For decades now there has been a concerted effort in October to express appreciation for the minister in your life. Perhaps 2020, with its Covid-19 cancel culture, face shields, and social distancing, frames the need for expressing appreciation for your pastor and other ministers more acutely than at any time in history. Plenty of studies are rolling out that speak to the pressures leaders are experiencing with the many facets of Covid-19 and their impact on life as we know it. As Sharon … [Read more...]
MBC to host New Pastors’ Dinner
ST. CHARLES – New pastors in Missouri and pastors new to Missouri, along with their wives, are invited to a New Pastors’ Dinner, which takes place during the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting. The dinner is set to take place at the St. Charles Convention Center here at 5 p.m., Oct. 26. Directors of Missions are also invited to the event. While this is not an event for children, the Disaster Relief Childcare team has graciously offered childcare and are providing dinner for the … [Read more...]
Give dads, pastors a break
According to a Learn Vest Survey, Americans spend 10% of their income on vacation. Let that sink in. At first, when I saw that number, I felt a little deprived, as I did not spend near that much money on vacation pre-COVID, and I am sure not planning on spending that much money post-COVID. But, on further thought, I reasoned that while most Americans can probably not afford to spend that much money, it may be a whole lot easier to do so if you are not tithing. (In the same survey 74% … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist apologist develops strategy for reaching Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons
SPRINGFIELD – Jim Schurke has always been interested in people who hold different beliefs than his own. His interest started when a young Catholic friend complained to him in high school that he always had to eat fish on Fridays. He didn’t know why. Schurke knew why and was surprised that a practicing Catholic did not. Catholics used to be forbidden to eat meat on Fridays. Another time Schurke suggested to a friend that they get a cola at a nearby drugstore. She replied she couldn’t … [Read more...]
Models and methods: Replant Summit slated
GREENWOOD – It can feel like events are being scratched from schedules left and right, but those interested in church revitalization and replanting may want to add one to their calendars. The North American Mission Board will sponsor Replant Summit Aug. 24-25 at Fellowship Greenwood in the Kansas City area. Replant Summit is an event in partnership with Lenexa Baptist Church, which helped replant Fellowship Church where the event will be held. Both are affiliated with the Missouri Baptist … [Read more...]
Newton selected as administrator for Baptist Home’s Ozark campus
OZARK (TBH) – The Baptist Home corporate office announced, Feb. 19, that Sonya Newton has been selected to act as the new administrator for its Ozark campus. She assumed the position on Jan. 1, 2020, following the retirement of Vera Cline. Newton comes to The Baptist Home with 29 years of healthcare experience, including serving as long-term care administrator and hospice director for facilities in Springfield, Missouri, and surrounding areas. While serving as the Director of Operations … [Read more...]
Midwestern Seminary announces changes in organizational structure
KANSAS CITY – Noting the growing administrative needs in Academic Services and overall growth at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College, President Jason Allen announced changes in the school’s organizational structure that will provide “greater administrative effectiveness, overall balance, and continued organizational health.” In doing so, Allen named Thor Madsen as dean of doctoral studies and academic initiatives, Rodney Harrison to the position of dean, academic strategy and … [Read more...]
ERLC study task force created
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted Feb. 18 to create a study task force to "review the past and present activities" of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The ERLC is tasked with helping churches understand the moral demands of the Gospel and public policy as well as promoting religious liberty on behalf of Southern Baptists. The Executive Committee action comes in response to "ongoing concerns" cited by EC members, state leaders … [Read more...]
BSU celebrates baptism of Truman State student
KIRKSVILLE – The Truman State University’s Baptist Student Union (BSU) celebrated the baptism of a new sister in Christ at Hamilton Street Baptist Church, Jan. 5, where campus missionary Greg Xander and some of his students attend. Ashley’s journey to Christ began two years ago during her freshman year. Shortly after winter break, she came to the BSU’s Thursday night worship gathering. After she’d been coming for a few weeks, Xander asked if she went to church. She said she considered the … [Read more...]
Churches celebrate 25-year partnership in Belarus
MAYSVILLE – The sermon at First Baptist Church Dec. 8 was in Russian, translated for the congregation by a former IMB missionary. Brother Vasya Vimovoi spoke about growing up in post-Chernobyl Belarus and how his family had been impacted by support from Missouri Baptists as part of a 1994-99 missions partnership. He is the son of Ivan Vimovoi, pastor of Krasnapolie Baptist Church, who was befriended by former Maysville pastor Rodney Dorr. Dorr has been serving in recent years at First … [Read more...]
All Saints Day: Celebrating the dead or fighting for the living?
KRAKOW, Poland (BP) — I had no idea what All Saints Day celebrated. Two years ago my wife and I moved to Poland, a traditionally Catholic country. As night fell on November 1, the soft glow of thousands of candles spread over nearly silent crowd walking or standing near the graves of their loved ones and ancestors. We joined a historical tour that took us to one of Kraków’s largest cemeteries. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals among the booths selling candles and flowers. … [Read more...]
United by the gospel: African American Methodist church merges with Missouri Baptist church to become new Southern Baptist congregation
SIKESTON – Grace Bible Fellowship, a fledgling Southern Baptist congregation here, hopes to display the power of the gospel to bring people together in Christ – in more ways than one. The new church was born from the merger of Sikeston’s predominately white Trinity Baptist Church with the historically black Smith Chapel United Methodist Church. The members of Grace Bible Fellowship celebrated their first Sunday together as a new Southern Baptist church, Sept. 8. The merger resulted … [Read more...]