BRANSON – Most Missouri Baptist churches are small, and the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) held its sixth MB125 conference, June 24-27, in Branson for the pastors and families of those churches.
Gary Mathes, the MBC’s pastoral ministries specialist, said that 85.4 percent of Missouri’s 1,883 churches have fewer than 125 in Sunday morning worship.
“Small is normative,” Mathes said. He compared the conference to NASCAR drivers making an occasional pit stop for instructions, re-calibration, refueling.
“Our purpose is to be a blessing to you. We want you to recharge your batteries, and re-calibrate,” he said.
MB125 offered pastors and their wives worship time, Bible preaching and separate breakout sessions, meals, gifts and door prizes, and unstructured free time.
Forty-nine of the 75 pastors/families present, including Kurtis and Melissa Estes, attended for the first time. Kurtis has pastored in Dawn for almost two years. The couple has three children from 5 years to 8 months old.
“We needed to be refreshed,” Kurtis said. “We needed to be together at a conference. It has exceeded our expectations. We’d love to come back next year. It’s good to have other pastors saying they are beside us and are right there with us.”
“Usually, I can’t go (to conferences) because we have the kids,” Melissa said. “Here, I don’t feel like I’m a burden because I have Gracie (the couple’s youngest) with me. We usually never have childcare.”
Carl Ray pastors Pleasant Ridge south of Seymour. He and his wife Leveta have grown children and were also first-timers at MB125.
“Anytime there is preaching and teaching from the Scriptures, I’m drawn to it,” Carl said. “I was encouraged by this (MB125) – the camaraderie, the fellowship. You are not by yourself. I personally needed to know that. I appreciated there are other guys going through the same things. I’m so routine-oriented. I felt guilty being here at first, but God told me I needed this time with other Christians.”
“This has meant so much,” Leveta said. “I’ve learned not to let obstacles stop you in your ministry. One speaker reminded us we are not to do the Holy Spirit’s job. All the sessions have been God-ordained.”
Some pastors Like Walter Lockhart and Jim Whitley are MB125 returnees.
Former MBC staffer Lockhart pastors Ebenezer Baptist near Fulton, as did his late father. He and his wife Shirley were back for their sixth MB125.
When Walter first heard of MB125, he felt he could ask his church to pay a $50 registration for him and Shirley to attend the conference, being more affordable than some conferences.
“It was refreshing to get together and interact with churches of the same size and pick up on their ideas,” Walter said. “Smaller churches can keep it simple. You get a real feel of the state of Missouri (Baptist churches).
“The program is set so families can come,” Shirley said. “It’s wonderful. I enjoy the women’s groups and love to hear the other ladies.”
Jim and Cathie Whitley attended their fifth MB125 conference. He pastors Alpha Baptist in rural southeast Grundy County.
“It’s a perfect combination of all the right things – great teaching, spiritual encouragement, and free time with the family,” Jim said. “All the speakers and the breakout sessions this year have been great. I connect with other pastors dealing with the same things. I always get something I can take and use back home.”
“The women’s sessions are an encouragement,” Cathie said. “I don’t feel alone. We all love Jesus. Where else do you find that other than with the church people?”
Spencer Hutson, MBC Church Strengthening Team Leader said MB125 stemmed from former MBC pastoral ministries leader George Roach seeking something for smaller churches. While other sites were considered, Branson was chosen for the variety of activities.
Skyline Baptist in Branson has hosted all six events.
“We have a great relationship with Skyline,” Hutson said.
To be more affordable, the conference was underwritten by the Cooperative Program (CP) and Missouri Missions Offering (MMO) at about $350 per family.
Conference speakers included Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Jason Allen, Hosea Bilyeu of Wells of Joy Ministry, MBC Leadership Development Team Leader Matt Kearns, Gwen Erisman, Irene Hurt, Wanda Shellenberger, Pam Melton, Dan and Ginger Pitcher and Tri-County Baptist Association Director of Missions Philip Shuford.