JEFFERSON CITY – After a Truth That Sticks (Bible storying) class, some participants form an advanced evangelistic accountability group that calls each other monthly. “MO.O.N. (Missouri Orality Network) is a way for learning to continue after the TruthSticks workshop,” said Mark Snowden, evangelism/discipleship strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC). Snowden said a second MOON acronym tells what is covered: • Making disciples – “We share how we’re using Bible storying in our … [Read more...]
Grant Beach neighborhood outreach proves to be a plus
SPRINGFIELD — The Grant Beach neighborhood north of here is coming alive thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit and the faithful obedience of members from Redeemer Church. Making disciples was the goal. Those disciples are to worship Jesus, connect with people, and serve the city. With that in mind, nearly 500 flyers were printed and distributed in the neighborhood. Flyers also went out through Weaver Elementary School where the core group had been meeting for six months. Prayer was … [Read more...]
Tower Grove Baptist intends to stay faithful with school
ST. LOUIS — As a river finds its source at the top of the mountain so Tower Grove Baptist Church has founded a city on a hill. That city is Tower Grove Christian School (TGCS), depositing springs of everlasting life into the culture flowing from the heart of St Louis. TGCS was founded in 1978 to serve family members of the church. It has since become a mission field housing close to 300 students, of which less than 50 percent are professing Christians. The school motto is “Teaching truth, … [Read more...]
Crossway to host evangelism-discipleship event next spring
SPRINGFIELD — The 2014 State Evangelism-Discipleship Conference will be held Jan. 27-28 here at Crossway Baptist Church. Crossway’s Worship Center seats up to 1,500 people, with 1,000 on the main floor before an upward slanted area in the back which is not a balcony. The host pastor is Eddie Bumpers, who will also be giving the convention sermon this year for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) annual meeting. “We are extremely pleased with the facility,” said MBC … [Read more...]
DR crews provide response after Hazelwood tornado
HAZELWOOD – Three weeks into the spring storm season, an April 10 tornado destroyed 12 homes and damaged another 60, prompting the first DR call-out of the year. “We’ve been busy,” said Dwain Carter, Director of Disaster Relief for the Missouri Baptist Convention. Disaster Relief Volunteers from churches around the state have assessed 92 different job sites, and completed work on 84 properties. Those jobs include four temporary “blue tarp” roofs, and debris removal. The gritty, dirty work … [Read more...]
Groups find Bible storying is ‘Truth that Sticks’
KAHOKA — The way Jesus taught small groups – stories – is the focus in “Truth that Sticks” training sessions. Since January, Mark Snowden, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) missional evangelism/discipleship strategist, has held twice monthly in-state conferences. He came here to First Baptist Church in the northeast corner of Missouri on March 16. “The Bible is 75 percent stories,” Snowden said. “There are up to 700 Bible stories.” The training is based on a book by the same name he … [Read more...]
The resources are in the harvest of souls
Across Missouri I have had a consistent message: Help new believers go down on one knee to pray to receive Christ as Savior and immediately go down on the other knee to pray for who they should go together to share their faith. We have around 10,000 to 11,000 baptisms every year. Are we intentional about making these new believers make disciples of others that they know? “It’s the responsibility of every church to make disciples. I also believe that the Word tells us that it is the job of … [Read more...]
Mock disaster could bring 1,000+ to simulation
JEFFERSON CITY – A massive tornado will devastate the Jefferson City area May 3. More precisely, a massive hypothetical tornado will devastate the Jefferson City area May 3. The disaster simulation will be the largest Disaster Relief (DR) event in the state of Missouri, and will take place May 3-4 at the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) DR Head Quarters at 2552 High Point Road outside Jefferson City. “We’re inviting every unit and every volunteer from Missouri,” said Dwain Carter, MBC … [Read more...]
DR structure to make disaster response deeper
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptists’ Disaster Relief (DR) response is going to be quicker and deeper according to a new structure for one the most highly visible ministries in the state. Instead of a single “white hat” to manage an entire state – usually the state DR director – there are now eight additional volunteers who can operate as white hats when multiple disasters strike or time and distance make it necessary. “I can’t do it all myself,” said Dwain Carter, the Missouri Baptist … [Read more...]
Making disciples or teaching the lesson?
My Sunday School teacher called early on a Saturday morning. “Mark, my store was broken into and completely vandalized. It’ll take days to repair. If you don’t teach tomorrow, then we won’t have Sunday School. How ‘bout it?” I agreed, but only out of pity. Prior to that moment, I had only taught a third grade Sunday School class with my wife. I actually got her to drive to church while I scanned the lesson plan. And I knew I was bad. Because of that experience I skewed spiritual gift tests … [Read more...]
Church reaches youth through sports programs
SPRINGFIELD – Jeffrey Chavez admits his church plant, The Catalyst in Springfield, is not a traditional church. “Many churches start with congregations and develop ministries. We started with church ministries. It was sort of an upside-down funnel approach,” he said. “Ninety percent of our people are unchurched.” In September 2011, the church plant met in Chavez’ home, then moved to an athletic studio. It offers wrestling, track, mixed martial arts, karate, and jujitsu for youth, … [Read more...]
Sharing with others: ‘Tina and the cross tattoo’
When the cashier handed me change at a convenience store, the Holy Spirit made sure that I saw the tattoo on her hand. It was a small cross. “Is that a cross?” I asked. “Yes,” she said. “I’ve had it on my hand since I was 14 years old.” “Does that mean that you are a follower of Jesus?” “Yes,” she said, but looked around nervously. Nobody was behind me and only a young man who was a co-worker was distracted with a stocking task. Tina’s name badge also said “manager.” “In China,” I … [Read more...]