Brian Koonce Stories

Faith

‘I Heard the Bells’ belongs on screen

The powerful words of that carol that gave me chills in 2014 come of course from the poem, “Christmas Day,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and the backstory behind the man and his poem are the focus of a new movie by Sight & Sound, I Heard the Bells. Known for their biblically based theatrical performances in Branson and Pennsylvania, this is Sight & Sound’s first movie, and they hit it out of the park.
Missouri

Baptist Home hosts deer hunt for residents

Sometimes providing “Christlike care for the aging” means helping someone learn to aim a crossbow. That was the case earlier this fall as residents of the Baptist Homes’ Arcadia Valley campus circled opening day of deer season on their calendars.
Faith

Missouri Baptist apologists debate ‘end times’ views

Few topics bring as much passion and differing positions as eschatology – the theological field that deals with the end times. Thus four of the most common views of the end times made a perfect topic for a pre-annual meeting debate hosted by the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network, Oct. 23.
Missouri

Seek revival, Elliff urges Missouri Baptists

Revival is not a sign in a yard proclaiming a church meeting is coming Monday night. It’s the extraordinary movement of the spirit of God among His people that produces extraordinary results. That was Bill Elliff’s message as he spoke to the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting, Oct. 24, here.
Missouri

Missouri WWII vet ‘mystified’ regiment

In May of 1945, three months before the end of fighting in the Pacific in World War II, a short notice with a Philippines dateline appeared in the Chicago Tribune. It bore an intriguing headline: “Missouri private’s secret mystifies whole regiment.”
Ethics

‘Lifemark’: pro-life, must-see film

There can be little doubt that God had a hand in the movie’s timing. How providential that in a summer that saw Roe v. Wade overturned, we see a true story of how valuable life is, and how beautiful the choice to protect it.
Missouri

Pro-life VBS introduces kids to value of God’s creation

Summer has flown by quickly and kids are preparing to head back to the classroom, but summer has been sweet spot for one of the most effective tools Missouri Baptists have: Vacation Bible School.
Missouri

‘Big-time blessing’: More than 100 Campers on Mission swarm Gasconade Valley camp

One hundred and one volunteers from Campers on Mission moved into the Gasconade Valley Baptist Association Camp in late April, completing a long list of projects for the camp – from sewing and hanging curtains to replacing windows; from installing siding to tearing down an old cabin.
Missouri

Crowder College BSU students, Shoal Creek Association partner with Utah church plant

Spring break is typically a time when college students relax and perhaps head to the beach. But a group of 10 from the Baptist Student Union at Crowder College in Neosho spent their time away from classes, March 12-19, partnering with a North American Mission Board church planter in the heart of Mormon/Latter Day Saints territory.
Missouri

Goats and golf: farm animals, pro tourney help trafficking survivors in Kansas City

A ministry founded by Kansas City Baptists is using unusual tools to help survivors of human trafficking understand unconditional love: goats.
Missouri

‘Returning to missional focus’: Jackson church seeks to learn from past

More than 198 years after its founding, First Baptist is the lone survivor of those congregations planted by Old Bethel. And they haven’t been without their struggles, infighting or splits. But Pastor Troy Richards said he hopes a focus on the gospel and God’s Word will lead them for years to come.
Missouri

‘We’re not victims, we’re victors’: Missouri Attorney General honors ‘retired’ pastor for service, resilience

It’s never a good thing when you get the message, “The attorney general’s office is looking for you.” But for Phillip McClendon, just this once, it was a good thing. Eric Schmitt, Missouri’s Attorney General, recently recognized McClendon for service to his community as part of the state’s bicentennial celebration.

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