The Ohio River Valley District Medical/Education Mission team is back from an amazing week of serving the Lord and being served by the precious people in this downtrodden and almost forgotten but recovering rural community. Team members assisted the attending physician, seeing patients at the Clinton Rabb Methodist Clinic. Teachers and nurses conducted 10 community health education classes and children's Bible school programs were offered to children and youth. (read more)

They give up comforts so we can live in freedom. They leave their families behind to protect ours. They return changed by their experiences, and they are in need of our love and support. As you celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, giving compassion to those who serve and their families, think how your congregation can continue to find opportunities to support them year round. 

You may believe the church is to be a cultural change agent in our communities, but the truth is that many coffee shops have taken some of that responsibility. Borrowing from a sociological theory by Roy Oldenburg of everyone wanting a place besides home and work in which to feel welcome, Starbucks and other coffee shops have become the "Cheers" place where if you come often enough everyone knows your name. Can churches learn something from these coffee shop experiences?  (read more)