OSAGE BEACH – He’s the pastor of one of the fastest-growing church plants in the nation. But Joshua Hedger said it was a tornado that taught him the value of grace. Hedger, pastor of Freshwater Church in Bolivar, delivered the annual sermon at the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) on Nov. 1. He acknowledged that at 30 years of age, he felt a bit intimidated to address the convention. Basing his sermon on Luke 7, Hedger preached about grace and contrasted Simon the Pharisee with the sinful … [Read more...]
Page sheds light on beauty of God’s call
OSAGE BEACH—Frank Page, president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), delivered a sermon Nov. 2 at the 177th annual meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) here at Tan-Tar-A on the importance of experiencing a profound call to ministry. His text was I Samuel 3:1-10, which details the call of the boy named Samuel. Later he read verses 19-21 and taught how God showed up by means of His Word. “Is your heart open to God’s call?” Page asked the … [Read more...]
MBC Messengers’ vote silent on SBC name change issue
OSAGE BEACH – It was a lot of discussion for what in the end was a non-vote: Messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Annual Meeting Oct. 31-Nov. 2 passed seven resolutions, although one related to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Name Change Task Force was amended to be “blank” after debate did not lead to an immediate compromise. “Resolution No. 6,” which encouraged “all Missouri Baptists to contact the SBC Name Change Task Force members individually or through their … [Read more...]
Observations of a newbie Missouri Southern Baptist
These days people ask me lots of questions. As Missouri Baptists’ new executive director, people are feeling out my philosophy of ministry. Perspective is important. One of the reasons corporations bring in consultants and even leaders from outside the organization is because they need a different perspective from the one that is currently operating in their environment. (Consider Nehemiah’s leadership model.) When you are on the inside, you tend to measure certain things differently than … [Read more...]
Yeats cites key state convention functions
OSAGE BEACH – John Yeats, in his first address as executive director to messengers of the Missouri Baptist Convention, identified seven core functions of a state convention. Yeats said he had come to seek good, referencing Amos 5:14 (“Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed.”). “I want the Lord with me,” Yeats said on the opening night of the Missouri convention’s Oct. 31-Nov. 2 annual meeting at Tan-Tar-A Resort … [Read more...]
New Guard relationship showcases hope
OSAGE BEACH—Partners in Care, a bond between the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) and the Missouri National Guard, was celebrated Nov. 1 during the 177th annual meeting of the MBC here at Tan-Tar-A. Early in this year’s legislative session, Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, approached Kerry Messer, lobbyist, Christian Life Commission, MBC, at the State Capitol. Danner was looking to establish a connection with Southern Baptists regarding … [Read more...]
Baptisms on the rise at First Baptist Cedar Hill
CEDAR HILL—Shaken by the suicide of the pastor’s son, something special is now happening here at First Baptist Church. Pastor Wayne Kuenzle has baptized 21 people in the past two Sundays. These responses were the result of the Lord’s blessing after many years of prayer and seeking, said Kuenzle. The answer to prayer broke out after an Oct. 23 revival message brought by Kenny Evans, a recording artist and evangelist from Pigeon Forge, Tenn. “Bro. Kenny Evans blessed us with his talents … [Read more...]
Missions: Hillcrest eyes African opportunity
LEBANON—David Brown admits that when it comes to international mission work, he is far from seasoned. “I’ve been a pastor for about nine years and I’ve only been on one mission trip,” said Brown, pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon. “But you know, God calls us for different times and for different reasons and it’s exciting to see Him at work.” Brown, along with two other leaders from his church, is leaving Nov. 28 for a week-long vision trip to Senegal. “We will be working with … [Read more...]
Pastors’ Conference bridges young, old
OSAGE BEACH – With a theme of “Generation to Generation,” the 2011 Missouri Baptist Pastors’ Conference tackled the challenge of generational leadership and discipleship. Josh Hedger, lead pastor of Freshwater Church in Bolivar and the youngest preacher on the stage, set the tone for the Pastors’ Conference with a message from 2 Kings 2:1-14, where Elijah passes his mantle to Elisha, and Elisha begs Elijah to stay and mentor him. “Young men, I wonder if our hearts really have the … [Read more...]
The secret of living a no-regret life
Art Linkletter told about a study in which 50 people over the age of 95 were asked one question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” The question was open-ended, and people’s answers were varied. However, three themes consistently emerged: • If I had my life to do over again, I would reflect more. • If I had my life to do over again, I would risk more. • If I had my life to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am … [Read more...]
Loving with tender hearts, humble minds
Don’t you just love a food-covered holiday table that’s about as big as a football field? You’re juggling several buttered rolls and a plate full of tasty side dishes while you’re trying to score some major turkey. It’s a big play. You have to really scramble to hit the turkey before all those ravenous relatives leave you stuck with only dark meat. First down and gravy to go. It’s especially great to have lots of relatives over for a holiday dinner (all white/dark meat issues aside) … [Read more...]
MBC enters partnership with Iowa Baptists
OSAGE BEACH – Missouri Baptists, meet Iowa Baptists. Messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention MBC) annual meeting voted Nov. 1 to enter a partnership with the Baptist Convention of Iowa (BCI) beginning Jan. 1, 2012 and running through Dec. 31, 2015. The agreement was signed by MBC Executive Director John Yeats, MBC Partnership Missions Specialist Rick Hedger, BCI interim Executive Director Tom Law III and John Shaull, director of missions for Des Moines Metro Baptist Association. It … [Read more...]
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