SOUTH ASIA – As a 7-year-old growing up in Clinton, Mo., Chase Tozer* heard the gospel at an old-fashioned revival meeting. He felt convicted, but was unsure he was ready to be obedient. “He was preaching on fire and brimstone,” Tozer remembered. “I made a deal with God: If he brought me back the next night, I would go talk to the preacher and figure out just what he was talking about.” He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior that night, and when he open his eyes after praying, he saw … [Read more...]
Teens grow in faith at MBC’s Super Summer
HANNIBAL – Hundreds of Missouri Baptist youth have completed Super Summer, a camp alternative held at Hannibal-LaGrange University here in June. Jeff Carson, an MBC staffer with the leadership development team, said the first weeklong session drew 515 youth and leaders, and the second week drew over 275 teens and leaders. “A good number of students, especially the first week, identify that God called them to some type of ministry,” Carson said. “We’ve seen that consistently the last … [Read more...]
Barna, Barton call for discipleship, biblical thinking at ‘Turning America’
SPRINGFIELD – George Barna and David Barton called believers to make disciples and promote a biblical worldview during the Conservative Americans Club (CAC) “Turning America” conference at Second Baptist Church here, June 26-27. Barna and Barton are co-authors of the book, U-Turn: Restoring America to the Strength of its Roots, which contains much of what the two men endorsed during the conference. Barna is the founder of The Barna Research Group, and Barton is president of Wallbuilders … [Read more...]
Will your church’s insurance be enough?
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision, churches are worried about lawsuits. This isn’t an irrational fear. I don’t think any Court will soon order ministers to perform a service that conflicts with the minister’s faith. But there is a shift in public opinion that makes it plausible in the future. The definition of ‘fairness’ is changing. In the past, if one minister or church refused to marry a couple, the couple would find another minister or church. This was “fair,” … [Read more...]
Summer camp instills gospel, horsemanship
UNIONVILLE – ‘Did you pack pool shoes with your swim clothes?” (yes). “Do you get your ball glove?” (yes Mom). “How about your horse? Did you pack a horse?” (huh?) It’s a rite of summer – kids packing their stuff for summer camp. But in a north Missouri summer camp you could pack a horse with you and it wouldn’t be out of place. Actually they will supply you with a horse to use if you don’t have your own horse at the annual Rodeo Bible Camp in Unionville. Held every summer for 9 years … [Read more...]
Man’s drive to share gospel fuels car show
HAZELWOOD – During a rainy week in St. Louis, the clouds separated and the sun shone long enough for Hazelwood Baptist Church to host its 16th annual Father’s Day car show under clear skies. Dan Herin, coordinator of the June 6 show, says the church has seen that weather pattern before. “We know the Lord’s in it. We’re taught to pray with intention and expectation. That’s what we did,” he said. “In years past He stopped the rain by Friday. The wind blew all night and the grass was … [Read more...]
Taking steps to protect our religious freedom
There can be little doubt where the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which redefined marriage to include same-sex couples, is headed with regard to religious liberty. The attacks on Christians – who refuse to go against their deepest held beliefs and cave to the fantasized reasoning of judicial tyrants, government hypocrites and bullying activists – are mounting by the day. For now, the targets are government workers and private business owners who are involved in the … [Read more...]
25,000 Bibles, New Testaments distributed by MBC churches in 2014
JEFFERSON CITY — More than 300 Missouri Baptist churches distributed nearly 25,000 Bibles and New Testaments across Missouri in 2014, according to the Annual Church Profile. The top 10 churches ranged in size from 50 to 450 in worship. “Each church was dedicated to establishing the authority of God’s Word in their community,” Mark Snowden, evangelism-discipleship strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), said. “I’d really like to see Bible distribution continue beyond the … [Read more...]
Nik Ripken: Lessons from the persecuted world for America
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...]
Missourians still support biblical marriage
JEFFERSON CITY – Even after the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex “marriage” is legally valid throughout the United States, most of the Missourians that are likely to vote in 2016 still believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, according to a poll released by the Missouri Alliance for Freedom. The survey, conducted by the Kansas-City based Remington Research company, polled nearly 800 likely voters throughout the state—representing those who live both in rural and urban … [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...]
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