BRIDGETON, Mo. (April 28, 2026) — The Gates family has announced the Celebration of Life Service for Missouri Baptist Children's Home President Dr. Juston Gates. The service will be held to honor his life, legacy, and ministry. Gates passed away following a hunting accident in Oklahoma, April 16. (Read more here.) Details for the Celebration of Life service are as follows: Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Nashville Roadhouse Theater 3069 Shepherd of the Hills Expy Branson, MO … [Read more...]
MBCH requests continued prayer for President Juston Gates
UPDATE: MBCH mourns passing of president, Juston Gates. Read more here: https://mbcpathway.com/2026/04/23/mbch-mourns-passing-of-president-juston-gates/. BRIDGETON, Mo. (MBCH/April 22, 2026) — Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) is issuing a call for continued prayer as its president, Juston Gates, remains hospitalized receiving advanced treatment for injuries sustained in a recent hunting accident. Executive Vice President Andy Helton noted that while the ministry remains focused … [Read more...]
MBCH Requests Prayer Following President’s Injury
UPDATE: MBCH mourns passing of president, Juston Gates. Read more here: https://mbcpathway.com/2026/04/23/mbch-mourns-passing-of-president-juston-gates/. BRIDGETON, Mo. (April 17, 2026/MBCH) — Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) shared today (April 17) that its president, Dr. Juston Gates, has been involved in a hunting accident. At this time, Dr. Gates’ medical condition remains critical. He is currently receiving professional medical care, and we are awaiting further updates … [Read more...]
Hope is reaching out to older youth in foster care
by Marla Taylor Billy stood outside my office with tears streaming down his face. “This is the end of the road for me, isn’t it?” The 16 year old had his hat pulled low on his head and his countenance completely sunk. “I am getting kicked out, aren’t I? I am doomed,” he said as he walked in and fell into the beanbag chair in front of me. He had been in our older youth program for over a year and had bright plans, but something broke him. MBCH was the first place he felt cared for since … [Read more...]
Extending God’s love to children, youth, families through MBCH Children & Family Ministries
by Jason Myers/Vice President, MBCH Children and Family Ministries Romans 5:8 reminds us, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not wait for us to have everything figured out or even to recognize our own brokenness. Instead, He acted first. In our fallen and vulnerable state—before we knew we needed a Savior—Christ gave His life for us. This is love without limits: unending, unconditional and unwavering. At MBCH … [Read more...]
Home visitation brings hope to young families
by Charles Phillips/MBCH EDITOR'S NOTE: Charles Phillips serves as Assistant VP (West) for MBCH Children and Family Ministries. MBCH Children and Family Ministries (MBCH-CFM) is committed to walking alongside families during some of the most important and vulnerable seasons of life. Through its Home Visitation ministry, MBCH-CFM serves pregnant women and new mothers with children from birth to age three, offering consistent support, encouragement, and practical resources that help … [Read more...]
MBCH testimonial: ‘I didn’t even like kids,’ but God had other plans
By Lisa Lowrance//Missouri Baptist Children's Home (MBCH) “I don’t even like kids!” These were the words I uttered for nearly 17 years. I have never wanted biological children. It was never important to me. In all honestly, I hate hospitals, needles and pain, so pregnancy was never going to be a good fit for me. Plus, I had big dreams for my career (none of which panned out, of course). I didn’t like kids. So, of course, I found myself working for the Children’s Division in 2004, an … [Read more...]
MBCH ministry helps to rescue trafficked children
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written by Charles Phillips, who serves as program director for MBCH Children & Family Ministries. Sex trafficking of children around the world is never easy to believe. MBCH Children and Family Ministries started its ministry to this population in 2012 in St. Louis. When MBCH Children and Family Ministries began the process of opening a home for minors in 2018 in the Kansas City area, someone from the community argued that a home for minors was not … [Read more...]
Ministry of MBCH Foster Family Care brings hope to young woman
BRIDGETON – It was a cold day in February when Rae picked up Anna from the psychiatric hospital, but Anna shook her head no when Rae offered her a jacket. With short sleeves that showed off all the scars on her arms, Anna was a little too open, too exposed as she slouched into the passenger seat and twisted the cap off the water bottle Rae handed her. It was a long drive to the MBCH residential facility where Rae, a Family Foster Care Specialist, was assigned to transport Anna. Small talk … [Read more...]
MBCH helps churches protect the vulnerable
by Angie Gentry, FRD/TFC Supervisor, MBCH Children and Family Ministries When church leaders and parents learn that one in ten children are sexually abused before they turn eighteen and ninety percent of children are abused by someone they know and trust, the safety of children becomes a top priority for churches everywhere, yet many churches do not have a plan in place to ensure the safety of their children. MBCH Children and Family Ministries can help churches across the state to … [Read more...]
MBCH President Russell Martin announces intention to retire in June 2024
MBCH board prepares transitional timeline and will soon search for successor BRIDGETON, Mo. (MBCH) – Russell Martin has announced his intention to retire from the role of President and Treasurer of the Missouri Baptist Children's Home (MBCH), effective mid-year 2024. Martin will provide continued leadership and support throughout a time of transition until his retirement. Andy Helton, currently serving as Vice President, will assume the role of Executive Vice President and … [Read more...]
MBCH Coleman House now named Martin Youth Center
BRIDGETON (MBCH) – At their first meeting of 2023, the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) board of trustees voted unanimously to rename the Coleman House to the Martin Youth Center, named after current MBCH President Russell Martin. The board came to this decision as a way of honoring Martin’s passion for this project. “If you ask Russell (Martin) about the repurposing going on, you'll see his eyes light up and a big smile; he can hardly contain himself to talk about it,” Ron Baker, … [Read more...]
