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Small Town Church Refuses to Close Its Doors Despite Dwindling Numbers

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Faith Facts

  • The Waldo Church of Christ in Arkansas has launched a two-year revitalization plan focusing on children’s ministry despite attendance dropping from 150 to 20 members.
  • Forty-two members of Abilene Christian University’s football team were baptized during a Christ-centered boot camp before fall practice began.
  • Multiple Christian educators and ministry leaders across Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, and Nebraska have been appointed to new positions serving churches and Christian institutions.

Arkansas Church Chooses Faith Over Closure

The Waldo Church of Christ has launched a two-year revitalization plan through outreach and a renewed focus on children’s ministry. The congregation, which once had 150 attendees, now averages 20 worshipers on Sunday mornings.

The decline mirrors challenges facing the surrounding community, where the population fell from 1,400 residents in 2010 to 1,100 in 2024, while the poverty rate reached 23.7 percent, according to the U.S. Census. Rather than accept defeat, the church is investing in children through rebuilding relationships within the community.

“If you reach the children, you’ll reach their parents,” Waldo minister H.L. Shirley said.

Through the vision titled “Come Over and Help Us,” based on Acts 16:9, church leaders are seeking financial support for part-time teachers and youth ministry workers. The churchwide initiative hopes to provide children’s ministry materials, meals and other outreach resources to attract families.

“We’re letting too many congregations close their doors. I’d rather be an optimist than a pessimist. We ought to believe there’s still work to do.”

Massive Baptism at Christian University Football Camp

Few besides Abilene Christian University head football coach Keith Patterson knew what to expect for the program’s Christ-centered, identity-focused boot camp right before the beginning of fall camp. Even if the players did, it would have been hard to imagine the results.

Forty-two members of the team — 40 current players, one former player and one assistant coach — were baptized in Jesus Christ during the intensive summer gathering. The ACU football staff partnered with the Beltway Park Church’s men’s ministry to lead players in worship, lessons and small group discussions.

“It will be two days that I’ll never forget. Probably my best two days I’ve ever had in my life, and it was very impactful for me.”

Quarterback Marcos Davila was one of the players immersed on campus at Jacob’s Dream. Linebacker Bryce Morton witnessed the transformative power of the event.

“I started tearing up a little bit seeing everyone getting baptized. It made me say, ‘I’ll give my life to Christ.’ He deserves it. He’s changed my life.”

Christian Leaders Step Into New Roles

Spencer Adcock received Coach of the Year honors by Natural State Baseball. Adcock coaches for Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Ark., which is associated with Churches of Christ. CRC Pioneers players Lawson DeVault and Aiden Smith earned honorable mention recognition on the 2026 All-Arkansas Collegiate Team.

Curtis Janz was named NCAA Division II Athletics Director of the Year. Janz is director of athletics for the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. He spent more than 30 years at Oklahoma Christian University as a student, assistant coach and administrator.

Chris McCurley received honorary membership in the Dickson Firefighters Association Local 3145 in Tennessee. McCurley, preaching minister for the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dickson, is chaplain for the Dickson Fire Department.

Scott Adair was named dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Harding University, beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. Kevin Burr will serve as assistant dean. Garret Best becomes assistant dean of the College of Bible and Ministry and director of the Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.

Tim Hall is the new preacher for the Grassy Church of Christ in Arab, Ala. Leon Lewis begins service as campus minister for York University in Nebraska. Sam Marshall joins Ezell-Harding Christian School in Nashville, Tenn., as elementary and middle school Bible teacher. Marshall is a recent graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville and worships with the Owen Chapel Church of Christ in Brentwood, Tenn.

Cary and Ginger Richie have been named houseparents at Cherokee Home for Children in Texas. Cary is retiring after 32 years with the Wichita Falls Fire Department in Texas. Ginger taught grades pre-K through high school for more than 25 years. Cary recently earned a degree from Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas.

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Sound of Freedom Director Unveils Nativity Epic Zero A.D.

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  • Alejandro Monteverde, director of the pro-family film Sound of Freedom, is directing a new biblical epic titled Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ.
  • The film focuses on the danger and extraordinary faith surrounding the Nativity story of Jesus Christ.
  • Monteverde and his cast emphasize surrendering to the biblical narrative as the heart of the project ahead of the Christmas season.

Ahead of the Christmas season, “Sound of Freedom” filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde is exploring the birth of Jesus Christ through a new lens in “Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ,” a biblical epic that explores the danger and extraordinary faith surrounding the Nativity.

The project comes from a director whose previous work championed the protection of children and traditional values. Monteverde returns to the screen with a story centered on the arrival of Christ.

“I surrender to the story”

Monteverde and his cast are highlighting the powerful message behind the film. They stress the importance of yielding to Scripture rather than shaping it to modern sensibilities.

The film promises to portray the Nativity with the same courage and clarity that defined Sound of Freedom. Families seeking wholesome entertainment aligned with biblical truth will find a new reason to celebrate the season.

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Faith Groups Secure Major Court Victory Shielding Worship Centers from Immigration Raids

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  • The ruling protects the sanctity of houses of worship from government intrusion during immigration enforcement actions.
  • Churches and synagogues maintain their historic role as places of refuge and spiritual sanctuary for all people.
  • The decision affirms constitutional protections for religious liberty and the free exercise of faith in America.

An appeals court has delivered a significant victory for houses of worship across the nation. The panel sided with multiple churches and faith-based organizations that challenged the Trump administration’s policy permitting immigration enforcement actions inside religious facilities.

The decision reinforces long-standing American principles that recognize houses of worship as sacred spaces. Faith communities have consistently argued that allowing raids inside churches and synagogues would violate both religious liberty and the constitutional separation between government power and spiritual practice.

“This ruling protects the fundamental right of Americans to worship without fear of government intrusion,”

The case arose after the administration expanded immigration enforcement guidelines that removed previous restrictions on conducting operations at sensitive locations, including religious institutions. Faith leaders from various denominations expressed concern that such policies would hinder their ability to minister freely to congregants and communities in need.

“Our churches have always been places where people can come for spiritual guidance and practical help,”

Legal advocates representing the faith-based plaintiffs argued that the policy change threatened the historic role of religious institutions as sanctuaries. The appeals court found merit in these concerns and determined that the administration’s approach raised substantial constitutional questions regarding religious freedom.

The ruling comes at a time when many Americans are increasingly concerned about government overreach into religious practice. Conservative faith leaders have long maintained that protecting the autonomy of houses of worship is essential to preserving religious liberty for all citizens.

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Evangelicals and Orthodox Christians: Clearing Up Key Misunderstandings

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  • Christians have disagreed over theology for centuries, yet many divisions stem from misunderstanding rather than substantive differences.
  • Stefan Tijanić seeks to clarify what Orthodox Christians actually believe to foster greater understanding.
  • Clear communication of doctrine can strengthen Christian witness and unity on foundational truths.

Christians have long wrestled with theological differences that stretch back centuries. Some disagreements touch core doctrines, but many arise from simple misunderstandings about what each tradition truly teaches.

Stefan Tijanić addresses this gap directly, explaining the beliefs held by Orthodox Christians. His goal is to replace assumptions with accurate information so that conversations between traditions rest on truth rather than caricature.

“Christians have disagreed over theology for centuries, says Stefan Tijanić. While some of those differences are substantial, many of them are rooted in misunderstanding.”

He outlines several common points of confusion that evangelicals sometimes bring to discussions with Orthodox believers. By walking through these areas with clarity, Tijanić hopes to open the door for more charitable and informed dialogue.

Accurate understanding matters because shared Christian witness depends on knowing what each side actually affirms. When believers speak precisely about doctrine, opportunities for cooperation on moral and cultural issues become clearer.

“He explains what Orthodox Christians actually believe.”

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