On May 28, the EF3 tornado followed a path from Weldon Spring to north St. Louis County. Now, Missouri Disaster Relief is working the same path. “I’m going to drive into the Bellefontaine area tomorrow,” Paul Posey, site coordinator for Missouri, “there is a lot of damage there.” Posey is directing one site headquartered at North County Christian School and the other area command center is located at Jungs Station Baptist Church to be closer to the St. Charles damage. According to Posey, … [Read more...]
Leaders seek holier city as targeted prayer arises
ST. LOUIS – Recently prayer warriors met in four locations in St. Louis to pray for the city. “We have a burden for the region,” Ed Moncada, international student strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention, said. “We are serious about praying for the transforming of the city. We want to see St. Louis experience genuine revival and spiritual renewal.” Prayer walkers met in the Maplewood area, the downtown St. Louis area, the Crestwood area, and in Northeast Florissant area. “We didn’t … [Read more...]
Tour group builds on Israel trip, enjoys travel to Turkey, Greece
O’FALLON – Next stop, Turkey and Greece. Recently a group from First Baptist Church here made the journey to Turkey and Greece to “Follow in the Steps of Paul.” The itinerary included Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Ephesus, Athens, Thessalonica, Berea, Philippi, and Corinth. “We planned this trip because of the excitement we saw with the Israel trip,” Lee Sanders, associate pastor of education, said. “Several individuals saw the value of visiting the places of Paul. Their interest is a natural … [Read more...]
Freshwater Church, Springfield, celebrates growth
SPRINGFIELD – Multiplication is the goal for Freshwater Church, Bolivar, and the answer is church planting. In the three years since Second Baptist Church of Springfield planted the Bolivar church, they have planted nine churches with two more in progress. “God is blessing Freshwater,” JT Patton, planting pastor of Freshwater Springfield, said. “The Bolivar church looks different than a traditional church. It is a contemporary, gospel-driven church with a mission mind frame.” Within six … [Read more...]
Joplin church sees surge in giving in changed culture
JOPLIN — On May 22, 2011, only five weeks after Brad Graves and his family moved to Joplin to become senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, the destructive winds of the EF5 tornado blew through the city. Since then, the winds of God’s Spirit and grace have blown through the church to accomplish some mighty things. Baptisms and giving to missions have reached milestone marks. In the last 20 months, Calvary has given $200,000 to Great Commission projects and the church has had 211 … [Read more...]
North County churches show heart for the homeless
FERGUSON – Several churches joined together to give a Valentine to the homeless in North County St. Louis. On Feb. 9, I Heart North County, an organization formed by Passage Community Church, Trinity Nazarene and North Church and now working with several individuals and groups, held a Valentine personal care collection party at First Baptist Church, Ferguson. “I Heart North County was approached by a representative of the Ferguson-Florissant school district,” said Kylanne Rosenberger, … [Read more...]
Cross makes significant impact in Maysville
MAYSVILLE — Carrying the cross through the streets of Maysville by members of the First Baptist Church here in preparation for an upcoming crusade was a graphic reminder to the community and to the congregation of what Jesus had done for them. “Our Outreach Committee is inspired with unique ideas to reach out to our community,” Rodney Dorr, pastor of First Maysville, said. “We divided the community into four sections and carried the cross combined with a prayer walk on Saturdays and … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist makes shoebox gifts go far
FARMINGTON — Packing 177 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is amazing, but doing it in a one-bedroom mobile home adds another dimension to the accomplishment. Barbara Young, member of Delassus Baptist Church, Farmington, uses her living space to collect for the children of the world. “I started collecting six or seven years ago with 12 boxes,” Young said, “and it has just snowballed. I’ve increased the number of boxes each year. I shop all year long and the church helps me with the … [Read more...]
Power of storytelling uplifted at church
FERGUSON – “Tell me a story” is a request that will be granted more often now that Nancy Wilson, Cru Global Ambassador, is equipping Christians to tell stories. Recently, Wilson taught several pastors and Christian leaders in Storywave, a seminar, here at First Baptist Church. “The post-modern generation learns by story,” Wilson said, “but, they don’t know Bible stories. Our goal is to walk away from this seminar knowing stories and being equipped with tools to tell your own story with … [Read more...]