LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - When Chuck Monan first took the pulpit of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, he preached to a booming congregation that was almost entirely white.

“You could count the number of nonwhite people on both hands and feet,” the church’s pulpit minister said.

Seven years later, Monan sees more varied faces when he gazes out at the church’s pews each Sunday.

More than 175 blacks and other racial minorities now regularly attend the church, which has a weekly turnout of about 1,300. Monan attributes that growth in large part to the church’s decision last year to hire Jerome Williams — the congregation’s first black worship leader. read more

Looking for a holiday gift for a teenager in your life? Not sure what to buy? Want to find something that could make a difference for good?

Give a book. read more