ALABAMA

IRONDALE — Nine years after minister Wayne Kilpatrick officially retired, he’s never been busier. After his retirement from the 1,300-member Homewood church in Birmingham, he planned to do some counseling and consultant work. 
 
Instead, he received a call to minister at the Heritage Place church, about 10 miles from Birmingham. The congregation began with 60 members five years ago. Today, more than 200 members attend this rapidly growing church. They plan to expand their facility then plant another church and help it grow, Kilpatrick said.
 
 
CALIFORNIA

GLENDALE — More than 100 members of the Glendale church recently worshiped together following the completion of a massive remodeling project.    
 
Renovations cost more than $150,000 and included new carpet, projection screens, reupholstered church pews and a new sound and video system, said Joel Mefford, office manager.
 
The building had not been updated since 1962, minister George Little said.
 
Church elder Bill Rog told a local newspaper that the updating was just the beginning of a renewed focus on the local community. “ We want the church to be a place where neighborhood residents can come for help.”
 
 
TENNESSEE

NASHVILLE — The Donelson church has been chosen as the Nashville site for the first live national simulcast on marriage produced by Focus on the Family.
 
Featured speakers include Beth Moore, Gary Smalley, Gary Thomas, John Trent and Del Tackett. 
 
Jim Parnell, counseling minister at Donelson, said the seminar fits into the congregation’s goals of strengthening families. 
 
According to online registrations, Parnell is expecting about 200 community visitors and 100 members.