HOUSTON, Texas – In a 6000-word report released on Feb. 10, The Houston Chronicle investigated instances of abuse by Southern Baptist ministers, youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons and church volunteers. Alongside the report, The Chronicle published an online database listing 220 individuals around the nation who have been convicted of or pled guilty to sexual abuse crimes. The database included eight individuals connected with Missouri. The Chronicle said its investigation … [Read more...]
Bailey Smith, early SBC conservative president, dies
DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – Evangelist Bailey Smith, who helped sustain the Conservative Resurgence at its outset in the Southern Baptist Convention, died Monday morning (Jan. 14) at his home in Duluth, Ga. He was 79. Smith's election as SBC president in 1980 was the second victory for conservatives following the landmark election of the late Memphis pastor Adrian Rogers in 1979. J. Gerald Harris, retired editor of Georgia Baptists' Christian Index newsjournal, described Smith as "a powerful … [Read more...]
‘Multiply’ the theme of Great Commission Conference
KANSAS CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s 2019 Great Commission Conference (GCC) is set to take place, Feb. 21-24, on the campus of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This annual event aims to encourage, equip, and challenge Missouri Baptists as they seek to see lives and communities transformed through the gospel. The unifying theme this year is “Multiply,” emphasizing the Missouri Baptist Convention’s goal to help churches multiply churches around the state and across the … [Read more...]
MBF trustees meet, mark Franks’ first year
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met for its regular annual meeting on Dec. 14. The Board received and approved its fiscal year 2018 audit showing $143.9 million in assets under management, welcomed a new trustee, a new staff member, heard reports from its Outsourced Chief Investment Officer, Commonfund and closed with a recognition of Foundation Corporate Secretary, Diane Reed. MBF President, Dr. Neil Franks and Board Chair, Larry Shoaf, welcomed … [Read more...]
SBU confers degrees upon 204 graduates in winter commencement ceremonies
BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University graduated 204 students at two winter 2018 commencement ceremonies in the Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness and Sports Center on the Bolivar campus. The SBU Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences held its commencement on Thursday, Dec. 13, and the ceremony for all other graduates was held on Friday, Dec. 14. “Our graduates are extraordinary people, working diligently to achieve this milestone,” said SBU President Eric Turner. “Our faculty, as you … [Read more...]
SBU lends students, faculty member to DR efforts
BRISTOL, Fla. – The holidays generally are a time of family, friends, food, gifts and togetherness. But for the Southwest Baptist University Disaster Relief team, it was an opportunity to help others in their time of need. Led by Gabe Craig, a senior chemistry education and intercultural studies major from Park Hills, the SBU team of Sara McDonald, Hannah Gibbs, Jacob Showers and Haden Liska spent their Thanksgiving break in Bristol, Fla., helping residents clean up after Hurricane … [Read more...]
MBC’s Christian Life Commission files amicus brief supporting religious freedom
JEFFERSON CITY – A Christian bed-and-breakfast owner in Hawaii has appealed to the United States Supreme Court after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that she must serve same-sex couples, even in violation of her Christian beliefs about marriage and sexuality. Now the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission (CLC) has joined with two other public policy agencies to support her plea for religious freedom. The CLC filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the … [Read more...]
Bolivar pastor, Ben Carson to speak at Gov.’s prayer breakfast
JEFFERSON CITY – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and Billy Russell, pastor, First Baptist Church, Bolivar, will be the featured speakers at the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Jan. 10, 7 a.m., at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. Carson, a neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate, was appointed to his position in 2017 by President Donald Trump. Russell also preached at the inauguration of Gov. Mike Parson earlier this year. Parson and his wife, Theresa, … [Read more...]
Concord to host annual prayer service for state officials
JEFFERSON CITY – Lawmakers and citizens will gather for what has become a Jefferson City tradition when Concord Baptist Church, in conjunction with the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) Christian Life Commission, hosts the 14th annual Prayer Service for Missouri Government Leaders, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m. The event always marks the first day of each new session of the General Assembly. “We will be seeking God’s blessing for Missouri’s legislative, executive and judicial leadership,” said Monte … [Read more...]
BGR launches ‘clean water campaign’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BGR) – Baptist Global Response (BGR) is celebrating #GivingTuesday 2018 with a water filter campaign and a goal to provide 600 families around the world with clean, drinkable water. #GivingTuesday is a globally recognized day for charitable organizations that falls after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, it will take place on Tuesday, November 27. BGR’s 2018 campaign follows an enormously successful 2017 #Giving Tuesday, during which donors surpassed the goal … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists surpass MMO goal
At a near record-setting pace, Missouri Baptists are giving generously to missions projects in the Show Me State. On Nov. 19, giving to the Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering surpassed the 2018 goal of $710,000 and is on pace to exceed last year’s extraordinary total of nearly $760,000 – the highest amount given since 2001. At the close of business Nov. 19, MMO giving totaled $719,576. “We are so grateful to the 800 Missouri Baptist churches that are giving sacrificially to … [Read more...]
Yeats challenges MBC to stand firm on the gospel
SPRINGFIELD – Executive Director John Yeats challenged Missouri Baptists to stand firm on the solid ground of the gospel in a message concluding the first day of the MBC Annual Meeting, Oct 22. Building on the meeting’s theme of “Steady,” taken from Exodus 17:8-16, Yeats reminded messengers that Aaron and Hur, who held up Moses’ hands during a fierce battle, required solid ground to carry out their task. In a similar way, followers of Jesus must stand on the solid rock of Jesus and His … [Read more...]