Like Christianity, Islam is monotheistic, yet it denies basic Christian doctrines like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, Jesus’ death and resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith. Muhammad’s encounters with heretical Christian sects, and the lack of a Bible in Arabic in his lifetime, no doubt contributed to his faulty understanding of the Christian faith. But two lesser-known teachings based on the Qur’an are equally disturbing. Christians should understand them in order to more … [Read more...]
Missionary to Chile uses crafts, helps to reach others
MAYWOOD – Jackie Bursmeyer uses creative ways to reach people in Santiago, Chile, for Jesus Christ. These include making crafts, unique Bible stories over tea, and even walking her dog, Molly. Bursmeyer, a Southern Baptist missionary for 35 years, is on furlough with family in St. Louis. She spoke to the Mt. Salem/Wyaconda Southern Baptist Association quarterly Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) meeting April 25 of her work and the challenges as an administrative assistant for the Americas … [Read more...]
Because you give … unreached people hear the gospel
The people of Southeast Mexico are as diverse as the region’s geography, which features snowcapped peaks, fertile valleys, and high desert plains. God has uniquely prepared Missouri natives Aaron and Brie woods to serve the unreached people of this region, and your faithful giving through the Cooperative Program enables them to go. Aaron and Brie grew up in Missouri Baptist churches, where the language of missions was always spoken. Both participated in volunteer mission projects as teens … [Read more...]
MWMU group helps send literature all over world
BUTLER, Ill.—Love Packages is a small ministry here in a town of 200 people, but a Missouri Woman’s Missionary Union (MWMU) group helps them reach the world for Jesus. Fifteen MWMU members and guests of the Mt. Salem/Wyaconda Southern Baptist Association made their sixth trip to Butler March 19 to sort and repack Bibles, Sunday School material, and Christian literature for spiritually needy people. Love Packages (LP), a non-denominational para-church ministry, began in 1975. Director Steve … [Read more...]
Tour group builds on Israel trip, enjoys travel to Turkey, Greece
O’FALLON – Next stop, Turkey and Greece. Recently a group from First Baptist Church here made the journey to Turkey and Greece to “Follow in the Steps of Paul.” The itinerary included Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Ephesus, Athens, Thessalonica, Berea, Philippi, and Corinth. “We planned this trip because of the excitement we saw with the Israel trip,” Lee Sanders, associate pastor of education, said. “Several individuals saw the value of visiting the places of Paul. Their interest is a natural … [Read more...]
SBU’s Center for Global Connections provides unique opportunities for students
BOLIVAR — Through the Southwest Baptist University (SBU) Center for Global Connections, students are ministering to multiple people groups around the world, but they can’t do it without financial support from a multitude of donors. With about 350 students having participated on 28 teams in 2012, students raised more than $550,000 to fund those trips. Teams begin to form during Global Connections Week, held each spring and fall for upcoming trips. Students submit an application and are … [Read more...]
Cape man takes passion for sharing to Philippines
CAPE GIRARDEAU – Sharing Jesus isn’t difficult. Just ask Rex Barker. Recently returned from his seventh trip to the Philippine island of Bohol and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the retired school teacher and member of Linwood Baptist in Cape Girardeau has taken it upon himself to be the missionary to anyone and everyone who will listen. That goes for southeast Missouri as well as Southeast Asia. “In two weeks, we prayed for almost 10,000 students. That’s a ‘wow.’ The doors just … [Read more...]
Are all world religions equal?
In Cholula, Mexico, stands the Church of Our Lady of Remedies. It sits atop the largest archaeological site in the Americas – a pyramid laced with catacombs and filled with artifacts from pre-colonial days. According to some accounts, the natives of Cholula refused to welcome Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes in the 16th century. So to teach them a lesson, Cortes massacred thousands and ordered the people to build 365 Catholic Churches, one for each day of the year. They never reached … [Read more...]
How one Missouri church is seeking partnership in Mexico
PUEBLA, Mexico – Jason Walters wants his church to carry out the Great Commission by identifying its Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. The student pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in St. Louis has taken mission teams to the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic, and his church already partners with other churches in Iowa and West Africa. But when Walters and senior pastor Daniel Carr heard about the vision being cast by 60 churches in the Puebla/Tlaxcala region of … [Read more...]
100: churches: Mexico-Missouri partnership has 2020 vision
PUEBLA, Mexico – Angel Gonzalez hopes to provide counseling, legal advice, and English as a Second Language to his neighbors in the community of La Luna. Abednego Tamariz has a heart for the indigenous Nahuas people of San Miguel and is sharing the love of Christ with many who are enslaved by alcoholism, drug addiction, and domestic violence. Mauro Lara is grieved over six communities within driving distance of his home in the city of Puebla that have little or no evangelistic … [Read more...]
Burundi pastor ordained in festive ceremony
KANSAS CITY — Many Burundi parishioners were gathered March 10 at the ordination service of Burundi Pastor Dany Byamungu here at Iglesia Cristiana Palabra Viva. The congregation meets at Central Baptist Church where Pastor Omar Segovia, who recently joined the church planting staff of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), also serves. Byamungu, 29, was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) where he was raised by Christian parents whom he thanked during the service. Due to war, … [Read more...]
Worldview event probes impact, spread of pluralism
JEFFERSON CITY — The 2013 Worldview Conference March 28 featured comparisons between “Paul at Mars Hill—Being a Christian in a Pluralistic Society” and the United States of America. The conference, which drew 100 people here to Memorial Baptist Church, was a joint project of the Christian Life Commission of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) and The Pathway. Andy Chambers, professor of Bible and vice president of Missouri Baptist University, laid a biblical foundation for the … [Read more...]