ROGERSVILLE – Hiking along the Current River in Shannon County about four years ago, Matt Miles walked onto an overlook just before dawn. Beyond the river, the hills were thick with trees, and as the sun rose its light set the whole wood ablaze with autumn colors. Not a moment too soon, Miles photographed the scene. After he did so, the sun rose above the clouds, and the hills turned to somber grey. “The magical light of that incredible view was essentially gone,” he remembered. Yet … [Read more...]
Efforts to preserve historic Old Bethel continue
Today would be a great day to visit a Missouri Baptist Historical sight, and Old Bethel, just outside of Jackson, is one place that every Baptist should visit. With a rich history and divine intervention, Old Bethel is a great reminder of Missouri Baptist fortitude. As the frontier expanded in the 1800’s, Baptists began to move westward and many discovered the need for churches. In 1806, just three years after the Louisiana Purchase, the earliest recorded Baptist church west of the … [Read more...]
50 years at one church: Lebanon pastor reflects on God’s faithfulness
LEBANON – As a young pastor, Donald Wood expected that after 30 years in the ministry, he’d have enough sermons to last him a lifetime. But now that he’s celebrating his 50th year at New Hope Baptist Church near Lebanon, he realizes that he’ll never get to the bottom of God’s Word. “Still today,” Wood said, “I’ll read something, and I think, ‘How come it took 50 years to figure that out?’” Celebrating 135 years this month, New Hope Baptist currently runs about 20 people each Sunday … [Read more...]
MBCH trustees cement partnership in Ukraine
BRIDGETON – It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Missouri Baptist Children’s Home has had a lot to celebrate over the past several months Earlier in the summer, the MBCH hosted leaders from New Hope Ukraine, a children’s ministry wtih a mission similar to MBHC’s. In September, several leaders from MBCH and trustees flew to Kiev and the surrounding areas to further explore partnership possibilities. While the exact nature of those possibilities are still being worked out, the MBCH … [Read more...]
Southwest Baptist makes enrollment gains
BOLIVAR – Enrollment is stronger in many areas of Southwest Baptist University during this fall semester, SBU President Dr. C. Pat Taylor reported during the Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 17. SBU’s freshman class on the Bolivar campus is up 11 percent over Fall 2016. The Salem and Mountain View campuses, as well as graduate studies, have increased enrollment. “This year’s freshman class is stronger academically than last year’s class,” Taylor said. “They enter SBU with a higher ACT … [Read more...]
A call to battle modern-day slavery
Human trafficking is a worldwide enterprise with a revenue estimated to be in the range of $32 billion per year, according to the United Nations Office and Drugs and Crime (UNODC.org). Equality Now (equalitynow.org), a charity focused on women and children trafficked for sex, estimates the total trafficking market in the world for all purposes (labor, servitude, sex slavery, etc.) to be in excess of $150 billion per year and the trafficking of women and girls for sex to be $99 billion per … [Read more...]
Restoration House offers trafficking survivors grace
KANSAS CITY – Human trafficking is the number two global crime behind drug trafficking. While Restoration House may not be able to stop the trafficking from the start, it can offer survivors of a place of healing that overflows with God’s grace. “It’s not just a problem overseas,” said Rodney Hammer, director of missions for the Blue River-Kansas City Association and president of Restoration House’s board of directors. “We have a huge problem in Kansas City. These are people who are from … [Read more...]
In Jesus’ embrace: Family feels Christ’s comfort in their sorrow
TRENTON – Sunday morning services at Coon Creek Baptist Church had just ended, and Mike Knapp wanted to get the cattle fed before the family gathered together for lunch. His teenaged son, Malachi, got into his truck and decided to lend a hand. “He was always worried about me and wouldn’t let me go anywhere without him checking up on me,” Mike said. A quarter-mile from the house, a white car came zooming down the hill, fast enough that Mike swerved his tractor off the road, thinking, … [Read more...]
Praying in the name of Jesus on the courthouse lawn
The Pray Across Missouri initiative has been a delightful experience for Sharon and me. I appreciate state missionary Spencer Hutson’s hard work to do the front work of scheduling these events in 114 counties plus the City of St. Louis. We are also very grateful for the local coordinators who contacted churches, county officials, and in many cases law enforcement to join us for a few moments for prayer on the courthouse lawn. We’ve learned several things: Let me be the first to say, … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist Foundation hires new regional vice-prez
JEFFERSON CITY – The Executive Committee of the Trustees of the Missouri Baptist Foundation and its President Dr. Neil Franks, are pleased to announce that Tim Huddleston is joining the Foundation as its new Regional Vice-President. Huddleston grew up on the campus of College of the Ozarks where his father served on staff. He graduated from there with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He spent eighteen years in the financial services field, before returning to the College of the Ozarks … [Read more...]
Dangerous prospects loom, Pathway points to Scripture
America seems adrift. Familiar markers that have guided our personal and social lives from birth to death have faded. We seem disoriented, groping in an ominous direction. Western civilization – especially Christianity and patriotism – is mocked. Our dead veterans are despicably politicized while our children are taught nothing virtuous and only America’s sins – past and present – are highlighted, creating dangerous prospects for the future. It was two decades ago Missouri Baptists put … [Read more...]
MBC ministry fosters cooperation in prayer
JEFFERSON CITY – As autumn leaves begin to fall, prayers continue to rise across Missouri. Throughout 2017 and 2018, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s “Pray Across Missouri” initiative is challenging Missouri Baptist churches to cooperate not only in missional giving, but also in expectant prayer. During this prayer initiative, MBC Executive Director John Yeats and other MBC representatives are joining Missouri Baptists on the steps of each county court house for prayer. Most recently, … [Read more...]
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