The River Church in Hamilton is being called by God to impact the Bitterroot Valley in a powerful way. They plan to open a women’s shelter on their southern campus. “We desire to create a program based on intensive discipleship and life skill development. We believe strongly that the only thing that can transform the lives of women in need … Read More
A Heart for Places Often Overlooked
KJ and Sharon Ellington were high school sweethearts. Growing up in Stem, NC, they were married in August of 2001. KJ attended Fruitland Baptist Bible College, where he discovered a burden on his heart for churches that struggle to keep pastors. Introduced to Montana in 2005, while on a church mission trip to Manhattan, MT to help with one of … Read More
Pastor Darren Hales to become MTSBC Church Strengthening Director
This is an exciting time to be a Montana Southern Baptist! As you know, Doug Hutcheson retired as our Church Strengthening Director last October. Without a doubt, he left big shoes to fill, but since then, we’ve been diligently seeking God’s next choice to lead our ministry to our established MTSBC churches. I’m delighted to announce that Darren Hales, pastor … Read More
Never Been West of St. Louis
Josh McCraw was born and raised in Mississippi and was always very involved in his church; teaching Sunday school, running the sound system, and being an able-bodied helper wherever he was needed. He provided for his family by working at UPS, spending almost 12 years there. He married his wife, Mandi, in 2005 and began a life with her and … Read More
Annual Church Profile
The December 15 deadline for the Annual Church Profile (ACP) is quickly approaching. Although this seems like a mundane and even unnecessary detail in your mission to advance the kingdom of God, here are some reasons why it is important: • Numbers can help us strategize, plan, and know where God is working. • They can also show us where … Read More
Annual Church Profile
By now, your church should have received your Annual Church Profile (ACP) materials in the mail. Although this seems like a mundane and even unnecessary detail in your mission to advance the kingdom of God, here are some reasons why it is important: • Numbers can help us strategize, plan, and know where God is working. • They can also … Read More
Doug Hutcheson Retiring
Well, my old friend, Doug Hutcheson, is about to take that inevitable leap into retirement. I met Doug in about 1994 at Family Camp on the Boulder. He was part of a crop of new, young pastors that seemed to descend as a herd onto the MTSBC scene. I suppose I was part of that herd. Doug and I seemed … Read More
Join us at Refresh
It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly over. Denise and I have now marked three of Montana’s four seasons. They’ve been interesting seasons. We’re told, though I have to admit we’re withholding judgment, that this past winter and summer have been two of the most extreme on record. Maybe so. We’ll wait till next year to see if that’s … Read More
Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way
An advertising slogan that I came to love growing up was used by Dodge and simply claimed, “Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way.” I recently challenged the congregation of Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church with this slogan and the response has been amazing. We decided to increase our mission support to 25% of our tithes and offerings, answer … Read More