FERGUSON – Snow and cold temperatures could cause more than a few closed days for Johnson Wabash Elementary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. As the students were ready to return from the recent snow days, the custodial staff discovered a major sprinkler system break forcing relocation. The new location is First Baptist Church (FBC), Ferguson. “I was in the office expecting a quiet day because of the snow,” Ron Beckner, associate pastor of FBC Ferguson, said, “when the … [Read more...]
First Troy plants church 3 miles from campus
TROY – Matt Bartig, lead pastor of NorthRoad Community Church, appreciates the sacrifice of First Baptist Church (FBC) Troy to plant NorthRoad. Senior pastor, Richard Rhea, of FBC Troy was more than just supportive of the new church start located about three miles from his church. FBC Troy sent almost 100 people to help NorthRoad. “Richard is a humble, amazing man,” Bartig said. “He encouraged the cream of the crop to come help us. Leadership of Troy came with us. The teacher of the … [Read more...]
Helping missionaries on furlough: Righteous Rides offers cars for the price of gasoline
MOSCOW MILLS – Righteous Rides meets a need for missionaries on furlough. Co-founders of the nonprofit organization, Bret Byus, member and deacon at First Baptist Church (FBC) Troy, and Mark Reighard, discovered this need through friendships from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. “LeTourneau is a Christian school,” Byus, Righteous Rides president, said. “So, we had lots of friends going to the mission field. We’ve been involved in their lives over the years, and when the family … [Read more...]
First Ferguson utilizes parking lot to reach out to city parade attendees
FERGUSON – Marching bands, beauty queens and fantastic floats for wide-eyed children are not just on the football field. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, every year they are found on the north parking lot of First Baptist Church of Ferguson. The church serves as the staging area for Northern Lights, the winter parade for the city of Ferguson. “The ministry during the parade is a touch point,” Ron Beckner, associate pastor, said. “We are touching the lives of people here. We are affirming … [Read more...]
MBC churches reach the world in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS – The Lord is making connections to draw people from around the world to Christ, according to Tim Cowin, lead pastor of The Rock Church of St. Louis. “We have a culture based on Ephesians 6,” he said, “We want to equip the saints. When those come from different ethnic backgrounds, we embrace them with hearts passionate for ministry.” The mid-city, four-campus congregation at the Rock Church has seen many internationals come and go through the years. “We’ve had active … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists embrace Operation Christmas Child
HANNIBAL – Calvary Baptist Church in Hannibal is one of the leading Baptist churches in the state of Missouri giving 1,231 shoebox gifts through Operation Christmas Child (OCC). The motivation for Calvary’s focus on this ministry year round is the Great Commission. “I’m concerned about the lost people around the world,” Jeff Anderson, pastor of Calvary, said. “The more I researched Operation Christmas Child, the more I am convinced that it is one of the most effective ways to share the … [Read more...]
Naghmeh Abedini tells of persecution against her husband
VICKI STAMPS/contributing writer BOISE, Idaho – Naghmeh Abedini’s life has been turned upside down. Her husband, Saeed, an Iranian-born pastor who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, is imprisoned in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, known by human rights watchdog groups as one of the most brutal in all the world. Saeed was arrested a year ago at his parents’ home in Iran by five Revolutionary Guards who charged the house. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for threatening “national … [Read more...]
Pastor David Van Bebber survives 50ft fall
CALHOUN – Following all the safety standards will not count when the rope breaks. That failing rope caused disastrous results for David Van Bebber, Jr., bivocational pastor of Calhoun Baptist Church, after he fell from scaffolding hanging at the fourth story window – A fall that made his August return to the pulpit, a miracle. “My dad is a bivocational pastor too,” Van Bebber said, “and I was helping with his window cleaning company over Memorial Day. I was there to help with setting the … [Read more...]
Sky-diving granny raises eyebrows
WALDRON — At first, it might seem that Alice Chastain, member of First Baptist Church, Polo who serves on the Missouri Baptist Executive Board, is taking the “soaring with eagles” in Isa. 40:31 too literally. At the end of June, this grandmother and great-grandmother jumped from an airplane. She liked it so much, she did it again, two weeks later. “I don’t know why but it is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Chastain said. “It was on my bucket list.” Chastain has four sons, 13 … [Read more...]
17 injured after bus skids, hits trees at youth camp
CHATSWORTH, Ga. – A bus load of youth on a rain-slickened mountain road in Georgia is a recipe for a miracle and that is what First Baptist Church of St. Charles got. The youth were in Georgia to attend youth camp at Global Youth Ministry Camp. There were 24 people on the bus including youth and adults. As the bus headed downhill after the July 17 night service taking the campers back to their rooms, the bus hit a tree. “The environment was the major factor causing the bus accident,” Jerry … [Read more...]
MBCH benefits from Strawberry Festival
ARNOLD – Although the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) lost one layer of a roof during the May 31 tornado which hit north St. Louis County, it didn’t interfere with the 122nd Strawberry Festival. The Festival was held June 1 at First Baptist Church here. “This is the second year that we’ve been able to hold the Strawberry Festival at First Church, Arnold,” said Bob Springate, MBCH vice president, public relations and development. “On weather days like these, it becomes an abundant … [Read more...]
Despite tragedy, pastor, family draws strength from Christ
CLARKSVILLE - Ron Kunzweiler, bivocational pastor of two churches, is aware of God’s answer to prayer, including a prayer to be a circuit rider. “I prayed to God that if it was His plan,” Kunzeweiler said, “that I wanted to be a circuit rider.” Kunzweiler pastors Dover Baptist Church in Clarksville and Friendship Baptist Church in Bowling Green, a distance of about 14 miles. “Dover is a small farm church,” he said, “we just celebrated our 150-year anniversary. The building is almost as … [Read more...]