RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – For 12 years Brian and Becky Harrell have shared the gospel with the Makhuwa Nahara Muslims on the coast of Mozambique. Their efforts in telling gospel stories and training national believers has been effective. But this year they’ve upped their game. “We have made . . . conscious efforts to be more deliberate in our prayers for our people group, and also in encouraging churches back home to be praying,” Becky Harrell says. “Because we know that we cannot bring anyone … [Read more...]
Good seeds take root at GA retreats
JEFFERSON CITY – Wide-eyed peers looked on as an emotional yet confident 10-year-old Kaylee walked the aisle in the little camp chapel and invited Jesus into her heart. It was during the witness conference that Megan understood her need to accept Jesus and talked to her leader. Ginny talked to her mom about what she heard at GA Retreat and gave her heart and life to Jesus that night. Following GA Retreat, 7-year-old Lola told her best friend that God loves her, giving her a Bible on the … [Read more...]
50 new missionaries appointed by IMB
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Bob and Melanee Gallina invested 18 years in leading The Church at Green Hills in La Habra, Calif. They lived in a comfortable house that was a home base for their children, who are missionaries overseas. After retirement, the couple noted, they planned to serve overseas themselves. But then they felt God prompting them to consider, “Why wait until you retire? Why not now?” Now the church they once led is sending them through the International Mission Board to take the … [Read more...]
For Kingdom growth, pastor trims beard
ST. LOUIS – During “No-Shave” November, bearded evangelicals take pleasure in citing the words of renowned Baptist preacher C.H. Spurgeon, who reportedly said that growing a beard “is a habit most natural, scriptural, manly and beneficial.” But one Missouri Baptist church planter here recognized this month that, for the growth of God’s kingdom, a good beard-trimming is also worthwhile. Noah Oldham, an elder at August Gate Church and North American Mission Board SEND City coordinator for … [Read more...]
Ministry to ex-cons, drug addicts goes global in 2017
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Freeway Ministries, a Springfield-based outreach and discipleship ministry to ex-cons, drug addicts and other hard-to-reach people, is going global next year. In October, John Stroup – a member of Crossway Baptist Church, Springfield, and one of the founders of Freeway Ministries – preached a revival at Lakeview Community Church in Cape Town, South Africa. Now, Stroup looks forward next spring to flying Gregory Craig, a member at Lakeview, to Missouri for … [Read more...]
Family uses agri-tourism to share Christ
DURHAM – For three years – and counting – a family here has used a seasonal corn maze to share Jesus Christ. The Pumpkin Crate wrapped up its third season October 30. The Brent Luttrull family of Durham uses the Pumpkin Crate to witness of their faith. “It always had and always will have a Christian emphasis. I decided if we were going to do this, we would do so with a purpose,” said Katy Luttrull, who runs the agri-tourism business with other family members. Katy grew up Southern Baptist … [Read more...]
Patterson challenges FBC O’Fallon students to get involved in missions
O’FALLON – Saying he was speaking to young people but letting everyone else listen in, Paige Patterson challenged students to get involved in missions, and challenged First Baptist Church of O’Fallon to invest in young people for full-time missions and pastoral ministries. Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, made the comments October 23 during First O’Fallon’s second morning worship service to conclude a weeklong missions emphasis. “Is it … [Read more...]
Bringing bright smiles
KIRKSVILLE – Smiles are always a major part of Vacation Bible School, but the smiles may have been a little brighter at the VBS for special needs adults conducted by the Thousand Hills Baptist Association at FBC Kirksville. “We held the VBS on a Saturday morning at FBC Kirksville because they have a special needs Sunday School,” Richard Nations, director of missions, said. “My wife, Rachel, has conducted special needs VBS in Iowa before we moved here, so she promoted the idea to a few of … [Read more...]
On mission: Enhancing marriages in Italy
SIENA, Italy – Melodious voices in both Italian and English joined together in one accord to sing praises to Almighty God. Dalton Patterson, 26, was in awe. “We will never forget it,” said Patterson, member of Second Baptist Church, Springfield. “It was a solidifying experience that will forever remind us that the God we serve in our small communities is a mighty God who is performing works and development all over the world.” Patterson and his wife, Dani, were part of a mission team made … [Read more...]
Behind the scenes of ‘The Insanity of God’
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — When Nik and Ruth Ripken moved with their three sons to Africa, they had no idea how much obedience to Christ would cost. Years later, producer Craig Martin sensed that the Ripkens’ experiences would be vital viewing for the church in America. The assassination of four Somali Christian friends and the death of their son Timothy rocked the foundations of the Ripkens’ faith. Their spiritual crisis launched a search for answers. They needed to know: Is Jesus worth it? Is … [Read more...]
For some Missouri Baptists in Hannibal, sharing Christ means ‘clowning around’
HANNIBAL – For over 23 years, Charlotte Parrish has not been herself. Instead, she is clown “Nanna Anna,” and she shares Jesus. Parrish of Calvary Baptist, Hannibal, has been a practicing clown since 1993. “I went to clown school to learn to do children’s ministry better. Now I just do clowning,” Parrish said. She and another lady formed the Isaac Clown Troupe. When both ladies moved to different churches, Parrish adapted the JOY Clown Troupe name. Joy is an acronym for ‘Jesus, Others, … [Read more...]
Illusionist catches attention for Gospel sharing
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (BP) – Some believers might cringe at the idea of a “Christian magician,” but Bart Glatt has seen many people come to faith in Jesus as he has used the art of illusion to catch attention and disarm people before a Gospel presentation. Glatt is pastor of volunteer ministries at First Baptist Church in Muskogee, Okla., and he also is a professional illusionist, photographer, videographer and voiceover artist. He has traveled the world using illusions to share Christ and … [Read more...]
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