COLUMBIA – When a daddy accompanies his daughter to a tea party or escorts her to a dance, she remembers. But for Olivia Stockeland, she will forever remember the time her daddy swept her off her feet and took her on a mission trip. Luke Stockeland, Olivia’s dad and pastor of Open Door Church in Columbia is a father of four. He has been active in mission work since he was a teenager, when he and his family developed a heart for Haiti. His father and brother currently serve there as … [Read more...]
‘Let the redeemed tell their story’ – MBC church plant takes gospel to unchurched
ROGERSVILLE – “I’m not interested in building a crowd, but I am interested in building a community.” This is how Chris Ballard described his vision for The Story Church, a Missouri Baptist Convention church plant located here in Rogersville. According to Ballard, the church’s founding pastor, the church is designed to appeal to the broken, unchurched and de-churched. “We believe that every story can be redeemed,” Ballard said. “The name of the church is based on Psalm 107:2 which says, … [Read more...]
Missouri Campers build up Lebanon churches
LEBANON – Most armies come to tear down and destroy, but the RV army of Campers on Mission comes to build and restore. Missouri Baptists make up the vast majority of the Missouri Campers on Mission members, and their efforts have benefited Missouri Baptist churches and camps all across the state. One of the churches the Campers have served is Orla Baptist outside of Lebanon. Soon after Pastor Jordan Witt was called to Orla two years ago, he knew the church building needed a remodel. It was … [Read more...]
MSSU students bring relief, hope to hurricane hit Panama City
PANAMA CITY, Fla. – For most college students, spring break provides a welcome rest. But for 16 Missouri Southern State University students with the school’s Baptist Student Union, spring break brought an opportunity to provide relief and hope to those ravaged last year by Hurricane Michael. The team, which also consisted of three adult chaperones, drove from Joplin to Panama City, Fla., where the city and surrounding area remain largely in ruins. MSSU students joined forces with students … [Read more...]
Ministry to children prompts Lebanon churches to build local partnership
LEBANON – God’s game plan sometimes includes a buzzer beater. For the Upward Basketball and Cheerleading program here, a last-minute setback turned into an opportunity for Kingdom partnership. Charlie Pentecost, the Next Generation Pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Lebanon, serves as Director for the Lebanon Area Upward League. Since 2015, Heritage Baptist Church and Hillcrest Baptist Church have partnered together to host games. With 267 participants this year, Pentecost knew that a … [Read more...]
St. Joe church launches first global missions effort
HINCHE, Haiti – Women were the first to share the Gospel with the world, and now a group of women from Renovation Church here are following suit. The four-year-old Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) church plant sent a team of women to Haiti on the church’s first international mission trip. According to team leader Chelsie Kormeier, the trip is the first step in what they believe will be a long journey of obedience to the Great Commission. The team, consisting of four adult women and … [Read more...]
REVIEW: ‘I Can Only Imagine’ shatters expectations
I Can Only Imagine, which opened March 16th, will shatter expectations of inferior Christian filmmaking and may be considered the new standard for Christian movies. The film, based on the true story behind MercyMe’s double platinum hit, features solid cinematography, a talented cast, and a story filled with humor, romance, and redemption. The movie follows the life of Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley), the lead singer of MercyMe. Full disclosure: J. Michael Finley is a friend from high … [Read more...]
Lebanon doctor sends medical supplies across the globe
LEBANON – Doctors are called to take care of their patients, but one Missouri doctor’s passion has made patient care possible all over the world. Over the last twenty years, Dr. Jeff Bond has gathered medical supplies and shipped them to hospitals in South America, Asia and Africa. God has used this ministry, whose impact is not diminished by the fact that it has no official name, to provide care, save lives, and even open up an entire wing of a children’s hospital in Nepal. The story … [Read more...]
Can a church be reborn?
ARNOLD – Is it possible for a church to be born again? According to Pastor Stuart Dace, this is exactly what happened to Starling Road Baptist Church in Arnold. After a four-year process of struggle, prayer, and hard work, the church replanted with a fresh vision for sharing the Gospel and reaching its community. Starling Road Baptist Church has seen many ebbs and flows over its 50-year history. At times the church was full of life and vitality, with many families filling the pews. Other … [Read more...]
Ozark’s School to the Nations equips Missouri Baptists for global outreach
OZARK – Untrained eyes might see a small farm here, but many around the world know this 30-acre plot as a launching pad for the gospel. The School to the Nations, founded by Randy and Maureen Copeland in 2000, is a missionary training facility fully equipped with an African training village, a jungle training village, and a professional ropes course, all designed to help churches prepare teams for the mission field. According to Randy, the ministry exists to equip local churches to take the … [Read more...]
MBC ministry fosters cooperation in prayer
JEFFERSON CITY – As autumn leaves begin to fall, prayers continue to rise across Missouri. Throughout 2017 and 2018, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s “Pray Across Missouri” initiative is challenging Missouri Baptist churches to cooperate not only in missional giving, but also in expectant prayer. During this prayer initiative, MBC Executive Director John Yeats and other MBC representatives are joining Missouri Baptists on the steps of each county court house for prayer. Most recently, … [Read more...]
Church finds new life after near death
LEBANON – A church that three years ago was minutes away from closing its doors is now experiencing revitalization. In the fall of 2014, Competition Baptist Church, a rural church located about 20 miles southeast of Lebanon, had dwindled to six congregants who didn’t see a way forward. Yet God used timely wisdom and a willing young pastor to bring new life to the 120-year-old church. Steven Strauch, DOM for the Laclede Baptist Association, described the church’s dilemma. After the … [Read more...]