HUNTSVILLE – There’s something fitting about having an old-fashioned revival service married with the modern technology of living streaming. That’s what happened when First Baptist Church here hosted an online revival service six nights in a row in April on Facebook Live. Pastor John Rhodes never felt a clear direction from God about any one single preacher to invite, so he invited six preachers his congregation was familiar with to deliver the Word virtually, each from his own … [Read more...]
Being the Church: Missouri Baptists bless neighbors with groceries, gift cards, pizza
SCOTT CITY – As unemployment jumps and economic uncertainty rises, so does the anxiety of not knowing from where a family’s next meal might come. Countless Missouri Baptist Churches are making sure they take care of their communities during this time of increased need. Statewide Ministry In Raytown, Connection Point Church is giving out groceries and toilet paper to 80-100 families a week. First Baptist Church, Crane, partnered with their community to gather food, then they bagged them … [Read more...]
Drive-in services a success in many Mo. towns, discouraged by leaders in some jurisdictions
HOUSTON – Mike Walker, director of missions for Texas County Association saw that churches were holding drive-in worship services in parking lots as an alternative to meeting in church buildings during the pandemic crisis. So he and his pastors took it a step further and decided to have a drive-in revival with a series of preachers and musicians holding a county-wide crusade May 3-6. And they had the benefit of having a drive-in movie theater to use. The Houston area drive-in is one of … [Read more...]
‘Hope is here’ – Families, churches learn the arts of neighboring from a distance
LIBERTY – Because of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, it has never been more important for Missouri Baptists to find ways to connect with and love their neighbors. And many families and churches are aiming to do just that. In the Kansas City area, two young girls have brought hope to their neighbors and many others amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Putnam girls, 7-year-old Collins and 5-year-old Carter, attend Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, with their parents, … [Read more...]
‘I’ve never had anyone so excited about becoming a church member’ – FBC Sunrise Beach sees new members despite no physical church meetings
SUNRISE BEACH – Online services are not merely a stopgap option for churches that cannot meet together in-person. The Holy Spirit still moves. Case in point, First Baptist Church, Sunrise Beach. Pastor Brent McCune said the church has seen a decline in attendance for several years, but has suddenly seen growth during this time of imposed quarantine. A few families were considering joining the church when the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic caused most churches to shift to online … [Read more...]
Mask-making a vital ministry for churches
SALEM – Masks, masks and more masks. In Salem, the quilting ministry at First Baptist Church has shifted to masks, donating them to the local hospital. The same goes for seamstresses at First Baptist, Blue Springs, and at Salem Avenue in Rolla. Campers on Mission spent time at Laclede Baptist Camp sewing masks for Lebanon healthcare facilities. Even incoming Missouri Baptist University freshman Alex Nicoli has spent his days stuck at home productively, completing 1,000 masks for his local … [Read more...]
Freeway Ministries reaches out to Springfield’s homeless, underserved people amid pandemic
SPRINGFIELD – Freeway Ministries here continues to minister to the homeless and other underserved people amid the COVID-19 pandemic by serving a free dinner each Saturday evening during the lockdown. So far, they have served 1190 meals. Co-founded by John Stroup, Mike Aye and Rick Lechner, members of Crossway Baptist Church here, Freeway is an outreach and discipleship ministry that helps churches reach out to ex-cons, drug addicts, the homeless and other hard-to-reach people. Many of … [Read more...]
‘I need Jesus’ – Online preaching leads to salvation, Easter day baptism
HILLSBORO – Like many other congregations across the state, Raintree Church here held a virtual Palm Sunday service on Facebook Live, April 5. But when Pastor Kenny Sims finished preaching in his empty church building that day, he felt he had failed. Afterwards he called the church’s associate pastor, Tyler Thomas, to vent his frustration about his own sermon. “I really felt like this was one of the worst sermons I’ve ever done,” Sims said. But only a few minutes after he hung up the … [Read more...]
FBC Eldon hymn singing event features former missionary to Asia, Middle East
ELDON – First Baptist Church in Eldon hosted a hymn singing event with the community on Feb. 20. Don and Nancy Upton led the congregation in selections of the crowd’s choosing. The event opened with the singing of “In the Sweet By and By”, followed by prayer by FBC Pastor David White. “You are Worthy” was the next selection, as well as “It Is Well With My Soul” and “In the Garden.” Don Upton announced the devotional speaker, Bill Martin. Martin is a retired International Mission … [Read more...]
FBC Clinton treats special needs families as ‘Kings and Queens’ at March 6th ball
CLINTON – The glam of the red carpet and paparazzi brightened The Benson Center thanks to the Kings and Queens Ball held by FBC Clinton, March 6. The Kings and Queens Ball is a prom for special needs young people. FBC Clinton worked with a national organization previously to offer “Night to Shine,” but this year, because of scheduling, they decided to offer the special event on their own. “This is our third year,” said Bethany Festervand, the children’s minister at FBC Clinton. “We … [Read more...]
Twenty children baptized at Fort Wyman Baptist
ROLLA – Last February, Steven Betts, pastor of Fort Wyman Baptist Church here, was desperate to see growth in his congregation. “As I was putting on my shoes getting ready for church,” he said, “I paused for a second and prayed, ‘Lord, bring me a family today.’” God answered his prayer, and went far beyond Betts’s expectations. Fort Wyman’s children’s ministry was down to three kids – two of them Betts’s – when this new couple moving from a Southern Baptist Church in Joplin showed up … [Read more...]
Baptismal pool ‘full of cobwebs’ no more; After years of no use, Edgar Springs fills baptistry once again
EDGAR SPRINGS – Dean Switzer isn’t sure how long Edgar Springs Baptist Church has gone without a baptism, but he’s only been there as pastor for the past three years. “I hadn’t pushed anything,” Switzer said. ”I’ve been getting to know the people, but this past year I’ve started pushing a little harder, and asking people – especially the men – to step up.” And people have begun stepping up. A couple joined the church three months ago and saw their granddaughter saved. She wanted to be … [Read more...]
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