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John Hayes had every reason to be mad at the world, but he didn’t let darkness define him.

Instead, he served Christ in “every work he could.”

Erik Tryggestad reports.

Freedom, family and well-crafted words marked the life of Charlie Marler.

The first chair of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at Abilene Christian University earned respect and admiration nationwide as an advocate for excellent journalism by and for Christians.

Though he was 89 years old, his May 27 death shocked former students and colleagues around the world. As more than one remarked, it just seemed he would live forever. He will, just not with us for the next little while, Cheryl Mann Bacon writes in this tribute.

Related: Longtime Abilene Christian University professor Charlie “Doc” Marler dies at 89

See a video of a tire landing unexpectedly in a church fellowship hall.

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

The story is included in the latest Across the Nation report by Audrey Jackson.

Darkness.

Evil.

As Christians, Seth Terrell, Jessica Knapp and Britt Farmer all believe the world is broken and in desperate need of Jesus’ healing power.

Beyond that, each — with deeply personal experience with deadly shootings — grapples with how disciples of Christ should respond to the ongoing gun violence in America.

Bobby Ross Jr. reports.

Related: After yet another mass shooting, Tulsa church grieves, reflects: Is there a solution?

Related: As Uvalde mourns 21 school shooting victims, church members show ‘the love that Christ put in all of us.’

Related: Buffalo church members help save lives during grocery store shooting