Shelter in the Storm
Chaparral Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, has turned tornado warnings into ministry opportunities. When a number of mobile homes were moved into their neighborhood, the church surveyed owners about their needs. The response was a tornado shelter. When the church built an activity center, they included a basement that could be used for that purpose. Five members who live nearby were given keys so they could open the shelter when the tornado warning is sounded. More than 100 people came at the first warning.
Sherrie Ward MurphreeOdessa, Texas
Marked for Life
After many weeks of volunteer construction in our chapel, we were ready for the carpet layers to cover the plywood subfloor we had nailed in place. But before they did, during a worship service, we invited the people to think about what they hoped Jesus would do in this room. After a few minutes, ushers passed out permanent markers, and we turned people loose to write that request on the floor. They wrote the names of family members who would sit in the seats, and teens (under the back row) who would become the next generation of church leaders. Where couples would stand to be married, someone wrote, “marriages that last—and bless.”
Several weeks later, a visitor said, “Hey, my name was written on your floor!” And soon, we will wed a couple who visited on marker-Sunday, who have since come to Christ and want to be the first married on that spot.
Jeff ChandlerSpringfield, Massachusetts
Let Sabbath be Sabbath
Sundays were wearing us out. For several years, we had preached about the busy-ness of our culture, only the discover that we were contributing to that. Sundays were busier than weekdays. So we declared a day of rest. One Sunday each month, we share a meal after the morning service, Afterward we dismiss for the rest of the day—no meetings, no baby showers, no study groups, no evening service. On Days of Rest, we encourage everyone to seek spiritual renewal and to visit with those you never have time to see.
Carey JonesLubbock, Texas
Water, Living and Labeled
We arranged with a local bottler to buy cases of bottled water with special labels. They featured our church name and quoted John 7:37: “If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. —Jesus.” During the scorching days of summer, we put the bottles on ice, stood on the busy corner where our church is located, and gave them free to drivers who stopped at the intersection. At first, people couldn’t believe we were giving away water, but since then, they eagerly accept them.
Kim SkattumNorthglenn, Colorado
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Related Elsewhere:
Douglas LeBlanc’s interview with W. Bradford Wilcox is also posted today. LeBlanc’s profile of John Eldredge is this month’s cover story.
Other recent fraud cases covered by Christianity Today include:
Fools’ Gold | Christians lured into buying ‘rare’ coins. (June 30, 2004)
The 419 Fraud | New twist on an old scam tempts Christians to accept millions from a Muslim convert. (Nov. 20, 2002)
Swindle Taints Nigerian Church | Church growth and credibility in danger because of scam. (Nov. 20, 2002)
Greater Ministries Leaders Get Lengthy Prison Terms | After taking in 18,000 Christians with “gifting” program, five leaders convicted. (Oct. 2, 2001)
Indictments Handed Down | Five former Baptist Foundation of Arizona officials plead not guilty to theft, fraud, and racketeering. (May 17, 2001)
Jury Convicts Greater Ministries of Fraud | Five leaders face jail time for one of the largest Ponzi operations ever. (March 28, 2001)
Health Ministry Fraud Alleged | Ohio seeks $16 million in damages against Christian Brotherhood Newsletter. (March 9, 2001)
Elderly Investors Target Accountant | But Baptist Foundation of Arizona victims will have to wait in line. (May 17, 2001)
Defrauding the Faithful | If convicted, Greater Ministries defendants face massive fines, prison terms. (Feb. 8, 2001)
LeBlanc’s weblog, GetReligion, is updated throughout the day.
