GREENWOOD (BP) – Ten years ago, after several years of decline, the future for a 175-year-old Southern Baptist church in Greenwood, seemed bleak. But a sister church in the area embraced the dwindling congregation and helped them recover their place in the community. In August, the reborn and growing church will host the North American Mission Board's Replant Summit to help others learn how to do the same. "The First Baptist Church of Greenwood has an incredible testimony," said Mark … [Read more...]

SPRINGFIELD – Across Missouri and across the nation, a conversation on race, racism, relationship and reconciliation is taking place. Ridgecrest Baptist Church, here, hosted its own conversation June 17 featuring four Missouri Baptist pastors – two black, and two white. Mike Byrd and Jon Nelson joined Ken Parker and Jeremy Muniz for the 90-minute event. Byrd is pastor of Faith Community Bible Church, St. Louis. Nelson pastors Soma Community Church, Jefferson City, and serves as the first … [Read more...]

OZARK – With the Navajo Nation on strict lockdown due to an extremely high per-capita coronavirus infection rate and resulting cases, Scott Watson, lead pastor of River Bluff Fellowship here, knew the decision to modify their annual mission trip to Kayenta, Ariz., was the right one. “We’ve been going there for 13 years and bringing 30 to 50 people each time we go and we love it, but we decided to change our plans for two reasons: first, we did not want to go there and increase their … [Read more...]

BOLIVAR – Preparations for Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church, here, had already been underway for a month when the COVID-19 pandemic tossed all plans out the window. Missy Vestal – the VBS director – and the rest of the team met via Zoom and looked through their options, settling on a solution: Drive-In VBS. So for every other evening from June 1-5, 60 to 70 cars show up at First Baptist’s parking lot where volunteers lead in VBS while kids and their families remain in their … [Read more...]

DIAMOND – Step aside, Flat Stanley. Flat Jesus is here. When Ron Crow, pastor of First Baptist Church, Diamond, was trying to think of a way to keep kids engaged with the church when families could not gather in person, his mind went to his two daughters. “When things started closing down, I told them I was burdened for our children. ‘What can I do for the kids?’ They said, ‘Flat Jesus!’” Both school teachers, Crow’s daughters were familiar with Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley is a paper … [Read more...]

EUREKA – When the virus pandemic canceled the National Day of Prayer event here, May 7, several Eureka churches found a way to take prayer out of city hall to the streets. The ‘prayer drive out-and-about’ was the idea of Lisa Gard, wife of Central Baptist pastor Dennis Gard, who organized the event. “Usually, we have a prayer breakfast with the mayor. With the COVID-19, that wasn’t possible this year. Mayor Sean Flowers loved the idea (of praying and driving) and promised administrative … [Read more...]

JEFFERSON CITY – Many of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are obvious: empty parking lots, empty toilet paper or meat aisles, and ubiquitous masks. But though one other ripple effects remain hidden due to isolation, unemployment and lack of human contact, it may be even more vital for the church to recognize: mental health. Mental health among church members and others in the community is something churches need to consider, said Gaylon Moss, director of Disaster Relief for the … [Read more...]

ST. LOUIS – In times of crisis, hope is a rare commodity. While much of the country is struggling in fear and uncertainty, local churches are coming together meeting the needs of their communities. This effort was recently seen on a bright, sunny day in one of the state’s hardest-hit areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic, North St. Louis County. On May 1, two Missouri Baptist Churches – First Baptist Church of St. John and Garden Baptist Church – partnered with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to … [Read more...]