I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting (1 Corinthians 9:15). What is the ground for Paul’s boasting? It is the “gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12). The gospel of Christ is centered on Jesus Himself—His perfect humanity, His full deity, the salvation that He perf| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Since we live in such a secular culture, it’s easy to think most nonbelievers are indifferent – even hostile – to the idea of attending church. But Relevant magazine reports new research indicating that 80% of non-churchgoers say they would attend if invited. It confirms the findings of the book Jonathan Bock and I wrote …| Phil Cooke
After the Charlie Kirk assassination, there was a significant number of people talking about whether or not their pastor mentioned the incident from the pulpit the following Sunday. Regardless of where you fall on that issue, one of the most frustrating and embarrassing admissions came from a pastor in the Midwest who said he didn’t …| Phil Cooke
Marginally later than in some previous years, the full details of the annual returns on attendance for the Church of England has been published ('Statistics for Mission'). This is in two parts, both linked here: a report, giving the main statistics and trends, helpfully illustrated with graphs; and the detailed breakdown by diocese in a serious of spreadsheets. Both are worth looking at. Thanks as ever to Ken Eames in Church House for their production. Preliminary figures were released in Jun...| Psephizo
The lectionary reading for the Fourth Sunday before Advent in Year C is the story of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus in Luke 19.1–10, a story found only in this gospel. Video discussion of the passage can be found here, and is posted at the end. The epistle for this week is the challenging passage of Paul in 2 Thess 1. Video discussion of that passage can be found here, and is also posted at the end. This short narrative account of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus has all the elements that make it a...| Psephizo
How one teacher’s quiet faith lit up a public school and shaped students, families, and colleagues for years leaving a legacy of light.| Greg Stier
As we help our people live as disciples in this culture, we must exhort them to 1) deal with sin inwardly and 2) display their Savior outwardly.| outreachmagazine.com
If we are going to see more people saved in North America and more people engaged in personal evangelism, then we desperately need the Holy Spirit to work in all our hearts. Simply put, we need a mighty move of God in our land.| outreachmagazine.com
On Judgment Day, I won’t hide. I won’t run. Not because I’m innocent, but because I’m forgiven. Jesus paid it all.| outreachmagazine.com
Why evangelism must move from the fringe to the core of discipleship| Greg Stier
Pastor Rodney Rambo and his Carl Junction congregation, Rooted Church, has sent roughly 80 people Pittsburg, Kans., where they will help start a new church. The new church plant, named Radiant Church, is being formed from a team made up of nearly one-third of Rooted Church’s membership. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
I was driving around Franklin, TN a few months ago, and saw a building with the sign “World Christian Broadcasting.” Since I’m fascinated with all things Christian media, I decided to check them out. Come to find out, World Christian Broadcasting is a media ministry that focuses on short wave radio broadcasting. Most of us …| Phil Cooke
Students from the Missouri Baptist student group at Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo., recently helped share the love of Christ in Poland, and they grew in their passion for sharing Christ at home, as well. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
Sota spent his career in information technology, but retiring from secular work didn’t mean stepping away from serving the Lord. A Japanese man living in the United States, Sota asked a simple-but-powerful question: “Is there anything more I can do than pray?” God answered with an unexpected invitation — an opportunity to serve as a digital engagement (DE) responder for a city in Japan. The post Retired but not finished: How one man’s online ministry is reaching Japan appeared first...| Pathway
As retired International Mission Board missionaries Nik and Ruth Ripken speak in a variety of small group settings, churches and conferences, they desire to share practical insights with prospective missionaries about what to expect mentally, physically and spiritually. The post Nik and Ruth Ripken encourage believers to follow Jesus, no matter the cost appeared first on Pathway.| Pathway
Milwaukee is known for many things, including the birth of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, cheese curds, bratwurst and Lake Michigan. One thing it’s not known for is floods. That all changed, though, on Aug. 9-10, when different parts of the city were inundated with 10-to-14 inches of rain. The rain came so fast that it was more than the storm drains could handle, causing water to back up into basements throughout the city. As a result, what was referred to as a “1,000-year flood” damaged ...| Pathway
Ed Croteau is the featured speaker at a special event Oct. 26 preceding the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting in Branson. The post Croteau to speak at MBC apologetics network event during annual meeting appeared first on Pathway.| Pathway
“The Great Commission is not just about the IMB,” said Eric Kuykendall, who leads an International Mission Board team in Paris working among Chinese people. The post IMB mobilizes Christians from the nations to reach the nations appeared first on Pathway.| Pathway
The group of seven were the first missions team sent from a church in Germany that International Mission Board workers Kelly and Janice Seely helped start years ago. They now work with European churches to help them see what it means for a church to be involved in long-term missions. The post IMB workers teach former German church plant about cross-cultural missions in Greece appeared first on Pathway.| Pathway
An immigrant couple from a Slavic church in California will continue ministering in Spain, but they will return as International Mission Board missionaries. Another couple is going overseas after a long tenure of serving Southern Baptists through multiple entities. And a young man is returning to do missions in the same country he previously served as a Journeyman. These are a few of the 54 newly appointed missionaries who participated in a Sending Celebration, Sept. 24, at Ironbridge Baptist...| Pathway
On the western edge of South Dakota lies the sleepy little town of Sturgis. For most of the year about 7000 people call Sturgis their home. But for 10 days in early August, the population surges to over 500,000 people. The reason? The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. When entering the town of Sturgis, visitors pass under a banner that reads: Sturgis: The Ride. The Roar. The Rally. For several dozen Southern Baptists, an additional phrase could be added. The Gospel! The post Revving engines, reaching...| Pathway
Friendly banter came before the final decision on who would carry which flag. Several of the new missionaries wanted to hold Mexico’s flag, of course. In the end, Roselia processed in carrying the flag of her home country and the home of seven of the 10 new Latin American global missionary partners, soon to join International Mission Board teams. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
In this weeks final Quantum (before we change into Beauty for Ashes), we take a look at the church throughout the world including the Pope blessing a block of ice; Vishnal Mangalwadi and Christian Education; US school vouchers; Church and State; Ofcom vetting sermons; The Church in China; the Church in South Korea; Bill Maher […]| TheWeeFlea.com
Help students engage pop culture wisely using Philippians 4:8 with practical, biblical questions for discernment.| Dare 2 Share
Help students engage pop culture wisely using Philippians 4:8 with practical, biblical questions for discernment.| Dare 2 Share
A former Muslim in eastern Uganda who put his faith in Christ in March was lured to his death on Aug. 19, sources said.| Morningstar News
Gene Smith, administrative pastor at First Baptist Church, De Soto, and his wife Kristi recently led a missions trip to La Romana, Dominican Republic. They and 12 individuals from their church partnered with Pastor Savenít Polo of Maranatha Baptist Church and other volunteers in La Romana to organize an eyeglass clinic, which was open, June 21–28. The team went out to two different “bateyes,” impoverished villages where sugar cane workers live. On this trip, they gave out 589 pairs of ...| Pathway
Need some fresh, impactful ideas for fall youth group activities? We've got 5 ideas ready for you to do with your students.| Dare 2 Share
Make the most of See You at the Pole™, a global student-led prayer movement. Help students pray and share the Gospel at their schools.| Dare 2 Share
True unity is forged in mission, against the enemy, and through hardship, just as soldiers on a battlefield become brothers-in-arms.| Greg Stier
As Jesus’ hands and feet, we need to be involved with AI. The post Our Road to Digital Ministry: Sharing the Gospel in Turkish during the Era of AI appeared first on Faithward.org.| Faithward.org
Previously, I introduced the metaphor of the Father’s House, and we will now look at it further. I believe the love of the Father extends to everyone, and I like to think of all of us being in the Father’s … Continue reading →| Jesus Without Baggage
What if there are factors besides the claims of the gospel itself that are making it hard or impossible for the unbelieving world to accept?| Baptist News Global
This is embarrassingly out of date, but since it’s literally about Time Bridges, that makes it all the more apropos, right? (If you’re wondering how we even dug up something this old, you might like our recent series on backlogs and freshenable collections.) The Future of Life Podcast is mostly about...| blog.beeminder.com
Amnesty International this week called for the "quashing" of the convictions of 11 Christians in Libya sentenced to prison under charges that included “insulting Islam.”| Morningstar News
In Kelsey’s first month of service at the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH), she met a client who shared a story of relapse, shame, and regret. Kelsey shared Jesus at the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Through the power of the gospel, the client faced reality and took responsibility for her situation. The work of the MBCH is among more than two dozen ministries supported by the Missouri Missions Offering (MMO). The MMO Eight Days of Prayer are Sept. 7-14. Read the full story from The Pa...| Pathway
Before Youth Minister Jimmy Bagwell and his family moved to Memphis, Mo., three years ago, he was told that the cows in the town outnumbered people ten to one. (With a population of about 1,700 people, you can do the math.) But beyond the hooves and hayfields, the heart of this rural town beats for community—a community that Bagwell cherishes, but even more so, by First Baptist Church (FBC) of Memphis. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
A Muslim convert who said he saw a vision of Christ while napping at a Ugandan mosque is recovering after his relatives beat him and destroyed his home, Morning Star News reported. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
Are you worried finding your next meal will be a struggle? Know someone who is? If food insecurity doesn’t affect you, it probably affects someone you know. International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood says the global hunger crisis is the worst it has been in four decades. “Two billion people around the world today live on a single (daily) meal,” he told Baptist Press. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
"Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you" (2 Thessalonians 3:1). In this single verse Paul reminds of the importance of two of the chief things God has given us to do in the world: prayer and proclaiming God’s Word, both for the glory of God. Pray| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh" (Jonah 1:1-2). God spoke plainly to Jonah and instructed him to visit the capital city of Israel's enemies with a message of repentance and, ultimately, grace. Yet Jonah refused. Why did Jonah -- and why do we| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
In Deuteronomy 6:5-7 we are reminded that we cannot teach what we don’t know. We are told first, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (5), and then we are instructed to teach God's Word diligently to our children (7). You cannot teach| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
What if one weekend could change everything? How one event can ignite your passion, and transform your ministry.| Dare 2 Share
Inspire and equip students to share the Gospel at public schools with practical steps and powerful partnerships.| Dare 2 Share
As youth leaders, we’re called to mobilize students for mission. Jesus gave us a clear roadmap–four mission fields that still guide us today.| Dare 2 Share
A viral Coldplay clip captured a moment of shame—but it points to a greater truth: one day, all will be exposed. But, Jesus takes away our shame.| Greg Stier
Heaven isn’t earned by doing “good deeds.” Help your students understand it as the fuller, deeper reality of eternal life with God.| Dare 2 Share
Over the last number of weeks we've been chatting to lots of young people on the streets around our Church - one of the repeated objections that we have come up against, in discussions with Muslim folk, is that the Scriptures are not inspired, and that the Christians have changed| Gentle Reformation
In the early 2000s, I met Ben Hess at the Denny’s restaurant next to Interstate 44 in Eureka. For the previous few months, my wife Heidi and I had been wrestling with the call to plant a church in this St. Louis suburb. From that meeting, and for multiple years after we planted the church, Ben, for us, was the face of the Cooperative Program. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
When Johnie and Dee Alden moved to Maryville, Mo., to be closer to family, including grandchildren, they wanted to serve in a mission team. They soon found Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief (MODR) and have hit the ground running. “We came across the Disaster Relief team and watched the videos. It touched my wife and me." Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
David Englehart, the campus director of New Mexico State University’s Christian Challenge, was moved with emotion as he recalled a quiet, but stunning moment in his life some 30 years earlier during a trip to Central Asia. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
For distributing the Bible and sharing the Gospel in the Soviet Union, Aleksei Kharlamov’s great-grandfather was sent to Siberia and never heard from again. His grandfather and father both were persecuted for being Baptist pastors. Growing up in post-Soviet Moscow, Kharlamov was called a cult member for being a Baptist. That family history enhances his love of America’s religious liberty. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
Your kingdom come (Luke 11:2). In my last post I began a series of brief meditations on the Lord's Prayer. The prayer begins with the request for God's name to be hallowed, followed immediately with the prayer for his kingdom to come. When we ask for God's kingdom to come, we are reminded that not| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Of all of the things the disciples could’ve asked, they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Be reminded of the power of praying deliberately.| Greg Stier
Watching the home stretch of the election online was a fascinating case study, on two different ideas of what the internet is and how to use it, playing out in real time. Obviously, the result ended in Trump winning not just the electoral college but the popular vote as well.| Endeavor Blog
Try to define the word “religion”.| Endeavor Blog
How to engage Generation Z with the Gospel.| Christian Apologetics
A friend who has recently been reading through David Brainerd's biography shared with me a stirring passage from Brainerd's journal. What motivated this man -- who spent years in sacrifice and service of the gospel, and eventually died an early death for the spread of it -- to continue laboring in t| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you ... your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Paul, writing to the church at Thessalonica, commends them for their "acoustics." The message they had received was being reverberate| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
After spending years learning from Jesus–the disciples reached their “graduation moment.” Here are 3 grad gifts Jesus gave–and is still giving.| Greg Stier
Momentum is growing. For 10 years, Dare 2 Share's championed every teen hearing the Gospel from a friend. Your stories inspire us.| Dare 2 Share
Many churches are great at a lot of things, but are not engaging the lost in their own neighborhoods. Here are 7 major reasons why that I identified...| Greg Stier
Pope Francis is dead. He died by a suspected cerebral stroke Monday morning April 21, 2025. One day after Easter. World leaders are coming to Rome in the next few days for the Pope’s funeral. Everyone already seems to have pronounced their opinion on the matter. Some people on Facebook condemned those who pronounced their […]| The Cripplegate
Gospel Advancing works, and we have proof! We did the research and the numbers reveal big impact and big results.| Dare 2 Share
Everyone loves a good story—that's why your testimony is so impactful. Use these 5 steps to make testimony a powerful tool for your ministry.| Dare 2 Share
In John 10:16 Jesus says, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." When you hear these words, what is your gut reaction? Are you offended that Jesus is just as concerned about homeless people a| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Student Grace Wallace shares a unique perspective on how the evangelism culture in her youth ministry became the culture of her life.| Greg Stier
Why the true Gospel of grace always sounds too good to be true| Greg Stier
Our first and primary obligation is certainly to the local church. The Bible is very clear on the fact that we are to financially support those pastors who minister to us spiritual things, by ministering to their physical needs (1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). The Scripture is equally plai| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Hardline Muslims in eastern Uganda on Feb. 15 beat and stabbed an evangelist after he and his team led a Muslim widow to Christ during open-air gospel preaching, sources said.| Morningstar News
He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). Have you ever wondered how you can personally participate in world missions, and the advancement of Christ's kingdom, even while you are punching a clock at your 9 to 5 job, or while you are a stay-at-home| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Stephen Handy says we must reframe discipleship as a daily experience fostered through the practice of breaking bread together and sharing hope.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can congregations faithfully engage in ministry with Millennials and Gen Z? Dexter Nutall shares how New Bethel Church engages these generations by fostering belonging, social justice, and leadership to create a welcoming and impactful community for young people. Watch the interview video, listen to the interview, or continue reading. Doug Powe: I want to begin| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me (Matthew 25:35-36). In Jesus' famous description of the judgment day in Matthew 25, he desc| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
As the holiday season approaches, church leaders face heightened stress while preparing meaningful celebrations and making meaningful connections. Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff encourages church leaders to nurture spiritual connections, foster relationships with neighbors and guests, and actively invite people to engage in worship and ministry. Transform the season into an opportunity for| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can your congregation more effectively engage people in the digital sphere? Jim Keat, Digital Minister at The Riverside Church in New York City, shares tips and strategies that can help any church approach digital ministry with more intentionality and focus. Watch the interview video, listen to the interview, or continue reading. Ann Michel: How have| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Phil Maynard says that the typical greeting time during a worship service encourages people to shake a lot of hands rather than really engaging someone new. He offers simple strategies and conversation starters to encourage deeper connections. In a typical greeting time during worship, people are encouraged to turn to their neighbors and welcome them| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! G| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
When I’m searching for an unengaged, unreached people group, I ask the Holy Spirit to show me someone open to the Gospel. One day, that simple prayer led me to the water’s edge, where an old man fished from strings tied to his hand. He asked why I was there. Read the full story from The Pathway, Missouri Baptists' news source.| Pathway
I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting (1 Corinthians 9:15). What is the ground for Paul’s boasting? It is the “gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12). The gospel of Christ is centered on Jesus Himself—His perfect humanity, His full deity, the salvation that He perf| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Rather than direct Bible quotes, the Methodist Church share prayers relating to real-world issues that people are thinking about.| Interhacktives
Ever wonder why bother with “defending the faith”? Jennifer DeFrates gives 5 reasons we all need apologetics.| Cross Examined
“Their gross hypocrisy about Donald Trump (and many other things) has turned millions of people away from Christ and the church.”| Baptist News Global
Lovett H. Weems Jr. shares metrics for gauging your church’s effectiveness in bringing new people to faith. He also outlines three clues that can help churches of all sizes reach new believers. The Religious Workforce Project of the Lewis Center is a multiyear effort to understand the changing religious landscape in the 21st century. Funded by the Lilly| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Rev. Dr. Michael L. Henderson Sr. describes how a church he planted grew to over 7,000 members through an intentional process for developing disciples grounded in the core belief that discipleship and evangelism are organically interconnected. Decades ago, I planted New Beginnings Church (NBC), a solo church plant located in Matthews, North Carolina, outside of| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can church leaders address the challenges of urban ministry in a transformative way? Doug Powe speaks with Tony Hunt, a pastor and scholar, about reading a community well, identifying assets, and the importance of understanding your ministry context. Learn how to develop the transformative qualities of effective leadership. Listen to this interview, watch the interview| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
How can congregations build meaningful connections with young adults? Brandi Nicole Williams, Director for the African American Church Evangelism Institute, offers eight practical strategies for bridging the generational gap and fostering relationships with Gen Z to build a more relevant church community. In today’s rapidly changing world, the church faces a critical challenge: engaging and| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Pastors in the past weren’t afraid to preach for conversions. Should we be preaching for conversions today?| Timothy Paul Jones
Neil Postman's book, Amusing Ourselves To Death, is most likely the most prophetic book of the 20th century. Read it with us as we discover how media forms (and deforms) us and how we can apply his wisdom in the digital age.| www.endeavorwithus.com
"How do we connect the life and worship of the church to our actions? Tony’s death was a call for people, to realize that we need to be doing even more. "| Bearing Witness
