RWANDA – The Journey of a shoebox begins in many Missouri Baptist churches. The manner of collecting the shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, varies with each congregation. “It is great to hear how a shoebox gift touched a young person,” Jesse Barnhart, pastor of Parker Road Baptist Church (PRBC), said, “and pointed them to follow Christ for the rest of their life.” PRBC serves as a drop-off location as well as packing more than 1200 shoebox … [Read more...]
A blast from the past: WW2 sailor describes atomic tests
JEFFERSON CITY – Leroy Poire enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 31, 1945. But even though World War II officially ended two days after he joined up, don’t think that young farm boy from Hale, Mo., didn’t see a thing or two during his time in the service. He would be on active duty for only one year, but few eyes have seen what Poire witnessed during his short time stationed in the Pacific: not one, but two nuclear blasts. At 90 years old, the member of Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City, … [Read more...]
Pray across Missouri, a call for leadership
As I write this column, Sharon and I, along with state missionary Spencer Hutson, are wrapping up the 2017 Pray Across Missouri tour. Our goal is to hold a prayer meeting on the Courthouse grounds in each of the 115 county jurisdictions in our beautiful state of Missouri. On Friday, Nov. 3, we pause the tour with the 110th prayer meeting in Carroll County. We will complete the final five in the spring of 2018. We are grateful for every person who participated, and above all we are … [Read more...]
Churches advance the glory of God in Italy
ITALY – Italy may seem like an unusual country for missions, but according to Rick Hedger, Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) Multiplying Churches Catalyst, Northeast Italy is a great area for mission partnerships. “Missouri Baptists were contacted by the International Mission Board (IMB) to consider mission partnerships in Italy,” Hedger said. “It is considered an unreached area. Only four out of 100 have a relationship with Christ which is extremely low for any place. Many have an … [Read more...]
Redemption: Addict finds answers in Jesus
MOUNT VERNON – Desperate and alone in his misery, Scott Lung begged God to either kill him or show him the way out of the vicious cycle of “drinkin’ and druggin’” that he’d been in since high school. “I got sick and tired of being sick and tired,” said Lung, member of Covenant Baptist Church here. “I was leading a double life. I went to work every day to try to do right by my family, but I also continued living my dark secret: I was addicted to prescription pills.” Little did he know, … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists pursue synergy for transforming lives, communities
RAYTOWN, Mo. – Missouri Baptists pursued greater synergy for transforming lives and communities with the gospel during their 183rd annual meeting. A total of 883 messengers and 234 visitors from 391 churches gathered Oct. 23-24 at the Connection Point Church (formerly First Baptist) of Raytown, Mo., where they approved new governing documents, heard a report from the Missouri Baptist Foundation President for the first time in 15 years and welcomed special guests, including Missouri Gov. … [Read more...]
Missourians trust Scripture to transform
JEFFERSON CITY – John Stroup sat in a prison cell when the gospel arrested his attention. Now, through Freeway Ministries, which he and two other members of Crossway Baptist Church, Springfield, established, he strives to capture criminals for Christ and plug them into the local church. “I was raised in a drug-addict, drug-dealer environment,” Stroup said. “Everybody I knew is pretty much dead or doing life in prison.” In 2008, Stroup himself was serving time behind bars, when he … [Read more...]
Where God leads, De Soto man goes
DE SOTO – The line of people spanned at least three and half blocks. The mission team in Matamoros, Mexico, was giving away shoes, filled backpacks and hot dogs, and the locals were ready to receive. “We looked at the people and guessed there were about 1,200 and then we looked at the supplies and we knew we didn’t have nearly enough,” said Russ Sander, a deacon at First Baptist Church here. “It was a true fishes and loaves miracle and I know God provided. When the day was done everybody … [Read more...]
Pisgah Baptist’s Richey runs to fill Missouri’s 38th House District
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS (Washington Times) – Clay County pastor Doug Richey has formally kicked off his campaign to serve the people of Missouri’s 38th House District. The current office holder, State Representative T.J. Berry, will be exiting due to term limits. Richey is a member of both the Excelsior Springs & Kearney Chambers of Commerce and has served for 12 years as the Senior Pastor at Pisgah Baptist Church. His drive to serve his neighbors is seen in the numerous roles he has … [Read more...]
Creation declares God’s glory: Photographer sees God’s hand at work in nature, in life
ROGERSVILLE – Hiking along the Current River in Shannon County about four years ago, Matt Miles walked onto an overlook just before dawn. Beyond the river, the hills were thick with trees, and as the sun rose its light set the whole wood ablaze with autumn colors. Not a moment too soon, Miles photographed the scene. After he did so, the sun rose above the clouds, and the hills turned to somber grey. “The magical light of that incredible view was essentially gone,” he remembered. Yet … [Read more...]
Efforts to preserve historic Old Bethel continue
Today would be a great day to visit a Missouri Baptist Historical sight, and Old Bethel, just outside of Jackson, is one place that every Baptist should visit. With a rich history and divine intervention, Old Bethel is a great reminder of Missouri Baptist fortitude. As the frontier expanded in the 1800’s, Baptists began to move westward and many discovered the need for churches. In 1806, just three years after the Louisiana Purchase, the earliest recorded Baptist church west of the … [Read more...]
50 years at one church: Lebanon pastor reflects on God’s faithfulness
LEBANON – As a young pastor, Donald Wood expected that after 30 years in the ministry, he’d have enough sermons to last him a lifetime. But now that he’s celebrating his 50th year at New Hope Baptist Church near Lebanon, he realizes that he’ll never get to the bottom of God’s Word. “Still today,” Wood said, “I’ll read something, and I think, ‘How come it took 50 years to figure that out?’” Celebrating 135 years this month, New Hope Baptist currently runs about 20 people each Sunday … [Read more...]
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