By Brian Koonce Staff Writer ASTANA, Kazakhstan – At least one couple is enjoying the recent arctic chill that blew through Missouri. That’s because Don and Diane Combs are used to it being much, much colder. In Astana, Kazakhstan, where they minister as Cooperative Program-supported International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries, it’s -35 degrees. The Combs are back in Missouri on furlough staying in Raytown and will return to the mission field in March. Diane is originally from … [Read more...]
Judge Callahan resigns, swears in Judge Wilson
By Staff JEFFERSON CITY – On Jan. 15, Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan resigned from the bench to become the new United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis, a position to which he was appointed by President Obama, and for which he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. On Jan. 16, Judge Callahan’s final act as a judge was to administer the oath of office to his successor, attorney Paul Wilson, 48, who was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon on Jan. 5. Judge … [Read more...]
Judges hear appeal on Windermere
By Staff Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) attorneys urged an appeals court to permit the MBC to pursue the recovery of 1,300 acres of land in spite of a prior appellate opinion that MBC could not regain control of the Windermere corporation. Oral argument was held on Jan. 15 before a three-judge panel of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, in Springfield. It was the latest round in the legal efforts by MBC to recover the real estate transferred to the Windermere corporation … [Read more...]
Ten Steps of GPS preparation
Pray. Lost people are in need. Determine your territory. Look at which homes in your community you will touch through prayer. Check with your association to avoid overlapping. Order materials. Among these are the Pastor/Church Preparation Guide, plastic bags, Gospel pieces, banners, postcard invitations, and bulletin inserts. Update your church’s profile. Visit www.sbc.net and view your church’s listing. Churches can make changes to their online information using their seven-digit … [Read more...]
Cards’ Pujols keeps up ‘Manly Night’ witness
By Allen Palmeri Associate Editor WILDWOOD—St. Louis Cardinals’ First Baseman Albert Pujols celebrated his 30th birthday by sharing the Gospel at an event he regularly attends to support the mission of his church. Pujols was one of three speakers Jan. 16 at “Manly Night,” a special event for men and boys put on by West County Community Church, Wildwood, at Lafayette High School. The three-time National League Most Valuable Player spoke for eight minutes on the evening’s theme of … [Read more...]
Organizational Study Group sets Feb. 8 meeting
By Allen Palmeri Associate Editor JEFFERSON CITY—The Organizational Study Group of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) will hold its first meeting Feb. 8 at the Baptist Building—with a creative twist. The 12-member study group will meet both in person and by means of audio/video conferencing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 7th floor conference room. It marks the first time that MBC Executive Director David Tolliver, who is serving as the facilitator of the study group, will be present in … [Read more...]
GPS emphasis enters a February of preparation
By Allen Palmeri Associate Editor JEFFERSON CITY—February is a preparation month for Missouri Baptist participation in God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS), a North American Mission Board (NAMB) evangelism initiative that will be ongoing from 2010-2020. Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Evangelism Director Gary Taylor said he cannot assume that a majority of the state’s pastors are going to wake up March 6 and say, “Let’s go prayer-walking.” They must be taught to do that, he said. Taylor said … [Read more...]
Jester’s Windermere firm files bankruptcy
By Staff SPRINGFIELD – Windermere Development Company, LLC, (WDC) filed a petition in federal bankruptcy court on Jan. 14, just two hours before a foreclosure sale was set to occur on the Camden County courthouse steps, initiated by lender Consolidated Mortgage, and involving 943 acres formerly owned by Windermere Baptist Conference Center. Bankruptcy law provides that one effect of filing the petition is an automatic stay of any foreclosure proceedings. As a result, the foreclosure sale … [Read more...]
HLG holds December graduation ceremony
By Staff Hannibal – In normal December graduation fashion, cold winds and snow flurries accompanied the momentous occasion, but could not dampen the spirits of the 112 graduates of Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG). The 2009 HLG Winter Commencement Ceremony was held Dec. 19 in the Mabee Sports Complex. Woodrow W. Burt, president of Hannibal-LaGrange College, stood and addressed the crowd. “For the graduates of the class of 2009, this day marks the achievement of goals set long ago, and met … [Read more...]
Gov., lawmakers, Supremes among attendees
By Barbara Shoun Contributing Writer JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Gov. Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon knows that Missourians pray for him and says that it gives him strength to make the difficult decisions he has to make. “As I travel the state and see people, they come up and say, ‘I’m praying for you,’ he said following a dedication service for Missouri government leaders Jan. 6 at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City. Nixon said he sees the prayers as a means of combined strength from people … [Read more...]
Worship leader takes charge on stage, in dugout
By Brian Koonce Staff Writer O’FALLON – How many bi-vocational ministers count professional baseball manager as their day job? Not many, but Steve Brook, the worship leader at Bethesda Baptist in St. Charles, was just named field manager and director of baseball operations for an independent professional baseball team, the River City Rascals. Brook grew up on the south side of Chicago, a city steeped in baseball tradition. He was an ace pitcher in high school and entertained several … [Read more...]
Creation science looks to advance through event
By Allen Palmeri Associate Editor SPRINGFIELD—Pastors and their wives are being invited to a free conference and luncheon Jan. 28 here at Missouri Baptist Convention-affiliated South Creek Church featuring one of the more prominent creation scientists. John D. Morris, president of the Institute for Creation Research in Dallas, Texas, is coming for the 11 a.m. event. He holds a doctorate in geology and has led more than a dozen expeditions to Mt. Ararat in search of Noah’s Ark. Space is … [Read more...]