EUGENE, Oregon (BP) – Alan Gayle keeps several “hooks in the water,” he says, in his quest to lead the church he’s pastored since 2004, Fairfield Baptist, to share God’s love with the people around them and throughout the world. One of those is a six-week, new-member class Gayle leads every two months. During it (and during church services throughout the year) he talks about the Cooperative Program, the way Southern Baptists work together in missions and ministry in the United States and … [Read more...]
FBC St. Charles ‘refuels’ during mid-week service
ST. CHARLES – Sundays have always been a time to gather for worship and Bible training to energize the week. But First Baptist Church, St. Charles, has found a way to invigorate members midweek. “Refuel” is the Wednesday worship service with lunch that FBC St. Charles offers. “This service has grown more that 50% since our start up,” Jerry Dudley, associate pastor, and speaker at the Wednesday service, said. “After COVID, we looked at ways to build in more Bible study and push the … [Read more...]
Destitute and crying, Central Asian man makes desperate plea
By Tessa Sanchez CENTRAL ASIA – Damir sat by the side of the road, destitute and crying. He prayed God would either help him or let him die. His employer hadn’t paid him; he couldn’t pay his rent and his family disowned him because they remembered the days when alcohol ruled his life. Damir just graduated from an alcohol rehabilitation program in Central Asia that helped him kick his crippling habit, but he struggled to get on his feet after he left. After dropping his car off at … [Read more...]
There’s more to MBC resolution 3, ‘On Loving Your Neighbors,’ than meets the eye
EDITOR'S NOTE: David L. Burton serves as chairman of deacons at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield. He submitted Resolution 3, "On Loving Our Neighbor," at the Missouri Baptist Convention in St. Charles, Oct. 24-25. I was at the Missouri Baptist Convention this year and was ready for the debate during the resolutions portion of the meeting. I was ready to argue in favor of Resolution 3 on "loving our neighbors and in support of Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. … [Read more...]
BRKC’s Hammer leaves a Kansas City Baptist legacy, takes on new ministry
KANSAS CITY – As 2022 draws to a close Rodney Hammer, executive director of the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association (BRKC), prepares to leave that work to move full time in 2023 into leading an organization he founded at the association – Restoration House. Rebranded this year as REHOPE, this ministry works to help adults and children who have survived sex trafficking. REHOPE (formerly Restoration House) was spun out of the association and is now a stand-alone ministry. “It’s been … [Read more...]
Judgment House sees record attendance
CAMERON – For the fifth time since 2017, the First Baptist Church here held a Judgment House presentation for the community. This year, the three-day event had 52 separate 20-minute tours, with a total of 1,265 people attending. “This was our highest ever attendance,” said Pastor Terry Beasley. For those not familiar, Judgment House it is an evangelistic walk through drama with a crisis, eternal choices, a view of a hell room, a view of a heaven room, and a room where those in the tour … [Read more...]
IMB missionaries make impact through healthcare
NORTH AFRICA (IMB) – Word spread quickly in this North African town. A medical clinic arrived, and anyone is welcome. Setting up in a local church gave some people pause, but free healthcare is hard to turn down. Security guards sent by the local government wander close by. They are used to keeping a close watch on activities hosted by Christians. The medical needs in the area are numerous and most people have very few opportunities to see a doctor or nurse or even get needed medicines. … [Read more...]
‘A gift I didn’t know I had’: With one arm, no legs, Missouri Baptist evangelist launched into ministry by 43-second swim
KANSAS CITY – Tim Clark took a deep breath and dove underwater. He came up, took a breath, and swam – faster than he ever had in his life. The cheers of 1,500 people echoed off the brick walls of the Gladstone Community Center pool, but Tim couldn’t hear them. The water rushed by his ears, and the blue and white lane markers turned into a blur. He reached the far end of the pool, touched the wall, and swam back. He reached the end and resurfaced to the cheers of the crowd. He'd placed … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist students reach out to MSU football team, band
SPRINGFIELD – A year ago, a series of God-ordained happenstance meetings led to the Baptist Student Union (BSU) at Missouri State University (MSU) partnering with local churches to feed the football team a meal every Sunday. Campus missionaries David Stone and Chris Wilson looked forward with expectancy at what God could do with that opportunity. One year later, another divinely orchestrated meeting has allowed them to build off those efforts. Stone met Brad Snow, MSU’s director of … [Read more...]
Mo. Baptist retreat equips children’s ministry leaders
BRANSON – Teaching future generations and making disciples are important goals for all churches. A recent retreat for Children's Ministers encouraged leaders to reach that goal. The retreat, Nov. 3-6, held at Chateau on the Lake in Branson, brought together Children’s Ministers from all over Missouri. “The retreat was a combination of learning and relaxing,” said Missouri Baptist Convention childhood ministry strategist Jamie Brown, who serves as kids minister at Ridgecrest Baptist … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving feasts help IMB missionaries share gospel
LISBON, Portugal – Everyone excitedly crowded around the Thanksgiving feast. The tables overflowed with sweet potato casseroles, cranberry sauce, green bean casseroles, pumpkin and pecan pies. The turkey was roasted to a perfect, mouthwatering golden hue. Juice rolled down the sides of the meat dish as someone carved. It was picture perfect. Phones immediately came out of pockets to document this not-so-traditional feast in Lisbon, Portugal. For most, it was their first time experiencing … [Read more...]
FBC Marshall makes 7,290 Bibles to send across globe
MARSHALL – Building Bibles became a community event at the First Baptist Church of Marshall last month. “We turned our Family Life Center into a ‘Bible-Making Factory,’” Millie Randolph, member and mission team leader, said. “We ordered 5,000 Bibles to assemble for the Philippines, but we ended up doing 7,290. Bill Barker of ‘From Our Hands to Their Hands’ brought the materials and tools to us.” Randolph reported that thirty-seven groups and churches with more than four hundred people … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 52
- Next Page »