December 2025 U&I Together: Stories from churches
A new column starts this month in UI Connections! This is where churches can tell what God is doing with and through their churches. Send your submissions to State Missionary Jason McNair at jmcnair@uisbc.org.
December 2025
“Hope for America” livestream beamed across packed Utah and Idaho churches
Twenty churches live-streamed the Nov. 16 Harvest Crusade at Utah Valley University. Redemption Church in Ogden drew 125 to its location. Six made professions of faith. Risen Life Church in Salt Lake City drew 180 to its location. Six people made professions of faith and two rededicated their lives to Jesus. ValleyLight Church in West Valley City saw one person make a profession of faith. Central Valley Baptist in Meridian saw 50 attendees. Canyonlands Fellowship in Moab saw 55 attendees. Emmanuel Baptist in Hyrum saw 25 attendees.
“We had only 13 attend,” reported Pastor Perry Causey of Sevier Valley Baptist in Richfield “All church members though we advertised two weeks on the sign outside the church. No rededications, but all stayed for the whole crusade and really enjoyed it. We did have the names of two people from Manti for us to follow up on, and we have made contact with them. It was a great crusade!”
Jim Panagoplos, pastor of The Gathering Place in Roy, Utah, reported 44 attended their livestream. “We had two first-time decisions for Christ and one decision to rededicate their life,” Panagoplos said. “Folks were very impressed with the crusade.”
Trunk or Treat Outreach Event
Redemption Ogden: “We’re excited to share that this year’s Trunk or Treat was an incredible success! Despite the forecast, we were blessed with clear skies and an amazing turnout of more than 800 people from our community,” reported Kalyn Wagner. “More than 60 volunteers served throughout the evening, creating a welcoming and joyful atmosphere for families. Our dedicated connections team was intentional about engaging with guests, initiating gospel conversations, and helping people connect with Redemption Church and local community resources. We’re deeply grateful for UISBC’s [evangelism grant] support in making this outreach possible. Your partnership helped us plant seeds of hope and share the love of Christ with many who may have been hearing it for the first time.”
Resonate Church at Boise State equips student leaders
Resonate fall retreat: “Our Fall Retreat was a powerful catalyst for building momentum and helping students find their place in our community,” reported Mac Chaney. “This year, about 25 percent of our attendees were college freshmen from Boise State University, a huge increase from last year and a direct answer to prayer. During the retreat, two students expressed a desire to be baptized, and many others encountered God in meaningful and personal ways. Everyone heard the gospel preached in our sessions as we talked about the balance of a healthy spiritual life.
“Since returning, students who attended have stepped up to serve in our Sunday gatherings, lead in small groups, and participate in outreach events. We’re deeply grateful for your generous [evangelism grant] support, which makes it possible for us to host this retreat and continue reaching college students with the gospel.”
Redemption Ogden reaches out to Weber State students
Redemption Ogden’s Fall Preview Service for incoming college students received help from a UISBC evangelism grant. “A lot of the success came on promoting this event on campus,” reported Adam Baccam. “Since 801 College is new, a lot of people stopped to have conversations and wanted more info. Tabling prior helped connect college staff with students and getting the contacts is more helpful for the big fall launch.”
Annual Greek-Giving reaches out to fraternity and sorority
Table Rock Church in Boise used a UISBC evangelism grant for a Thanksgiving dinner, reported Sam Bibb.
“Greek Giving is an annual event hosted by Table Rock Church for college students involved in fraternities and sororities at Boise State University. It’s a free Thanksgiving-style meal where we extend hospitality, share a gospel-centered devotional, and invite students to consider the generosity of God. Students are also encouraged to bring a canned food item, which we donate to the campus food pantry.”
About 200 students attended the event at the University’s Stueckle Sky Center. The full turkey-and-trimmings dinner included a fun mixer to help students meet new people, 15-minute devotional including the leader’s testimony and clear gospel presentation, reflective time of prayer, and a panel of seven students answering faith-based questions and sharing their stories.
“At the end, everyone filled out a survey for event feedback and had the option to indicate if they wanted to meet with a staff member or student leader to talk more about faith,” Bibb said. “Thirty-two students voluntarily checked a box indicating they wanted to meet with a staff member or student leader to talk further about their faith. Our team has already begun following up with each of them.”
