Warning

The form #6 does not exist or it is not published.

Unity Festival Celebrates Music and More

Written by Terry DeBoer on 06 August 2016. Posted in Local

Francesca Batistelli performs Wednesday night at UnityIt seems there's something new each year at the Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon.

Sure, there's still four days of great Christian music from bands such as Switchfoot and Newsboys, a kid's Fun Zone, low-priced food tents, and various vendor and non-profit displays.

But this year, get ready for the debut of "Art and Soul."

'We're always looking for ways to engage our guests in innovative ways," said Unity director of marketing Christopher VanOosterhout. "We have an artist (Tony Goodwin) coming to help guide participants through a session where they will find the truth of our loving God revealed in art."

At The Foot of the Cross

Written by Terry DeBoer on 01 August 2016. Posted in Local

“Music artists and organizers pray before last year’s “At the Foot of the Cross”The fourth annual "At the Foot of the Cross" musical event is going under the big top.

"This year we have a large, high-peaked tent big enough to have the stage and the audience under," said founder/organizer Chris Moore.

It should improve conditions from last year's sun-scorching heat that left both the artists and audience uncomfortably warm.

The Sat. Aug. 6 event, featuring several area Christian music artists and ensembles, will once again be held outside of Family of Christ Church on Henze St. NW in Comstock Park – just west of the Alpine Ave. Walmart store.

The gathering's dramatic backdrop is a 20 foot high cross set up on the church grounds.
"The goal is still to showcase area Christian musicians, and regardless of church denomination to be together celebrating and worshipping the Lord," said Moore, himself a church worship leader.

Where They Are Now: 2nd Chance School Still Work in Progress, but Cowboy Church is a Hit

Written by Paul R. Kopenkoskey on 31 July 2016. Posted in Local

Ron Silverman continues to work to make his equine faith-based school, 2nd Chance, a reality.Editor's note: West Michigan Christian News begins a new occasional series that follow-up with ministries and people previously featured. We begin with Solon Township-based 2nd Chance School.

Ron Silverman's dream to launch a faith-based school in Solon Township for at-risk teens using horses and biblical training is still a work in progress but strides have been made to make his goal a reality.

Silverman succeeded in purchasing Calvary Assembly of God's church and its accompanying six acres on 17 Mile Road. He intends to use the building as an alternative year-round Christian school Silverman has named 2nd Chance School. Once operational, it would teach 30 boys and girls at a time.

Terry’s Picks: August 2016

Written by Terry DeBoer on 31 July 2016. Posted in Local

West Michigan Christian web writer Terry DeBoer surveys the landscape for the area's faith-based arts and entertainment events over the coming month. Here are three highlights for August:

Drawing “A Line in the Sand” for 20 Years: The Dove Foundation

Written by Deb Marcusee on 24 July 2016. Posted in Local

* Republished from our February 2011 edition

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -Edmund Burke

GRAND RAPIDS - Dick Rolfe is an understated West Michigan native whose influence far exceeds this geographical area. In fact, like most prophets, he has more honor outside his own 'country.' The legendary Steve Allen, very first host of The Tonight Show, once told him: "Dick, you're a household name in Hollywood, but no one in Grand Rapids knows who you are."

Wife/Author Shares Journey of Parting in New Book

Written by Ann Byle on 23 July 2016. Posted in Local

Carol Rottman has journaled for most of her life, so it made perfect sense to journal about her husband Fritz's journey through Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

She didn't have as much free time as in earlier years, but when she had a few minutes she recorded thoughts, feelings and emotions during this difficult time. Those journal entries have become her newest book titled "A Memoir of Parting," which came out earlier this year through Principia Media.

"I'd think about something for several days before writing it down," said Rottman. "Looking back, the book feels real and honest because it was written while everything was happening. I wrote because I needed to work things out in my head."

“Combo” Concert Tickets Entice Christian Music Fans

Written by Terry DeBoer on 23 July 2016. Posted in Local

Selah There are a couple of "super combo ticket" deals for Christian music concerts this fall that might make you want to scoop up your tickets early.

One of the specials is in effect only through July 28: a ticket for both the Thur. Oct. 13 Jeremy Camp concert at Kentwood Community Church and the Fri. Dec. 16 Christmas concert with the inspirational trio Selah in Christ Chapel at Cornerstone University is $36.
At press time, separate Jeremy Camp concert tickets were not yet on sale, but the combo pass is likely a savings over purchasing tickets separately. (Tickets for just the Selah concert are on sale at $19 general admission, $25 artist circle).

AND ANOTHER DEAL.....

A Dream Realized by Connor Orr, a student with Apraxia at Byron Center Christian School

Written by WMCN Editor on 18 July 2016. Posted in Local

Comstock Park, MI, July 15, 2016, Connor Orr, who was born with apraxia, had a dream realized this morning at Marge's Donut Den in Wyoming.

Connor loves to bake cinnamon rolls. He also loves Jesus. And when his 8th grade class had a Good Samaritan Project (GPS) this spring, he combined his two loves in a very savvy way. See, the GSP required students to use one of their God-given gifts to help someone in another country.

Connor took his gift of making cinnamon rolls and advertised them for sale on Facebook. He told his story, sold the rolls and made $583! He then took that money and donated it to World Mission in order that Treasures – solar-powered audio Bibles – could be sent to people who are oral learners so that they can hear about Jesus's love. Connor's donation will touch over 2000 people. That is called maximizing gift impact!

Administrators: Grand Rapids Christian Schools Intentionally Combat Racism, Traces City’s Underbelly

Written by Paul R. Kopenkoskey on 17 July 2016. Posted in Local

AMDG Architects Speaker Series 235cutline No. 1

(left to right): AMDG Architects principal Peter Baldwin, Grand Rapids Christian High School chaplain Mark Kuiper and Grand Rapids Christian Middle School principal Ashanti Bryant discussed racism’s continued problems and solutions.The "Mustache Saga" remains a vivid example of how racism reared its head in Grand Rapids in the late 1960s, said Grand Rapids Middle School principal Ashanti Bryant.

Black male students who came of age in 1966-67 were ordered by white South High School administrators in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district to shave their mustaches.

Often times the deed was done in the hallway, said Bryant. It was a time when black civil rights leaders such as Jesse Jackson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X all sported hair on their upper lip, and thus the mustache ban, which was eventually rescinded, was considered a slight against black students.

New Music Preview: "So Kind"

Written by Terry DeBoer on 17 July 2016. Posted in Local

Singer, songwriter and worship leader Dwight Beal is doing things a little differently on his first ever solo project.

After decades of self-producing music with long time musical partner John Grooters, Beal (a worship leader at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland), yielded the producer's role on his new effort to Tommee Profitt.

Profitt, of Grand Rapids, has worked with national Christian artists such as Britt Nicole and Colton Dixon.

Best Seller's List July

Written by Editor in Chief on 11 July 2016. Posted in Local

Bestsellers – July, 2016

Fiction
1. Traces of Guilt – Dee Henderson
2. Sea Rose Lane – Irene Hannon
3. If I Run – Terri Blackstock
4. Brush of Wings – Karen Kingsbury
5. Third Target – Joel Rosenberg
6. Sins Of The Past – Henderson/Pettrey/Eason
7. Silence In The Dark – Patricia Bradley
8. No Other Will Do – Karen Witemeyer
9. First Hostage – Joel Rosenberg
10. Two Steps Forward – Sharon Garlough Brown

Prayer Bathes LIFE International’s Life-Giving Ministry

Written by Paul R. Kopenkoskey on 09 July 2016. Posted in Local

Prayer request are inserted in the stonewall of LIFE International’s prayer room.Tucked in the stonewall of LIFE International's prayer room/chapel are scraps of paper with prayer requests written on them. Resembling mini scrolls, they cover the gamut of personal, international and community prayers but share one commonality: They are the heart cries from people seeking answers from an all-knowing, all-loving God.

"The prayers are placed by individuals knowing that this space is solely dedicated to prayer and worship," said Bill Velker, LIFE International's director of prayer mobilization. "Even when no one is present, the worship music continues to play through the sound system and I believe people have a sense that their prayer requests are ever before the Lord."

Events	Contact	Channel

Submit News	RSS Feed	Videos