Christie Storm
Stories by Christie
Walton grants boost young churches
LITTLE ROCK — A gift from Arkansas’ best-known philanthropists is helping shape the future of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., one congregation at a time. Read More »
In the flow
Church’s water fast to benefit Haiti pours participants’ focus into sacrificing for others
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Members of First United Methodist Church in Springdale are on a cola and coffee fast for Haiti. At least one day a week until Easter, they’re drinking only water. Read More »
Siloam Springs group strives for 24/7 prayer
SILOAM SPRINGS — The International House of Prayer in Siloam Springs hopes to one day be open around the clock. Their goal is to be in a continual state of prayer, much like a similar ministry in Kansas City, Mo., where volunteers have been praying nonstop since 1999. Read More »
Spirited vigilance
Bella Vista church ministry devotes 12 hours daily to others’ prayer requests.
BELLA VISTA — On the eve of her infant son’s second heart surgery, Dawn Cross sat in bed weeping. Filled with worry she turned to God with one request — “Let him live.” Five-month-old Gabriel was already a miracle, having survived his first heart surgery soon after birth. Read More »
Taste of the WILDLIFE
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — First Assembly of God in Mountain Home is taking a walk on the wild side this month. Read More »
Beyond chocolate
How about giving up Facebook for Lent?
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — When Troy Thomas realized he was spending too much time on Facebook he decided to give up it up — at least temporarily. The United Methodist pastor will be avoiding the social networking site during the 40 days of Lent, which began this week on Ash Wednesday. Read More »
Ageless echoes
Fayetteville group’s Gregorian chant resonates with ancient Roman Catholic tradition.
FAYETTEVILLE — The sound is ancient, conjuring up images of hooded monks, their voices echoing through the halls of medieval abbeys. Read More »
Tabling the altar
Its purpose and presence have been altered over time
Once a place of bloody sacrifice, the altar now serves a variety of roles in worship. Read More »
The call of Mali
Bentonville church wears a path to African village
LITTLE ROCK — Mike McDaniel has a warning for members of his congregation traveling to Africa on mission trips. Read More »
Mission group in Haiti unhurt
Church members see them on TV
Members of Fellowship Bible Church in Springdale heaved a sigh of relief Thursday morning when they saw Dale Gupton on Good Morning America. Read More »
Day of prayer to aid children adds fundraising
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Participants in this year’s Mom’s Day of Prayer can help children of the world not only with entreaties to God, but with action. Read More »
Casting a wide
Rural church gets international visitors through live online worship
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Last week visitors from 11 countries and 14 states participated in worship at Brand New Church in rural Boone County. Christians from Thailand, Great Britain, Kenya and Canada joined in — online. Read More »
In state, folks with Haiti ties wait
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas churches with mission programs in earthquake-ravaged Haiti are nervously waiting to hear from their colleagues and preparing to help the only way they can — by raising money. Read More »
Fasting labeled ‘missing discipline’
Southern Baptist megachurch pastor Ronnie Floyd believes fasting has the power to change lives. The demanding spiritual discipline has certainly made an impact on Floyd during his 33 years of ministry, offering a cleansing of the soul and a renewal of the spirit. Read More »
Prayerful penning
Keeping a journal can be a spiritual discipline
Most every morning Tom Elliott starts his day by writing to God. He’s partial to penning letters to the Father in a form of spiritual discipline known as journaling. Read More »
Witnesses include diverse mix of cultures
When Dirk and Victoria Clark moved from Los Angeles to Arkansas after retirement, their friends teased them about the culture shock awaiting in the Ozarks. The Clarks, longtime Jehovah’s Witnesses, weren’t concerned. They had family waiting for them — fellow Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Read More »
Kingdom work
An inside look Basic beliefs and key differences with other Christians
An inside look Basic beliefs and key differences with other Christians No Triune God — Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity. They see God, whom they call Jehovah, as the one true God. Read More »
Spirited growth
The Arkansasborn Assemblies of God steadily adds to its numbers
LITTLE ROCK — The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches tracks the membership of the nation’ Christian religious bodies. And in this year’s edition, the numbers were grim. Only three the two dozen largest organizations are growing, according to the 2009 Yearbook. Read More »
NLR church grows with ‘planting’ dare
LITTLE ROCK — Rod Loy, pastor of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, wanted to do something meaningful to mark his congregation’s 100th anniversary. Read More »
Monday is family night for Mormon household
PRAIRIE GROVE — As it is for many Christians, Sunday is a special day for the Gauldin family of Prairie Grove. It’s the Sabbath, a day of worship and rest from worldly concerns. But Monday night also has particular importance for the Gauldins and their fellow Mormons around the world. Read More »
More Mormons
The Latter-day Saints’ growth makes them the fourth largest U.S. denomination
LOWELL — The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches tracks the membership of the nation’s Christian religious bodies. And in this year’s edition, the numbers were grim. Only three of the two dozen largest organizations are growing, according to the 2009 Yearbook. Read More »
Temple ends 28 years of wandering
FAYETTEVILLE — Just as their Jewish ancestors wandered in the desert in search of a home, so too has the congregation of Temple Shalom. It hasn’t been 40 years, but it’s been a long journey nonetheless, one that culminates on Saturday with the dedication of the group’s new temple. Read More »
Hindu temple to be dedicated
LITTLE ROCK — Who is Ganesha? Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, is seen as the god of wisdom and success, as well as the remover of obstacles in the Hindu religion. Read More »
Appealing work
Cathedral continues an age-old bell ringing tradition
LITTLE ROCK — The jangle of the bells from the tower at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Little Rock fills the air every Sunday morning, calling the faithful to worship. The majestic ringing heard throughout the neighborhood and beyond isn’t recorded music as in many churches today. These huge bronze bells, each weighing hundreds of pounds, are rung by members of the Trinity Cathedral Ringing Society. Read More »
About the bells
LITTLE ROCK — The bells at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral were cast by the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London in 1987. The foundry is also the maker of the Liberty Bell and Big Ben, the largest ever cast there at a weight of 13 tons. The cathedral’s ring of eight bells was installed in 1988. Read More »
Unfulfilled quest
Adventurer makes it to Mount Ararat, but doesn’t find ark
LITTLE ROCK — Standing atop Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey this summer, Maumelle’s Holt Condren was certain the legendary Noah’s ark lay beneath the frozen summit. A mere 16 feet of snow and ice separated him from what could have been the archaeological find of a lifetime. Read More »
God’s Girlz dolls foster modesty, faith
LITTLE ROCK — Turned off by the risque clothing and sultry, “come hither” looks of other fashion dolls, designers at Kerusso decided to make their own. Modesty was high on the list of priorities for the Berryville-based company, but so was fashion appeal. Read More »
Bible Belt fertile soil for Judaism
‘Blossoming’ of Northwest Arkansas congregations surprises author visiting synagogues across the globe.
LITTLE ROCK — While traveling the globe on a quest to understand his Jewish roots, author Charles London discovered a thriving community where he least expected it — Bentonville. A New York-based writer, London stumbled across the Benton County synagogue by luck. Read More »
SHINING a light
EPA energyefficiency award illuminates Springdale church’s good stewardship
LITTLE ROCK — The Environmental Protection Agency worries about conserving fuel, not saving souls. Read More »
Making a joyful noise
The sounds of pets will join the praises Sunday as St. Paul's Episcopal Church debuts a service honoring St. Francis.
LITTLE ROCK — Sunday morning there will be pooches in the pews at St. Paul's Episcopal Church as the congregation adds a little "woof" to its early worship service. Read More »
Flu threat alters Communion rite
LITTLE ROCK — Amid the handshakes, hugs and the sharing of a Communion cup the swine flu could be lurking, so churches across the state are taking precautions. Read More »
Churches weigh security and open access
LOWELL — With its red doors open wide, Christ Episcopal Church offers a sacred haven for workers in downtown Little Rock. The doors, flung open during the day, are a silent invitation to step inside, sit and pray. Read More »
Insurance agent offers risk-reduction seminars
LOWELL — When it comes to assessing risk, Michael Russell is an expert. As an insurance agent it's his job to reduce liability for his clients and he's sharing his expertise with houses of worship at protectmychurch.org. Read More »
FROM AIRWAVES ON
GENERAL MANAGER OF AN AWARD-WINNING CHRISTIAN RADIO
SILOAM SPRINGS — At one time, radio station KLRC-FM, 101.1, was so small its 100-watt signal barely covered Siloam Springs. A training ground for aspiring broadcasters at John Brown University, the station was on air only when students were available to man the controls. The rest of the time, static crackled on the station's frequency. Read More »
A new mission
Saving Grace Inc. is working to renovate a former convent into housing for young, at-risk women.
ROGERS — A house vacated by elderly Catholic nuns is getting new life as a refuge for young women without supportive families. The building is being renovated by Saving Grace Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women over 18 who are no longer eligible for the foster care system. Read More »
Secret missions
Covert Methodist team delivers Bibles to China
LITTLE ROCK — Agroup of Arkansas Methodists risked time in a Chinese jail to spread the word of God this summer. The small team from Central United Methodist Church of Fayetteville was incognito in the Communist country on what was essentially an undercover mission. Read More »
Springdale priest to aid church in Fayetteville
LOWELL — The Rev. John Antony, pastor of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale, has been appointed temporary administrator of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Read More »
Church village a haven for missionaries
ROGERS — Cradling drowsy 3-month-old Logan in his arms, Nick Carter smiled as he talked about life in the missionary village. Read More »
Hot rods to heaven
Christian Rodders and Racers Association camp leaders teach how to build cars and also share their life lessons.
ROGERS — Six teens, six days of hard work, dozens and dozens of automobile parts. Read More »
God's sideshow
Couple give up their day jobs to concentrate on unorthodox missionary work
FORT SMITH — Veronica Benton's jump day was July 16, 2006. That was the day she answered God's call to give up everything in her comfortable life to serve Him. Read More »