On Pastor Appreciation Sunday, several members of First Christian Church in Butler gathered to recognize and celebrate Rev. Sharla Hulsey. They are deeply grateful for her faithful leadership, compassionate spirit, and the many ways she nurtures the church family. Her ministry continues to inspire and guide them, and they were honored to show their appreciation for all she does.

Prayer Request

Please hold in prayer Rev. Ed Varnum and his whole family as his wife Jan passed away on Monday evening. Services will be at Broadway Christian Church sometime next month but have not been scheduled yet.

DHM Clergy Continuing Education Grants

Disciples Home Missions (DHM) seeks to support ordained and commissioned clergy in their commitment to a process of life-long learning. Those who take advantage of available educational experiences often discover that there are benefits of such experiences for themselves and the people with whom they are in ministry. Applications are due October 31. Learn more and apply here>

International Summer Mission

First Christian Church in Gallatin sent a group of fourteen adults and youth to Costa Rica in late July. The group served a food ministry/program and participated in ministry with a local church in Liberia, Costa Rica. A full recap of their trip can be found here- First Christian Church-Gallatin in Costa Rica - July 19, 2025 | PPM. This was the first ever overseas mission trip sponsored by the church.

Ordinations

This past weekend saw two ordinations in Mid-America! And there are quite a few more to come...

Congratulations to all!

On Saturday, Rev. John DeLaporte IV was ordained at Millersburg Christian Church in Fulton where he serves as pastor. He is pictured here as Regional Minister Paul Koch and many other clergy colleagues and elders lay hands on him during the service to affirm his calling and pray for his ministry.

On Sunday, Rev. Cody DeMint was ordained during the morning worship at Jacksonville/Cairo Unity Church where he serves as pastor. He is pictured here with Zane Whorton, Ron Routledge, Paul Koch, and Kris Tenny-Brittian.

On Saturday, November 1, John Harwell will be ordained at New Life Christian Church United in Poplar Bluff at 3:00 pm.

On Sunday, November 2, Randy Robb will be ordained at Boonesboro Christian Church at 2:00 pm.

On Friday, November 7, Mandy Tarpening will be ordained at First Christian Church in Hannibal at 3:00 pm.

On Sunday, November 9, Eric Holmes will be ordained at First Christian Church in Fulton at 3:00 pm.

On Saturday, November 15, Terry Overfelt will be ordained at Broadway Christian Church at 11:00 am.

On Sunday, November 23, Theresa and Russ Hamilton will be ordained at Cameron First Christian Church during 10:00 am worship.

On Sunday, December 7, Zane Whorton will be ordained at First Christian Church in Mexico at 2:30 pm.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, M. Faye Vaughn will be ordained at Frankford First Christian Church at 11:00 am.

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, Tim Whitmore will be ordained at First Christian Church in Warrensburg during 9:30 am worship.

Meet your Regional Building and Capital Services Advisor

Is your community of faith facing issues with its place of worship? Whether it’s delayed maintenance or a need for mission revitalization, Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF)—a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—is here to support your congregation.

James “Jim” Michel serves as the Advisor for our region. He can help you with building planning, from assessing your structures through a building evaluation, to assisting your faith community find clarity and a new vision through New Beginnings. Jim can also provide fundraising guidance.

Contact him today at jmichel@disciplescef.org.

What is the Rickman Legacy Fund?

For years the Rev. Dr. Lester Rickman provided incredible leadership to our region. The former Rickman Center in Jefferson City served as a testament to our wider church's mission and goals. When that ministry was completed in 2015, the sale proceeds were invested with the Christian Church Foundation to help ensure that its mission, beyond the facilities, continued. Endowment income each year helps fund our existing youth camps and conferences programs and leader development opportunities for pastors, churches, and the region as a whole when they come to fruition.

In its second decade, the Rickman Legacy Fund has transformed into the Rickman Legacy Society where we celebrate and name all people who have over the years supported the region through annual funding and planned giving. The Fund is alive and so are we. You too will be presented ways to prayerfully participate.

Rather than relying on its initial principle and accumulating market growth, we are now receiving personal investments into the endowment to increase the revenues that support youth in our region and Disciples with a dream.

Please join us and learn more on Nov. 14 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Lake Ozark Christian Church for a beautiful fall Lake of the Ozarks weekend. You can see how Rickman monies support first hand at the Rural Ministry Network gathering at FCC-Eldon that next day.

There was no Mid-America reception at General Assembly this year to allow for this BIG thank you party to take place and for more people to attend. We'll see you then. Please RSVP so we know how much food to prepare.

From the Wider Church

This coming week's Global Ministries prayer request is for
the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This week's College of Regional Ministers prayer request is for

the Tennessee Region.

Center for Lived Faith & Organizing

is presenting two more seminars this fall.

As a partner supporter, Mid-America has free seats available for each.

White Moral Injury: Organizing White People in the Face of Christian Fascism

Friday, November 21

All can be attended either in person in St. Louis or online.

Learn more here>

As your congregation gets its facilities ready for fall, make sure that they don't let in the cold. If they do, they could be leaking heat, costing you money, and increasing your carbon emissions.

Improve operations that contribute to a more energy-efficient place of worship with Disciples Church Extension Fund’s renovation loans. Receive up to $150,000 to:

- upgrade heaters

- replace or repair inefficient windows

- insulate or weatherproof your sanctuary, fellowship hall, and more

To learn how you can "go green,” contact your regional Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel.