‘God has a purpose behind the pain,’ pastor says of fires that destroyed church building, parsonage
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mo. (BP) –At 5:30 on Thursday morning, Jan. 4, Pastor James Leezer of Williamstown’s Providence Baptist Church got a call with bad news no pastor wants to hear: “The church and the parsonage are on fire.”
HLGU campus damaged by wind, rain
HANNIBAL, Mo. (BP) – Days before Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) opened for new students and fall semester classes, a nasty windstorm and accompanying rain damaged the campus.
Bapt. judge helping people make ‘better choices’
MAYWOOD, Mo. (BP) -- Judge Rachel Bringer-Shepherd is not opposed to including faith-based programs in the options for those appearing in her court on felony probation. In fact, she encourages that participation. "We have a lot of partnerships with churches and faith-based organizations in the court system of probations," said the 10th Circuit Judge, who is a member of South Union Baptist in Maywood, Mo. "We hope these help the people to be successful in their probation sentences. Part of the law days are bringing felony probations [to programs] while the defendants are waiting on a court hearing."
Rural church’s student ministry called ‘a God thing’
LICKING, Mo. (BP) -- The numbers don't add up, humanly speaking. Rock Springs Baptist Church averages 120 in Sunday services. Yet they run about 180 in student ministry on Wednesdays. "It's a God thing. It has nothing to do with me," pastor John Jordan said. "I'm just blessed to come in at the onset of this."
