DURHAM – This is a story of a birth celebrated in December. No, not that birth, the Savior, but an adoption with providential seasonal timing. When John and Lindsey Bedsworth were engaged in Aug. 2015, they began planning a family and married four months later. “We thought we’d have one child of our own and adopt one or two. There were difficulties. We tried having children for three years unsuccessfully, and invitro fertilization failed in May 2018,” said John, Durham Baptist’s pastor … [Read more...]
Non-traditional students fill women’s Trojans soccer roster
HANNIBAL – Two Lady Trojan team members gave ‘Soccer Mom’ a new connotation this season, which finished in early November. The traditional understanding of the ‘soccer mom’ term is a mother who takes her children to play in soccer games. The way two Trojans lived it, they played collegiate soccer as they enjoyed motherhood. Defenders Shelby Echelmeier and Sarah Rapp have each graduated from HLGU, but each had a year of playing eligibility left. Both of them are also mothers, Sarah to … [Read more...]
Pastors’ Conference speakers urge evangelism, compassion, truth
BRANSON – Missouri Baptists were encouraged to share the gospel, show compassion, and convey Jesus in a biblical manner during the Missouri Baptist Pastors’ Conference here, Oct. 28. Guest preachers at the conference included Johnny Hunt, senior vice president of evangelism and leadership at the North American Mission Board; Jimmy Scroggins, lead pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cedric Dale Hoard also … [Read more...]
After 190 years, church looks to the future
CANTON – Wyaconda Baptist Church is marking its historic past with an optimistic eye to the future. The church will mark 190 years of overcoming city, county, and association boundaries, along with membership challenges, war, weather, pestillence, and a fire. It is the Mt. Salem/Wyaconda Southern Baptist Association’s and Lewis County’s oldest Baptist church and may be the oldest church in the county of any denomination. A special afternoon service occurred Sunday, Aug. 25. “After a … [Read more...]
Missouri mission team helps premature babies in Uganda
DURHAM – Premature babies and Chinese children were among recipients of work of a recent four-member mission team trip to Uganda. Teri Broeker, Missouri Baptist Convention Preschool/Children/Student Missions/WMU representative; husband Kevin; and teenagers Kayla Moore, 16, and Tara Toops, 17, aided former Durham pastor and wife Josh and Kimbre Thrower who are SBC missionaries in Kampala, Uganda. The Broeker’s and Moore, 16, are Durham First members. Toops, 17, belongs to Southern Baptist … [Read more...]
Thousands hear gospel at ‘Celebrate America’
ARNOLD – Thousands of Missourians heard the gospel message proclaimed in multiple ways at the annual “Celebrate America” event hosted by the First Baptist Church here. FBC Arnold Next Generation Pastor Jason Ervin said this was the 11th year the event has been held, and this year’s event occurred on the Sunday before July 4. “It’s a big community event that draws thousands of people,” Ervin said. “We have carnival rides; a car show with a people’s choice, pastor’s choice, and best of … [Read more...]
Hannibal church opens new house of worship after old building destroyed in 2016 fire
HANNIBAL – Antioch Baptist is living proof of Isaiah 61:3, which says in part that God gives “beauty for ashes.” The church has a larger, new building and parking lot replacing the structure destroyed in a fire in December, 2016. Rev. Jack Emmite, pastor of the church said the congregation moved in April 7, although it isn’t completely finished. “It’s enough for us to function in,” Emmite said. The new building features a total of 20,000 square feet on the two levels, an upgraded … [Read more...]
Church serves children with ‘Fun in the Son’
PROTEM – A major spring Wednesday night program has reached Rocky Ledge Baptist Church area youth for five years. ‘Fun in the Son’ is an after-school Bible-based program held at the Mark Twain Elementary School “We do this in the spring so as not to conflict with athletics,” Pastor Gene Boyce said. “It’s a high energy program, it runs from 4 to 6 weeks, and we have a yearly topic.” “We start with snacks and a small group meeting. Then we go to the gym, and back to the cafeteria. We … [Read more...]
Pastor’s life lessons become blessings
NEW MELLE – There are court convictions, and there are spiritual convictions. Pastor Ron Boyer knows them both. Boyer grew up as a middle class Roman Catholic in St. Louis City. His policeman brother was saved, but Ron balked. “We thought he lost his mind. I wanted him to get away from me with that Bible thumping,” Boyer said. In 1975, Boyer joined the Marines, boxed in a regimental smoker league, won, and made the Marine boxing team that included notable Spinks brothers Leon and … [Read more...]
Sports evangelism continues at Hannibal church
HANNIBAL – There are many methods used to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Immanuel Baptist uses sports. According to pastor Mark Albee, Immanuel has been affiliated with the nation-wide organization Upwards that offers sports leagues for churches for 15 years. This year, there are some 100 children between grades 1-6, representing 26 churches in northeast Missouri and Quincy, Ill., participating in basketball. “Upwards offers basketball, soccer, flag football, and cheerleading. … [Read more...]
Return to the basics builds up congregation
WAYNESVILLE – Some might say a new pastor has helped First Baptist make positive change. Steve Clark – the pastor – credits returning to the basics of evangelism and outreach. “I had been in Africa as a mission pastor. I pastored for seven years at Claycomo Baptist, and at Lockwood for eight years. This enabled me to have a broad view of the denomination. I’ve been Southern Baptist all my life and part of the Conservative Resurgence in Kansas City. I was well informed of what works and … [Read more...]
Pre-teen girls attend Christmas manners meal
WAYLAND – Seven girls between second and sixth grades learned table etiquette in a Christmas dinner Dec. 8 at Southern Baptist Fellowship Church, here. The dinner was the brainchild of church member Tara Toops, 16, who coordinated the event, contacting several schools and another church in recruiting girls. “We had done a formal dinner at a school (Keokuk Iowa Christian Academy) and we liked to dress up formally. I was thinking of ways to impact the girls and be role models for them.” In … [Read more...]
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