WEST PLAINS – Ten people of various ages were baptized in the North Fork River Aug. 30, near the Hammonds Recreation Center. This was a rescheduled “first Sunday Baptism” of the church after coronavirus concerns. “Some of these were baptized after evangelistic efforts. Some made professions at Vacation Bible School. Some of them were family (saved) after Vacation Bible School, and one was from a profession at camp,” said First Baptist Senior Pastor John King. King said most first Sunday … [Read more...]
Boys trained for godly manhood
Associational camp puts biblical edge on wilderness survival training ST. MARY – More than two dozen boys took part in an overnight camp last month to learn outdoor survival skills tied to scriptural truths. The overnight camp was Aug. 14-15 at Peaceful Valley Camp. The 27 boys and nine leaders represented 11 churches in the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association. Mike Stone, who had the original idea, and has practiced some survival tactics, approached John Vernon, the director of missions … [Read more...]
Church daycare ends after 65 years
SPRINGFIELD – For over six decades, Grant Avenue Baptist has offered parents and guardians a place where children could be tended. That option ended Friday, Aug. 21. “I’m quite sure it is the oldest church-run daycare in the state. I know it is the oldest daycare in Springfield,” said Janice Sartin, a teacher in the daycare for three years and the director for the last 47 years. Funding, the need for upgraded facilities, and just being ready to retire are reasons Sartin has given for the … [Read more...]
‘Pro-life beyond birth’: St. Louis family mobilizes foster care, adoption
ST. LOUIS – Matthew and Leslie Creath know firsthand that following Christ may lead to foster care and adoption. “Before Leslie and I married ten years ago, we talked about adoption and foster care,” Matthew said. “We always thought that was something we’d be interested in.” They lived in Springfield and were licensed foster parents through the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH). Then they moved to St. Louis. “Our first foster child was five months old and weighed eight pounds. He … [Read more...]
COVID-19 lockdown encourages online communication amid associational merger
KINGDOM CITY – Romans 8:28 says all things work for the good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes. Consider the planned mergers of two central Missouri associations – Grand Crossings and Mid-Missouri – and what has happened since the virtual pandemic shutdown. “I’m Director of Missions for the Grand Crossing Association. Dr. Larry Lewis (former DOM) of Mid-Missouri Baptist Association (a.k.a Little Bonne Femme Baptist Association) kicked around a merger for … [Read more...]
Pastor closes in on six decades of ministry
HOUSTON – Rev. Edward Hamilton understands longevity in ministry. In August he will have been at it for 60 years. A quarter of that time has been as the “interim” pastor of Central Baptist Church. “I had retired from Ozark Baptist (in Houston) after about 15 years. Central Baptist called me to be interim after their pastor died. I’ve been interim since 2005.” Hamilton,78, now lives in St. James, some 60 miles away, but still preaches and ministers at Central Baptist in Houston. Through … [Read more...]
Foley Baptist Church food pantry continues work despite challenges
FOLEY – There were real reasons for a church to halt a food bank – the COVID-19 situation, the absence of a regular pastor, and last year’s flooding. Despite these challenges, Foley Baptist continued what they had already been doing. In the past, people needing food came to the church the last Saturday of the month, except for November and December holidays. People came in the church, where name, address, and number in the household were taken. There was also a list of the food available … [Read more...]
Association again gives summer help to HLGU
HANNIBAL – One might call it “blessed clockwork.” Gasconade Valley Baptist Association (GVBA) spent a week in early June hosting volunteers and helping Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) with summer projects. It was the 25th year they had done this. “The work you do does not go unnoticed. The Lord knows all you do,” said Anthony Allen, president of HLGU, who also shared from Colossians 3 of working unto the Lord. Like much else of 2020 so far, the COVID-19 had an effect. “We usually … [Read more...]
‘Water was at the neck, then over our heads’ – Toops family remembers near-disaster, God’s faithfulness, 15 years after flood
WAYLAND – Graduation is a time for reflecting on the past. The Jerry Toops family recalls a miracle over a decade ago that made their daughter’s graduation possible. In review, the five Toops lived in a house at the base of the Taum Sauk Park Reservoir near Lesterville, Mo., where Jerry was park superintendent. Just after 5 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2005, the reservoir dam failed. Millions of gallons of water gashed a 600-foot hole in the dam, rolled downhill into the house, and created a 30-foot … [Read more...]
Pastor continues to serve in half-century ministry
HURDLAND – Rev. Robert Shobe may have slowed down, but he has not stopped pastoring First Baptist, Hurdland. Come September, it will be 50 years of faithfulness to that church. Shobe surrendered to preach in 1967 and served Emmanuel Baptist in Hannibal and did supply preaching for various churches. He was at Hartford when he learned Hurdland needed a pastor, and accepted that pastorate in 1970. For several years, he and his wife Susie lived in Lancaster but pastored in Hurdland. The church … [Read more...]
Pandemic drives National Day of Prayer event to the streets of Eureka
EUREKA – When the virus pandemic canceled the National Day of Prayer event here, May 7, several Eureka churches found a way to take prayer out of city hall to the streets. The ‘prayer drive out-and-about’ was the idea of Lisa Gard, wife of Central Baptist pastor Dennis Gard, who organized the event. “Usually, we have a prayer breakfast with the mayor. With the COVID-19, that wasn’t possible this year. Mayor Sean Flowers loved the idea (of praying and driving) and promised administrative … [Read more...]
Church comes home in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY – New churches start in homes and sometime seek a “church” building. Christ Fellowship intentionally stays as a network of home churches. Christ Fellowship has five home congregations in North Kansas City, Liberty, Weston, Parkville, and Kearney. Each is led by a pastor/elder. “I pastored in Orlando (years ago) and there I wrote out a plan almost exactly like what we’re doing now,” said Jim Elliff, one of the elders. “All our elders are seen as equals. Any one of us can … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 14
- Next Page »