HELENA, Mont. – Under a broad vista of Montana sky with mountains for a backdrop live people with a spirit of self-reliance, self-determination, and individualism. Missouri Baptists who recently visited the state to explore missions partnerships heard those comments repeatedly. They also heard that Montanans suffer the same hurts, heartaches, and addictions as people everywhere – and have the same need for Christ. Pastors there look to Missouri Baptists for reciprocal missions activities. … [Read more...]
Churches merge in ‘ministry adoption’
HAWK POINT – A declining congregation of less than a dozen members in a small, rural community in eastern Missouri faced a terrible option a year ago – should it close the church? That church, Hawk Point Baptist (HPBC), answered with a bold step of faith to continue its 150-year-old evangelistic mission in a new way. The Hawk Point community has less than 700 souls. It’s barely one-third of a square mile in area. There are two gas stations, a bank branch, and a handful of small … [Read more...]
New Florence Baptist’s focus on children rewarded with new church pews
NEW FLORENCE – New Florence Baptist in east central Missouri focuses ministry on children in its small community. The program has reaped not only spiritual rewards, but also at least one financial one. Last year the church received a $10,000 donation for new pews from an anonymous local resident who liked what the church was doing in the community. New Florence Pastor Brian Larkin says it’s just another example of the amazing way God works when people are faithful. “We’re really committed … [Read more...]
College Park Church reaches students seeking community
ST. LOUIS – A July 2021 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship survey found that today’s college students, identified as Generation Z, experience isolation and lack social interaction in their lives. For church they desire community, Scripture study, and prayer. Jordan Cox, lead pastor of College Park Church, which meets at Missouri Baptist University (MBU), saw the same characteristics among students, leading him to plant the church a year ago. Fellowship of Wildwood in St. Louis County was … [Read more...]
First Baptist O’Fallon launches new short-term missions model
O’FALLON – In July, First Baptist Church O’Fallon (FBCO) heads to Hamilton, Ohio, to work with Inspiring Hope Church (IHC) under a new short-term missions program that establishes expectations for both churches as well as FBCO’s future partnerships. “The FBCO Missions Team wanted to put a strategy in place that would help guide the team through partnerships,” says chairman Jerry Woodruff. “In the past, we struggled with allotment of resources. With the new strategy, our partners know up … [Read more...]
Filipino mission spreads from Missouri, throughout the globe
SIKESTON – Under the theme ‘From Southeast Missouri to Southeast Asia,’ nine Missouri Baptist associations recently came together to launch an ambitious program to spread the Gospel not only to Filipinos in their counties, but to Filipinos around the world. Roger Graham, Acting Director of Missions for the Charleston Baptist Association, organized the Acts 1:8 Filipino Conference on April 24 at Miner Baptist Church to lay out a vision that partners nine Baptist associations in local … [Read more...]
Frederick Boulevard Baptist, St. Joseph, equips families to make disciples
ST. JOSEPH – Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church here substituted its normal Sunday morning Bible study classes, April 18, with sessions aimed at helping adults learn how to reach and disciple the next generation. The Frederick Family Conference drew a larger crowd—more than 10% larger—than FBBC’s recent average attendance. “We had quite a few families with young children come, some of them for the first time,” says FBBC Senior Pastor Scott Gilbert. Around 500 people attended, which “speaks … [Read more...]
Church that split over missions continues missions outreach into third century
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported the date for New Hope Church's 200th anniversary celebration. The celebration is, in fact, on Sunday, Sept. 12. (The article was updated at 12:20 p.m., April 27.) ELSBERRY – Two hundred years ago Stout’s Settlement Baptist Church—now New Hope Church—disagreed over missions activities. The vigorous dispute altered the congregation’s history. “There was a group in the church that was anti-missions and a group in support … [Read more...]
‘T.A.G. You’re It’ podcast celebrates five years
BUFFALO – After several hundred episodes and many thousands of hours of debates, defenses, and discussions about God, the T.A.G. You’re It! Podcast, a weekly show promoting Christian apologetics—or defenses for the Gospel—is celebrating five years of online information. One of its co-hosts says, “It’s been a blast!” David Guy Van Bebber Jr. launched the program in 2017 with Adam “Ray Ray” Cochrun. The online show allows listeners to review an episode when it’s convenient and listen at … [Read more...]
Freedom on the Inside: HLGU ministry in state prison thrives, transforms lives
JEFFERSON CITY – Imagine a typical university class of eager ministerial students, then imagine the same in a maximum security prison. Rodrick Sweet doesn’t have to imagine: He knows both classrooms and sees little difference. His class at the Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC), he says, is all men and they’re all in uniform. Other than that, teaching in the prison setting for him isn’t so different than other college and university classrooms where he’s taught. Sweet’s … [Read more...]
FBC Clever strengthens men in biblical relationships
CLEVER – February traditionally focuses on relationships. So First Baptist Church, Clever, is using it to emphasize Godly men’s relationships through a four-week conference. The church has begun four Monday night, 2-hour sessions to cover topics “we don’t talk enough about inside of the church directly to men,” said Lead Pastor Brian Jump. “Sunday morning, you can’t do that. This (conference) gives us an opportunity to be very direct.” He hopes Men’s Month for teens and men will help … [Read more...]
Church revitalization internship program expands for 2021
JEFFERSON CITY – Last summer a Missouri Baptist internship program offered hands-on training in church revitalization for two seminary pastoral candidates. This summer, program director Brandon Moore hopes to expand the program to involve up to 12 interns and serve additional churches. Moore is the director of Resound Network, a Missouri Baptist Convention ministry helping revitalize and replant churches across the state. “About 40% of the churches in Missouri are in decline. That’s … [Read more...]