HIGH POINT – The adage that God moves in mysterious ways is evidenced no better than by High Point Church, which recently celebrated its 200th anniversary but doesn’t have a pastor. It’s a small congregation in a rural area far from a large metropolitan area. Its interim pastor for the past year is from El Salvador. High Point is a small farming community about 30 miles southwest of Jefferson City. It’s in an unincorporated area and uses a California, Mo., address. The congregation was … [Read more...]
Youth ministers see challenges, blessings in student ministry during pandemic
KIMBERLING CITY – With spring church youth activities cancelled and most summer plans on hold because of quarantine and social distancing restrictions brought on by COVID-19, youth ministers are adapting to new methods of ministry. They say the changes are bringing blessings and benefits they hope will continue after restrictions lift. Youth pastors are using new ways to preserve student relationships that are challenged when students who thrive with face-to-face contact can’t meet. The … [Read more...]
Patterson challenges FBC O’Fallon students to get involved in missions
O’FALLON – Saying he was speaking to young people but letting everyone else listen in, Paige Patterson challenged students to get involved in missions, and challenged First Baptist Church of O’Fallon to invest in young people for full-time missions and pastoral ministries. Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, made the comments October 23 during First O’Fallon’s second morning worship service to conclude a weeklong missions emphasis. “Is it … [Read more...]
Ramsey Creek proud of past, leaning toward the future
PIKE COUNTY – How does a Missouri church “in the middle of nowhere,” according to its current pastor, survive for 200 years? To Ramsey Creek Baptist Church Senior Pastor John Bateman the reason is clear: “Anything the Lord’s not involved in or not approving of will die.” The church recently celebrated its 200th anniversary by hosting a weekend party that included old time gospel music, sermons by former pastors, lots of activities—from bounce houses and community dinners to an animal … [Read more...]
SBC’s Page talks missions with First O’Fallon
O’FALLON – Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Frank Page said in a recent missions conference that problems in SBC mission efforts is due to churches placing priorities on activity rather than close relationships with Christ. Page made the comment at First O’Fallon on October 24 in concluding remarks to the church’s annual missions conference. He cautioned that churches should not be so busy with religious activities that they leave … [Read more...]
FBC O’Fallon puts global missions in the spotlight
O’FALLON – Though most new years begin in January, at First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, October kicks off the year for one of the suburban St. Louis congregation’s biggest ministry priorities. The church’s recent annual Global Missions Conference (GMC) celebrated activities the church accomplished in the last 12 months, and introduced mission partnerships and short-term trips for the coming year. The five-day emphasis involved 12 missionaries in multiple events, several dozen church … [Read more...]
O’Fallon church growing Christ’s presence in community
O’FALLON – First Baptist O’Fallon (FBCO) in suburban St. Louis seeks to grow God’s church – not necessarily only the local congregation – through a renewed outreach program focusing on spreading Christ’s message. Senior Pastor Richard Young explained the program: “We are providing an opportunity for church members to take the good news of Christ to the community in a variety of ways: personal visits, phone calls, cards and letters, and intercessory prayer.” Since January, members have … [Read more...]
Man’s drive to share gospel fuels car show
HAZELWOOD – During a rainy week in St. Louis, the clouds separated and the sun shone long enough for Hazelwood Baptist Church to host its 16th annual Father’s Day car show under clear skies. Dan Herin, coordinator of the June 6 show, says the church has seen that weather pattern before. “We know the Lord’s in it. We’re taught to pray with intention and expectation. That’s what we did,” he said. “In years past He stopped the rain by Friday. The wind blew all night and the grass was … [Read more...]