FIRST-PERSON: the guy I failed to witness to

Baptist PressAll Enews, Strengthening Team

By Keith Shorter, Pastor of Mt. Airy Baptist Church, Easley, S.C. EASLEY, S.C. (BP) — Have you ever felt like God wanted you to witness to someone, but you just couldn’t open your mouth? My most obvious failure came as a seminary student in Fort Worth, Texas. I was working in a warehouse in the afternoons to help support my … Read More

Is Your Church Parking Taxed?

Ray KaselonisAll Enews, Strengthening Team

ADF Church Alliance senior counsel Ray Kaselonis shares important information for MTSBC churches. You might have heard that the parking provided to church employees may now be taxed by the federal government. In last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a small but powerful provision was enacted that changed the federal tax code. But this seemingly little provision could be … Read More

WATCH: 6 Pastors Share Personal Stories of Religious Freedom Struggles

John HardingAll Enews, Strengthening Team

With over 24 years of service, at all court levels, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has seen the cultural and legal trends clearly shift against the Church. As a result, churches need to be prepared to face the legal issues of today and tomorrow. In June, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in Masterpiece Cakeshop that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission treated … Read More

Proverbs 31 Inspires Women’s Shelter Ministry

Jeannie HayesAll Enews, Strengthening Team

P31 Ministries

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

Jessica CruschAll Enews, Strengthening Team

The Ellington Family

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

Barrett DukeAll Enews, Strengthening Team

Darren Hales

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

Jessica CruschAll Enews, Strengthening Team

McCraw Family

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

mtsbcAll Enews, Strengthening Team

ACP

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

mtsbcAll Enews, Strengthening Team

ACP

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