SPRINGFIELD – Freeway Ministries here continues to minister to the homeless and other underserved people amid the COVID-19 pandemic by serving a free dinner each Saturday evening during the lockdown. So far, they have served 1190 meals. Co-founded by John Stroup, Mike Aye and Rick Lechner, members of Crossway Baptist Church here, Freeway is an outreach and discipleship ministry that helps churches reach out to ex-cons, drug addicts, the homeless and other hard-to-reach people. Many of … [Read more...]
‘I need Jesus’ – Online preaching leads to salvation, Easter day baptism
HILLSBORO – Like many other congregations across the state, Raintree Church here held a virtual Palm Sunday service on Facebook Live, April 5. But when Pastor Kenny Sims finished preaching in his empty church building that day, he felt he had failed. Afterwards he called the church’s associate pastor, Tyler Thomas, to vent his frustration about his own sermon. “I really felt like this was one of the worst sermons I’ve ever done,” Sims said. But only a few minutes after he hung up the … [Read more...]
FBC Eldon hymn singing event features former missionary to Asia, Middle East
ELDON – First Baptist Church in Eldon hosted a hymn singing event with the community on Feb. 20. Don and Nancy Upton led the congregation in selections of the crowd’s choosing. The event opened with the singing of “In the Sweet By and By”, followed by prayer by FBC Pastor David White. “You are Worthy” was the next selection, as well as “It Is Well With My Soul” and “In the Garden.” Don Upton announced the devotional speaker, Bill Martin. Martin is a retired International Mission … [Read more...]
FBC Clinton treats special needs families as ‘Kings and Queens’ at March 6th ball
CLINTON – The glam of the red carpet and paparazzi brightened The Benson Center thanks to the Kings and Queens Ball held by FBC Clinton, March 6. The Kings and Queens Ball is a prom for special needs young people. FBC Clinton worked with a national organization previously to offer “Night to Shine,” but this year, because of scheduling, they decided to offer the special event on their own. “This is our third year,” said Bethany Festervand, the children’s minister at FBC Clinton. “We … [Read more...]
Twenty children baptized at Fort Wyman Baptist
ROLLA – Last February, Steven Betts, pastor of Fort Wyman Baptist Church here, was desperate to see growth in his congregation. “As I was putting on my shoes getting ready for church,” he said, “I paused for a second and prayed, ‘Lord, bring me a family today.’” God answered his prayer, and went far beyond Betts’s expectations. Fort Wyman’s children’s ministry was down to three kids – two of them Betts’s – when this new couple moving from a Southern Baptist Church in Joplin showed up … [Read more...]
Baptismal pool ‘full of cobwebs’ no more; After years of no use, Edgar Springs fills baptistry once again
EDGAR SPRINGS – Dean Switzer isn’t sure how long Edgar Springs Baptist Church has gone without a baptism, but he’s only been there as pastor for the past three years. “I hadn’t pushed anything,” Switzer said. ”I’ve been getting to know the people, but this past year I’ve started pushing a little harder, and asking people – especially the men – to step up.” And people have begun stepping up. A couple joined the church three months ago and saw their granddaughter saved. She wanted to be … [Read more...]
The Lesters lead worship as Lewis County churches partner for drive-in service
EWING — The COVID-19 recommendation was for churches not to meet in groups larger than ten. Most churches were canceling worship services on March 22nd or broadcasting worship on the Internet. For many this was a hard thing to do. Jon Lester, a member of the St. Louis area southern gospel group, The Lesters, proposed to Lewis County area churches that they hold a “drive-in” worship service. They obtained a low-power FM transmitter to broadcast the service to car radios in the parking … [Read more...]
Drive-in style service brings Fulton church together
FULTON – Churches are scrambling to find ways to maintain community and continue corporate worship even though they can’t gather inside church building in any significant numbers. Many are shifting to live streaming online, but Ebenezer Baptist Church here has another solution: come to church, but stay in your car. They call it Drive-In Church. “We are in a country setting and our parking lot is in the midst of many beautiful shade trees,” said Pastor Mike Hibbard. “Ebenezer worshippers … [Read more...]
Church comes home in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY – New churches start in homes and sometime seek a “church” building. Christ Fellowship intentionally stays as a network of home churches. Christ Fellowship has five home congregations in North Kansas City, Liberty, Weston, Parkville, and Kearney. Each is led by a pastor/elder. “I pastored in Orlando (years ago) and there I wrote out a plan almost exactly like what we’re doing now,” said Jim Elliff, one of the elders. “All our elders are seen as equals. Any one of us can … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist pastors honored for work with black community in St. Louis area
ST. LOUIS – Unity is an important focus for St. Louis pastors and their congregations. Two pastors, Bill Friese, senior pastor, Oak Hill Fishers of Men in Ferguson, and Jim Walker, lead pastor, Hazelwood Baptist, were recognized for their leadership in the community. Friese is also Second Vice Chair on the Missouri Baptist Foundation board of trustees. Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis County Executive, presented the Betty L. Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award to the pastors. The award is named … [Read more...]
Emmaus Church equips young pastors
KANSAS CITY – On the front of the marquee at Screenland Armour Theatre, you’ll find a list of what movies are showing that week. But on Sundays, you’ll quickly discover that the main attraction isn’t about popcorn and entertainment. For Emmaus Church in Kansas City, that meets at the theater, the focus is on worship, the Gospel and impacting the world by training and equipping future pastors and ministry leaders. At the start of this year, a group of 17 men entered the church’s pastoral … [Read more...]
Church treasurer marks 61 years of service
WILDWOOD – The finance committee counting money at her kitchen table is just one of Mary Jett’s memories from her 61 years of service as church treasurer of First Baptist Church of Ellisville. Jett is a charter member of the church established in 1959. “They asked me to be the treasurer when I was home with two small children,” she said. “I had worked at a bank so I believe they thought I would be good at it. This was a way for me to serve and stay at home.” “Mary has faithfully served as … [Read more...]
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