Worship ministries program seeks to partner with Missouri Baptists KANSAS CITY – Students of all ages are returning to campuses across Missouri, including at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For MBTS professors Matthew and Angela Swain, they’re hoping for not just a smooth start to the school year, but an increased focus on equipping musician-theologians, on and off campus. The Heart of Worship The wording there is important to the Swains: musician-theologians. Yes, they’re … [Read more...]
‘The Chosen’ makes great TV
Six reasons to watch this creative, biblically faithful show KANSAS CITY – If you aren’t watching “The Chosen,” I think you’re missing out. “The Chosen” is an independent television show depicting the life of Christ through the eyes of His disciples. Its 16 episodes range from 35 minutes to an hour in length, and the Season 2 finale came out, July 11. Season 1 is available on NBC’s streaming service, PeacockTV; I watched both seasons at watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen. You can also … [Read more...]
Carshow jumpstarts gospel conversations at Northern Hills
HOLT – There were a lot of conversations happening at Cruisin’ Northern Hills, a June 5 car show at Northern Hills Baptist Church just north of Kansas City, and only some of them were about cars. For example, John Newsome, a member at the church, was more than willing to talk about his pride and joy, a 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7. For those in the know, the details are everything. “It’s a 351 Windsor,” he said, referring to the car’s powerplant. “There weren’t a lot of ‘70 Cougars that came … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist author’s ‘Little Kicker’ series teaches children they’re special to God
HERMITAGE – In the late 1980s, Sandy Sprott, who now attends Wheatland Baptist Church, had an idea she just couldn’t shake. It was a book about a little donkey, named Little Kicker. Actually, to be more precise, it was eight books about a little donkey named Little Kicker. But Sprott was busy, happily following the path that God had set her on ministering to children and teaching others how to show kids God’s love. She didn’t have the time or mental energy to work on a new project. God, … [Read more...]
‘Roe v. Wade’ film shows playbook of cultural, legal change
It’s difficult to watch “Roe v. Wade” and not think of the other recent abortion movie, “Unplanned.” That 2019 movie told the true story of former Planned Parenthood facility director-turned-pro-life-advocate Abby Johnson and was an emotional and stirring gut punch. At the time, I wrote that I wasn’t sure it would convert a pro-abortion viewer into a pro-lifer. However, it could jolt someone out of a comfortable and casual abortion-is-bad attitude to a pro-life warrior who takes active … [Read more...]
Worship, apologetics go hand-in-hand
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Gabriel Zelaya is happy to discuss classical, presuppositional and evidential defenses of the faith, but he’s also ready to go when it comes to an oft overlooked branch of apologetics: worship. Helping others learn to defend the faith and leading them in making a joyful noise unto the Lord are both in Zelaya’s wheelhouse. He is pursuing a goal of becoming a professor of apologetics and also leads worship at Pisgah Baptist Church, here. His interest in the convergence of … [Read more...]
Apologetics not only for adults
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported Hanna Sims' name. The article was corrected at 12:20 p.m., April 16. KANSAS CITY – The idea of apologetics can conjure up academic study, formal debates and deep intellectual arguments aimed at convincing adult minds of the truth behind the gospel. For Hanna Sims, a member of Red Bridge Baptist Church, here, that doesn’t have to be the case. Apologetics can – and should be – translated for younger minds; into … [Read more...]
‘As long as I have breath’: 100-year-old pastor’s life, ministry testify to God’s faithfulness
MARSHALL – Vernon Deane Maxted has seen a lot of changes in his 100 years on the earth. He’s lived through 18 presidents, dramatic world events, cultural revolutions and multiple technological tidechanges. “I can remember my parents buying their first car,” he said. “Before that, we went to town in a horse and buggy.” One thing that hasn’t changed from Feb. 7, 1921 to the present, however, is Jesus. And for these most recent 80 years of his life, Maxted’s commitment to serving the … [Read more...]
Baptist Builders project helps repair decades-old church rift
INDEPENDENCE – Baptist Builders from several churches are helping revamp the facility of Beverly Hills Baptist Church, a nightmare of deferred maintenance and upkeep. Despite the physical labor and financial savings the construction mission is proving for the church, God has also used the group to help facilitate a different sort of restoration. Physical Repairs In the eight years Brian Grout has served at Beverly Hills, the maintenance and upkeep costs have been through the roof – … [Read more...]
Church to stream services into jail
PLEASANT HOPE – COVID-19 has changed the way many churches do ministry, and that goes for jail ministries as well. Now, after months of being barred from physically visiting inmates and navigating through officials and red tape, Shepherd’s Way here is looking to begin streaming worship services in the Polk County Jail. Jacob Miller, the pastor/planter of Shepherd’s Way, said the goal is to stream services into each of four pods in the jail in the next two to four weeks. “Originally we … [Read more...]
Pro-life miracle in Missouri
Zero surgical abortions reported in December, but ‘innocent lives at risk’ ST. LOUIS – The Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis is no longer performing surgical abortions. Effectively, this makes Missouri the first state to be free of surgical abortions since the Supreme Court handed down its Roe v. Wade decision 48 years ago. While Missouri Baptist leaders and pro-life advocates are cheering this milestone, the situation remains dire for many Missouri women and their unborn babies. … [Read more...]
Conway pastor balances ministry, Air Force duties
CONWAY – Everyone has heard of bi-vociational pastors, but James Beall aimed higher. He’s not just Pastor James of Crossing Over Southern Baptist Church here, or just a worker at the Tracker boat factory in Lebanon – he’s now tri-vocational, with his newest title being Airman First Class James Beall of the United States Air Force Reserves. “There’s one way to sum it all up,” Beall said. “Very busy.” In many ways, Beall was the typical bi-vocational pastor (if there is such a … [Read more...]
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