SPRINGFIELD – Cold rain and dark skies loomed over the highway shortly before 7 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2012. James Wilson was driving home from a hunting trip with his son when, suddenly, a drunk driver hit him head on. Wilson, a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church here, remembers little else – only “glimpses,” snapshots of the traumatic evening: He remembers his son beating on his car door, calling to him, “Dad, do you recognize my voice?” He remembers his son leaning over him, placing his … [Read more...]
Legal fight continues in Jackson County
KANSAS CITY – The fight against the discrimination of churches continues in Jackson County, two weeks after a Missouri Baptist church filed suit against the county, calling its “re-opening” plan unconstitutional due to its unequal treatment of churches. Jackson County officials made changes to their “re-opening” plan after Abundant Life Church, Lee’s Summit, filed suit against the county on May 7. But the church’s attorneys say the amended plan lacks clarity and still treats churches … [Read more...]
Sacrifices remembered – Marrs rediscovers family’s WWII experiences from 75-year-old letters
KANSAS CITY – Hunkered down in his home for the past couple months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt Marrs nevertheless traveled back across both space and time because of a family treasure – namely, dozens of 75-year-old letters from the World War II era – that he received from his late grandmother, Ruby Furr. During the pandemic lockdown, Marrs pulled out a magnifying glass and began to organize the letters and inspect them, one by one. And he made some incredible discoveries: For … [Read more...]
Despite COVID-19 setbacks, Windermere Baptist Conference Center open for ministry
ROACH – Like many other non-profits around the nation, the Windermere Baptist Conference Center here is facing financial setbacks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, according to Windermere President Tim Huddleston, the camp is open for ministry. “I’ll be very transparent, the pandemic has really hurt us financially,” Huddleston told The Pathway. So far, although the camp hasn’t been closed, many events in April, May and early June have been cancelled or postponed because of … [Read more...]
MBC’s Yeats points Missouri Baptists to gospel opportunities amid decline in CP giving
JEFFERSON CITY – As the state begins to reopen and as churches redouble their efforts to make disciples, multiply churches and develop leaders, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Director John Yeats encouraged them to trust the Lord for gospel opportunities in days to come. “I would encourage our churches to focus their ministries on the essentials. Build up one another in the faith,” Yeats said. “Challenge one another to good works. Tend to the needy and above all be attentive to … [Read more...]
Missionaries strive to advance gospel as IMB adapts to financial challenges
RICHMOND, Va. – Like most Southern Baptists throughout the United States, the missionaries they support through the Cooperative Program are also adjusting to government lockdowns and other difficulties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Yet many of them continue to labor for the gospel, even as International Mission Board (IMB) leaders in the United States adapt to new financial realities brought on by the coronavirus. Steve Hagen, an IMB missionary and Missouri native said, efforts … [Read more...]
MBC building to open, May 4
JEFFERSON CITY – The Baptist Building will open to Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) state missionaries, May 4, as soon as statewide stay-at-home orders are lifted. The building, however, will remain closed for the time being to the public, and MBC staff members with weakened immune systems have been encouraged to return a week later. During the past month, the Baptist Building has been operational, according to MBC spokesperson Rob Phillips, director of ministry support. “We especially … [Read more...]
Freedom at risk? Religious liberty threats already on rise pre-pandemic
WASHINGTON – Potential threats to religious liberty have come to the forefront across the United States because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Even in the best of times, guarding our First Amendment freedoms can be an uphill battle. And these are not the best of times,” John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, wrote, April 14. He described the arrest of Christians in Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., while they prayed outside of abortion clinics. They … [Read more...]
‘Hope is here’ – Families, churches learn the arts of neighboring from a distance
LIBERTY – Because of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, it has never been more important for Missouri Baptists to find ways to connect with and love their neighbors. And many families and churches are aiming to do just that. In the Kansas City area, two young girls have brought hope to their neighbors and many others amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Putnam girls, 7-year-old Collins and 5-year-old Carter, attend Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, with their parents, … [Read more...]
Trumpeting His praises – Online music brings encouragement during pandemic
JEFFERSON CITY – Hannibal-LaGrange University professor John Francis takes seriously – though with delight – the biblical command to praise God “with the sound of the trumpet” (Psalm 150:3). He wrote a master’s thesis called, “Trumpets in Scripture: the Representative Voice of God,” and he regularly writes about the instrument and its biblical background on his blog, www.biblicaltrumpets.org. So it’s no surprise that, when Missourians retreated to their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, … [Read more...]
On whom do you rely? A meditation on Isaiah 36-37
And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail, And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal; And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord! – Lord Byron (George Gordon), from “The Destruction of Sennacherib” In the year 701 B.C., the Assyrian army under its king Sennacherib attacked the fortified cities of Judah and lay siege to Jerusalem. For some two centuries, the neo-Assyrian empire had been a force to reckon with … [Read more...]
Freeway Ministries reaches out to Springfield’s homeless, underserved people amid pandemic
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...]
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