NASHVILLE (BP) -- As worship pastor Andrew Lucius selects songs for Christmas worship, he is considering specific needs in the Georgia congregation he serves. Among his conclusions: singing only the first verse of familiar carols could leave worshipers spiritually malnourished. The widow "who's going through the Christmas season the first time this year without her husband ... needs more than the first verse of 'Joy to the World!'" said Lucius, associate pastor of music and worship at … [Read more...]
‘Presence, not presents’
Ah, Christmas shopping. When you can find yourself completely enveloped in the smell of evergreen. And sometimes pepper spray. When my five kids were little, I remember sometimes feeling my children thought my Christmas list was some sort of magic lamp. Make a wish, rub my list and POOF! It was under the tree. I might even remember one of them wishing for three more wishes. Every year I would resolve not to be manipulated. I would be very determined…as I wrote all their “wishes” down on … [Read more...]
‘Born to die’ 5,000 see Christ’s life, death displayed
SPRINGFIELD – An estimated 5,000+ people attended the 2017 Springfield Live Nativity held inside Corwin Arena at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 here. Sponsored and supported by Greene County Baptist Association churches, this annual free event presents the life of Christ from birth to resurrection through enactment, narration and music. Now completing its 39th year, the Springfield Live Nativity included a large volunteer cast, live animals, light effects, narration … [Read more...]
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
I was in fifth grade when my mother, who is now a 50-year-plus member of the First Baptist Church choir in Monticello, Kentucky, was singing in the Community Christmas concert at the large Nazarene church in our town. There were over 120 choristers; and for our small town, that was a huge deal. Mama Lela (grandma), my Dad and I were in the congregation. There was definite electricity in the air that night in worship. There came a point in the service when my Uncle Norman, who directed the … [Read more...]
FBC Warrensburg to host ‘Church Security’ training
WARRENSBURG – First Baptist Church, Warrensburg will host “Church Security and Intruder Response Training” Jan. 5-6. The training will be conducted by Kansas City-based Strategos International, a church security firm that has been partnering with Missouri Baptist Convention churches for several years. Day one of the training begins at 8 a.m., and lasts until 4:30 p.m. Issues covered the first day include intruder response, medical response, armed versus unarmed security, nursery security, … [Read more...]
Concealed carry gun law may shield churches if passed
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is printed with permission from the Lake Expo news service (LakeExpo.com) in Osage Beach. JEFFERSON CITY (Lake Expo) – In the wake of the horrific church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Missouri State Representative Rocky Miller says he’s taking action to help keep local congregations safer. Miller has filed a bill for the 2018 legislative session that would remove the liability for churches if their members opt to carry a weapon on the premises. Read the … [Read more...]
Concord Baptist to host annual prayer service for state officials
JEFFERSON CITY – Lawmakers and citizens will gather for what has become a Jefferson City tradition when Concord Baptist Church, in conjunction with the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, hosts the 13th annual Prayer Service for Missouri Government Leaders, January 3, 2018, at 9am. “We will be seeking God’s blessing for Missouri’s legislative, executive and judicial leadership,” said Monte Shinkle, Concord’s senior pastor, former president of the Missouri Baptist … [Read more...]
Is support of Israel waning among younger evangelicals?
NASHVILLE (BP) – Older American evangelicals love Israel, but many younger evangelicals simply don't care, according to a new survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. Three-quarters (77 percent) of evangelicals 65 and older say they support the existence, security and prosperity of Israel. That drops to 58 percent among younger evangelicals, those 18 to 34. Four in 10 younger evangelicals (41 percent) have no strong views about Israel. Fewer younger evangelicals (58 percent) have an … [Read more...]
Jesus as the firstborn
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a disturbing take on the apostle Paul’s description of Jesus as the “firstborn over all creation.” Consider how the Watch Tower renders Col. 1:15-17 in its New World Translation: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have … [Read more...]
Congolese believers gather to form French-speaking church in Kirksville
KIRKSVILLE – A French-speaking congregation was formed November 19th at First Baptist Church, Kirksville. Joel Kabamba, a 2015 immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the pastor of the new mission church. Pastor Jason Marlin, pastor of FBC Kirksville, said “Congolese people started coming to the church. There are a lot of them out there.” They are moving to northern Missouri to work in two pork processing plants in Kirksville and Milan. Carolyn Chrisman, director of … [Read more...]
Fund future ministry
I have been asked more than once, “Why?” “Why did I leave the best church in the world (with the best preaching by the way) to take a position with the Missouri Baptist Foundation?” “Why did I leave Branson?” I mean, it is Branson, for goodness sake, with Silver Dollar City just down the road, lots of lakes and trees and hills, and the land of outlet shopping malls? “Why would I uproot my family after ten years of developing deep and meaningful relationships?” On many levels, I admit, … [Read more...]
Hems of Grace ministry tailors love of sewing for gospel outreach to the people of Kenya
ANDERSON – When Pastor John and Elizabeth Beck moved to southwest Missouri last year to serve at First Baptist Church, Anderson, they brought their three teenage children. But they also brought a missional desire to evangelize in the East African nation of Kenya. For several years Elizabeth Beck has partnered with ladies back in her home state of South Carolina to combine a love of sewing with a desire to reach Kenyans for Christ on annual mission trips. Elizabeth’s friend, Mandy Joye, … [Read more...]
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