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

• A Texas school district deleted a social media post showing administrators posed in front of a progress pride flag displayed in a classroom
• The incident raises concerns about schools promoting controversial ideologies that conflict with Christian and traditional family values
• Parents and faith communities continue advocating for educational environments that respect religious beliefs and parental rights

A Texas school district has found itself in hot water after posting — and subsequently deleting — an image showing district officials posed in front of a progress pride flag inside a classroom. The controversial display has renewed concerns among Christian parents about public schools promoting ideologies that contradict biblical teachings on human sexuality and gender.

The deleted social media post featured top school administrators standing before the rainbow-colored flag, which includes additional stripes representing transgender and other LGBT identities. The image sparked immediate criticism from parents and community members who questioned why school leadership was endorsing such displays in educational spaces meant to serve all families.

El Paso Independent School District (@ELPASO_ISD) in Texas made a post online that appears to show a Pride flag hanging inside a school classroom.

This is a VIOLATION of Texas law HB 3842, which PROHIBITS LGBTQ flags from being displayed at public schools.

This should be… pic.twitter.com/mhJth0Kiu2

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 17, 2026

For many Christian families, the incident represents a broader pattern of public schools sidelining traditional values in favor of progressive activism. Schools have a responsibility to educate children in reading, math, science, and history — not to promote contested ideological positions on sexuality and gender that conflict with the religious convictions of many families.

The swift deletion of the post suggests district officials recognized the controversy their photo would generate. However, the fact that the image was taken and posted in the first place raises questions about the judgment and priorities of school leadership.

Parents across America have become increasingly vocal about maintaining educational environments that respect diverse viewpoints and protect parental rights. Many Christian families believe discussions about sexuality and gender identity should take place at home, guided by parents according to their faith traditions, not initiated by schools through symbolic displays and curriculum.

The progress pride flag has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over what role, if any, schools should play in affirming particular views on human sexuality. While advocates claim such symbols create “inclusive” environments, critics argue they effectively exclude families whose religious beliefs teach traditional biblical values about marriage and gender.

This incident in Texas adds to a growing list of conflicts between public education institutions and parents who hold traditional Christian values. As these tensions continue, more families are exploring alternatives including private Christian schools, homeschooling, and advocacy for school choice policies that allow parents to direct their children’s education in accordance with their faith.

The question remains whether public schools can truly serve all families when administrators actively promote symbols and ideologies that contradict the deeply held beliefs of significant portions of their communities. For Christian parents, the answer increasingly seems to be that vigilance and involvement in local school boards are essential to protecting their children’s spiritual wellbeing.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• An Illinois man was arrested for making online threats against Willow Creek Community Church and other entities
• Willow Creek is a multisite evangelical congregation serving thousands of believers across the region
• The arrest highlights increasing security concerns facing American churches and faith communities

A man from Illinois faces criminal charges after allegedly posting violent threats online targeting Willow Creek Community Church, one of the region’s largest evangelical congregations, along with other entities.

The arrest comes amid growing concerns about security threats facing houses of worship across America. Churches of all sizes have been forced to implement enhanced security measures to protect congregants as they gather for worship and fellowship.

Willow Creek Community Church operates multiple campuses and serves thousands of members throughout the Chicago area. The congregation has been a fixture of evangelical Christianity in Illinois for decades, offering worship services, Bible studies, and community outreach programs.

Law enforcement officials moved quickly to address the threats, taking the suspect into custody. The swift action demonstrates the seriousness with which authorities treat threats against religious institutions and the safety of worshipers.

The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing churches in modern America. Many congregations have been forced to balance openness and welcome with necessary security precautions, investing in trained security teams and surveillance systems.

Houses of worship remain soft targets, and threats against them strike at the heart of religious freedom—a cornerstone of American liberty. When believers cannot gather safely to worship, one of our most fundamental constitutional rights is under attack.

The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the full extent of the threats and any potential motives. Church leaders continue to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure the safety of their congregation.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.