BRANSON – Seventeen people, including children, died yesterday (July 19) after a sudden violent storm capsized a "duck boat" on Table Rock Lake near the tourist hotspot of Branson, Mo. The tragedy prompted a response from Missouri Disaster Relief (DR) today, as well as from other Southern Baptists in the region. Branson is known among tourists for its "duck boats," which can travel both on land and in the water. Two boats were still in the water yesterday at Table Rock Lake, when a … [Read more...]
MMO promo materials coming soon
JEFFERSON CITY – Lori was a 14-year-old victim of human trafficking when she became a resident of Freedom 43:19, a ministry of the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH). Thanks to a patient and loving staff, Lori for the first time experienced the freedom and healing only the Lord can give. Today, Lori talks openly about God, and the staff keeps praying that she will one day trust in Jesus for everlasting life. The ministries of the MBCH are supported in part through the Rheubin L. … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists urged to pray for Haiti, mission teams
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention is calling churches to pray for Haiti and for missionaries in the country amid riots and political unrest that broke out in the country over the weekend. In a July 9th email, MBC Executive Director John Yeats directed an “urgent call to prayer” to Missouri Baptists: “By now, you've likely seen the news reports out of Haiti, where the U.S. Embassy has warned American citizens in that country to "shelter in place" – or stay inside – amid … [Read more...]
NAMB highlights ministries, racial relations
DALLAS (BP) – "We are here for you," Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, said in opening his presentation to messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention. "We are grateful for you. We are eager to partner with you to push back lostness in North America." NAMB celebrated the work of missionaries and shared new mission opportunities at the SBC annual meeting in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon (June 12). Ezell provided updates about collegiate church planting and a new … [Read more...]
SBC resolutions affirm women, denounce abuse
DALLAS (BP) – Messengers to the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention affirmed the dignity and worth of women, denounced all forms of abuse and called for sexual purity among Christian leaders in adopting 16 resolutions June 12. Passage of the resolutions on women, abuse and pastoral purity by nearly unanimous votes late in the afternoon session came after months of disclosures of sexual abuse and misconduct by male leaders had rocked Southern Baptist and other evangelical churches and … [Read more...]
‘Never underestimate God’
DALLAS – “I’m not here to talk to you about religion,” Pastor Greg Laurie told the crowd June 10 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the Crossover Dallas Harvest America crusade. “I’m here to talk to you about a relationship with God that you can experience,” he said. “Christ can fill that big hole that is in your heart right now. We all need Him. We all need a Savior. There’s so much stuff to distract us and emptiness to make us feel alone. Yet, Jesus, who created us, also gives … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists send $60,000 to Texas for Harvey Relief
DALLAS – The Missouri Baptist Convention has contributed another $60,000 for the continued recovery of victims of Hurricane Harvey. Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director John Yeats delivered the check to Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Executive Director Jim Richards while attending the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas, June 12. The MBC sent an earlier check for $275,000 for victim relief through the processes developed and managed through SBTC. … [Read more...]
SCOTUS sends florist’s case back to Washington court
WASHINGTON (ADF) – The U.S. Supreme Court sent the case of floral artist Barronelle Stutzman back to the Washington Supreme Court June 25 after vacating that court’s decision and instructing it to reconsider her lawsuit in light of the recent decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In that similar case, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Colorado’s decision to punish cake artist Jack Phillips for living and working consistently with his religious beliefs about … [Read more...]
Voter registration packs ready for churches
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention's Christian Life Commission has prepared a voter registration packet for churches. The packets include step-by-step instructions and materials that will be needed to conduct a voter registration drive on site. Churches are urged to host voter registrations on the weekend of July 7. Citizens must be registered to vote (or change their address if they have moved since the last time they voted) by July 11 in order to vote in the Aug. 7, … [Read more...]
ACP: Worship attendance rises, baptisms decline
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention expanded by more than 270 churches in 2017. More people showed up for weekly worship services, and congregations gave more generously in a strengthening economy. However, reported baptisms and membership declined as fewer churches participated in the SBC's Annual Church Profile (ACP). Similar statistics are reflected in ACP reports from Missouri Baptist churches. Longstanding patterns continued to dominate the ACP, which is compiled by … [Read more...]
Missourians re-elected as SBC officers
DALLAS (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention messengers elected two Missourians to lead alongside a diverse slate of officers during their annual meeting in Dallas, June 12-13. Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director John Yeats was elected for his 21st term as Recording Secretary. Don Currence, minister of children and administration at First Baptist Church, Ozark, was elected as registration secretary. Other officers serving from 2018-2019 include: J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit … [Read more...]
Kearns resigns from MBC to pastor Columbia church
JEFFERSON CITY – Matt Kearns, Missouri Baptist Convention catalyst for Making Disciples, announced June 20th that he is leaving the MBC to serve as lead pastor of Woodcrest Chapel in Columbia. Kearns has served as interim pastor at Woodcrest for the last 16 months. His last official day at the MBC is set for July 31st. “While I am saddened to see Matt leave the missionary staff of the MBC, I am grateful for his faithful service here and am excited about the work of disciple-making he is … [Read more...]