CROSSTOWN – It is probably a fair statement to say that many different kinds of work are hard in their own way. Sometimes a pastor has to figure out how to create a spreadsheet on the computer. Other days a pastor may bury a little child and help a set of grieving parents get through the worst day of their lives. Other days a sermon demands his full attention, yet the phone constantly rings. In addition to hard mental challenges, many bivocational pastors work hard physically. Hot, … [Read more...]
Bivocational preacher speaks the truth… even when selling cars
OAK RIDGE – Bill Rhodes sells cars at Auto Plaza Chevrolet in Marble Hill to make a living. He also serves the Lord as a pastor at Caney Fork Baptist Church, Oak Ridge. He thinks both of the occupations are a way to minister to people. “I think the good Lord put me in that place to show that a car salesman does not have to be a liar,” Rhodes said with a smile. He has been selling cars in Marble Hill since 2005. Pastor Rhodes grew up in southeast Missouri. He said he was saved as a … [Read more...]
Longtime pastor is also longtime school administrator
RICHLAND – Five days a week, the proverbial school bell calls Doug Jacobson to duty. On Sundays, it’s the proverbial church bell that summons him. Jacobson is pastor of Eureka Baptist in Richland and Elementary Superintendent at Swedesborg R-3 School District. In this modern age, how does one juggle such diverse institutional work? According to Jacobson, who’s pastored at the same Richland church for 34 years, it’s all about “being accessible to the people.” “I’ve found whether people … [Read more...]
Volunteers help put roof over FBC Clarence’s head
CLARENCE — When the pastor of the First Baptist Church looked at the roof on their over 100 year old building he was dismayed to find five layers of shingles. Four of them were asphalt and one layer was wooden shake shingles. The roof is very steep and Pastor Jerry Lillard did not know how in the world he was going to find volunteers to tear off the old layers and replace the roof. To have the roof replaced with commercial roofers would have cost about $15,000 for labor alone he estimated. … [Read more...]
Southside honors first responders with 9/11 dinners
FULTON – Almost every day, first responders come together to serve in the face of an emergency, but Southside Baptist Church in Fulton found a way to join all first responders together in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. “We wanted to say thank you,” Pastor Guy Thomas said. “so, we decided to provide a meal for the first responders in our area.” The church invited first responders in a variety of roles to a meal that was held on Tuesday, 9/11; Wednesday, 9/12 and Thursday, 9/14. “We … [Read more...]
Arson suspected in church fire
WARSAW – Arson is suspected in a recent fire that destroyed a 25-foot-section of the worship center inside Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Warsaw, resulting in an estimated $50,000 worth of damage. The church pastor, Barry Edwards, said in addition to setting the fire the vandals broke in and stole several guitars and laptop computers valued at approximately $5,000. Pastor Edwards remains upbeat. “More than anything, the incident is an aggravation and a disruption,” Pastor Edwards said. He … [Read more...]
LifeConnection brings heart change to KC
KANSAS CITY – Last year a young couple who had been living together for four years came to LifeConnection Northeast’s Sunday gathering and then joined a small group. Chris Seay, pastor/planter of LifeConnection, saw a transformation take place in the heart of the young woman, who requested a counseling session for guidance on what it would look like to follow Jesus in their relationship. “I graciously and honestly told them that it would honor Jesus if they stopped living together and … [Read more...]
Mother of 10 grieves loss of parents, finds support from FBC Higginsville
HIGGINSVILLE – When Michelle Chaffer first heard of the death of 17 tourists on a “duck boat” in Branson, July 19, she was of course sad to hear of so many lives lost. But she saw no need to be concerned for her own family members. Her parents, Bill and Janice Bright, drove to Branson earlier that day to celebrate their 45th anniversary. But Michelle’s sister had heard from them after they checked into their hotel. So Michelle felt no need to worry. This changed the following day. “It was … [Read more...]
Churches partner to reopen ministry at Little Vine Baptist, Sainte Genevieve
SAINTE GENEVIEVE – The old has become new. This summarizes the God-ordained restart of Little Vine Baptist Church. Safe Harbor was a home Baptist church, unable to grow and build a permanent structure. Its pastor is Rev. Kennard Mayfield. Meanwhile, Little Vine Baptist had some apparent issues and was in the process of closing last fall. Genevieve Baptist pastor Rev. Elmer Killian heard of the possible closure of Little Vine, and was troubled by that. He prayed with Little Vine members. … [Read more...]
KC church faithful amid violence, crime
KANSAS CITY – United Believers Community Church in Kansas City was planted in 1997. “We were planted on the worst street,” Darron Edwards, senior pastor, said, “surrounded by lots of violence and crime.” Edwards reported that the church faced a history of adversity. “We stayed faithful to the gospel,” he said, “and we were community oriented. Love for the community is still the fabric of our church.” United Believers hosts a Back to School Blast. “We serve thousands of students … [Read more...]
FBC Jackson Softball team shares how to run ‘home’
JACKSON – Getting the other team out is part of the rules of softball. However, First Baptist wants to do what it can to make sure opponents aren’t left out of eternal life, but get ‘home’ safely. Worship Pastor Daniel Maasen said his church is one of six in a city softball league, but the only church represented. “Before and after every game we pray, and we’re working to be more and more intentional in working in the gospel,” Maasen said. “We hope to see some decisions and lives changed … [Read more...]
Redd family leads St. Louis church plant to share Christ
ST. LOUIS – When asked about how they first met, there was immediate laughter from Ricardo and Christian Redd. Apparently, Christina, Ricardo’s wife for the past 16 years, did not appreciate him as much as she does now. It is in God’s great wisdom that the two of them, Ricardo with Christina at his side, now labor to share the gospel and make disciples in St. Louis, where they started a Missouri Baptist church plant in a section of the city known as Fountain Park. New Direction Church … [Read more...]
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