Faith Facts

• Harvest Church in Dothan won sole ownership of its property after disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church.
• The court rejected the denomination’s claim under a trust clause and found no binding property agreement.
• The ruling comes amid a broader wave of congregations leaving the UMC over doctrine and church governance.

A significant legal victory for religious liberty has emerged in Alabama. Harvest Church in Dothan secured sole ownership of its property after leaving the United Methodist Church.

Judge Christopher K. Richardson ruled that the denomination held no legal claim to the church’s assets. The court also rejected the UMC’s effort to enforce a trust clause.

The dispute reflects a larger national movement of congregations departing the UMC over marriage and clergy standards. These churches say they are preserving biblical conviction and local control.

This ruling reaffirms that civil courts can protect the property rights of local ministries using neutral legal principles. May we pray for these congregations as they continue to labor for the Gospel, free from denominations that have strayed from the Word of God.

Read more about the Harvest Church property ruling.

Faith Facts

• Pastor Darthanian Nichols faced a gunman during a Detroit funeral service.
• The pastor said he feared for his life as the confrontation unfolded.
• After the ordeal, ten people gave their lives to Christ.

A funeral service for a teenager lost to gun violence in Detroit became a powerful testament to God’s protection this past Saturday.

When a man pointed a firearm at Pastor Darthanian Nichols and renounced Christ, the Lord intervened to prevent any bloodshed.

Despite the immediate threat to his life, Pastor Nichols remained calm and prayed for safety as chaos erupted in the chapel.

His courageous witness in the face of death moved the hearts of many mourners present.

“I braced myself. I just knew I was going to be shot,”

Nichols shared regarding the intense standoff.

“And even after all of that, God still moved… and 10 people gave their lives to Christ,”

the pastor reported following the miracle.

We praise God for shielding His servant and using this trial to bring neighbors into His eternal kingdom.

May we all stand firm in our faith, knowing that His grace is sufficient even in our darkest hours.

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Faith Facts

• A priest is accused of misappropriating over $300,000 from a Texas church and abusing the credit of an elderly individual.
• An Episcopal Church court ordered a new hearing for the priest, citing violations of canon law during the initial proceedings.
• The diocese previously found the rector guilty of six counts of financial mismanagement, including the misuse of ministry funds for personal expenses.

Integrity and transparency are essential for those called to lead the flock of God.

A Texas priest, Father Edward Monk, will receive a new hearing after a court found his previous disciplinary panel had excluded his counsel and used undisclosed forensic evidence.

The reversal comes amid serious allegations that the rector defrauded St. John’s Episcopal Church of Corsicana through credit card abuse and identity fraud.

While a judicial majority found the initial hearing structurally flawed, a dissenting group argued that the priest still failed to adequately address the missing $300,000.

Scripture reminds us that stewards must be found faithful, yet the American legal and canonical systems also demand fair treatment for the accused.

The pursuit of truth must prevail to protect the sanctity of the church and the resources provided by its faithful members.

“Those canonical violations were highly prejudicial and require us to order a new hearing,”

The Court of Review stated that the previous errors deprived the respondent of his right to present an effective defense against the charges.

This case serves as a somber reminder of the need for both accountability and justice within the body of Christ.

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