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It Never Hurts to Ask
Outreach Centered
For years, Ashland Inc. was headquartered in Ashland, Kentucky. Although the corporation has since moved its national offices, it continues to give back to eastern Kentucky—most recently through a gift to Bridges Christian Church in nearby Russell.
In 2006 the church purchased a 20-acre farm less than a mile from their building and began working with Visioneering Studios to develop the master plan for a community center.
“We dreamed of developing a place for the entire area to enjoy sports and other activities,” says Mark McKinney, senior minister. “Of course, our church members will participate as well, and the goal is to create many opportunities to build relationships, share life together, and let our guests see Christ in us.”
But the dreaming didn’t stop there; last year McKinney and other Bridges leaders approached Ashland Inc. about making a donation to enhance the center’s potential even more.
“Ashland owned about seven acres adjoining the 20 we purchased,” says McKinney. “It was a beautiful space not really suitable for development. Ashland gave us the property, and we promised to care for the land and keep the trees.”
BCC will use the extra acreage to create a small campground for two-man tents and extend a trail system already planned for the original property.
“In addition to the write-off and good publicity, I think the Ashland team liked the community center concept and our commitment to preserve the land’s natural beauty,” McKinney says.
Meanwhile, the church continues moving forward with plans for the community center, scheduled to include soccer fields, an expanded day care building, an amphitheater, gymnasium, cafeteria, and more.
“Many people won’t visit a church, but they’ll take their kids to a sports activity or class,” McKinney says. “We just want to build bridges to our community.”
www.bridgeschristianchurch.com
Out Serve
During its recent 40 Days of Community campaign, Palm Bay (Florida) Christian Church encouraged each of its small groups to serve “outside” the group. In response, the teams prepared appreciation dinners for church volunteers, purchased and donated car seats for unwed mothers, provided free babysitting, and served an outreach meal for people in need.
In addition to these projects, the entire church participated in “Hoops for Hope,” a communitywide carnival raising funds for mentally and physically challenged young adults.
Although the 40 days have passed, many of Palm Bay’s small groups continue their “outwardly focused” projects.
www.palmbaychristianchurch.com
Quick Flicks
Saturn Road Church of Christ (Garland, Texas) recently hosted a short film festival for North Texas Leadership Training for Christ, or “LTC.” LTC plans programs to help young people (grades 3-12) develop greater biblical knowledge and leadership skills while encouraging Christian service. LTC held its first event in 1989 and more than 6,000 students—the majority from church of Christ youth groups—now attend LTC conventions each year to worship and to compete in drama, creative writing, music, art, Bible Bowl, and much more.
The festival included screening of some of the best submitted films, discussion groups, and an awards ceremony for categories including best application of theme, best animation, best picture, and best director.
www.ntltc.org
http://ntltcshortfilm.homestead.com
Seeing Green
Environmental awareness is a hot topic in politics and pop culture, but Real Life Christian Church (Clermont, Florida) did not create its “Green Team” to be trendy.
“Stewardship extends beyond the offering plate and influences our attitude toward God’s creation,” says Scott Perkins, membership pastor. “We want to care for our part of the world, and at the same time this may lead to conversations with the community about living our faith.”
For its first outing, Green Team members of all ages cleaned up the campus of a local high school. The group plans to participate in a variety of repair and planting projects, and Real Life also began recycling in its café and other areas.
“We’ll do what it takes to maintain God’s creation,” Perkins says. “And we’re starting in our own backyard.”
www.reallifechristian.net
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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