BRANSON – Bob Caldwell, Mobilization Strategist for the Making Disciples Group of the Missouri Baptist Convention, says a recent retreat for student pastors and their wives helped refresh ministers and provided instruction in dealing with common ministry issues. The Dec. 1-3 invitation-only Retreat for Student Pastors and Wives at Chateau on the Lake in Branson was attended by 20 student pastors from across the state and their spouses. It focused on helping pastors remain spiritually … [Read more...]
Branson church finds freedom via million dollar debt payoff
BRANSON – Friendly Baptist Church here, a congregation with about 110 average Sunday attendance, had a debt problem – to the tune of $1.8 million. When Monty Dunn became pastor in 2014, the debt had been reduced to $1.35 million, but through practical and some unique circumstances, the church paid off the full debt 96 months later, in August 2022. By Dunn’s pastor anniversary month, the church was debt free. “We’re going to get used to a new normal, and we’re not exactly sure what that … [Read more...]
MBCollegiate conference scheduled for Feb. 24-25
FULTON – The Missouri Baptist Collegiate Conference is set to take place at First Baptist Church here, Feb. 24-25. Highlighting the theme, “Whom shall I send?” from Isaiah 6, the 2023 MBCollegiate conference is focused on training collegiate leaders and students to consider their role in making disciples of all nations. The special guest speaker will be Julius Tennal, who currently serves as International Missions Pastor of the Summit Church in Durham, N.C. Tennal has served in vocational … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists approach $1 million in MMO giving
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptists gave more to state missions in 2022 than in any previous year, setting a new record of $990,740 for the Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO), according to just-released preliminary figures. Total MMO receipts for 2022, which are disbursed in 2023, outpaced the goal of $740,000 and shattered the previous record of $824,436 set in 2021. 2022 marked the 10th straight year of MMO receipts above $700,000. The number of churches contributing to … [Read more...]
God had plans for bivocational pastor on court, behind the pulpit
WILLOW SPRINGS – From an early age, David Cox knew what he what he wanted to do when he grew up. But God had a different plan. “My original plan in life was to be a teacher and coach,” said Cox, now the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, here. Growing up in Indiana, he had Hoosier Fever and was in love with basketball. “I thought nothing else would ever grab me like that,” Cox said. And yet, the Lord kept nudging Cox in a different direction. When he was around 16 years old, Cox began … [Read more...]
From prison to the pulpit: Midwestern Seminary student finds new life, purpose in Christ
KANSAS CITY – Having spent over a decade of time behind bars, coupled with a long history of drug abuse, Keanon Hurst is perhaps one of the last people you would expect to find on Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s campus, let alone behind a pulpit. A native of eastern Nebraska, Keanon describes himself in childhood as “the outcast who would do and say things to just get attention.” “It was obvious from a young age I was headed down the wrong path,” he said. However, it wasn’t … [Read more...]
GEM event fosters passion for missions
JEFFERSON CITY – Girls Experiencing Missions (GEM) is a two-day event where girls think about missions and pursuing a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Girls experience hands-on missions in praying, giving, learning and doing, and meet with a missionary. This year 57 girls, leaders and staff met at Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City, to do just that. The girls traveled through six different missions rotations, fulfilling the different objectives of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) – … [Read more...]
Joyful Giveaway: FBC Kearney cheerfully serves community
KEARNEY – On Dec. 3, First Baptist Church, Kearney, held its annual Joyful Giveaway (a community outreach event) served 165 families, met over 780 people, and gave away more than 400 bags – or 3-1/2 tons – of groceries. The church has presented Joyful Giveaway since 2011. Ken Parker, senior pastor, said the idea came out of his noticing a similar event at First Baptist Church, Branson. “We want to do something that makes people feel really special,” Parker said, “and demonstrate that … [Read more...]
First Baptist, Lewistown, hosts community concert to celebrate Christmas season
LEWISTOWN – First Baptist Church is continuing a tradition with a community Christmas vocal concert called “A Brand New Hallelujah.” “The church has done this (community choir) several years before. This is my first year at the church. We put out word to several churches, and we’ve been practicing on Sunday nights,” said Pastor Tony Stottlemyre. Director Cathy Kelso, said in addition to the FBC Lewistown, approximately 30 people from at least four other churches of the Mt. Salem/Wyaconda … [Read more...]
Live Nativity play presented in Springfield by Greene County Association volunteers
SPRINGFIELD – For their 40th year, Springfield area Baptists staged a play of the life of Christ in the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Held in early December, the play is a series of scenes of the life of Jesus Christ from birth to resurrection. This year about 2,000 people sat in bleachers to see the scenes enacted. At the end of the three evening run, the organizers discovered there were 84 people saved and 133 who asked for prayer. Local church volunteers will follow up on each of these … [Read more...]
Free Christmas store offered to low-income families at Grand Oak Mission, Springfield
SPRINGFIELD – The Grand Oak Mission Center is offering a free “Christmas store” to their low-income neighbors that participate in the activities of the ministry center. David Jackson, Grand Oak Mission director, said they set aside usable gifts, that people donate and people may “shop” for items for their family members. He said it is a blessing to the community, and they can choose up to three gifts for each of their family members who are registered with the center. Director of … [Read more...]
Journey to Bethlehem attracts 1,700 to FBC Troy
TROY – The “Journey to Bethlehem” walk through nativity at First Baptist Church here had 1,700 people tour the village of Bethlehem last year. Coordinators Heather Lindsay and Diane Campbell said they expect about that many this year, and they have added some new features to the walk-through dramatic reenactment of the first Christmas. The outdoor walk is set up around the church property with guides taking participants through various encounters with people who would have been on the … [Read more...]
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