JEFFERSON CITY – The Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex “marriage” is seen by many as possibly triggering persecution for followers of Jesus in America. Nik Ripken is an authority on persecuted believers. “The Bible says we reap what we sow,” Ripken said. “We also cannot reap what we don’t sow. The church in America is reaping what they haven’t sown in America. …We haven’t been persecuted. How can we be so self-centered and we haven’t even lost anything yet? We need to stop … [Read more...]
Erin’s story is your story, thanks to MMO giving
Four months pregnant with her second child, Erin (not her real name) gladly accepted the opportunity to participate in the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home’s Crisis Pregnancy Camp, even though she wasn’t interested in “this God stuff.” But as Missouri Baptist volunteers loved Erin and other unwed mothers through a weekend getaway at a Branson hotel, her heart softened. She attended classes on parenting and child nurturing, along with Bible studies. Most important, she developed … [Read more...]
Overall MBC baptisms fall, ‘Pacesetter’ churches recognized for success
JEFFERSON CITY — A decline in baptisms around the state continued in 2014, despite the efforts of numerous churches, including those recognized by the Missouri Baptist Convention’s evangelism-discipleship team as “Pacesetters” in total annual baptisms. According to the Annual Church Profile, Missouri Baptist churches reported 8,248 baptisms in 2014, a statistic that shows a drop from the 9,706 baptisms reported in 2013 and the 10,364 reported in 2012. This is in keeping with a nearly … [Read more...]
Bikers find lostness on I-29
FARGO, N.D. – Philip Dooley’s tires on his KTM 990 Adventure crunched over dirt roads, then glided softly through the grass as he stopped in front of the old, abandoned church house. Nestled in the hills of South Dakota’s Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, the house of worship had long been shuttered. “It’s the perfect illustration of why planting new churches is so important here,” said Dooley, the interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Gower, Mo., and part of the Missouri Baptist Biker … [Read more...]
Impactful evangelism ideas – Part 2 of 3
What works best to share the gospel message among those where you live? Here are several ideas that church leaders across Missouri have considered or are doing. 1. Recruit and train Christian music groups to conduct a musical festival at a special event. Raise money for backpacks to help poor children to be ready for school. 2. Ask an elementary school principal for the name and contact information of a newly immigrated child. Have families in the church adopt the child and their … [Read more...]
MMO promotional materials coming soon
JEFFERSON CITY –The MBC this week is mailing packets of promotional materials to churches across the state to help them prepare for the 2015 Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO). The packets should arrive early in July, giving church leaders ample time to prepare for MMO’s fall promotion and week of prayer, slated for Sept. 13-20. The scriptural theme this year is 2 Cor. 9:13: “They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your … [Read more...]
Impactful evangelism ideas – Part 1 of 3
One of the most helpful exercises when training missionaries is to spend some time listing evangelism ideas that offer the greatest potential for impacting people with the gospel. This is a challenging exercise for many. Here are several ideas that churches have been encouraged to attempt – and many are – throughout Missouri. Maybe this will spark some new outreach methods for you and your church. 1. Conduct a survey simply asking if those in that home would be willing to conduct a Bible … [Read more...]
Apologetics Network’s Loos helps women defend faith
JEFFERSON CITY –The MBC has launched the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network, a group of church leaders committed to the defense of the Christian faith and called to equip believers to more effectively share their faith. Julie Loos, a member of First Baptist Church, Ellisville, and director of Ratio Christi Boosters, acknowledges she’s not a typical apologist. Not a preacher or seminary graduate; she’s just an ordinary woman who started studying at “point zero” and has become an advocate … [Read more...]
FBC Fulton’s Kerr: ‘We can do more together’
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Missouri Baptist Brad Kerr stood among the nearly 7,000 people who gathered to pray for another Great Awakening here, June 16, during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Kerr, a young associate pastor of music and education at First Baptist Church, Fulton, dubbed the event as one of the most meaningful and positive interactions he has yet experienced in Southern Baptist life. The evening of prayer highlighted the church’s need for revival and … [Read more...]
What every Christian should know about same-sex attraction
Next month the MBC releases What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction, a new resource that offers a Biblical perspective on homosexuality and how Christians can express Christ-like love for our LGBT friends. A series of columns beginning today features excerpts from the book, available in print and Kindle formats. Last month Ireland became the first country to legalize gay marriage by popular vote after a referendum found that 62 percent of voters favor … [Read more...]
What now? Reflections from John Yeats on the Supreme Court decision sanctioning same-sex marriage
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision sanctioning gay marriage comes as no surprise to me, or to many of my Missouri Baptist colleagues. As I read reactions from Christian leaders across the state and around the nation, it’s hard to avoid the angst and anger arising from their deeply held convictions. “The Supreme Court has stripped all Americans of the freedoms to debate and decide marriage policy through the democratic process,” writes one such leader. “The sacred institution of … [Read more...]
John Yeats: Back to our knees
Recurring medical developments with my precious wife, Sharon, have motivated me to rediscover a pattern of finding my knees in prayer. When you face those challenges in life that touch the deep places in your heart, you know that all of your personal creativity, intelligence and ability are completely inadequate to fix whatever you are facing. You fall to your knees with arms raised in helpless submission and with many tears you cry out to the Lord. Desperation is when you have exhausted … [Read more...]
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