CALHOUN – Following all the safety standards will not count when the rope breaks. That failing rope caused disastrous results for David Van Bebber, Jr., bivocational pastor of Calhoun Baptist Church, after he fell from scaffolding hanging at the fourth story window – A fall that made his August return to the pulpit, a miracle. “My dad is a bivocational pastor too,” Van Bebber said, “and I was helping with his window cleaning company over Memorial Day. I was there to help with setting the … [Read more...]
Sky-diving granny raises eyebrows
WALDRON — At first, it might seem that Alice Chastain, member of First Baptist Church, Polo who serves on the Missouri Baptist Executive Board, is taking the “soaring with eagles” in Isa. 40:31 too literally. At the end of June, this grandmother and great-grandmother jumped from an airplane. She liked it so much, she did it again, two weeks later. “I don’t know why but it is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Chastain said. “It was on my bucket list.” Chastain has four sons, 13 … [Read more...]
17 injured after bus skids, hits trees at youth camp
CHATSWORTH, Ga. – A bus load of youth on a rain-slickened mountain road in Georgia is a recipe for a miracle and that is what First Baptist Church of St. Charles got. The youth were in Georgia to attend youth camp at Global Youth Ministry Camp. There were 24 people on the bus including youth and adults. As the bus headed downhill after the July 17 night service taking the campers back to their rooms, the bus hit a tree. “The environment was the major factor causing the bus accident,” Jerry … [Read more...]
MBCH benefits from Strawberry Festival
ARNOLD – Although the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) lost one layer of a roof during the May 31 tornado which hit north St. Louis County, it didn’t interfere with the 122nd Strawberry Festival. The Festival was held June 1 at First Baptist Church here. “This is the second year that we’ve been able to hold the Strawberry Festival at First Church, Arnold,” said Bob Springate, MBCH vice president, public relations and development. “On weather days like these, it becomes an abundant … [Read more...]
Despite tragedy, pastor, family draws strength from Christ
CLARKSVILLE - Ron Kunzweiler, bivocational pastor of two churches, is aware of God’s answer to prayer, including a prayer to be a circuit rider. “I prayed to God that if it was His plan,” Kunzeweiler said, “that I wanted to be a circuit rider.” Kunzweiler pastors Dover Baptist Church in Clarksville and Friendship Baptist Church in Bowling Green, a distance of about 14 miles. “Dover is a small farm church,” he said, “we just celebrated our 150-year anniversary. The building is almost as … [Read more...]
Disaster Relief responds to west St. Louis
On May 28, the EF3 tornado followed a path from Weldon Spring to north St. Louis County. Now, Missouri Disaster Relief is working the same path. “I’m going to drive into the Bellefontaine area tomorrow,” Paul Posey, site coordinator for Missouri, “there is a lot of damage there.” Posey is directing one site headquartered at North County Christian School and the other area command center is located at Jungs Station Baptist Church to be closer to the St. Charles damage. According to Posey, … [Read more...]
Leaders seek holier city as targeted prayer arises
ST. LOUIS – Recently prayer warriors met in four locations in St. Louis to pray for the city. “We have a burden for the region,” Ed Moncada, international student strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention, said. “We are serious about praying for the transforming of the city. We want to see St. Louis experience genuine revival and spiritual renewal.” Prayer walkers met in the Maplewood area, the downtown St. Louis area, the Crestwood area, and in Northeast Florissant area. “We didn’t … [Read more...]
Tour group builds on Israel trip, enjoys travel to Turkey, Greece
O’FALLON – Next stop, Turkey and Greece. Recently a group from First Baptist Church here made the journey to Turkey and Greece to “Follow in the Steps of Paul.” The itinerary included Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Ephesus, Athens, Thessalonica, Berea, Philippi, and Corinth. “We planned this trip because of the excitement we saw with the Israel trip,” Lee Sanders, associate pastor of education, said. “Several individuals saw the value of visiting the places of Paul. Their interest is a natural … [Read more...]
Freshwater Church, Springfield, celebrates growth
SPRINGFIELD – Multiplication is the goal for Freshwater Church, Bolivar, and the answer is church planting. In the three years since Second Baptist Church of Springfield planted the Bolivar church, they have planted nine churches with two more in progress. “God is blessing Freshwater,” JT Patton, planting pastor of Freshwater Springfield, said. “The Bolivar church looks different than a traditional church. It is a contemporary, gospel-driven church with a mission mind frame.” Within six … [Read more...]
Joplin church sees surge in giving in changed culture
JOPLIN — On May 22, 2011, only five weeks after Brad Graves and his family moved to Joplin to become senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, the destructive winds of the EF5 tornado blew through the city. Since then, the winds of God’s Spirit and grace have blown through the church to accomplish some mighty things. Baptisms and giving to missions have reached milestone marks. In the last 20 months, Calvary has given $200,000 to Great Commission projects and the church has had 211 … [Read more...]
North County churches show heart for the homeless
FERGUSON – Several churches joined together to give a Valentine to the homeless in North County St. Louis. On Feb. 9, I Heart North County, an organization formed by Passage Community Church, Trinity Nazarene and North Church and now working with several individuals and groups, held a Valentine personal care collection party at First Baptist Church, Ferguson. “I Heart North County was approached by a representative of the Ferguson-Florissant school district,” said Kylanne Rosenberger, … [Read more...]
Cross makes significant impact in Maysville
MAYSVILLE — Carrying the cross through the streets of Maysville by members of the First Baptist Church here in preparation for an upcoming crusade was a graphic reminder to the community and to the congregation of what Jesus had done for them. “Our Outreach Committee is inspired with unique ideas to reach out to our community,” Rodney Dorr, pastor of First Maysville, said. “We divided the community into four sections and carried the cross combined with a prayer walk on Saturdays and … [Read more...]