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...]
‘God’s Word speaks’: MBC pastors lead families, churches to read Scripture in 2021
ST. LOUIS – New Year resolutions can bring enthusiasm and hope for developing new habits. Daily Bible reading might be one of those resolutions for Christians. According to two Missouri pastors, Christians need to be intentional in reading the Bible and have a plan to get through it because—though it has great depth—it can be complex. Many Bible reading plans are a guide of books, chapters, and verses to read each day—usually alone, without accountability, and perhaps without textual … [Read more...]
FBC O’Fallon Giving Tree has helped local families at Christmas for 25 Years
O’FALLON – One Christmas, a teenage girl hoped for an iguana lizard as a gift. So her name and request were put on the Giving Tree at First Baptist O’Fallon (FBCO). The church partners with other local organizations in its annual Giving Tree ministry but Barb Bateman, an FBCO layperson, has since the ministry’s 1996 inception placed the names and children’s gift requests from area needy families on FBCO Christmas trees every November. Church members, small groups, and Sunday School classes … [Read more...]
Hazelwood church meets need in annual Christmas giveaway, despite COVID-19
HAZELWOOD – Each December, Hazelwood Church members look forward to ministering to their needy neighbors through the church’s Lifelines Christmas Giveaway. The event supplies physical needs but also addresses individuals’ spiritual needs for Christ. Participants receive the Gospel message when they come to pick up needed clothing or toys. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the giveaway served 60 families through its toy and coat distribution, which included approximately 150 children. Church member … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist University’s trustees hear report on strategic planning project
ST. LOUIS – In his Nov. 19 comments to Missouri Baptist University trustees Keith Ross, university president, outlined a new project to aid the university’s strategic planning, said MBU has successfully addressed COVID challenges to in-person classes so far this fall, explained new campus technology improvements, and reported that fall 2020 sophomore retention – a measure of returning first-year students – matched prior year results despite COVID’s effects. Ross described how the strategic … [Read more...]