JEFFERSON CITY – This year holds promise for pro-life advocates in Missouri as abortion rates in the state continue to decline. According to the latest report, Missouri’s abortion rate fell to 9,027 in 2012—down from 11,470 in 2007 and from 9,234 in 2011. The steady decline in abortion follows from years of legislative battles in the Missouri General Assembly, resulting in a spate of pro-life bills: In 2010, the assembly passed legislation requiring women who seek an abortion to read a … [Read more...]
Statewide Prayer for revival, evangelism begins Jan. 15
SPRINGFIELD – Churches are encouraged to participate in 21 Days of Revival and Evangelism conducted Jan. 15-Feb. 4 to prepare for personal revival. This leads up to FURNACE: the State Evangelism/Discipleship Conference. Those who registered for FURNACE prior to Jan. 2 were mailed a free Revival & Evangelism: 21 Day Prayer Guide by Sammy Tippit. Springfield’s Ridgecrest Baptist Church will host the conference, Feb. 5-6, 2015. The conference theme, inspired by the story of Shadrach, … [Read more...]
Evangelizing while in the furnace
After interviewing five men from Central Asia in refugee camps, I asked them what would attract them to actually listen to Bible stories on the radio. After suggesting five or six options, I asked, “Would you listen to conversion testimonies from Muslims, even Muslim religious leaders?” Their eyes grew wide. One asked through an interpreter, “There is such a thing?” In their country, conversion was considered an act of treason punishable by death. One man said that his child was almost … [Read more...]
UPDATED: MBC to receive $5 million partial settlement in Foundation case
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention has received a $5 million partial settlement in its legal efforts to restore the Missouri Baptist Foundation as an entity accountable to the convention. The foundation was one of five subsidiary corporations which broke from the convention in 2000-01, changing their charters to create self-perpetuating trustee boards. The MBC Executive Board approved a $5 million payment from Church Mutual Insurance Company in an executive session … [Read more...]
Canote Family expands music ministry to include focus on missions
CLARK – Following God in ministry means sometimes a change of focus. This is a lesson Chris and Susan Canote and their 10 children continue to learn. The Canotes belong to Perche Baptist in northern Boone County, and for three years he pastored Harrisburg Baptist, resigning to direct the non-profit, family-launched Evident Ministries (www.evidentministries.org). More than a dozen years ago, the couple performed southern gospel music for a revival pastor. As children were added to the … [Read more...]
Servanthood evangelism is the norm for Ferguson church
FERGUSON – Long before a police shooting, protests and a grand jury decision put Ferguson in the national spotlight, the First Baptist Church here had been sharing Christ’s love by serving the community. “God has opened door after door for ministry,” Ron Becker, associate pastor, said. “We have forged partnerships with many groups in the community over the years.” FBC Ferguson is known in the area for programming for children. “We average about 80 children on Wednesday night for … [Read more...]
Pierce City church gives 375 children new shoes
PIERCE CITY – Earlier this fall, members from the First Baptist Church here fitted shoes on the feet of 375 children, as well as nearly 50 teachers and staff members, from the Pierce City Elementary School. By partnering with the rural development branch of Convoy of Hope in Springfield, the church was not only able to provide shoes for children in the community, but they also found a renewed sense of purpose. “It has really given the church a mission again,” said Pastor Ryan McMillian, … [Read more...]
Hispanic Heritage Festival helps lead 12 to Christ
SPRINGFIELD – Casa de Oracion (House of Prayer), a 12-year-old Hispanic church here, saw 12 people accept Christ when they opened their doors as part of the city’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in September. They hosted events with different Latin America dance groups, a mariachi band from Mexico and concert by Chilean Christian singer Roberto Orellana, and of course various foods. In addition to the dozen that accepted Christ, the church personally invited more than 200 people and … [Read more...]
Atheists promote ‘skip church’ Christmas billboards
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis is the among four southern cities targeted by American Atheists’ new billboard campaign attacking Christmas. The billboards, which began appearing Dec. 1, feature a young girl writing a letter to Santa; her letter reads, “Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is to skip church! I’m too old for fairy tales.” In addition to the billboard in St. Louis, others are appearing in Memphis; Nashville and Fort Smith, Ark. A fifth billboard in Milwaukee is co-sponsored by the … [Read more...]
Camdenton church energizes children’s ministry
CAMDENTON – The energy, variety and flexibility of Vacation Bible School attracts children, and the First Baptist Church of Camdenton has injected their Sunday morning Bible study for children with those traits. “We were not reaching young families,” Randy Chappell, minister of music, said. “We started looking around for new opportunities and curriculum. We observed how much the kids loved VBS, and we wondered if there was a way to tap into it every week.” After meetings with Senior … [Read more...]
The year that was
When I look back over my shoulder at the past 12 months, I don’t want to ever repeat the year but at the same time I am so grateful to the Lord for the experience. While it was a year of amazing opportunity, it was also a journey through a dark valley of uncertainty and disappointment. The opportunities stretched and pushed our faith like an athlete working out with weights to prepare for an event. Personally, Sharon and I joined a legion of other families walking through the dynamics of … [Read more...]
Midwestern Seminary and College celebrates graduation, honors longtime professor
In keeping with the joyous atmosphere of the Christmas season, Midwestern Seminary celebrated its 56th commencement exercises on Dec. 12. The event was highlighted by the keynote address and the honoring of a long-time faculty member. Speaking to 59 graduates, their families and friends, Jason Allen, Midwestern Seminary’s president opened the service with an uncompromising gospel presentation, and then added, “It is our prayer and ambition that this service would so bear witness to our … [Read more...]
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