EDITOR'S NOTE: Joanna Gonzalez-Mendez is a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Springfield, and a member of the Missouri Baptist Convention's Racial Reconciliation Task Force. Being an immigrant is an identity that I have learned to appreciate. It has taken time to grasp the complexity of my immigrant story, the impact that it has had in my life and in the way others see me. It has also shaped and informed my understanding of the gospel. In Scripture, one of the most prevalent themes is … [Read more...]
Don’t be N.A.I.V.E about Amendment 3: Christian ethicist urges a ‘No’ vote on legalizing recreational marijuana in Missouri
EDITOR'S NOTE: J. Alan Branch serves as professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. During their annual meeting in St. Charles, Oct. 24-25, Missouri Baptist messengers approved a resolution opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana. "... [W]e desire to protect the people of Missouri from the dangers of state-legalized recreational marijuana by urging a vote of 'No' on the measure entitled Amendment 3 on the November 8, 2022 Missouri … [Read more...]
Tax credits: A great way to advance the Kingdom
For years, the MBCH Children and Family Ministries (MBCH-CFM) and The LIGHT House have had access to Missouri state tax credits. These tax credits were approved and continue to be approved by the Missouri state legislature and governor because they are a way for state government to come along side private nonprofits to provide much needed services. Tax credits allow Missouri donors to qualifying nonprofits to give more with a greater tax benefit. Now MBCH-CFM and The LIGHT House have some … [Read more...]
We must pass through Samaria
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Hubbard, lead pastor of Genesis Church, Eureka, is a member of the Missouri Baptist Convention's Racial Reconciliation Task Force. “And He (Jesus) had to pass through Samaria.” – John 4:4 These word are shocking. At the time of the New Testament, the racial hatred between Jews and Samaritans was significant, so much so that no good Jew would have a conversation Samaritans, much less travel to their territory. Yet Jesus intentionally traveled to Sychar, bringing the … [Read more...]
Helping child victims of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse has immeasurable impact on the lives of children. According to the CDC, 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 13 boys in the United States experience sexual abuse. The numbers for boys are rising and it is believed that their numbers are now closer to those of girls. Sexual abuse isn’t an easy subject to write about; however, if children are suffering from the soul crushing impact of sexual abuse, this issue needs to be discussed and addressed. Children need to know that they are safe … [Read more...]
Are Southern Baptists Ready for a World That Despises Christians?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was first published on The Stream at https://stream.org/are-southern-baptists-ready-for-a-world-that-despises-christians/. Aaron Renn’s penetrating analysis of American evangelicalism in his First Things article triggered much thought. As a respected writer and thinker, Renn uses the framework of three worlds (positive, neutral, negative) with evangelicals swimming against a relentless secular rip current. Evangelicals are not only losing standing in the … [Read more...]
MBCH ministers to developmentally delayed adults
The crowd waited in hushed anticipation as the player dug in at the batter’s box. Then came a powerful swing of the bat sending the ball speeding toward the field. To the fans’ joy and amazement, the batter then began to giggle as she ran around the bases with a gleeful and repeated, “Wheeee! Wheeee!” overflowing from her happy heart. As you may have guessed, the above scene was not played out on any college or pro-baseball field. Instead, it was a scene of delight shared at the Miracle … [Read more...]
A Missouri Baptist treasure
EDITOR’S NOTE: Gary Ledbetter served for 21 years as editor of The Southern Baptist TEXAN, the official newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He currently serves as senior editor of the Missouri Baptist Convention’s High Street Press. The Missouri Baptist Pathway is like the paper I edited for 21 years, The Southern Baptist TEXAN, in that both papers were born out of the SBC Conservative Resurgence. And both our papers were necessitated by regrettable controversy. The … [Read more...]
PERSPECTIVE: Messengers should consider approving a Ministry Check list
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) – Last week, the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force made several formal recommendations to the messengers for their consideration at the upcoming 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim. Among them was a recommendation that an Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF), in coordination with the SBC Executive Committee (EC), create a “process” for maintaining a Ministry Check list of pastors, denominational workers, and volunteers who are “credibly accused” of sexual abuse. … [Read more...]
First-Person: Abuse response ‘absolutely necessary’ to model Christ-like compassion
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – Jesus prioritizes children and their care. We see this in verses like Matthew 19:14, where Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven,” and Matthew 18:6, where Jesus says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” His compassion towards the woman caught … [Read more...]
Pro-life ministries of the MBCH’s LIGHT House continue to grow
For most of our existence, The LIGHT House has served expectant mothers in our maternity home. The last several years, however, have created continual challenges for the most vulnerable families and we are constantly exploring new ministry opportunities. Our parent agency, MBCH Children and Family Ministries has ministered to young mothers in crisis through both maternity homes and in-home programs for many years. It has been a longtime goal of The LIGHT House to create a similar Home-Based … [Read more...]
Racial reconciliation: why it matters, why I stay
If a scan of the evening news is any indication, we remain a world divided. Divided by nations; divided by faith; divided by politics; divided by race. Sadly, the SBC has previously found itself on the wrong side of the last; prompting many people of color to seek Christian community elsewhere. Over the years, dear brothers have approached me asking, “Why are you still here? Why do you stay?” Rather than express why racial reconciliation – a worthy pursuit – should matter to you, I hope … [Read more...]
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