Hey Montana Baptists, Not long ago, I was driving across our beautiful state, somewhere between Laurel and Lewistown, when I saw one of those old wooden church signs on the side of the road. It wasn’t fancy, just a few faded boards, a cross on top, and the words “Jesus Christ is Lord.” That simple sign reminded me again what … Read More
9 Essentials of a Faithful and Effective Leader
To reach Montana with the gospel, our churches need to make disciples and develop leaders. What’s your real motivation for developing disciples and leaders? If making disciples and developing leaders is a phase or a short-term project that grows out of pain, then it will not be priority. You can cultivate and set the culture when you catch a vision for building … Read More
Life-giving Prayer
An essential element to experiencing spiritual renewal within a church body is a vibrant and meaningful life of prayer that shapes its culture. This life of prayer emanates from each soul that is abiding in Christ and enjoying His presence within their daily routines. It also permeates every aspect of church life, as the people of God gather intentionally and … Read More
Montana Baptists celebrate positive trends in church growth, baptisms
By Karen L. Willoughby BELGRADE, Mont. – The Montana Southern Baptist Convention personalizes its annual meeting. Rather than reports from state ministry leaders and Southern Baptist national entities, messengers listen to panel discussions that highlight the points speakers would otherwise make in five-minute reports too easy to tune out. “I started this a few years ago,” MTSBC Executive Director Barrett … Read More
CP giving 2.19 percent below budget for fiscal year
By BP Staff, posted October 7, 2025 in Cooperative Program NASHVILLE (BP) – Total Cooperative Program giving for the 2024-2025 fiscal year was $186,091,048.26, which is just over 2 percent below the budget goal of $190,250,000. “The Cooperative Program continues to provide the primary financial support for state conventions and national entities,” said SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Jeff Iorg. “We are grateful … Read More
Let’s Meet at Refresh.
I’m writing this to you from my new home in Maryland. It was very hard to leave Montana but the way the Lord has provided, it’s obvious that He has been leading us through this transition. Fortunately, the MTSBC Administrative Team has asked Denise and me to return to be with you for Refresh on October 2-3. We’re meeting at … Read More
Three Churches, Three Paths, Same Mission
Across Montana, pastors recognize the value of developing healthy, Christ-centered men, but often lament that these men are few and far between. They long for Spirit-filled men who are deeply rooted in the Word of God. They know that men connected for encouragement and accountability have the power to exert transformational influence upon their families, their workplaces, and community, but … Read More
Baptist Seminaries Equipping Montanans for Effective Ministry
Have you ever wondered how Montanans are engaging Baptist seminaries to increase their readiness for ministry at home and abroad? As Southern Baptists reflect on the Cooperative Program’s 100th anniversary, this sacred effort’s investment in the development of ministry leaders by discounting seminary education costs is bearing fruit in Big Sky Country. In fact, the Spring 2025 semester found thirty-four … Read More
The Portrait of a Healthy Church Planter
By Vance Pitman At Send Network, we’re driven by one mission: helping churches plant churches everywhere for everyone. It’s not just what we do—it’s who we are. Together, as a family of churches, we’re joining God in His redemptive work to expand His kingdom in North America and the nations. Church planting isn’t a side activity or an optional ministry … Read More
The Cooperative Program & North American Missions
By Kevin Ezell, published in Momentum, the official digital magazine of the Colorado Baptists The first church I pastored called me while I was a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Hilltop Baptist Church in Fort Worth voted me in 7-0, a church many would consider insignificant due to its size. Yet, because the members of that church gave faithfully … Read More