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...]
Back to school signals back to Sunday school
The kids are lined up at the school bus stop. They are ready to board the big yellow bus to start fall classes. I know I am a little late talking about the beginning of the “school year” but I confess to questioning why schools don’t wait to start until after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day. The back-to-school process also signals “Back to Church” and “Back to Sunday School initiatives”. During the summer with interruptions from vacations, mission trips, time away for rest, and lest … [Read more...]
Twenty-year labor of love coming to an end; to God be the glory
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Read related article here.) “Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end, though somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends.” – Unknown When I step aside as editor of The Pathway on Jan. 1, it will be with a grateful heart for having the privilege of serving Jesus by serving you. It is wonderful doing something I love (producing a newspaper) for the Savior who died for my sins. It has been 20 years of struggles, tragedies and victories, but through … [Read more...]
In their shoes
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV It is easy to become so concerned with our hustle and bustle as parents that we forget the feelings that children have as they prepare to return to school. Yes, parents worry about clothes, supplies, schedules, etc. But what about the children, and what they are feeling and thinking? It is good to remember when we were in school. The worries of … [Read more...]
Dealing with doubt?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Neil Franks serves as president of the Missouri Baptist Foundation. I have a funny last name. Not like a name that makes you laugh or a name that is hard to pronounce; rather, my last name is sometimes confused for a first name. For instance, I admired my wife’s pastor; he was a fantastic godly leader and a brilliant expositor of the Word. One Sunday, we returned from Seminary for a visit; I looked forward to seeing him and listening to his sermon. At the end of 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...]
Sweet smell of victory
“Smell this.” I’m trying to remember even one time in my life when I’ve been given that command and it’s turned out to be a pleasant experience. Surely there’s been one time. But the times that immediately pop to mind are the ones when someone has held out a container of chunky milk. Or when someone has come across questionable socks that have fallen between the clean pile of laundry and the dirty one. Having raised five kids, I can tell you there were way too many times people in my … [Read more...]
Persevere through this hour
Admittedly, the call was disappointing: another local church pastor, frustrated by the news about our national partners and the August 15 Department of Justice subpoena of the SBC. We are all disappointed that a zealous federal entity has breached the protocol of religious liberty and, in the least, created a public relations nightmare for our cooperative mission work. Another frustration is the reality that the Department of Justice launched an investigation, and the details of the … [Read more...]
The Creator expects us to remember truthfully
In the corner of my home library/study sits the rocking chair in which my mother rocked me after birth. Several years ago, mom had it beautifully refurbished. Certainly, a family heirloom, it is also a reminde