JEFFERSON CITY — For the first time in recent memory, the Missouri Speaker of the House visited the Baptist Building and spoke to the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board at its April 9 meeting. Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, delivered a 13-minute speech in which he traced current concerns and outlined the healthy condition of alliances, particularly between his Catholic denomination and Missouri Southern Baptists. “There are a lot of common elements we’ve been working on … [Read more...]
Gambling expansion possible
JEFFERSON CITY – The legislative liaison for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) said it is imperative that Missouri Baptists become involved in two issues during the current General Assembly that involve the gambling industry. Kerry Messer, president of Missouri Family Network which provides lobbying services for the MBC’s Christian Life Commission, reported that the state lottery is hoping to expand its offerings without going through the formal legislative process. He also reported … [Read more...]
Religious liberty of child care providers threatened
JEFFERSON CITY – Church child care ministries will no longer be exempt from government regulations if a bill filed by Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, D-Waldo, becomes state law. “House Bill 493 is a threat to religious liberties,” said Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission. The question of licensing such ministries has been a recurrent effort in the Missouri General Assembly, but Messer calls HB 493 “the most direct frontal assault on church child care … [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...]
‘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...]
New religious liberty work energizes McGhee
ODESSA — Mike McGhee, a member of First Baptist Church here who is stepping into a regional role as an organizer of religious freedom caucuses, is hopeful that Christians will be faithful in the difficult days to come. McGhee, who is ending his time as a state representative in January, has an opportunity to work with the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington D.C. as it launches a new initiative through the American Religious Freedom Program. McGhee’s work in Missouri runs parallel … [Read more...]
Krueger to be nominated for MBC recording secretary
FESTUS — David Krueger, pastor, First Baptist Church, Linn, will be nominated for the office of recording secretary of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) by Kerry Messer, member, First Baptist Church, Festus/Crystal City. “I see David as a great example of a true servant leader,” said Messer, who serves as the MBC’s legislative liaison through the Christian Life Commission (CLC), which Krueger chairs. “He is very, very competent and confident, both as a pastor and as a participant in … [Read more...]
After override, religious liberty issue goes to judges
JEFFERSON CITY — As the battle over the religious liberty provisions of Senate Bill 749 shifted from the State Capitol to the courtroom, Kerry Messer, legislative liaison for the Christian Life Commission (CLC) of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), reflected on what is known. “We have a culture of life and a culture of respect for religious liberty in Missouri that is probably higher than any other state in the union,” Messer said. Evidence came Sept. 12 during the veto session of the … [Read more...]
Amendment 2 provides momentum for override
JEFFERSON CITY — The overwhelming show of support in Missouri for Amendment 2, the right-to-pray measure that drew 83 percent support on the primary election ballot Aug. 7, may be reflected in the ranks of lawmakers gathered here Sept. 12-13 for the override effort on Senate Bill 749. Kerry Messer, legislative liaison for the Christian Life Commission (CLC) of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), said the core issue of religious liberty that will be at stake in the veto session is … [Read more...]
Religious liberty at core of override bid
JEFFERSON CITY — The need in the days leading up to the Sept. 12-13 veto session of the Missouri General Assembly, when the bid to override Senate Bill 749 begins to take shape in the State Capitol, is for Missouri Baptists to pray. Kerry Messer, legislative liaison of the Christian Life Commission (CLC) of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), is among a group of faith-based lobbyists working to power the religious liberty bill past the veto of Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon. Experience has … [Read more...]
Big vote for Amendment 2 delights MBC
JEFFERSON CITY — The passage of Amendment 2 with a stunning 83 percent of the vote in the Aug. 7 primary election was cheered by Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) leaders who worked hard for its passage. “This is the very first time that any state has voted on this issue since the early 1960s, when prayer was removed from public schools,” said Kerry Messer, legislative liaison for the Christian Life Commission (CLC) of the MBC. “The nation has been held hostage to the U.S. Supreme Court on … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- …
- 22
- Next Page »