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...]
Drive-in VBS gives kids, families ‘firm foundation’
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...]
Pastor continues to serve in half-century ministry
HURDLAND – Rev. Robert Shobe may have slowed down, but he has not stopped pastoring First Baptist, Hurdland. Come September, it will be 50 years of faithfulness to that church. Shobe surrendered to preach in 1967 and served Emmanuel Baptist in Hannibal and did supply preaching for various churches. He was at Hartford when he learned Hurdland needed a pastor, and accepted that pastorate in 1970. For several years, he and his wife Susie lived in Lancaster but pastored in Hurdland. The church … [Read more...]
Diamond kids take Jesus with them everywhere – ‘Flat Jesus’ helps children connect when not at chur
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...]
Voter registration packs ready for churches
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention's Christian Life Commission has prepared a voter registration packet for churches. The packets include step-by-step instructions and materials that will be needed to conduct a voter registration drive on site. Churches are encouraged to hold these registration drives on the weekends of June 27 and July 4. Citizens must be registered to vote (or change their address if they have moved since the last time they voted) by July 8 in order to vote … [Read more...]
‘We cannot be silent’ – Churches stand for human dignity, life after George Floyd’s death
KANSAS CITY – Missouri Baptist churches across the Kansas City metroplex are linking arms to stand for the value of every life made in God’s image and to declare the gospel’s power to break down racial barriers in the nation. United Believers Community Church in south Kansas City and the Fellowship Church in Greenwood partnered with other area churches and the Christian radio station, Life 88.5, to host an online prayer rally, June 4, focused on opening fruitful conversation about racial … [Read more...]
Cooperative mask ministry covers Steelville
STEELVILLE – The masks they had on hand that day were made specifically for members of their church. Hand-delivering them had allowed Lois and Don Wissman, pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church here, to check in on their mostly senior adult congregation since the COVID-19 social distancing regulations went into effect. But when they arrived at one church member’s housing complex, they were stopped by a small group of people who asked if they could have a mask as well. “That day I only … [Read more...]
Pandemic drives National Day of Prayer event to the streets of Eureka
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...]
Mo. Baptists urged to consider mental health of church members, others in community
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...]
Churches serve North St. Louis County
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...]
Jackson County churches call for equal treatment in COVID-19 ‘re-opening’ plan
KANSAS CITY – Missouri Baptist churches in the Kansas City area are challenging a Jackson County “re-opening” plan that discriminates against churches in the county. In a federal civil rights lawsuit, filed May 7, one of these churches asked a federal judge in Kansas City to declare parts of the Jackson County government’s “re-opening” plan as unconstitutional due to its unequal treatment of churches. The lawsuit was filed after a letter to county officials did not result in a change of … [Read more...]
Youth ministers see challenges, blessings in student ministry during pandemic
KIMBERLING CITY – With spring church youth activities cancelled and most summer plans on hold because of quarantine and social distancing restrictions brought on by COVID-19, youth ministers are adapting to new methods of ministry. They say the changes are bringing blessings and benefits they hope will continue after restrictions lift. Youth pastors are using new ways to preserve student relationships that are challenged when students who thrive with face-to-face contact can’t meet. The … [Read more...]
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