Salisbury

Three church enthusiasts have produced a book detailing 65 churches in and around Salisbury. The trio, John Elliott, Malcolm Sinclair, and Roy Bexon, have spent 18 months visiting the churches, culminating in the creation of 'Churches of Salisbury & District'. The book, published by Sarum Chronicle, will be officially launched on June 12. At 264 pages, it includes essays on church history and architecture, tips for visitors, and detailed accounts of each church visited. The book is illustrated with colour photographs and contains maps for locating the churches, as well as suggested routes for tours of rural churches. READ MORE: Oldest woman with MBE celebrates 111th birthday with family and friends at big party The publishers are offering a discount on the book for orders received before the launch – the paperback version is £15 (RRP £20) and the hardback edition is £20 (RRP £25). Sarum Chronicle is known for its annual publication of a book of articles about local history every November. This new book on churches is an additional edition to their usual offerings. Those interested in obtaining a copy can reserve theirs by visiting the Sarum Chronicle website, clicking the "Churches" button, and following the links, or by emailing sarumchurches@ to request an order form.

Righteous harvest: How faith and farming can help us live the American dream
Righteous harvest: How faith and farming can help us live the American dream

Fox News

time25-05-2025

  • General
  • Fox News

Righteous harvest: How faith and farming can help us live the American dream

In America's farm country, there is a steady heartbeat that pulses throughout the fields—the faith community. It's not confined to Sunday sermons or midweek Bible studies. It's in the calloused hands that till the land, in families who pray over the crops, and in pastors who bless the harvest. As a small farmer from Georgia, rooted in faith, family, and the rich soil of the American South, I know how powerfully faith and farming walk hand in hand. The Word of God tells us in James 2:26, "Faith without works is dead." On American soil, those works take the form of plowing fields, planting seeds, harvesting crops, and stewarding the land. As we look ahead to America's 250th anniversary in 2026, we must pause to reflect on the role that faith and agriculture played in building our great nation. From the Revolution to Reconstruction, from the Dust Bowl to the Civil Rights Movement, farmers of faith haven't grown just crops—they have grown courage, resilience, and community. Historically, the bond between farmers and churches has been more than symbolic—it is practical. In colonial times, the church was often the first public institution built in rural communities, meeting spiritual needs and serving as a hub for news, markets, and mutual aid. Black churches, in particular, were bedrocks of resilience, preaching the Gospel while helping families survive through farming and food programs during Jim Crow and beyond. On my family's farm, we proudly carry that legacy forward. We grow hydroponically, cultivating herbs, vegetables, and even butterflies with prayer at the root of every crop. We share our harvest with our church, using food not just to nourish, but as an educational tool. But we must think beyond our own fields. Across the country, the partnership between farmers and faith institutions can tackle important challenges. One important challenge is addressing food waste. It is unacceptable that over 30 percent of food in the United States goes uneaten, while millions remain food insecure. Some food waste begins on the farm, through both surplus production and also "imperfect"—but otherwise wholesome and nutritious—produce that does not meet cosmetic standards for mainstream shelves. But what the world calls imperfect, God calls usable. This is where farmers and faith leaders can step in together. By partnering with local farmers, faith institutions can help redirect unsold produce to those in need, turning what would have been waste into nourishment and hope. Imagine churches hosting community dinners using donated ingredients. Picture youth ministries learning to cook fresh, local meals. Further, faith institutions can also spread the word about community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Off the farm, faith institutions can work with restaurants, caterers, campuses, and hotels to recover non-perishable and unspoiled perishable foods, provided food safety guidelines are met. They can collect and coordinate the donation of items across communities, helping ensure good food reaches people, not landfills. To make it easier, liability protections exist for those seeking to make good faith donations of food to nonprofit organizations like churches. These efforts restore more than nutrition. They restore dignity and connection. They show people where their food comes from and remind them that every harvest is part of something sacred. This is a vision championed by the America First Policy Institute, where I serve as chair of the American Dream Coalition. We believe in empowering families, promoting self-sufficiency, and reigniting prosperity for the one-blood human race, especially in rural and underserved communities. Initiatives that unite farmers and churches align with that mission and offer the kind of grassroots revival our country urgently needs. When churches embrace and support agriculture, whether by reducing food waste or simply sharing a harvest, they reaffirm biblical truths about stewardship, generosity, and compassion. And when farmers partner with churches, they discover renewed purpose in using their bounty to serve others. My uncle, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." I say faith matters. Farming matters. And when you bring the two together, you do not just grow crops. You grow hope. So let us not grow weary. Let us sow with intention. Let us water these partnerships with prayer and reap a harvest of blessing and prosperity for our communities. Faith and farming, together, can help us live out the true promise of the American Dream. These are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Government.

5,000 to gather for major event along South West Coast Path
5,000 to gather for major event along South West Coast Path

Yahoo

time25-05-2025

  • General
  • Yahoo

5,000 to gather for major event along South West Coast Path

More than 5,000 Christians are expected to gather for a significant event along the South West Coast Path. On Saturday, July 12, at 10.30am, churches and Christians from across the south west are invited to unite for South West Awake 2025. This initiative will see thousands of Christians gather in prayer along the entire stretch of the South West Coast Path, creating a chain of worship and intercession that wraps around the region. From Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, participants from all denominations and backgrounds will line the 630-mile trail, the longest National Trail in the UK, in a demonstration of faith, unity and hope. The path will be transformed into a ring of prayer and praise to wrap around the south west of England. READ: Major donation to church supporting care home residents Now in its fifth year, with participants taking part growing year on year, South West Awake continues to grow in scale and vision, with all styles and sizes of churches from across the region taking part. Organisers are confident that 2025's gathering will be the largest yet, with renewed enthusiasm from churches and individuals alike. On the day, between 10.30am and 11am, each participant will play a role in this regional act of prayer, lifting up local communities, charities, schools, businesses, emergency services and churches, as well as those facing illness, hardship, or isolation. A specially curated audio prayer guide will be available to help guide the time of intercession, accessible via headphones or loudspeaker. South West Awake is being coordinated by a broad coalition of church networks and Christian organisations, including Creation Fest, South West Youth Ministries, the Diocese of Exeter, Rediscover Church, Hope Baptist Church and others. READ: Prince praises Dorset church as it wins prestigious architecture award Jason Ham of Rediscover Church in Exeter, one of the event's lead organisers, said: "This is a movement of hope and unity. "Across the south west, churches are meeting real needs every day—running food banks, offering debt advice, supporting young people and building communities. "But we also believe in the transforming power of prayer. "South West Awake is an opportunity for thousands to lift their voices together, praying for the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of every person in our region." The event is open to everyone—regardless of age, denomination or background. READ: Maiden Street Methodist Church redevelopment takes shape Churches, small groups, and individuals can register their participation and find resources at Participants are encouraged to join in groups or as individuals, selecting a section of the path near them to cover in prayer. The goal is to have every mile represented, creating an unbroken chain of intercession across the coastline. There is still time to get involved.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store