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...]
HLGU trustees focus on fundraising, student success
HANNIBAL — Hannibal-LaGrange University’s Board of Trustees visited campus for their annual fall meeting Thursday and Friday, October 18 and 19. While on campus, the board heard reports on the activities of the University over the last year. It was reported that 254 graduates were presented diplomas in May, 40 students are traveling to Israel over Christmas break with a scholarship from Passages Israel, HLGU received a military friendly award, the athletic department has joined the … [Read more...]
SBU president outlines strategic planning timeline during first trustees meeting
BOLIVAR — Southwest Baptist University President Eric A. Turner told the University’s Board of Trustees during its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 16, to expect a finalized strategic plan by the October 2019 board meeting. “Our timeline is ambitious,” Turner said. “But our planning team is ready to get to work. To broadly represent the University, we expanded the planning team to include representation from a cross-section of SBU constituencies. Rather than prescribing a plan and course of action, I … [Read more...]
SBC EC discusses abuse prevention, prez search
NASHVILLE (BP) – An initiative by Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear to address sexual abuse in the church will be funded by the first $250,000 in Cooperative Program overage for 2017-2018, by a vote of the SBC Executive Committee. Other highlights of the Executive Committee’s Sept. 17-18 meeting in Nashville included a report from the EC presidential search committee and a report on Southern Baptist Disaster Relief following Hurricane Florence. Two retiring leaders of … [Read more...]
Court hears Baptist Home, MBU appeals
KANSAS CITY – The Baptist Home and Missouri Baptist University (MBU) attorneys asked the Kansas City Court of Appeals on Sept. 13 to reverse a trial judge’s 86-page judgment that restored both entities to their former legal relationship to the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC). The Home and MBU are the last two of the five MBC entities that changed their charters in 2000-2001 to become “self-perpetuating boards,” breaking away from MBC oversight and accountability, and the right of MBC to … [Read more...]
Voter registration packs ready for churches
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission has prepared a voter registration packet for churches. The packets include instructions and materials that will be needed to conduct a voter registration drive on site. Churches are urged to hold the drives on the weekends of Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. Citizens must be registered to vote (or change their address if they have moved since the last time they voted) by Oct. 10 in order to vote in the Nov. 6 general … [Read more...]
MMO supports partnership missions, church planting
JEFFERSON CITY – The Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering supports 18 ministries in Missouri. This year’s theme is taken from 1 Chronicles 29:14b: “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” Following are two short stories of how the gifts of Missouri Baptists support missions projects throughout the Show Me State. Sweet Potatoes and Mission Partners Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberries loaded the tables in the church gymnasium. … [Read more...]
Messengers able to pre-file motions, amendments
SPRINGFIELD – Messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting at Crossway Baptist Church here, Oct. 22-23, may now submit their motions in advance, although they must still be present to make the motion on the convention floor. If messengers have a motion, they can pre-file that motion with the MBC’s recording secretary via email at recordingsecretary@mobaptist.org. However, the messenger must appear at a microphone during the time for introduction of miscellaneous business, … [Read more...]
Ministry Wives’ dinner slated for Oct. 22, IMB’s Finch to speak
SPRINGFIELD – Missouri Ministry Wives are invited to join us for dinner and fellowship in conjunction with the MBC Annual Meeting. This year’s theme “Unexpected” will focus on God’s detailed plan to advance the Gospel through both our planned and unplanned circumstances. The keynote speaker, Lisa Finch (IMB, Sub-Sahara Africa), will encourage you with her insights into God’s “Unexpected” assignments of trauma and loss. Register early as seating is limited. Childcare is available through … [Read more...]
Multi-ethnic churches meeting prior to MBC
SPRINGFIELD – Multi-ethnic churches affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) will gather at Crossway Baptist Church here, Oct. 21. The event takes place from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the College Worship Center at Crossway Baptist, Springfield. Featured speakers include Pastor Dany B. Stephen of African Baptist Church, Kansas City, and Pastor Hazael Rodgriguez of Iglesia Cristiana Casa de Oracion in Springfield. To register for this event, visit … [Read more...]
AUDIO: Will Hall speaks on leadership, Christian journalism
JEFFERSON CITY – Will Hall, editor of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s state newspaper, The Baptist Message, and the director of public policy for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, spoke on leadership and Christian journalism during The Pathway's retreat Sept. 14. Audio files from his talks are linked below. Before coming to the Baptist Message in 2015, he was executive editor and director of operations for The Christian Examiner. Prior to this, he served for 10 years as vice president … [Read more...]