We just wrapped up an unusual and challenging summer, and now is the time to begin to prayerfully look at next year’s possibilities and opportunities. If the Lord tarries, we should all be found investing and developing missional disciples. It won’t happen by accident. It takes the intentionality of leaders to make it happen. We have a tremendous resource of … Read More
Rocky Boy – A Go Montana Story
When Pastor Chris Richards of Immanuel Baptist Church in Havre was asked to begin preaching at Chief Cornerstone Fellowship in Box Elder, he knew this new calling would be filled with unique challenges and incredible opportunities. One of his goals was to develop and empower indigenous leaders and three have emerged as faithful men with a heart for their community. … Read More
Five Creative Ways to Pack Shoeboxes During COVID-19
LEARN WHAT CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE DOING AMID THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS TO FACILITATE SHOEBOX PACKING AND ULTIMATELY BLESS CHILDREN IN NEED AROUND THE WORLD. A global pandemic isn’t stopping Operation Christmas Child from delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to boys and girls in the far corners of the world. Children need hope now more than ever in such uncertain times, and these … Read More
STATE MEETINGS: Alaska, Montana, Dakotas
By Karen Willoughby Alaska celebrates 75th annual meeting ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska Baptists’ 75th annual meeting marked the first time the convention provided an interactive online as well as in-person gathering. The 119 messengers from 50 of Alaska’s 120 congregations were able to vote electronically as well as to interact with those at the in-person meeting. The distance messengers were said to … Read More
Missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa see progress in ’55 in 5′ initiative
By Caroline Anderson, writer for the IMB While more Christians live in Sub-Saharan Africa than in any area of the world, 27,000 people in the region die every day without knowing Christ. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the fastest-growing populations in the world and one of the highest rates of child mortality. Many people groups in Sub-Saharan Africa have no … Read More
Legal Guidance for Election Season
Church leaders often wonder about the legal parameters to engaging with governing officials – and the community – on issues of public and moral importance. This is of particular concern during election season. Your decision to speak is a matter of conscience, conviction, and an understanding of the legal considerations surrounding civic engagement by churches. As a church leader, you … Read More
Changes for Refresh 2020
Refresh is right around the corner. We’re meeting for one day only this year, on Thursday, October 1, from 1 pm to 8:30 pm, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Billings. I hope you’re making plans to join us. Unfortunately, some things will be different this year. Most importantly, we aren’t going to be offering childcare. We deeply regret this, but … Read More
God’s Hand at Work!
Over the last 6 months, Pastor Jeff Phillips and First Baptist Church in Thompson Falls have been immersed in building a new auditorium. So, how does a church of 75 build a new facility during a pandemic that will hold up to 300 people? It is with great faith, steadfast devotion, and a lot of perseverance. For those who have … Read More
Good Problems to Have?!?
Often times, we look at problems as obstacles to overcome or indications that something has gone awry. Problems can make us uneasy and can drain us. They can even initiate those fight or flight reactions. Is there such a thing as a good problem? I was recently in the Southside neighborhood of Billings visiting Jeremy Bourne, our re-planter with Bethel … Read More
Samaritan’s Purse: Sending the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth
Shoebox Gifts Become a Turning Point For An Unreached Area of Mexico La Laguna village in remote Mexico, home to the Nahuatl people, was once unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No one in the mountain community had ever heard the Name of Jesus. No one had ever been told that God loves them. No one had a Bible. … Read More