Nearly 175 worshippers were abducted Jan. 18 from three churches in Kaduna State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Christian advocacy groups reported, after at least 35 were killed in separate attacks on villages in the Middle Belt and eastern Nigeria.
Missouri
Storyline Southwest ‘strategically placed’ in St. Louis ‘to reach the next generation’
Storyline Southwest in St. Louis had a lot to celebrate for Christmas this year. It was the first Christmas since the September merger of Storyline and Southwest Baptist Church.
National
Cities Church leaders address Sunday’s worship disruption
Leaders of Cities Church released a statement today (Jan. 20) addressing what they called the “shameful, unlawful conduct” of protestors that disrupted their church service Sunday, Jan. 18.
Columns
Let’s baptize 8,000 across Missouri!
Each year, there are many worthy goals we can, and should, strive towards. The most critical metric, though, is baptisms. How many people are making professions of faith in Jesus and following through with biblical baptism? How many lives are being transformed by the gospel? How many are repenting from sin and trusting Jesus as Savior? This is the metric that matters most – in fact, it matters for eternity!
Apologetics
The renewal of all things
Yes, Jesus is returning to create new heavens and a new earth. But we should not suppose that he is merely – if we may use that term – sending us back to the Garden of Eden. Rather, the creator causes the new heavens and earth to retain the qualities of creation as “very good indeed” (Gen. 1:31) and then goes beyond “good.” Only the God of creation can improve on perfection.
Global
South Asian women empowered to know, understand God’s Word
When Song, a Hindu woman, and her family moved to the outskirts of a large, South Asian city for work, she prayed for God to teach her more about Himself.
Culture
Lifeway Research finds church closures eclipse openings
In 2024, Lifeway Research estimates 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S., while 4,000 churches were closed. This is based on analysis of congregational information provided by 35 denominations or faith groups, representing 58% of all Protestant churches.