LEETON – The Harmony Baptist Church in rural Johnson County was destroyed by a fire on the evening of Sunday, July 5. The fire is of suspicious origin and fire officials from the offices of the Missouri State Fire Marshall and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the cause and have reason to believe it is the work of an arsonist. They have not identified any suspect at present. Pastor John Phillips said a car was seen leaving the church … [Read more...]
COVID-19 hits four Noel churches, four pastors
NOEL – Even as many Missouri Baptist churches take precautions – some of them extraordinary – to safeguard from the COVID-19 pandemic, interaction with the community and workplace transmission has infected some worshippers. Joshua Manning, pastor of Community Baptist Church in Noel, said his congregation and the community took steps to “flatten the curve,” but transmission of the coronavirus from day-to-day contact at members’ workplaces has touched a large percentage of the … [Read more...]
Foley Baptist Church food pantry continues work despite challenges
FOLEY – There were real reasons for a church to halt a food bank – the COVID-19 situation, the absence of a regular pastor, and last year’s flooding. Despite these challenges, Foley Baptist continued what they had already been doing. In the past, people needing food came to the church the last Saturday of the month, except for November and December holidays. People came in the church, where name, address, and number in the household were taken. There was also a list of the food available … [Read more...]
Risen Ranch’s rodeo camp rides on
CARTHAGE – Little hands stretched high in the air and uninhibited voices sang out like a heavenly choir. Steve Stafford, senior pastor at Risen Ranch Cowboy Church here, couldn’t stop the flow of tears if he tried. “I am so glad we had camp and we experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit so thick around us,” he said. “There were about 80 kids and 30 or 40 adults praising God together with their whole hearts. If being part of something like that doesn’t move you or change your … [Read more...]
After finding new life, Missouri church will host NAMB Replant Summit
GREENWOOD (BP) – Ten years ago, after several years of decline, the future for a 175-year-old Southern Baptist church in Greenwood, seemed bleak. But a sister church in the area embraced the dwindling congregation and helped them recover their place in the community. In August, the reborn and growing church will host the North American Mission Board's Replant Summit to help others learn how to do the same. "The First Baptist Church of Greenwood has an incredible testimony," said Mark … [Read more...]
‘Gospel issue’ – MBC president hosts conversation on race
SPRINGFIELD – Across Missouri and across the nation, a conversation on race, racism, relationship and reconciliation is taking place. Ridgecrest Baptist Church, here, hosted its own conversation June 17 featuring four Missouri Baptist pastors – two black, and two white. Mike Byrd and Jon Nelson joined Ken Parker and Jeremy Muniz for the 90-minute event. Byrd is pastor of Faith Community Bible Church, St. Louis. Nelson pastors Soma Community Church, Jefferson City, and serves as the first … [Read more...]
COVID-19 shifts, doesn’t stop Navajo Nation mission
OZARK – With the Navajo Nation on strict lockdown due to an extremely high per-capita coronavirus infection rate and resulting cases, Scott Watson, lead pastor of River Bluff Fellowship here, knew the decision to modify their annual mission trip to Kayenta, Ariz., was the right one. “We’ve been going there for 13 years and bringing 30 to 50 people each time we go and we love it, but we decided to change our plans for two reasons: first, we did not want to go there and increase their … [Read more...]
Drive-in VBS gives kids, families ‘firm foundation’
BOLIVAR – Preparations for Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church, here, had already been underway for a month when the COVID-19 pandemic tossed all plans out the window. Missy Vestal – the VBS director – and the rest of the team met via Zoom and looked through their options, settling on a solution: Drive-In VBS. So for every other evening from June 1-5, 60 to 70 cars show up at First Baptist’s parking lot where volunteers lead in VBS while kids and their families remain in their … [Read more...]
Pastor continues to serve in half-century ministry
HURDLAND – Rev. Robert Shobe may have slowed down, but he has not stopped pastoring First Baptist, Hurdland. Come September, it will be 50 years of faithfulness to that church. Shobe surrendered to preach in 1967 and served Emmanuel Baptist in Hannibal and did supply preaching for various churches. He was at Hartford when he learned Hurdland needed a pastor, and accepted that pastorate in 1970. For several years, he and his wife Susie lived in Lancaster but pastored in Hurdland. The church … [Read more...]
Diamond kids take Jesus with them everywhere – ‘Flat Jesus’ helps children connect when not at chur
DIAMOND – Step aside, Flat Stanley. Flat Jesus is here. When Ron Crow, pastor of First Baptist Church, Diamond, was trying to think of a way to keep kids engaged with the church when families could not gather in person, his mind went to his two daughters. “When things started closing down, I told them I was burdened for our children. ‘What can I do for the kids?’ They said, ‘Flat Jesus!’” Both school teachers, Crow’s daughters were familiar with Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley is a paper … [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 encouraged to hold these registration drives on the weekends of June 27 and July 4. Citizens must be registered to vote (or change their address if they have moved since the last time they voted) by July 8 in order to vote … [Read more...]
‘We cannot be silent’ – Churches stand for human dignity, life after George Floyd’s death
KANSAS CITY – Missouri Baptist churches across the Kansas City metroplex are linking arms to stand for the value of every life made in God’s image and to declare the gospel’s power to break down racial barriers in the nation. United Believers Community Church in south Kansas City and the Fellowship Church in Greenwood partnered with other area churches and the Christian radio station, Life 88.5, to host an online prayer rally, June 4, focused on opening fruitful conversation about racial … [Read more...]
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