WARRENTON — For the second time in three years, Twin Rivers Baptist Association (TRBA) held a missions conference, bringing missionaries from the United States and the world to meet, dine, and fellowship with Baptists in St. Charles, Lincoln, Montgomery and Warren counties. Director of Missions Brent Campbell said that 15 missionaries from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and International Mission Board (IMB) participated in events across 15 churches during the On Mission … [Read more...]
Hannibal church retools to help spiritual growth
HANNIBAL – After growth that led to two building additions, attendance tapered off here at Calvary Baptist Church. “I’ve been Southern Baptist all my life,” said Jeff Anderson, Calvary pastor. “I think we too quickly measure success by buildings, budgets and baptisms. When you measure by the number of people dunked, you have the reality of false conversions.” Attendance hovered at the 400 mark in 2004 and 2005, and fell to under 300 by 2010. Attendance now is 325-350. As attendance … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists encouraged to plan for apologetics training
JEFFERSON CITY – Help equip your church members to defend the Christian faith by scheduling an apologetics training event in 2013. Apologetics is defined simply as a reasonable defense of the Christian faith, and it is the duty of every believer, according to Rob Phillips, who heads up a new apologetics ministry for Missouri Baptists. “The need to defend our beliefs with gentleness and respect is growing as we live in a culture increasingly more hostile – or simply complacent – towards … [Read more...]
Layman finds satisfaction in vibrant library ministry
ST. PETERS – For many people, a career that spans decades starts to look like the one they will retire in … or certainly not move far from in another role. For James Stull, more than 20 years of teaching experience was simply a prelude to a marketing position for a Christian library. Last fall Stull—a member at First Baptist Church, Fenton—did not return to the private school where he had taught for 20 years. Instead, he began a role as the development director for The Family Vision … [Read more...]
‘Black sheep’ pastors care for those in need
SEDALIA — Sheep are white. Shepherds know this. But some sheep are black. Shepherds at Olive Branch Baptist Church know this. Pastor Jason McClain and Associate Pastor Donnie Hayworth enjoy being called to a different type of flock in a different kind of place—a setting that is known for its rock n’ roll, bikers, tattoos, bandanas, blue jeans, and black sheep. “We wanted to reach a community of people where they’re at—where they live every day,” McClain said. “The community I’m talking … [Read more...]
Undecided Koster ponders appeal in religious liberty case
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has yet to announce his decision on whether he will order an appeal of a U.S. District Court decision that struck down Senate Bill 749, which has been affirmed by many Christians in Missouri as non-negotiable in the fight to protect religious liberty. Koster has until April 12 to decide, the Associated Press reported. At stake is the status of a new law that is designed to protect the religious liberty of Missouri citizens who do not … [Read more...]
Lawmakers consider rights protection measures
JEFFERSON CITY–The rights of parents and health care workers are being addressed in bills recently filed with the Missouri General Assembly. Speaker of the House Timothy Jones, R-Eureka, is sponsoring House Bill 457 (HB 457), which seeks to protect the conscience rights of health care workers who decline to participate in medical procedures or research that violates their consciences. Jones is joined by 57 other representatives in sponsorship of the bill. “The bill protects employees in … [Read more...]
Missouri layman lead counsel in religious liberty / Obamacare win
JEFFERSON CITY – A Missouri-based plumbing products manufacturer, whose lead legal counsel is a Missouri Baptist layman, has won the opening legal battle over whether the company must comply with the ObamaCare mandate and provide abortion-inducing drugs in its health care coverage to its employees, even though it violates the conscience of the company’s owners. Kansas City-based Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co., does not have to immediately comply with the ObamaCare mandate until the 8th U.S. … [Read more...]
Pastor, lawmaker recalls impact of Air Force days
MURPHY – Born in Columbus, Miss., to a father serving in the Air Force, state Rep. John McCaherty, R-Murphy, spent many of his formative years in proximity to some form of military influence. After completing his enlistment in the early 1970s, his father moved the family to Bossier City, La., near Barksdale Air Force Base. Graduating from Airline High School in 1983, McCaherty began attending Centenary College, but left after completing only one semester. “Like many kids that age,” he … [Read more...]
Pro-life pastor, lawmaker stands strong
JEFFERSON CITY – Rep. John McCaherty, R-Murphy and pastor of First Baptist Church, Murphy, and 41 other members of the Missouri House of Representatives believe that a mother should not be coerced into having an abortion simply because she wants a child of the opposite sex. They have joined together to sponsor House Bill 386 (HB 386) which would also protect unborn babies who have been diagnosed with possible physical or mental disabilities. “We are trying to stop the sales process,” … [Read more...]
‘Daycare Bill’ could impact churches’ childcare exemptions
JEFFERSON CITY – A bill in committee would force Missouri Baptist churches that offer daycares to become licensed or shut down that portion of their ministry. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, a Democrat from Jackson County, strikes current portions of Missouri law which exempt churches from those that must be licensed to offer day care. Removing those exemptions and forcing licensure would make children safer, LaFaver testified, noting that some church-based daycares have become … [Read more...]
Missouri Cooperative Program giving off to fast start in January, February
Missouri Baptists are giving more to missions through the Cooperative Program (CP) so far in 2013, according to just-released figures from the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC). In January and February, CP giving from MBC churches totaled $2.527 million, compared with $2.423 million during the same two months in 2012. That’s an increase of more than 4 percent. In addition, CP giving in the first two months of the year is running nearly 5 percent ahead of budget. Several factors are … [Read more...]