Evangelicals began using altar calls and invitations in the 1830s. From Charles Finney’s invitations to pulpits today, the same urgency drives a need for every person to respond in faith to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Half-baked and incomplete invitations can inoculate the lost to thinking that they have heard all they ever need to hear. What response does your sermon generate? When Peter preached, the Holy Spirit convicted people to action. • At Pentecost: “… they came under deep … [Read more...]
‘Is homosexuality the worst sin?’
A few years ago I joined leaders of LifeWay Christian Resources in a meeting with executives of a Nashville TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to gays and lesbians. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV executives was a lesbian. She wanted to know why Christians couldn’t just accept her for who she is. It was the only time I recall speaking up, and I said something like this: “I accept you for who you are, if you accept me. We are both sinners who … [Read more...]
Pastor, newspaperman Steinbeck ad coordinator
JEFFERSON CITY – A Missouri pastor and veteran newspaperman has been named the new advertising coordinator for The Pathway, the paper announced Dec. 13. “Dan Steinbeck brings a unique skill set to our team, having worked in journalism for more than 35 years and as a Missouri Southern Baptist bi-vocational pastor,” said Pathway Editor Don Hinkle. “He brings a level of expertise that will serve this ministry well and we are blessed to have him join us.” Steinbeck comes from a newspaper … [Read more...]
New DR building allows for growth
JEFFERSON CITY - A former horse barn outside of town is now the “High Point Annex,” a storage place for Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Disaster Relief (DR) equipment. With its 14-foot ceilings, and wide garage-style doors, the 18,000-square-foot building houses a DR forklift, four generators, water purification equipment, Gator four-wheel-drive vehicle, and a skid loader. Two mobile kitchens – each capable of cooking 35,000 hot meals a day – are parked there, along with two shower … [Read more...]
Gary Mathes, Omar Segovia join convention staff
JEFFERSON CITY – Two new faces are joining the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) executive board staff, filling two positions that had been open. They are Gary Mathes, who will be the State Missionary for Pastoral Leadership and Omar Segovia who will be a church planting catalyst in the Kansas City region. Mathes steps into the MBC pastoral care position, and will work with bi-vocational pastors, men’s ministry and the transitional pastor network. A native of Salem and a two-time graduate … [Read more...]
First Baptist propels long-term Morehouse recovery
MOREHOUSE — The landscape of this southeast Missouri community has been forever changed, and First Baptist Church has adapted its ministry. “Morehouse is quite a bit different than it was before the flood,” Pastor Randy Conn said. In April 2011, a flood swept into the town and destroyed 75 homes. About 20 have been replaced, leaving more than 50 empty lots in town. First Baptist housed a shelter within its building for several months, providing lodging and meals for flood victims. Over … [Read more...]
MBC churches partner to help new church
O’FALLON — Jeremy Plymale, pastor of Crosshaven Church here, said the young church could have failed several times if not for the help of Missouri Baptist churches at critical times. Establishing Crosshaven “was really a collaborative effort of a lot of churches,” he said. “For the sake of the kingdom they made an investment in us that helped make the difference in the survival of our church.” The seven-year-old church now runs over 200 each Sunday, is financially established, has about … [Read more...]
JOHN YEATS: Suggestions concerning end-of-the-year giving
The sands in the annual hourglass have just about made their way into 2013. The end of 2012 may be one of the best years ever for end-of-year giving. Those with modest or significant assets are insecure about changes coming to the world of personal finances due to the friction in Washington, D.C. However, this year there are some great opportunities to invest in spreading the gospel and receive the maximum benefit. For example, there are always bold opportunities to give to your local … [Read more...]
MMO gifts rise in 2012
JEFFERSON CITY – Despite an economy that still sags, Missouri Baptists have been generous in their giving through the Missouri Missions Offering (MMO). To-date, Missouri Baptists have given $628,000. “That’s ahead of last year’s pace, which was $586,000,” said Rob Phillips, MBC director of communications. Being that far ahead of pace bodes well for meeting the offering’s annual goal of $675,000 for the first time since 2000. 2011’s offering finished just $10,000 short of that goal, so … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Give others Christmas gifts, give money to Lottie Moon
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 My wife, Bernadette, and I were recently debating what to give family members for Christmas. Of course, one of the options is always money, something no doubt people could use as they please, particularly in these difficult economic times. By doing so, the reasoning goes, they can buy whatever they want or need. After all, it is the thought that counts. Perhaps I am becoming … [Read more...]
New book uses family crisis to bring hope to others
LAGRANGE — A former LaGrange First Baptist Church pastor and wife have turned a family ordeal into a message of hope. Jim and Deanna Reynolds have authored Our Victorious Heart, a Journal of Grace, which recounts the difficult path through the short life of their daughter Nicole Grace. Nicole was born June 10, 2004, with Mosaic Trisomy 18, a condition where most of her cells had three sets of the 18th chromosome, instead of the normal two. This led to heart defects, brain anomalies, and … [Read more...]
New year kicks off with CP ad campaign
JEFFERSON CITY — The Cooperative Program (CP) will be featured prominently in the 2013 issues of The Pathway with 12 full-page ads. Rob Phillips, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) communications team leader, said the theme of the advertising campaign will be “Because you give …” The concept came out of a recent CP survey in which respondents said they prefer CP information in The Pathway above other forums. They also want to know more about where CP funds go as well as wanting stories … [Read more...]
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