Spiritual motherhood is the act of nurturing, guiding, protecting and enhancing another’s faith journey—reflecting the care of a mother’s love even if you are not their mother.
     As we celebrate Mother’s Day, Heartfelt Ministries honors the beautiful rhythm God designed: older women walking alongside younger women—not only through instruction but through presence, examples and love.
     This rhythm is the essence of spiritual motherhood. It reminds us that mentorship in faith is not built on doctrine alone, but on shared lives. The call in Titus 2:3-5 is more than a suggestion—it is a command for the health of the church. When women live reverently and authentically, they provide a living roadmap for others navigating faith, family and character.
     Faith rooted in relationships endures. Families and churches are strengthened when generations walk together.
     We see this lived out so beautifully at College Church, where women like Robbie Dunning, Lora Fleener, Terrie Smith, Amanda Diles, Susan Harper, Kem Thomas, Debbie Ritchie, Terry Johnson, Ellen Brumley Watson and others open their homes for meals, respite and a place to belong. In other words, these spaces become sanctuaries of connection.
     Spiritual motherhood responds to needs. When a young mother asked Heartfelt member Terry Johnson if she would start another group for young women with children, Terry joined with fellow widow Ellen Brumley Watson to form a new Heartfelt group. The group has grown into a source of wisdom, encouragement and deep friendship for their younger kindred spirits. The recent aloha send-off for Kayla Fitzhugh, who is moving to Hawaii with her family, was a testament to the meaningful bonds formed through this ministry (see group photo below).
     Other examples abound. Alice Jewel exemplifies spiritual motherhood through her compassionate outreach to the homeless. Through Caring and Sharing, women minister with meals, Bible studies and consistent love—offering hope and dignity to those in need of both. Many spiritual mothers, often unnoticed, provide support during joyful or challenging times, as well as through friendship.
     While no one can replace a birth mother, we can stand in the gap—extending the love of God into the lives we touch. Spiritual motherhood is a high calling. We invite you to get involved.
     Happy Mother's Day from both the old and new Searcy chapters of Heartfelt Ministries!

     My family and I have been members of College Church of Christ for three generations. Growing up, I had looked forward to joining the youth group and finally being part of the “big kid” classes.
     When I first joined, we were still in the process of finding youth ministers; therefore, we would have teachers substitute. Even so, we were blessed with incredible teachers and speakers, like Dr. Mike Justus, who made a lasting impact on us. Now, we are fortunate to have three amazing youth ministers: Todd, Garison, and Analeigh.  
       I have been a part of the College Church Youth Group (CCYG) for five years, and during that time I have grown not only in knowledge, but also in my understanding of the Bible and my relationship with God. The youth group offers so many opportunities for teens to grow deeper in their faith and become actively involved in the church.
     Some of these include VBS, the Sweetheart Banquet, game nights with the college group, dinners with the elders, service days, Uplift, Teen Leadership Conference, the back-to-school retreat, Huddle, and many more.
     This past summer, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Kayenta, Arizona. It was my first such trip, and I didn’t really know what to expect. However, that experience opened my eyes and showed me that there is so much more that we, even as teenagers, can do to serve others.
     In 1 Timothy 4:12, we are reminded that no matter our age, we can set an example for others. Throughout my time in the youth group, I have seen teens, both older and younger than me, be examples of Christ. I can only hope that I have done and will continue to do the same for them.
      Being part of the CCYG has shaped who I am today and strengthened my faith in ways I didn’t expect. It has taught me the importance of community, service, and leading by example. As I continue to grow, I hope to carry these lessons with me, using what I have learned to encourage others, and to live out my faith every day.
     Thank you to my family, the teachers, elders, church members, youth ministers, pulpit ministers and many more who have been a part of my faith journey.

In 1996 I bought my first computer—and felt a little guilty spending all that money. I didn’t even really know what I could do with it. Then a man asked me, “Do you want to use your computer to teach others about Christ?”
     That’s when I learned about the World English Institute (WEI), and by 1997 I was teaching online lessons. After 29 years and 2200 students, I am still at it, part of an international online evangelistic effort that includes World Bible School (WBS), many other Christian non-profits and congregations—and thousands of individual Christians.
     WEI founder Dick Ady believes the Lord led him to the insight that all the world wants English (for education and jobs). So why not offer free English lessons using the Bible? He wrote a series of lessons combining grammar and Bible stories. He created a website, built a small administrative team, advertised on Google, and sought volunteer teachers.
     I am one of over 700 current teachers who serve thousands of students in 201 countries. The computer program “teaches” and grades the grammar. What I do is say a little more to students about their answers to the “thought” questions, trying to expand their Bible knowledge. And I encourage them!
     Encouragement and kindness are so important because these students come from totally different cultures and often face terrible circumstances. I taught a young woman from Rwanda whose family barely survived the 1994 genocide. Now she is a Christian and works in a bank. I’ve gotten close to students like her and some still write me.
     A few years ago WEI asked me to be an “administrator,” which means in part promoting the organization, but mainly helping new teachers adjust to the job, and aiding all teachers I supervise in solving problems. I’m honored to be trusted with these responsibilities, and they have led to some adventures.
     Once a teacher, Kim, called me to say she had a student in Rwanda who wanted to be baptized. I said, “No problem, we’ll get someone right away.” It took 54 days!          
     The student, Daniel, lived in the district of Kilgali, but we couldn’t be sure exactly where at first. So I started contacting potential helpers, including John Reese, Barbara Kee, and a Rwandan living in Nashville, TN—nine people in all. After several dead-ends, we found a man who knew a man who lived an hour from Daniel. This man finally baptized him.
     It was a wonderful lesson about God’s providence.
We have an excellent network of brothers and sisters all over the world ready to help. More recently, my student Peter, in South Sudan, became part of a great evangelistic victory. When he told me he wanted to be baptized, I once more became connected to so many concerned Christians who persevered through all the trials of traveling to and in a dangerous country to reach Peter and two others who had professed faith. But—praise God!—when the helpers arrived, all set to baptize a few, they found 13 men ready to be immersed! WEI’s records show that in the three years since this small beginning, 8,000 have been baptized and nearly 200 churches planted in South Sudan.
This news was a good way to end my 29th year with WEI.
It hasn’t always been easy. I’ve battled health issues. And in 2022, I lost my husband, David, who for the last years of his life blessed me as a co-volunteer for WEI. Working alone at the computer can be isolating, and many students do drop out. I’ve seen teachers quit because of that. I try to encourage them to hang on: Jesus had people walk away from him. We are seed planters, and sometimes the soil is rocky. But the waiting list to become students usually remains around 300 people. That means 300 chances to discover hearts with good soil.
 What a journey it’s been!
I grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, blessed with Christian parents who weathered many storms to raise us and send us to Harding—and that made all the difference. In Searcy I made lifelong friends, had a teaching career, met David, and with him found College Church, where we raised our children, and where I’ve been a member for 60 years.
In 1997 I just wanted to teach others about Jesus Christ—to be a small part of spreading the Gospel. WEI allowed me that opportunity. My greatest joy is to teach about Jesus to someone who doesn't know him. It’s become a passion. I thank God for extending my life so that I can teach more people. I want to continue teaching about Jesus Christ until I’m no longer here.

     “Making disciples who make disciples”: This is the mission statement of our College Ministry, and over the past two years, it has become the defining conviction of my life.
     Towards the end of my freshman year, Grant Fitzhugh asked me to be an intern for the College Ministry. Little did I know how greatly my life would be affected by saying “yes” to his call. During my first year, three fellow interns and I met weekly with Grant. We shared our life stories, struggles, joys—and studied scripture. We also ate together, served, prayed, and went out into the Searcy community.
     Our job as first-year interns focused mostly on planning and preparing events, and by the end of the year, we had each started our own disciple-making groups. Now, in our second year, our role is different. We focus on growing our culture of disciple-making. We facilitate evangelism training, coach disciple-making groups, and lead disciple-making seminars. Amid this whirlwind of activity, my favorite part of being an intern is spending time in the Rock House with Grant, Trish, Theo, and my peers.
     The Rock House is a place where students begin their mornings in quiet prayer, where afternoons are spent studying with friends, and where evenings are loud with laughter, games, and deep conversations. On its walls, inside and out, hang our mission statement and values. If only those walls could speak of the countless students embraced, formed, and sent from within them to an even larger calling.
     As I prepare to graduate in December, I find myself stepping out of this role that has shaped my entire college experience. The College Ministry itself is also facing transitions: While we seek a new college minister, the current Rock House is soon to be torn down.
     Yet even as these changes come, our conviction will stay the same, because making disciples does not depend on leaders, programs, or houses, as important as those are. It depends on the nurse, schoolteacher, and engineer whose hearts are set on the gospel of Christ, a great calling that requires a great commitment to the greatest commands and the Great Commission.
     My prayer is that the College Ministry would continue to be a place where students are loved, trained, and sent out into the world to spread the gospel of King Jesus. May our lives be spent for nothing else but “making disciples who make disciples.”

Strong families don’t happen by accident—they are built with intention, faith, and practical tools. That’s why the College Church of Christ is excited to host the Stronger Family Workshop with Trey and Lea Morgan on April 17–18. The Friday evening program will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The Morgans, from Lubbock, Texas,  bring years of experience in ministry, marriage enrichment, and family life. With warmth, honesty, and biblical insight, they help couples and families grow stronger in communication, deepen their relationships, and navigate life’s challenges together. Whether you are newly married, raising children, or enjoying the empty-nest years, this workshop will offer encouragement and practical guidance for every stage of family life.
Over the course of this two-day event, participants will gain tools to strengthen their marriages, build healthier communication patterns, and create a Christ-centered home. Trey and Lea are known for their engaging, relatable teaching style, which makes important topics both accessible and meaningful.
Childcare will be provided to encourage couples with children to attend, focus fully on the sessions, and invest in their relationships. If you are interested in helping, please contact Noel.
This event is FREE, but registration is required by April 12 so we can adequately prepare for childcare and the noon meal on Saturday.
Make plans to join us on April 17–18 at College Church of Christ. A stronger family begins with intentional steps, and this workshop is a great place to start.
Don’t wait to sign up!

 The Searchers

            Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days (Job 12:12).
Last spring, a new patient showed up in my podiatry office, a man I had not spoken with in 25 years: Don England.
During that visit, Dr. England, my former chemistry teacher, began telling me about a class full of Christians who desire to search the scriptures with humility, knowing that there is always more to learn. Hence the class name “Searchers.”
He had recently stepped down as teacher for the class he began teaching over 40 years ago, when he was about my age (he made sure to add). I mentioned how much I enjoyed teaching during my time in West Memphis, and if you know Don, then you've seen the all-knowing grin and twinkle in his eye as he invited Shanna and me to visit.
We accepted, and after our first Sunday, were somehow already on the class roster and email list. Since we have been married only 17 years, we became the "newlyweds" of the group.
Though enjoying wonderful guest teachers, the class was looking for a permanent facilitator, so Don asked me if I would be interested. I had wanted to teach again and to renew a greater commitment in my life to study, but in a congregation like College Church, filled with so many gifted scholars, I never thought I'd be needed.
It was intimidating because I already knew I would learn more from the members of our class than they would ever learn from me, but it’s hard to kick against the goad, especially when it's Don England. So I did agree.
Now teaching this class has become something I look forward to all week. We've become a part of the Searchers family. Conveniently, I already had the grey hair, but never had to wear the glasses until recently. “Length of days” can bring unwanted physical changes, but also the “wisdom and understanding” I see all around me each Sunday.
I am thankful the Lord placed Don back in my life. He taught me a lot as my professor but has taught me more now as my mentor and friend through his example and encouragement. I invite you to visit Room 102, certainly not for the current teacher, but to be blessed as I have by a class filled with saints who love the Lord and the study of his Word.
Just don't be surprised if you start receiving class emails the very next week.

Andrew Clothier

In the first official year of our Young Adults Ministry, God has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. Our group continues to grow not only in number but also in fellowship with one another. This past weekend, several ministry members participated in what we called the “Stay-At-Home Mission Trip.”
Many in our group are graduate students or entry-level employees with limited vacation time, so, rather than have us travel elsewhere, ministry leader Theo Westbrook planned a mission trip right here in Searcy.
To prepare, we spent weeks learning to use The Four Fields, a mission strategy modeled on the example of Jesus. He entered empty fields, sowed Gospel seeds, discipled those who responded, and gathered them into His body, the Church.
Our goal was also to mirror Jesus sending out the 70 in Luke 10—gathering together, receiving instruction, going into the field, rejoicing in what God had done, and ending in thanksgiving to the Father.
With this in mind, we gathered at Rick & Susan Harper’s home on Friday evening to strategize for the next day. We prayed that God would work through our weaknesses and anxieties. We ended the night in worship, asking the Father to go before us as we entered the community.
On Saturday, our “mission trip” began. Some walked through neighborhoods or visited local businesses, looking for “people of peace” to pray for. Others went to the library, downtown, and local parks to connect with people in our community.
Not everyone we encountered was open to prayer, but many were. Several people shared openly about their struggles and prayer requests. Our goal was simple: to be a bright spot in someone’s day—to reach neighbors in our own backyard who might be open to talking about Jesus. We concluded our “trip” by sharing experiences and thanking God for all He had done.
The “Stay-At-Home Mission Trip” was a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved. It reminded us that our community has real needs that only God can meet. It showed us how many opportunities we have to share Jesus—opportunities we often overlook. And it taught us that while reaching our neighbors can be challenging, it can also be really, really fun.
Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). May God give us laborers, opportunities, boldness, and eyes to see the harvest.
D. Ray Brown

After months of listening, planning, and praying, the elders recently announced the final version of the building plan. As the Supporting Kingdom Growth brochure describes, it includes a new Rock House, increased auditorium capacity, improved safety, and enhanced convenience.
More importantly, it builds upon the momentum of our strategic plan for Discipling 3,000, supporting our goal of kingdom growth while staying affordable.
The fundraising campaign to support this $3.3 million project has now begun. The elders initiated it by pledging $1.4 million. A few other contributors have brought the pledges to $1.8 million.
The following timetable shows there is more to do to meet the goal: --By March 25: Elders meet with all deacons;
--By April 15: Elders, deacons, and members of the campaign committee meet with as many families as possible.
--In April, a special Sunday wraps up the campaign, assuring all members of the congregation have been invited to participate.
When contacted, you will be asked to consider either a 5-year pledge or a one-time gift. We also want to answer any of your questions about the campaign. Please note that at any point in the timetable, if you are ready to commit, you can take the initiative and reach out to an elder.
So, our campaign has begun and now it is your turn to join.
Your participation begins with prayerful consideration, listening to God’s Word, and following the Spirit. While Paul warns us about money in I Timothy 6, later in the same chapter he provides three safeguards against the “trap” of “riches”: “Put your hope in God” (not money); “be rich in good deeds; and be generous” (17-18)—in that order.
This effort is so much more than a facilities project. The physical improvements listed above are building a calling. We are attempting to position the College Church to disciple more people—more effectively—for generations. Imagine a dynamic College Ministry gathered in one place. Imagine worship services and classrooms filled with members, visitors, and seekers.
We hope this vision challenges you to give on faith, with what God has given you. We challenge you to give for the future of God’s kingdom. To return to I Timothy, imagine a body of 3,000 disciples spreading out from this place, sharing the blessings of “the life that is truly life” (6:19).
From the Elders

Molly and Annabelle Dawidow have worked for decades with the Sopot, Poland, congregation and Bible Institute. The College Church has a long affiliation with them, serving as hub for donations to their ministry, including vital funding to help Ukranian refugees.
Four years ago we woke to news of the invasion of Ukraine, and our world turned upside down. As missionaries, we have felt the weight of these years not only in physical and logistical challenges but also in the reshaping of our hearts, faith, and calling.
In the early days of the war, uncertainty surrounded us, but we were reminded of a truth we had known yet now experienced viscerally: The Lord provides. He knows our needs before we ask. Time and again, brothers and sisters generously donated funds and supplies as needs arose. Never once did a lack of resources limit our help. The more we reached out, the more God provided, teaching us to rely on His provision without worrying about the means.
We also realized that loving your neighbor is not abstract. It means showing mercy to those the Lord places before you. Jesus’ words—"Love your neighbor as yourself”—are practical and immediate. We cannot control global events. We can bring hope and comfort by turning our small sphere into a place where God’s kingdom shines through merciful action here and now.
As we distributed aid, opened our church as a shelter, served meals to the displaced, and simply listened to those whose worlds had collapsed, we felt the responsibility of faithful stewardship, not always measured by visible success but by obedience in small, hard things. Even when exhaustion set in and effects seemed meager, the call remained: be faithful with what is in your hand, trusting God to give the increase. And indeed, He has multiplied opportunities, means, and blessings.
Perhaps the most poignant lesson involves comforting those who grieve, for grief lingers long after immediate physical needs are met. Early months focused on survival, but with time, deeper wounds emerged: women mourning lost or endangered sons and husbands, children traumatized by explosions, families separated indefinitely. Logistics can be addressed with resources, but wounded hearts require gentle, persistent ministry and the hope of the Gospel.
These four years have brought moments of doubt, weariness, frustration, and sorrow, yet they have also provided immense encouragement and action. Bolstered by your prayers and support, the church here has shone as a beacon of light in darkness, showing what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet amid suffering.
Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and partnership. May the God-of-all-comfort strengthen us until the day He wipes away every tear.

With March here and Valentine’s Day a pleasant memory, you may have missed another important February event: the update of our congregation’s website.
     Why the update? Every congregation with an online presence hosts a carousel of visitors. To phrase it in Valentine’s Day terms, our website is participating in a speed-dating event in which our would-be partners skim the homepage, check a few details, and leave in less than a minute. This glance can be our first and only chance to impress visitors looking for a church home.
     For this reason, the Communication ministry asked me to revamp our website through what became known as the “2.1 Update,” which seeks to improve three areas: aesthetics, organization, and warmth.
     Aesthetics are important because visitors often make an immediate judgement based on the work that has been put into the site. If it looks good and up-to-date, then our church appears to be proactive and energetic. An ugly or dated website tells someone that our church is, at best, bland and, at worst, apathetic. Is this fair? Probably not, but online visitors judge a book by its cover.
     Organizationally, we have retained much but replaced or added certain key elements. We retained the major categories (“Home,” “I’m New,” “About,” etc.) to keep things simple for returning users, but pages within these categories are now streamlined for usability. The home page, for example, now includes a “Quick Info” section that hosts commonly sought-after information. New page templates were also created for predictable design and navigation. Other organizational projects, such as an all-in-one Beliefs and Mission page, are coming soon.
     Finally, we really wanted the website to feel warm and inviting. So we added personal touches like a welcome letter and an increased number of photographs. We adopted first-person plural possessive language such as “Our Mission” and “Contact Us.” Ministries are now (mostly) introduced by a quote rather than generic description, and our ministers and staff have bios that give visitors a sense of them as people. These touches bring our church to life as a welcoming family.
     While the initial release of the 2.1 Update took almost six months to complete, our work is never quite done. Ideas, suggestions, and content are always welcome,
     Collegechurchofchrist.org is the front door to our congregation, and it takes all of us to keep it up-to-date and inviting.

     Sometimes we limit ministry to a few who have professional roles in church life.  They serve in the ministry. In the New Testament, however, ministry is not reserved for the few, but required of all, a fact reinforced by our Ministry Fair, where 22 ministries beckoned to potential helpers.
     All Christians must be equipped, not for the ministry, but for ministry (Eph. 4:12). If we regard serving only as a duty, we may feel whipped by a demanding master. However, if we understand ministry’s positive personal benefits, it is a liberating blessing!
     Ministry and Encouragement: Ministry is a means of encouragement, especially when we serve with others. Saints equipped for the work of ministry “build up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). Those who participate with others in any ministry at the College Church will tell you they are made stronger by the shared activity.
     Extending Congregational Influence: The church in Thessalonica had an influence beyond that of any individual member. Its faith, collectively, had gone forth everywhere (1 Th. 1:7-8). While every faithful servant casts a long shadow, Christians serving together cast a longer one. Take for example our financial contributions. Individuals who made monetary contributions in their churches participated with Paul in a ministry that extended from Europe to Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-24).              
     There’s more to our financial contributions than a budget line in the church bulletin. Our gifts are also our willing participation in a shared ministry that is more expansive than any one of us could ever accomplish on her or his own.
     Ministry and Discipleship: You have heard a lot at the College Church about being a disciple, one who learns from a teacher and embraces his lifestyle. Jesus said, “Come, learn from me” (Matt. 11:29); and he left us an example that we should follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:21). Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve (Mk. 10:45).  By  looking beyond ourselves to the interests of others, we have the mind of Christ, who “took the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:4-7). When we serve/minister, we are truly disciples of Jesus.
     May our Fair mean not only an increase in workers but a clearer view of ministry itself. If the duty to minister becomes the desire to serve, we can sing with more conviction, “O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer; this is [our] constant longing and prayer.”

On January 9, with 48 other members of a Health Talents International (HTI) medical missions team, we escaped the U.S. winter for mild, green Guatemala, a country known as “the land of eternal spring.”
     In the small town of Montellano sits the HTI Ezell Clinica Hospital. For almost 50 years this non-profit has sent multiple teams annually to provide care for the underprivileged, and to do it in the name of Jesus.
     Our group consisted of surgeons, physicians, anesthesiologists, nurses (including Deb), caregivers, and translators. Alan served as chaplain. During the week 50 surgeries were performed (OBGYN and general). All but four patients were able to go home before we left the clinic.
     We were blessed to see so much good.
     First, the Guatemalan people encouraged us by how they faced challenges of poor health and poverty without complaining. Some patients travel more than four hours to receive care. Some live without running water or refrigeration. Yet they seem happy, content. They hug you tightly in appreciation.
     The North Americans and Guatemalan staff worked together seamlessly, especially in the crucial art of translation. One interaction required a series of translations from English to Spanish to the Mayan dialect K’iche’. It was amazing.
     We were humbled by the team’s display of faith. An atmosphere of love pervaded all aspects of treatment. Doctors prayed for and with patients prior to surgery. Nurses and caregivers prayed for the patients after surgery. We saw one caregiver pray for a nurse during a dangerously difficult process of inserting an IV. When success came, the caretaker cried out, “Praise God!”
    Given this atmosphere, we weren’t surprised when an elderly female patient said, post-op, “I like it here. They love me and I don’t want to go home.”
     We must mention Rick Harper, College Church elder and retired HTI administrator, who still comes to the clinic. He knew and greeted everyone, showed appreciation in hugs, told faith stories, and facilitated flights home. A shepherd caring for his flock.
     Before heading home, we visited a mission site in the town of Santa Maria de Jesus, where ex-Searcians Cary and Rita Sills volunteer at a Feeding Center. Twice weekly, deprived kids come for meals and religious instruction. At the end of our brief stay, the children gathered around and prayed over us.
     At that moment we felt we were truly in the land of eternal spring.

On February 15, the College Church hosts its annual Spring Festival to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and our ministry to Asians steps into a future that holds both uncertainty and promise.
The ministry, dating most recently from the late 1990s with the work of Milo Hadwin and others, began a new chapter in 2019 when two events converged: an influx of Asian students to Harding University and the arrival in Searcy of Henry Li, a convert who wanted to bless his homeland’s people with the Good News. Mentored by Ed Higginbotham, Howard Norton, Gordon Hogan, and Gary Jackson (missionary and HU professor), Henry grew into that role. Since 2021, he has been affiliated with College Church, though his salary comes from outside donations.
During this time, Henry has done the daily work of preparing sermons for the group’s Sunday morning Zoom services, leading multiple weekday and weekend Bible studies, and, with wife Julie’s help, ministering to the hundreds of Asian residents in the Searcy area.
Most of his work occurs online, reaching Asians in the U.S., Belarus, Canada, and Japan. Sunday services feature a traditional worship period followed by discussion among the online participants.
Entering 2026, the ministry faces challenges. To begin with, its original major target group is now a fraction of the 2021 number. At the same time, Henry must navigate dense bureaucracy to obtain a green card in order to remain in the U.S.—in a difficult time for immigrants. On top of that, the task of raising an adequate salary has become harder.
However, those involved in the work seem willing to do what it takes.  
Ministry leader John Reese, a veteran missionary, is developing a new strategy. He  wants to use the internet to reach Asians scattered across the globe.  The plan centers on a web site to be known as Educational and Intercultural Services (EIS), a “popular information center” that with “aggressive advertising” can attract Asians outside their homelands, offer practical help, and link them to sites like World Bible School.
The ultimate aim is an internet-based network of Asian converts supporting one another and influencing family and friends back home—a global digital space where disciples can make disciples.
It’s an ambitious plan, one that needs our prayers and support. But visitors to the group’s Sunday morning online worship can see a small, dedicated core of spiritually equipped Christians already going into “all nations.”

Whether it’s called disciple-making or soul-winning, the mission of the church has never changed.
Jesus’ final words to His disciples still ring clearly today: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Yet many faithful Christians struggle with how to carry out that command in everyday life. For those who want to get to “how,” we are excited to announce an upcoming Soul-Winners Workshop with Jon Rowe, evangelist for the Southwest Church of Christ in Phoenix, Arizona.
The workshop is on Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the College Church auditorium. It is designed to help every Christian—new or seasoned—grow in confidence and commitment as a soul winner. After all, soul winning is not limited to preachers or church leaders; it is the responsibility of every believer. Scripture tells us that when the early church was scattered, Christians “went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
God continues to work through willing hearts today.
Jon Rowe brings 37 years of experience in personal evangelism and congregational outreach. During this workshop, he will share practical, biblical, and comfortable ways to talk with others about Jesus. Rather than having to rely on pressure-filled techniques or memorized scripts, participants will learn natural approaches that fit real conversations and real relationships.
As a result, church members can renew their understanding of God’s call to seek the lost and develop a heart that looks for opportunities to point others to Christ.
Furthermore, because this workshop will encourage participating members to see themselves as a vital part of God’s saving work, it also aligns with our College Church Discipling 3,000 project. If we desire a growing, vibrant church, we must be a congregation of committed soul-winners/disciple-makers. Come prepared to learn, be encouraged, and be challenged to lovingly share the greatest message the world has ever known.

This event is FREE, but to have an accurate number for lunch please RSVP the church office at ccoc@collegechurchofchrist.org, or call (501) 268-7156.

It has been a long process—but with 1,189 chapters, that is to be expected. Ever since I first heard Jordan share his desire for College Church to create an audio Bible, I was intrigued. Could we really do this? The answer, clearly, is yes—and the blessings of the completed project have far exceeded anything I anticipated.
     I have listened to the Bible before using professionally produced, polished apps with well-known voices and flawless delivery. Those versions were helpful, but hearing Scripture read on our audio Bible by people I actually know is even better.
     First, following along in Genesis with my print Bible is a wonderful expression of what we often talk about at College Church—being truly connected. Listening feels less like consuming content and more like sitting around a kitchen table, hearing brothers and sisters read the Word aloud. In fact, that’s what the Stone family did (check out Genesis 31-32)!
     Second, what a beautiful picture of an intergenerational church family sharing Scripture together! There are seasoned older readers, of course, but also effective younger readers.
     The voice of adolescent Ashton Stone guided me through the battles of Genesis 14 to hear Melchizedek's blessing of Abraham. The voice of Emily Stewart, mother of three who is away on military deployment, shared God's stunning news in Genesis 18 that Sarah would become a mother. The voice of grandmother Alice Jewell delivered Isaac's marriage advice to son Jacob (Genesis 28).
     As I listen—and this is a third unexpected blessing—I find myself praying for the members who are reading. Many of you I know well and can pray for specific circumstances. For others, I have used the online church directory to learn names and faces so I can pray more intentionally for you. (This is also a great reminder for all of us to keep our directory photos updated.)
     I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through Genesis and look forward to hearing many other voices in the coming weeks. Thanks to all the readers, and a special thanks to Heather Rollins, who worked behind-the-scenes to ensure a glitch-free finished product. Of course, I thank Jordan for his work and vision.
     Please give the audio Bible a listen. You might even consider reaching out to someone whose reading blessed you. Sometimes a simple word of encouragement can be a powerful gift.

     Church leaders often say that “80% of the work is done by 20% of the people.” That, however, has not been the case over the past 90 years at College Church. One-hundred percent of the work is being completed by close to 100% of the people, because we, like Nehemiah’s generation, “have a mind to work” and are being blessed by “the hand of the Lord” to fulfill His mission (Neh. 2:18; 4:6).
     The annual Ministry Fair has become a way to celebrate ongoing work and enlist new laborers in the Kingdom. This year’s Fair will take place in the Family Room on February 8th and 15th. Why two Sundays? To maximize the time for members to visit ministry booths while minimizing the traffic flow in the room.
     You will have an opportunity to tour our 22+ ministries, first with your Bible class on either Feb 8th or 15th during an assigned 20-minute interval, and another chance to go individually or with your family before or after Bible class on those same dates. In the Family Room you will see displays for Caring and Sharing, Foreign Missions, Women’s Ministry, and many others—even an interest table on new church plants!
     A main goal of this year’s Ministry Fair is for every member to “get plugged in” to at least one ministry. But you can also add a second ministry or ask for greater responsibility in your current one. You will be provided a checklist to help guide you and time enough to visit at least three ministries. You’ll even have a chance to update your directory information/photo and sign up for the College Church App.
     A second goal of the Ministry Fair is to “get plugged in” to the College Church community. On one of those two Sundays you can share with your Bible class which “smaller groups” you are part of—midweek Bible study, a discipleship Group, home Bible study, or other gatherings beyond the Sunday morning assembly and Bible class. And hear from others about groups that deepen their sense of belonging to our College Church family.
     This 3rd annual Ministry Fair has the potential to connect all members to a ministry that fits with their spiritual gifts and meets the needs of the church and world. With 100% of our members committing to do 100% of the work, we can experience the full power of the Holy Spirit within our body as we Disciple 3,000 in 2026.

The ritual of making New Year’s Resolutions is embedded in our culture, but it can seems like a superficial exercise that gives rise to self-deprecating jokes rather than real change.
If you’re ready to reject the custom as trivial or unhelpful, here’s a thought: turn the task over to Jesus. The Bible is, among other things, the best ever source for New Year’s resolutions. In the words of Jesus alone, we find enough material to motivate us to be better people for a century’s worth of new years. Here are a few familiar, but we hope inspirational, resolutions borrowed from our Master’s own words.

• I resolve to love the Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind (Matt. 22:37).
• I resolve to try always to worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23).
• I resolve to try to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).
• I resolve to do to others whatever I wish they would do to me (Matt. 7:12).
• I resolve to try to love my neighbor as I love myself (Mark 12:31).
• I resolve to try to love my enemies and to pray for those who persecute me (Matt. 6:44).
• I resolve to try always to notice the log in my own eye before looking for the speck in my brother’s (Luke 6:41).
• I resolve to try to put myself last of all and be a servant of all, believing that in doing so I will please Jesus (Mark 9:35).
• I resolve to go to Jesus when I am weary and burdened, to take his yoke, so that I will find rest in my soul (Matt. 11:28-29).
• I resolve to hear the word of Jesus and believe Him who sent Jesus, so that I can have eternal life (John 5:24).

There’s more, of course, and not just the words of Jesus: “All scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).
If we’re willing to trust the alchemy of God’s Spirit acting on our spirits, those Word-based New Year’s resolutions will produce dynamic change.

In my English and Medical Humanities class, I include Christian writers who have
faced death and written well about it, and found students receptive to the experience of
reading and discussing the subject. The physician-writer Paul Kalanithi’s memoir, When
Breath Become Air, beautifully illustrates the power of language and literature to help
face issues of loss, whether loss of faith or loss of one’s life.
Paul loved literature in both undergraduate and graduate school, but also was drawn
to medicine. The day came when he heard a calling to put his learning into direct
practice, specifically that of healing. As a medical student and resident surgeon who
saw his work as ministry, he cared deeply for his patients.
However, having left the study of literature to immerse himself in practicing medicine,
he returned to it when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Reading
literary works helped him face the heavy emotional weight of caring for his patients as
he battled his own disease. He writes, “Torn between being a doctor and being a
patient, delving into medical science and turning back to literature for answers, I
struggled, while facing my own death, to rebuild my old life—or perhaps find a new
one.”
While facing the prospect of his own death, Paul also confronts his loss of faith.
Though his younger years in a Christian home had been filled with a nightly ritual of
prayer and scripture reading, he gradually exchanged his early faith for a more
scientific, materialist view. He succumbed to the temptation of believing only those
things that can be seen, felt, or measured.
Eventually, facing his impending death, he reclaims his former faith: “Yet I returned to
the central values of Christianity—sacrifice, redemption, forgiveness—because I found
them so compelling.” Though Paul eventually exchanges his own “breath for air,”
meaning he loses his fight with cancer, it was faith and a love of literature and language
that helped to give him a solid framework for facing mortality.
Paul died while working on his unfinished manuscript but left us a memoir that has
enriched our classroom with its spiritual and emotional power. By reading texts that
grapple with the heaviest of subjects—loss—students can experience the power of
literature to strengthen their faith.

Looking back on 2025, I am grateful for all the ways God has worked through College Church. Our “Discipling 3,000” focus strengthened our commitment to being disciples who make disciples, energizing our mission and ministries.
Events both traditional and new reflect that energy: Our second annual Ministry Fair,  highlighting the value of Bible classes; a successful VBS; another Summer-Wednesday-Nights series (with great speakers); Simple Supper, now a unifying monthly tradition; the Cyber Safety seminar; and, of course, Great Commission Sunday, raising over $200,000 for mission work.
The year also featured projects that propelled our work forward. Thanks to live-stream volunteers, our worship services reached far beyond the building. We are nearing the completion of our congregation-recorded Audio Bible, reflecting our desire to engage deeply with God’s Word. We formed Missionary Care Teams to enhance support for our missionaries. Most broadly, we embraced the elders’ renewed vision for shepherding groups, creating stronger, intergenerational relationships within our church family.
The congregation reached some noteworthy landmarks this year. We appointed several new deacons, eight new elders, and welcomed two new staff members—Jennifer Wright and Theo Westbrook—to our ministry team. Our College Ministry grew to more than 200 students each week, and the Children’s and Youth Ministries, including Lads to Leaders, combined to serve 250 young people.
God’s provision could be seen in dozens of new members here, 26 baptisms locally and at least 200 in the mission field. Through faithful giving we finished the fiscal year with a budget surplus. We also experienced our highest Sunday morning attendance since COVID: 1,371.
It’s been a good year, leaving me energized for what lies ahead in 2026. I hope we all are prayerfully considering how we can support our God-given mission to share the love of Christ with the world.
It’s a huge, sometimes daunting mission involving complex planning and organization. When I feel overwhelmed, I consider someone like Tom Tuggle.
Once a month on Tuesday, Tom rolls into the church office with his jolly grin, just returned with a truckload of provisions from the Arkansas Food Bank—for His House. You can depend on that food arriving and on that enthusiastic call to help him unload the bounty. He’s a regular. His joy is contagious.
And he’s not alone. Many “regulars” join him at His House. Hundreds of them power our other ministries. Gratefully, I realize that God has assembled an army of loving servants in this place as He leads us into a new season of opportunity.

Wednesday, November 5th: His House isn’t supposed to be open, yet at 4:30 p.m. a line of cars stretches from the front of the building around to Turner Street, spilling into the north parking lot of College Church. Why?
 The Causal Chain: The federal government shuts down. SNAP benefits withheld nationwide. Searcy mayor calls for local churches to help feed low wage earners who work until 5:00 p.m. Andrew Baker tells Noel Whitlock, who convenes a meeting with Andrew and the His-House leadership.
Decision: Open His House on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. for at least two weeks. Now.
Plan: Get extra supplies from Arkansas Food Bank, seek donations; mobilize HH workers and other volunteers to prepare and distribute food; announce the special event on Facebook. Pray.
Outcome: The bad: not enough food for everyone. The good: 122 families served.
On Wednesday, November 12th, a later starting time and shorter line results in a smooth operation. In back of HH, in-line recipients with children are given a kiddie gift box. In front, cars are directed to one of two stations, where drivers are greeted, checked in, and given cart-loads of food.
The carts emerge from an impressive assembly line inside, prepared hours in advance. Volunteers push full carts out and wheel empty carts back through the open doors, resulting in a clang of metal on metal that competes with shouted instructions and murmured conversation among the dozen or so helpers on hand. Vehicles get loaded with food in roughly 30 seconds.
Then it’s over. The government reopens. His House resumes its regular schedule. In the aftermath, HH team member Pat Howe reflects on the emergency sessions and the general work of the ministry.
First, there is the dependable generosity of church members and the Searcy community. In “widow’s-mite” fashion, a nearly indigent member gives $100 to the effort. And one day a stranger walks into the church office, hands Allison Ham a thousand dollars in cash, “for His House,” and walks out. “I’d have been happy to give her a receipt,” says Pat.
Then there’s the frustration involved in working with large groups of disadvantaged folks. How do you separate those in real need from the opportunists? Pat’s unscientific but common sense opinion, based on long experience, is that scattered among honest people in need are many hustlers. He says it, pauses, then adds: “And I’m good with that.” In other words, he’s willing to be taken advantage of in order to help the truly needy.
What others do is “on them.” As followers of Jesus, we heed his admonition to a rich man:  “When you give a feast, invite the poor . . . You will be blessed because they cannot repay you . . . “ (Luke 14:13-14a).
His-House volunteers know we are all poor in God’s loving sight. None of us can repay Him. So we “pay it forward” under the Divine plan, believing we “will be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14b).

Boethius was a Christian philosopher. I regularly teach his Consolation of Philosophy as part of my literature classes because of something fascinating he wrote about the imagination.
He said imagining is a kind of knowing. Most of us don’t think of imagination this way. Usually, we associate it with making stuff up, not with learning and knowing, but I believe Boethius was right. Allow me to demonstrate.
I love the Okefenokee Swamp. I love hearing bull gators bellowing, unseen, in the early morning mists. I love the cypress trees with Spanish moss hanging down and swaying in a breeze. (If you look up into those cypress trees, you might see a barred owl staring back at you.)  I love the smooth, black water, which so perfectly mirrors the sky that it can make a turtle at the surface of the water by your boat appear to be floating in the clouds. The water lilies, with their beautiful white flowers, were fascinating to me as a kid because water just rolls off of them, like beads of mercury.
Of course, there are also things about the swamp that I don’t like: mosquitoes in my ear, gnats in my eyes, muggy summer heat, and terrible lightning storms. On the whole, however, it is one of my favorite places on earth.
Now notice what your imagination has done, particularly if you have not been to the Okefenokee. I did not give you a video or a photo of the swamp. I gave you words on a page.  Your eyes saw only little black letters, but your imagination turned them into images conveying real knowledge about the swamp, knowledge that you may not have had before. And that is what Boethius meant. Literature, from Homer to Tolkien, can give us real knowledge through our imagination.
“Tolkien?” someone might object. “But Middle Earth is not real.”  
True. There is no Middle Earth. Sam never really “broke his back and heart” out of love for Mr. Frodo as he carried him up Mount Doom. But love is real. And so are courage, loyalty, and hope. When I read about Sam, exhausted but determined to help his beloved friend, it is my imagination that helps me understand these beautiful realities better, realities that have their ultimate source in God himself, and it does so by presenting them in a way that no other sort of knowledge does.

This is an exciting and challenging time for the College Church. Our auditorium is full each Sunday. Many of our adult classes are full and need additional space. The facility for our university students is very crowded and outdated. We obviously need additional parking.
Our Discipling 3000 strategic plan calls for us to consider expansion that would allow us to meet these challenges. Therefore, a building committee was appointed a year ago to look into possible ways to address them. I was asked to chair this committee. Other members include Roy Barnes, Sam Billingsley, Jeanne Burks, Jenny Citty, Mark Crews, Grant Fitzhugh, Rick Harper, Kent Jones, and Nick McNabb.
With the approval of our elders, an architectural firm in Memphis was hired to do a feasibility study of potential ways to accomplish our goals. Completed in August, the study included a possible plan for a new auditorium east of the current Welcome Center and a possible expansion of the current auditorium to a seating capacity of 1700, with four new classrooms in front of the current nursery and the current Room 100.
The study also recommended a new facility for university students on the site of the current Rock House.
After analyzing the projected costs of all options, the building committee recommended to the elders last month that we consider expanding the current auditorium, building four new multipurpose classrooms in front of the current nursery and Room 100, as well as building new restrooms and new stairwells for the balcony.
We also recommended that we build a new facility of about 4300 ft.² for university students on the site of the current Rock House. Having already purchased the house next to that property, we have adequate space for the new facility.
The cost of the classrooms and auditorium revisions would be $4.7 million, and the cost for the College Ministry building would be $1.1 million.
We invite you to go to the College Church website and view the plans that have been developed to this point. You will also find there a video of the November 2nd congregational meeting about this project.
Most importantly, we invite your input. You may share your thoughts with any member of the building committee or with an elder. Or you can email me at burks@harding.edu.

     The Dating-and-Engaged Couples Ministry has a long history in the College Church. For many years, this group met during the Sunday morning Bible class hour and, at various points, was led by Dwight and Barbie Smith, Larry and Donna Long, and David and Beth Collins.
     Tia and I started helping the Collinses around 2016, then took it over around 2022. In 2023, we thought we might be able to reach more couples by changing the format. We moved the class to a Wednesday night small group setting, and it has been a very positive experience.
     The group meets in our home every Wednesday night at 6:30. We cover topics such as conflict resolution, communication, decision-making, work-life balance, finances, intimacy, and the five love languages. We also have a few guest speakers and panels to help with specific topics, including a newly married panel, a young parents panel, and an in-law panel.
     We typically have around 12-15 couples and follow a one-year curriculum, but couples are always invited to come back the following year (and some do). New couples are welcome to join at any point during the school year.
     College Church members Matt and Alyssa Higgins have joined us in this ministry, and the four of us try to provide a weekly home-cooked meal that follows a theme. A few examples include “Love and Lasagna,” “Flapjacks and Finance,” and “In-laws and Ice Cream.” The meals led to the idea of creating a small-group cookbook featuring all the recipes from the meals we had throughout the year and a few other family favorites. It makes a great wedding gift!
     We believe this ministry is important to every couple. We’ve been going through this curriculum for the past decade, and it’s been such a blessing in our marriage. We discuss some pretty serious topics, but we have a lot of fun together too!
     A former small group couple recently wrote us and said, “This small group provided a wonderful sense of community. Being in a committed relationship was sometimes hard to balance with the rigors of college life, but it was so uplifting to spend time with others who were going through the same thing. This group helped us have important conversations surrounding marriage and how to serve God while navigating them.”
     We would love to talk to any dating or engaged couple in the congregation about joining us in this ministry.

I’d never prayed for a job—does that sound terrible?
I’d always just worked. When I left one job I was soon back at work doing something else. But I was down for two years with my back before surgery made me feel better.
So in 2014 I prayed for a job. That day in the car my dad asked me if I would be interested in working at College Church, and I said “Yeah.” “Well,” he said, “you really need to talk to Sam Billingsley, but he’s out of the country.” We pulled into a grocery store and Sam Billingsley walked out. And Sam said, “Sure, we’d love to talk with you.” That was amazing.
They call me a “Facilities Manager,” and what I do is sort of like your house times 20. There’s always something to do or fix. Also lots of chair moving. If I can’t do a job I sub it out to someone who can, like the roofers. I’ve been patching this roof since I’ve been here, but it got to where I just couldn’t keep up. Now I’m waiting on a hard rain to see what happens.
I come in at 7:00 a.m. Leave when I need to. The flexibility lets me answer calls from College Church members—about one a week. It might be tree limbs in the yard or a stopped-up toilet. I had an “emergency” call that turned out to be taking the lid off a pressure cooker, so the soup wouldn’t burn. Got a free meal out of that.
I tell members I’m honored to be called when they need something.
I’m grateful to be here because of the people. I interact with lots of them in this building. I get fussed at some because everybody’s an expert in paint color, cleaning or something. But I like that. We can be playful with it. I listen to the complaints, tease a little and then say, “Ok, I can fix that.”
Right now I’m building a fence around the new parking lot. I’d always worked construction. My dad, Don Eads, built church buildings. I worked with him from before high school, right up to the time I hurt my back. He tried to discourage me from it because he knew how hard it was. He wasn’t big on advice. He just grew up working hard. So I tried to follow his example.
Now I build things for the church. I just finished some podiums, and over the years I’ve built cabinets in many classrooms. Did the upstairs Faith and Home Center. A dressed up room has a different feel. I like to see people take pride in their stuff.
Like I said, this job is just lots of light bulbs, stains, AC leaks, stuff coming apart—not terribly interesting. But it’s the job God gave me. I think a lot about the verse “Do everything as unto the Lord.” That’s hard. But it keeps me focused on His will and the people I can help.

     When my students encounter Beowulf, the 9th century Anglo-Saxon poem about a medieval warrior fighting monsters in Demark, they are often swept up in the physical struggle of the hero against his grotesque opponents.
     Beowulf is the quintessential hero—capable, witty, and strong (“the strength of thirty men in his grip”). The world traditionally finds heroes like Beowulf impressive, and he plays his role well, bragging about the deeds he intends to accomplish.
     But during the fight against Grendel’s mother, the hero is shockingly overpowered. Unexpected failures—of his sword and his own physical prowess—leave him pinned under the monster’s knife. Our hero is on the brink of a humiliating defeat.
     At this moment, I often point out to students that the poet is allegorically communicating a spiritual truth here: He tells us the monsters (Grendel and his mother) are descendants of Cain. They are the poem’s metaphorical embodiment of the wages of sin stalking the darkness and waiting to devour anyone unprepared (an echo of God’s warning to Cain in Genesis 4:7).
     The lesson? If we put our faith in our own strength to free us from sin, we are doomed to failure. While we might initially trust our own power to escape retribution for sinfulness, we cannot escape sin’s wages any more than Beowulf can free himself from Grendel’s mother.
     The poet confirms that Beowulf “would have surely perished” in this moment were he alone. This assessment echoes Matthew 19:26 where Jesus explains that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Human strength alone, the poem demonstrates, is not capable of overcoming sin.
     Fortunately, the poem offers Beowulf an escape from his desperate situation: God’s intervention. A divine light illuminates the dark cave where the hero is fighting for his life; he is pointed toward a sword that will not fail, and he is finally able to get back on his feet. The poet writes: “It was easy for the Lord, the Ruler of Heaven, to redress the balance once Beowulf got back up.”
     Just as Beowulf’s unearned victory is the direct result of God’s unmerited favor, we should recognize that the grip of sin can be escaped only through the grace of Christ Jesus, whose intercession on our behalf also frees us from our own death.