News
Children Worship Like Persecuted Saints in Ancient Rome
Faith Facts
- Children at CityLight Church of Christ in Spokane, Washington, experienced Vacation Bible School themed around the early church and apostle Paul’s ministry in ancient Rome
- Yves Bilong, a Harding University senior from Cameroon, won the NCAA Division II national championship in men’s triple jump with a mark of 16.16 meters
- Andy and Carrie Wall were honored for 25 years of faithful ministry service at Conejo Valley Church of Christ in Thousand Oaks, California
In an age when Christian persecution is rising worldwide, a church in Washington state gave children a powerful glimpse into the courage of first-century believers. From June 22-26, CityLight Church of Christ in Spokane transformed its campus into ancient Rome, immersing 25 children ages 4 to 12 in the story of the apostle Paul and the underground church.
The weeklong Vacation Bible School recreated the bustling markets and secret gatherings that defined early Christian life under Roman persecution.
Minister Troy Burns explained the vision behind the immersive experience:
“We are trying to give them a feel for what it might have been like to be one of the very first Christians.”
Throughout the week, dedicated volunteers brought ancient Rome to life. Children participated in Roman-inspired games, including shot put and water bucket relays, while gathering in family groups to discuss Paul’s ministry and his pivotal role in spreading the Gospel.
During family time sessions, participants were encouraged to speak quietly, mirroring the secrecy early Christians maintained amid brutal persecution in the Roman Empire. The experience taught children that following Christ has always required courage and commitment.
Burns shared the congregation’s heart for their community:
“We’re just trying to be that beacon in the neighborhood. The church is hoping to plant some deep seeds.”
Excellence in Athletics and Ministry
In college athletics, Yves Bilong brought glory to God through exceptional performance at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. The senior from Cameroon claimed the NCAA Division II national championship for men’s triple jump with an impressive mark of 16.16 meters.
Andy and Carrie Wall were honored for 25 years of faithful service to the Conejo Valley Church of Christ in Thousand Oaks, California, where Andy serves as pulpit minister. Their quarter-century of dedication exemplifies the enduring commitment to shepherding God’s flock.
Leadership Appointments Across the Nation
Churches and Christian institutions announced several ministry appointments reflecting the ongoing work of building God’s kingdom. Dale Barger was named minister of the Stoney Creek Church of Christ in Elizabethtown, Tennessee. A 2009 graduate of the Tri-Cities School of Preaching & Christian Development, Barger brings years of biblical training to his new role.
Tra Beard was appointed adjunct professor of Christian discipleship and pastoral epistles for Mid-South Christian College in Memphis, Tennessee. Beard currently serves as minister for the Northwest Church of Christ in Southaven, Mississippi.
At Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, Garret Best was named assistant dean of the College of Bible and Ministry and director of the Hazelip School of Theology. Erik Bishop was called as family and outreach minister for the Monrovia Church of Christ in Madison, Alabama, after five years serving as a missionary with his family in Queretaro, Mexico.
Daryl Bowen was appointed elder of the Northeast Church of Christ in Eastpointe, Michigan, while Hannah Diles became female assistant director for Camp Wyldewood in Searcy, Arkansas.
Marty Knight was named director of the Sunset Academy of Leadership Training (SALT), which hosts workshops to foster healthy growth and leadership in Churches of Christ. SALT is a ministry of Sunset International Bible Institute and the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. Knight is a longtime minister, elder and former missionary to Romania.
Randolph McKinney and Dan Sims were appointed elders of the Renaissance Church of Christ in Atlanta. Drew Pirtle became athletic director for Columbia Academy in Tennessee, and Carys Pitman was named operations specialist for DiscipleTrips, based in Lubbock, Texas.
These appointments represent the continuing vitality of Churches of Christ across America, where faithful servants answer God’s call to minister, teach, and lead His people in truth and love.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Dallas Jenkins announced a new Christmas special titled “The Chosen: The Three Kings.”
- The special will air nationally on Fox in December.
- The series continues to center on the life of Jesus and the biblical accounts of His birth.
Dallas Jenkins revealed the upcoming project on Sunday. The special will return to the Christmas narrative with a standalone story focused on the three kings.
The announcement highlights the ongoing commitment to telling the biblical story through quality drama. Families across the country will have the opportunity to watch the special together during the holiday season.
“The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins announced Sunday that the hit biblical drama will return to the Christmas story with a new standalone special, “The Chosen: The Three Kings,” set to air nationally on Fox in December.
The series has drawn millions of viewers by presenting Scripture in a fresh and accessible way. This Christmas special will continue that mission by focusing on the wise men who traveled to see the newborn Savior.
Christian families seeking wholesome entertainment will appreciate the return to the manger and the message of hope and salvation. The broadcast on Fox offers broad reach during the season when hearts are turned toward the birth of Christ.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Scripture teaches that true satisfaction comes from knowing God, not from material wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
- Christian families provide the spiritual foundation that leads to lasting contentment and purpose.
- A strong moral compass rooted in biblical truth helps young people navigate cultural confusion and find peace.
Wealth appears to influence teenage life satisfaction more than gender does according to a new international survey.
The findings place British teenagers at the bottom among their peers in developed nations when it comes to overall happiness and fulfillment.
Researchers note that economic pressures, family breakdown, and shifting cultural values may all contribute to the troubling results.
“Britain’s young people are facing unprecedented challenges that previous generations did not encounter,” one analyst observed.
Christian leaders point to the erosion of traditional family structures and the decline of faith as key factors behind the decline in well-being.
Churches across the United Kingdom are responding by strengthening youth ministries and offering programs that emphasize purpose found in Christ rather than possessions.
Parents are encouraged to prioritize time together, regular church attendance, and open conversations about faith to help counter the negative trends.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Leeds Minster is an historic Anglican church in the United Kingdom that serves as a place of Christian worship and community gathering.
- The Church of England has maintained a long-standing commitment to interfaith dialogue while upholding its Christian witness in the public square.
- Christians across the West continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of all innocent life amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The woman who organized a memorial to Palestinians killed in Gaza has been asked to remove it from Leeds Minster after Jewish community members raised concerns about the names of Hamas terrorists being included.
The project was intended to honor those who died in the conflict, but it quickly drew criticism when several names on the list were identified as individuals linked to terrorist activities against Israel.
Church officials decided the display was inappropriate for a Christian place of worship and requested its removal to avoid further offense to the Jewish community and to maintain the sanctity of the Minster as a house of prayer.
The organizer expressed disappointment, saying the intention was simply to remember the dead and call for peace.
“We were just trying to show compassion for all victims of war,” she stated.
However, many Christians and Jewish observers welcomed the decision, arguing that a church should never host memorials that honor those who target civilians or glorify terrorism.
The incident highlights the growing tension between genuine humanitarian concern and the risk of inadvertently legitimizing groups like Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews.
Christian leaders are reminding believers that true compassion must be rooted in truth and justice, not in selective outrage or political activism that blurs the line between victims and perpetrators.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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