Joplin

• J.R. Slater is the new pastor at College View Baptist Church, 1602 N. Duquesne Road.

Slater and his wife, Angela, will assume their roles at the church on Sunday. Sunday services are at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Details: 417-781-5025.

• Master illusionist and Christian entertainer Greg Davidson will give a performance of “Believe It! A Celebration of Wonder” during services at 10:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday at Harmony Heights Baptist Church, 2025 S. Indiana Ave.

The Christian show will feature amazing illusions, inspirational messages, live music, laughter and multimedia.

Davidson has been appearing professionally since the age of 13 and at the age of 20 he reached the level of an international master in the art of theatrical state illusion. He has made guest appearances on The Oprah Winfrey show and America’s Funniest People.

There is no cost to attend. Details: 781-1700.

• A 52,639-plus item rummage sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 501 W. Fourth St.

The sale is conducted by the sixth- through 12th-grade students of the youth ministry program, assisted by adult helpers. Items for sale include antiques, electronics, tools, clothes for all ages, books, toys, appliances and furniture.

Proceeds benefit local missions such as a toy and Bible giveaway to more than 1,900 Joplin residents each Christmas, various mission trips and projects for students and assistance to the people of Haiti.

Details: 623-2796.

• Membership information services and Thursday night Lenten worship services are being held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 26th Street and Connecticut Avenue.

The membership information services are conducted by pastor Gregory Mech between services from 9:20 to 10:20 a.m. Sunday. The sessions, which started March 7, will be held for eight sessions. The classes are open to new members and long-time members who want to learn about the Lutheran church and discover the fellowship expectations of membership in the church.

Lenten services are slated at 7 p.m. Thursdays through March. A supper will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. A freewill offering will be taken for the meal. Visitors are welcome.

Details: 624-0333.

• The Rev. Christine Harris will be the guest minister during the worship service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 509 S. Pearl Ave.

Special music will be presented by the Covenant and Sanctuary choirs.

• A Lenten lecture series is scheduled from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays at First Community Church, 2007 E. 15th St.

The subject on Wednesday is “Lent: Simple But Not Easy” by Theresa Wilson, teacher at Carl Junction High School.

• Lenten reconciliation services are scheduled at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 706 Byers Ave.

The same service will be offered twice at 5 p.m. Thursday and at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, in St. James Chapel.

Details: 623-6893.

• A family fun night is held from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at South Joplin Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 1901 Pearl Ave.

The event includes snacks and free family activities. Everyone is invited.

Details: 624-2522 or www.southjoplindisciples.org.

• Blendville Christian Church, 2201 S. Picher Ave., will have a free movie night at 7 p.m. Friday, March 19.

The movie will be “The Adventures of The Black Stallion.” There will be free popcorn and pop after the movie.

Details: 623-7312.

• The next meeting of the Greater Joplin Area Chapter 181 of Business Men’s Fellowship USA will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at Ryan’s Restaurant, 512 S. Range Line Road.

The special guest speaker will be Johnny McLain, from Fate, Texas. In 2010 he began his 40th year in ministry. He has pastored several churches, pastoring in Fate for 20 years, and built two successful businesses.

McLain and his wife, Gloria, founded Laborers Together Ministries in 2000 and operated it part time while still pastoring until 2006. At this time they are ministering full time through LTM.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Details: 417-392-0113 or

417-499-8990.



Carterville

• The first Ninth Hour fan night will be held at 7 p.m. today at Carterville United Methodist Church, 120 W. Main St.

The group Ninth Hour, based in Webb City, is one of the area’s most dynamic southern gospel groups. They perform close harmony and high energy singing of old and new songs of the quartet style. Members of the group are Roger Anderson, tenor; Tim Louderbeck, lead; B.J. Huffman, baritone; Sam Green, bass, and Matthew Holt, keyboard and manager.

The fan night will feature songs from Ninth Hour and an interactive format in which the audience will have various opportunities to join in the concert production.

The event is sponsored by Carterville United Methodist Church. Admission is free and open to the public.

Details: 417-358-8416.

• The Crusaders for Christ Singers will be in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cornerstone Revival Church, 201 Main St.

Details: 417-358-5941.

• The Victorymen, Southern gospel singers, will perform at 11 a.m. Sunday at Faith and New Hope Church, 20314 Guardian Road.

They will sing and give testimonies during the service. Everyone is welcome.

Details: 417-776-3891.



Duenweg

• James and Berniece Gale, of Chippewa Falls, Wisc., will be guest speakers in the 6 p.m. service on Sunday at Duenweg Assembly of God, 7380 E. 20th Street.

The Rev. and Mrs. Gale, both talented musicians, will share in song and testimony. James was blinded by an accident when he was just a young boy. He shares his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew as he ministers in his services.

Details: 417-483-2783 or 417-206-4370.



Oronogo

• A gospel concert will be presented by The Victorymen at 7 p.m. today at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, northwest of Oronogo.

The church is two miles north of Highway 43 and 96 and 1 mile west on Locust Road.

Details: 673-7936.

• Andy Avery is conducting revival services today and Sunday at New Grace Assembly, 202 S. Second St.

Service times are at 7 p.m. today and at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Avery will give the message and sing.

Details: 417-388-2162 or 417-673-1122.



Rocky Comfort

• Bob and Emily Seemar, representatives of Chosen People Ministries, will speak at 7 p.m. Friday at Chapel of the Ozarks in Rocky Comfort.

They will give a program on “Messiah in the Passover.”

Chosen People Ministries is a mission over 100 years old that has grown into a worldwide ministry committed to bring the Gospel message of salvation in Jesus “to the Jew first and to the Gentile.”

Members of the Christian and Jewish community are invited to attend.

Details: Gene Robinson, 417-652-3709.



Seneca

• The Rev. Evert Staib is the new pastor at Swars Prairie Baptist Church, Highway DD, southeast of Seneca.

A dinner in the honor of the Rev. Staib and his wife, Gini, will be held after Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service. The public may attend.

Details: 417-776-8356.



Galena, Kan.

• Evangelist Donna Maybee, of Bentonville Ark., will be the guest speaker at services on Sunday at Family Worship Center, 9725 S.E. Star Road, formerly Old Tennessee Prairie Church.

Services will be at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Details: 417-825-8180.



Miami, Okla.

• Tate Music Group artist Jamison will perform a concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at Ottawa Indian Baptist Church, 61400 E. 115 Road.

Jamison will perform songs from the contemporary Christian album “All Of Me.”

Details: Chris Rutherford, 888-361-9473.