December 20, 2013 Stories

Missouri Baptists embrace Operation Christmas Child

Calvary Baptist Church in Hannibal is one of the leading Baptist churches in the state of Missouri giving 1,231 shoebox gifts through Operation Christmas Child (OCC). The motivation for Calvary’s focus on this ministry year round is the Great Commission.

Judge protects free speech rights of pro-lifers

Judge Michael Noble dismissed charges against pro-life activists, Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition for Life St. Louis, and Rita Sparrow, veteran sidewalk counselor, after testimony and arguments Dec. 6. The cases had been brought by the City of St. Louis, stretching ordinances beyond their intended scope in order to charge Westbrook and Sparrow for simple, peaceful demonstration outside the local Planned Parenthood.

A beggar editor enfolds himself in emperor colors

Whether for sheer enjoyment or literary pursuit, for inspiration or adding zest to conversation or a presentation, for research or to point us to truth, I hope the “Thus saith” quotations are a blessing. Following are some of my favorites, ranked from my fifth favorite to No. 1:

Attorney: Hobby Lobby will win at Supreme Court

Just before Thanksgiving, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would decide the suit brought by Hobby Lobby, the national arts-and-crafts store whose owners are Southern Baptists, challenging what is sometimes called the contraceptive mandate. The mandate is a regulation issued by the Obama Administration as part of the Affordable Care Act that requires businesses of a certain size to include contraceptive coverage in their employee health plans. The problem for the Green family, who own Hobby Lobby, is that four of the contraceptive methods the government requires them to provide can cause an abortion.
Church planter Luis Mendoza didn’t know he was a church planter when he started doing it more than 20 years ago. A new believer, in the late 1980s, Mendoza thought building relationships with non-Christians, sharing Christ and starting up new Bible studies was just what Christians did.

Lottie Moon Offering at work in midst of disaster

“I have a different heart for Lottie Moon Christmas offering than than I did this time last month. In 23 years pastoring I’ve promoted Lottie Moon, I’ve showed videos about Lottie Moon, I’ve heard missionaries talk about Lottie Moon, but I did not know anything until I stepped on the field in the Philippines,” said Dwain Carter, director of Disaster Relief for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC).

A simple sign: ‘Help’

They are a poor village with beautiful teeth. Beyond that, the people of Manlagtang, Philippines, are in a world of hurt. Their village, however, is off the main road and most relief supplies were making their way to larger, more accessible towns and cities.

Philippines: Rebuilding school paves the way to share the gospel

It’s a tiny island of 449 families accessible only by a 30-minute canoe ride, but Gibitngil island – just off the northwest tip larger island of Cebu – has been assigned to Missouri Baptists to help in its recovery, a move that opens the door for sharing the good news of Jesus along the way.

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