SPRINGFIELD – Greg Stier’s family is the last group of people one might expect to produce a passionate witness for Christ. They were “thugs,” in and out of jail, and so rough and tumble that even local mafia called his uncles, “the Crazy Brothers.” And yet one day, on a dare, a hillbilly preacher dressed up in a suit knocked on one of the Crazy Brothers’ doors. That dare not only led to the Crazy Brother’s salvation, it led to a spiritual revolution in the entire family, including Greg … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists reach over 1,300 Mississippi inmates through vision clinics
PARCHMAN/GREENWOOD, Miss. – A team of Missouri Baptists facilitated vision clinics in October at two Mississippi prisons, sharing the gospel widely as they provided inmates with glasses. The trip was a joint effort of two Missouri-based nonprofits, Vision 3:16 and Focus On Missions. Both organizations, with roots in local Baptist churches, are geared toward vision ministry and often collaborate on projects. Steve Smith, the founder of Focus On Missions and a member of First Baptist, … [Read more...]
Resound Network celebrates hope for renewal among Missouri Baptists
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) Resound Network hosted a dinner in conjunction with the MBC annual meeting, Oct. 23, to celebrate hope for renewing and equipping churches across the state. “Our goal is to spread hope among pastors and church leaders through celebrating what God has been doing in our state and looking forward to what God has next for our work together in Resound Network,” Brandon Moore, director of the network, said. During the dinner, the Resound … [Read more...]
Joby Martin: Stop comparing, start obeying
SPRINGFIELD – Joby Martin exhorted messengers to be content in obedience wherever God has placed them for service in his message during the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) annual meeting here, Oct. 23. Martin is the founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Fla, which launched in 2012. He preached a sermon based on the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25. In that passage, the wealthy master expects obedience and productivity from each servant, even … [Read more...]
Resolutions on equal protection for preborn children, sexual abuse debated by MBC messengers
SPRINGFIELD – Messengers approved a slate of 10 resolutions during the Missouri Baptist Convention's (MBC) annual meeting, Oct. 23-24, but they spent a majority of discussion time focusing on two: Strengthening and Clarifying Laws Concerning Pastors and Churches Regarding Sexual Abuse, which passed; and On Equal Protection of the Laws for Preborn Children, which did not pass. All resolutions may be read in their entirety by going to mobaptist.org/annual-meeting/documents/ and clicking on … [Read more...]
MBC President Chris Williams: Christ alone can bring healing, restoration
SPRINGFIELD – The gospel offers Christians not only eternal life, but also abundant life and spiritual restoration, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) President Chris Williams told MBC messengers and guests during their annual meeting here, Oct. 23-24. Williams, pastor of Fellowship Church, Greenwood, preached about the theme of the annual meeting, “The Restored Soul,” which was based on Psalm 19:7, by sharing how Jesus’ Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-11 can foster such restoration. “Jesus came … [Read more...]
Pastors’ Conference encourages ministers, exhorts them to pursue spiritual, physical wellness
SPRINGFIELD – Six ministry leaders poured advice and encouragement into pastors during the Missouri Baptist Pastors’ Conference, Oct. 23. Noah Oldham Noah Oldham, lead pastor of August Gate Church in St. Louis gave encouragement to pastors in their “glorious gospel grind.” Using 2 Corinthians 4, Oldham encouraged pastors, reminding them that they were called, they had repented of and renounced sin, they loved God’s Word, they encouraged others to follow Christ, that they’ve tried to … [Read more...]
Elliff: ‘Break up your fallow ground’
SPRINGFIELD – Missouri Baptists should fear the possibility of letting their hearts become hardened and fallow, making them insensitive to the working of God’s Word and Spirit. This was the warning that longtime minister Tom Elliff, who formerly served as president of the International Mission Board, delivered to Missouri Baptists during their annual meeting at Crossway Baptist Church, Springfield, Oct. 24. “It ought to scare you to death ... to think that you could have a heart like … [Read more...]
Southwest Baptist University accreditation reaffirmed
BOLIVAR – The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) board voted to reaffirm Southwest Baptist University’s accreditation with no concerns. SBU was placed on the Standard Pathway 10-Year cycle at HLC’s board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 2. The university received notification of the result of the vote on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The reaffirmation is the culmination of months of diligent work by the SBU administration, faculty, staff, and board members to confirm the university continues to meet the … [Read more...]
MBC Executive Director Wes Fowler: ‘We proclaim Jesus’
SPRINGFIELD – Whatever else Missouri Baptists do in days to come, the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) new executive director Wes Fowler said they must proclaim the name of Jesus. His exhortation closed the MBC annual meeting, Oct. 24, at Crossway Baptist Church in Springfield. Many people, Fowler said, have asked about his plans for the future of the MBC. His current answer? Before making any other plans, his present plan is to listen and to learn about Missouri Baptist churches, … [Read more...]
Change in leadership marks 2023 MBC annual meeting; messengers approve resolutions on Israel, abuse
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) 189th annual meeting at Crossway Baptist Church here, Oct. 23-24, resounded with celebration and hope. Coming from 524 churches, 1,267 messengers and 278 guests celebrated all that God has done through Missouri Baptists under the leadership of outgoing executive director John Yeats, and looked forward with hope to all that God will do through Missouri Baptists under the leadership of new executive director Wes Fowler. Yeats … [Read more...]
After 12 years, MBC’s Yeats passes baton to Fowler
SPRINGFIELD – John Yeats completed 12 years of service as the Missouri Baptist Convention's (MBC) executive director during the Monday night session of the MBC annual meeting, Oct. 23, by passing the baton to incoming executive director Wes Fowler. Using the analogy of a relay race, Yeats stressed that ministry leadership is continuing the work of those who have gone before and preparing the way for those who follow. Embracing obedience to Christ and his Word, Christian leaders finish … [Read more...]
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