DESLOGE – Baked with love by each church’s pastor, the table of decorated cakes looked good enough to eat. Everyone gathered around the auction block to see how much his or her pastor’s cake would go for this year. Jack and Elizabeth Poston, long-time members of First Baptist Church (FBC) here and the founders of the Feed My Sheep fundraiser event, heard that congregations from two local Methodist churches held a separate event in order to raise extra money to bid on their beloved pastor’s … [Read more...]
Churches cooperate to bring free camp to teens
HOUSTON – At 14-years-old, the young girl had seen things that no child should ever have to see. “When she came to camp we knew she had went through so much and she was just distraught, her eyes were almost dead inside,” said Delta Hernandez, a youth leader at Boone Creek Baptist Church in Licking and one of the founders of G1, a free youth summer camp held at Simmons Baptist Camp here. “We prayed for her and watched while God got a hold of her at camp. She started coming to youth group … [Read more...]
Hilldale Baptist Church honors veterans, hosts PTSD benefit
NEOSHO – Approximately 22 veterans commit suicide each day—according to a 2012 report put out by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the personal demons servicemen and women face are real and devastating. “These brave men and women see things no one wants to see,” said Luke Renfro, member of Hilldale Baptist Church here. “The darkness is so overwhelming that these guys can’t see daylight; their eyes can’t see value in anything because of what’s haunting … [Read more...]
Mission in Mexico: Canaan Baptist trains leaders to ‘be the Church’
ATECINGO, Mexico — The lack of true discipleship at Primera Iglesia Bautista had been heavy on Pastor Alejandro’s heart for a while. “He told us they were a congregation that has tried one event after another, hoping something would happen,” said Mike Self, pastor of discipleship and church administration at Canaan Baptist Church in St. Louis. “By the end of the third day of the conference, Pastor Alejandro explained to his members that he saw this as a holistic approach to how the church … [Read more...]
Revitalization effort brings hope to Neosho church
NEOSHO – The people at New Salem Baptist Church were upset at the news and, quite frankly, Pastor Philip Martin was surprised they didn’t fire him right then and there. “I said, ‘Look guys the hard truth is that financially we are not doing well and the numbers have been stagnate for a while,’” said Martin, who has served at New Salem for nine years. “I told them if we continued to go on like we have been we would not make it more than five or six years.” The congregation, which consisted … [Read more...]
Mount Vernon ministry creates alcohol-free entertainment option
MOUNT VERNON – Sports jerseys line the walls and the savory smell of smoked ribs fills the air as Hilda Horner bounces from one table to the next, making sure everyone has what they need before kick-off. It’s hard to believe that just last year Horner was in jail; arrested and taken off the streets after another one of her downward spirals with drugs and alcohol. Now, only a few months later, she’s practically a permanent fixture at Whosoever’s, volunteering to help launch this hangout … [Read more...]
Round Grove prioritizes church-wide biblical literacy
MILLER – It’s one thing for a church to simply agree with the supremacy of Scripture, but it’s quite another to intentionally train church members on how to interpret, engage, and rely upon Scripture for everyday life. But Mark Fugitt says that that is exactly what the local church is called to do. “If the local church doesn’t step into this role, either it won’t happen, or the void will be filled by someone else—often unvetted online sources or others that aren’t interested in walking … [Read more...]
Led by Guatemalan pastor, Centro de Alabanza sows gospel among Hispanic families in Verona
VERONA – House to house, Aldo Parker visits families in Verona not only to introduce himself, but also to introduce his church and the ultimate source of hope and forgiveness, Jesus Christ. “That’s the way we reach new people,” said Parker, pastor of Centro de Alabanza (translated Praise Center) here. “We visit with them and if we learn about or see a need, we pray for them and see how we can help them.” As the only Hispanic pastor in Lawrence County, Parker, who is bi-vocational, wishes … [Read more...]
Park leads Connection Point Church, Raytown, to financial wisdom, extravagant generosity
RAYTOWN – Tithing is giving with training wheels on. Take the limitations away and God will reveal what a heart of generosity really looks like. Brandon Park found himself digging for change underneath the floor mat of his car when that message finally sank in. “Generosity has always been difficult for me,” said Park, lead pastor at Connection Point Church here. “I’ve always been an obedient tither; writing that check down to the penny, exactly what was expected of me.” But the more he … [Read more...]
Grover Park gives good gifts in Warrensburg
WARRENSBURG – Each year Pastor Randy Neal considers it an honor to hop on his Harley and lead the procession of flagged Freedom Rider cyclists at Freedom Spectacular on July 4. The event draws more than 3,000 people to celebrate. “We do half a dozen major community events that we fund ourselves and don’t charge the community,” said Neal, pastor at Grover Park Baptist Church here. “At Freedom Spectacular we have professional fireworks, we feed everyone, we have the community band play and … [Read more...]
Filling the gap – With ‘Fun Day’ Monday, Auxvasse church helps blue collar families adapt to four-day school week
AUXVASSE – When the North Callaway School District started gearing up for its second year of the four-day week format, Pastor Wil Hoffmann sensed God calling Rising Sun Baptist Church (RSBC) to take action. “We have a lot of blue collar working families in our area and we knew there was a need for Monday childcare,” Hoffmann said. Lovingly referred to as “Fun Day,” RSBC’s Monday childcare ministry is available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for elementary-age children in the … [Read more...]
NorthRoad brings new life to St. Charles
ST. CHARLES — It’s just like getting a Mohawk. “I knew if God was in it—and He was, I could be completely honest with them,” said Matt Bartig, lead pastor at NorthRoad Community Church in Moscow Mills. “I told them we are going to cut it, turn it, and spike it up. I said it will be the same material, but I promise you it’s going to look completely different than it has ever looked before.” Bartig used the “Mohawk” metaphor to explain to the loyal members of Jungs Station Baptist Church … [Read more...]
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