WARSAW – After 15 years of serving small, dying churches, Daniel Yoder looked forward to birthing a new church here in 2012. But he had no idea that God would use him also to revive one of Warsaw’s small, established churches. Yet, beginning July 1, 2012, that is exactly what happened. On that day, Yoder’s church plant opened its doors for worship, and also on that day members from Open Arms Baptist Church, an established but struggling church in town, began to speak with Yoder about … [Read more...]
Senator Blunt Discusses Iran, Ferguson On ABC News With George Stephanopoulos
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke to George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’s “This Week” today about the Obama Administration’s ongoing negotiations with Iran and the recent shooting of two police officers in Ferguson, Mo. … [Read more...]
Asbury enters gov’s race
MOBERLY – The election is more than a year-and-a-half away, but a Missouri Baptist has already thrown his hat into the ring to be elected governor next November. Randy Asbury, a member of First Baptist Church, Salisbury, made the announcement Feb. 12 at Moberly Area Community College. Asbury, a Republican, served in the Missouri House beginning in 2010 as the representative from the 22nd district, but lost his seat due to redistricting in 2012. He is a former deputy director for the … [Read more...]
Gail McWilliams: A story of faith and vision
HANNIBAL – Most people live life based on what they see. But Gail McWilliams, international speaker, author and radio host, says that that is a limited and disappointing view of life. “They don’t see the big picture, only a narrow view that leaves them feeling stuck and unexcited about the life they’ve been given,” McWilliams said. “My goal is to always give people a new vision that looks past the horizon where the sky is the limit. We are here during this time in history for a … [Read more...]
Seahawks coach ponders wins, losses for Christ
PHOENIX (BP) – Going into Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the New England Patriots, Sherman Smith shared how victory on the football field without Jesus Christ would be, for him, a "serious waste of time." "I'll never forget when I got drafted in [1976], my father told me, 'Son, remember this, playing professional football is how you make your living but it's not your life because it's gonna end. You're gonna stop playing one day and life will continue.' I never forgot that," the … [Read more...]
Harsh words from Duke alum, university president
HANNIBAL (Christian Examiner) – Anthony Allen, president of Hannibal-LaGrange University, said he is encouraged his alma mater, Duke University, has had an apparent change of heart about broadcasting the Muslim call to prayer each Friday from the university’s chapel tower. Stiil, he laments the school’s apparent lack of understanding about the heart of the controversy. “I’m happy for some measure of victory,” Allen told Christian Examiner. “I hope they learned that we can’t deny the … [Read more...]
Abortion rate down, but fight for life continues
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...]
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...]
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...]
New rifle and scope, but missing the mark
A buddy and I headed to the gun range the other day so I could show off my new rifle. I’d spent quite enough money on the rifle and scope, so I decided to save a few bucks by mounting the scope while sitting at the kitchen table instead of paying a professional to do the work. We warmed up with my buddy’s rifle, a tried-and-true beauty built from a 77-year-old German Mauser. He’s a far better marksman than I am, but I was hitting the target within 2 inches of my point-of-aim at 100 yards, … [Read more...]
Rhea: Sing Psalm 103 in your life
OSAGE BEACH – Sometimes before you can talk to God and others, you need to talk to yourself. That was the gist behind the Convention Sermon at the 2014 Missouri Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, preached by Richie Rhea. Rhea, pastor of First Baptist Church, Troy, preached the sermon based on Psalm 103, which begins, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” “The Lord created us for conversation,” Rhea said. “He wants us to have conversations as we share … [Read more...]
The Response 2015
On January 24, 2015 Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will host “The Response-Louisiana: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis.” As we fast and pray for America, we hope that you will join in this special event, held at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. To learn more about The Response 2015, visit theresponseusa.org. … [Read more...]