Seaton sees opportunity in men’s ministry post
KAHOKA – Rick Seaton is sad to say goodbye to the church he has pastored for the past five and a half years. But he and the church believe it is God’s will, and as of Feb. 1 he has been serving as men’s ministry and missions specialist for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC).
“We sense this is the Lord’s will and they do, too,” he said.
Seaton comes to the MBC staff after serving 22 years in six churches in Missouri. He has completed his masters and doctorate at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also served on the MBC’s Executive Board and as chairman of the MBC Credentials Committee. This fall, he was appointed chairman of the Educational Subcommittee of the MBC Nominating Committee.
“I know my heart for men and the needs they have,” he said. “There are a lot of statistics that tell us about how crucial it is to reach men, and I believe that’s the truth. I believe that you reach families for the Lord by reaching the men. You build a strong church by discipling and reaching men.”
With so many single mothers raising children, in a culture where men are often not held to a biblical measure of right and wrong, how might he go about his work?
“You’ve got to get back to the Word,” Seaton said. “Regardless of age or gender, it’s about feeding on the Word of God. I want to help churches and help men get back to the Word, develop strong, consistent devotion and Bible study times for themselves and their families.”
Seaton said he has a burden for all men, but he is especially excited about working with younger men.
“They have special needs and special concerns,” he said, “and I want to be available to minister to them. As a whole, they don’t know how to lead their families, manage their time, church or work. If church leaders don’t understand that, they can’t help. Some young men have the desire, but they just don’t know how to do it. It’s a great, great need in our Convention and Christendom in general.”
Seaton will also be taking the reins of the MBC’s Disaster Relief work, filling the work boots of Danny Decker, who left to become pastor of First Baptist Church,Warsaw.
“I am excited about the opportunity of working in the area of Disaster Relief,” Seaton said. He was among the first to start removing brush and downed limbs in Russellville during the December ice storm.
“My experience with this ministry has shown me how Missouri Baptists not only have a heart for service, but also a heart to see people come to know Christ. I am humbled and encouraged by the fact that many use their time, abilities, and gifts to serve the Lord and touch people in time of need. It will be an honor to serve with them.”