EDGAR SPRINGS – Dean Switzer isn’t sure how long Edgar Springs Baptist Church has gone without a baptism, but he’s only been there as pastor for the past three years. “I hadn’t pushed anything,” Switzer said. ”I’ve been getting to know the people, but this past year I’ve started pushing a little harder, and asking people – especially the men – to step up.” And people have begun stepping up. A couple joined the church three months ago and saw their granddaughter saved. She wanted to be … [Read more...]
Cape Girardeau Association comes to aid of Italian church
JACKSON – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Mike Parry of Fruitland Community Church here knew they would need to cancel a mission trip to northeast Italy this spring, though they still wanted to invest in their partners in the region. Then they heard that their partner church in Belluno, Italy, has been struggling financially amid the COVID-19 lockdown. So Parry approached the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association Director of Missions John Vernon about sending a gift to the Italian church … [Read more...]
Stuck at home? Entertainment can spark conversation
JEFFERSON CITY – People are likely to be spending more time at home for the foreseeable future, but that isn’t an excuse for anyone to simply fire up Disney+ and unplug their brains. Everything – every book read, every newscast glimpsed, and every movie or TV show watched during “social distancing” is a ripe opportunity begging to spark a conversation among families. Michael Foust, a Baptist journalist who covers the entertainment industry and whose reviews appear across too many … [Read more...]
DR calls churches to serve during pandemic, offers first ever online training program
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief leaders are in constant contact with state authorities about any potential role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in the meantime, they are asking churches to be the front lines in meeting the needs of their communities. “Church members taking care of other church members can help reduce the load on other systems in the community,” said Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief Director Gaylon Moss. “Coordinate with your local officials … [Read more...]
Drive-in style service brings Fulton church together
FULTON – Churches are scrambling to find ways to maintain community and continue corporate worship even though they can’t gather inside church building in any significant numbers. Many are shifting to live streaming online, but Ebenezer Baptist Church here has another solution: come to church, but stay in your car. They call it Drive-In Church. “We are in a country setting and our parking lot is in the midst of many beautiful shade trees,” said Pastor Mike Hibbard. “Ebenezer worshippers … [Read more...]
Streaming, online giving allow Missouri Baptists to get creative during COVID-19 pandemic
KANSAS CITY – When Tim Juhnke took to the pulpit in front of a much-smaller-than-usual crowd at Faith Community church here on March 15, he had a rubber band around his fingers of his right hand. It was to remind him not to shake hands. He wasn’t the only Missouri Baptist who needed reminding. Avoiding personal contact and that close fellowship that are usually hallmarks of Missouri Baptist churches were just the first steps many churches took to adapt to the temporary new normal of the … [Read more...]
‘Samson and Delilah’ one of the best biblical epics
EDITOR’S NOTE: Once a month in 2020, The Pathway will examine a classic Hollywood retelling of a biblical story, compare it to the actual Word of God, and discuss its artistic merits. Viewed critically from a biblical worldview, the stretch of biblical epics from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s can prompt discussion and appreciation for God’s truly magnificent story. To see all the Movie Club entries, visit www.mbcpathway.com/movieclub. The Movie After two mediocre-at-best movies, I’m thilled … [Read more...]
CP Vision Team to plan for 2023 and beyond
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist Convention President Jeremy Muniz has appointed a team to formulate a vision of the future of Cooperative Program allocations in Missouri. A similar taskforce has just wrapped up its work, integrating Missouri Baptist University and The Baptist Home back into the CP budget after nearly two decades of absence. This new team will look beyond the immediate needs and trends as they consider funding ministry in 2023 and beyond. Muniz announced the group at the … [Read more...]
MBU trustees approve $54M budget, welcome new hires, hear study report
ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University trustees met on campus Feb. 26 and 27 to deliberate and tend to the school’s business, approving a $54 million budget. The 2020-2021 budget includes a 4 percent tuition increase – which matches the last two years’ increases – and a 2.25 percent raise for faculty and staff. The budget factors in a $1 million surplus as a potential buffer should enrollment take an unexpected dip, and it also includes a $200,000 gift from the Missouri Baptist Convention … [Read more...]
MBC making $120,000 available to associations for churches’ benevolence assistance
JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Baptist Convention is making $120,000 available to the state's local Baptist associations to assist churches in making the most of gospel opportunities as communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our churches and associations know the best strategies to reach those families with the greatest needs,” said MBC Executive Director John Yeats. “In the grand scheme of things, $120,000 doesn’t go very far. Some of our churches already have strong benevolence … [Read more...]
Missionaries continue to serve, says IMB president
Coronavirus Update from IMB on Vimeo. … [Read more...]
Movie Review: ‘I Still Believe’ a winning true tale of faith, love and heartbreak
If you’re in a rush, you can just read these first three sentences. If you enjoyed “I can only Imagine,” you’ll enjoy “I Still Believe.” I happen to think both are very well-done and represent important steps forward in “Christian” movie making. Both are true stories based on Christian musical acts’ origin stories, both are love stories and it’s not a spoiler to say both are wrapped up in great loss and sadness yet end in triumphant victory. They’re both also very, very well done. I Still … [Read more...]
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