Jack Hemmings, Founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship, Dies

Willow Creek closes downtown location, African Anglicans challenge decision about same-sex couples

ONE YEAR AGO: On Feb. 10, 2025, MinistryWatch reported that Jack Hemmings, a decorated World War II veteran pilot and co-founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), died “peacefully in his sleep” on January 24 at 103 years old, according to MAF’s website. Read more here.

TWO YEARS AGO: On Feb. 13, 2024, MinistryWatch reported that Willow Creek Community Church would be shutting the doors of its downtown Chicago location due to growing financial insecurity. Read more here.

THREE YEARS AGO: On Feb. 17, 2023, MinistryWatch reported that conservative Anglican archbishops in Africa challenged a decision by the Church of England to allow clergy to bless marriages of same-sex couples, warning that the move puts the worldwide Anglican Communion in further jeopardy. Read more here.

FOUR YEARS AGO: On Feb. 9, 2022, MinistryWatch reported that Chattanooga’s Venue Church Pastor Tavner Smith apologized to his congregation for having an “inappropriate relationship,” saying he had “caused devastation I can’t take back.” In August, the church building was set to be auctioned after it defaulted on payments on the more than $2 million the church owed. Read more here.

FIVE YEARS AGO:  On Feb. 12, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that the UK board of the Zacharias Trust unanimously decided to cut ties with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, saying RZIM’s reaction to a report confirming the late evangelical apologist engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct is not strong enough. Read more here.

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