Photo Credit: NOBTS Communications Staff A recent study found that there were twenty Montanans enrolled in Spring 2025 as degree-seeking students in master’s and doctoral programs at the six Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) seminaries and the Canadian National Baptist Convention’s (CNBC) seminary. The Spring 2026 count has climbed to twenty-five—a 25 percent increase in one year. Understanding how students hailing … Read More
MSBW Mission Trip 2026
Date: April 8-14, 2026, Springfield, Missouri Missouri WMU Missions Celebration Mission activities with two Ministry Sites in the area: Travelers are responsible for their travel arrangements/costs to and from Springfield. Some people are planning to drive from Billings. If you want to ride with them, contact Mandi McCraw at 662-213-2369 or mandim8379@yahoo.com. We will coordinate schedules with our team members. Trip Cost Includes: – Lodging/Hotel in … Read More
Blessings in Uganda 2026
When God called me to serve as associate pastor in Libby around 25 years ago, I can remember many times being offered opportunities to go on mission trips around the world, but I never felt the desire to do so. I participated in several local trips within a few hours of home and went to Canada a few times, but … Read More
Church-planting sacrifices shared by the whole family
By Karen L. Willoughby, posted January 29, 2026 in Church Planting, Family GLENDIVE, Mont. – When a pastor is called to a new place of ministry, he takes his family with him. That might not affect the toddlers in the family, but what about teenagers? What about the pastor’s wife? David Stahlman has been a bivocational pastor for 17 years, always in small churches. His … Read More
The Next Chapter God is Writing
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