Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • SBC 2023
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • SBC 2023
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

‘We are neighbors’: Ridgecrest Baptist launches year-long neighboring initiative

  • January 21, 2022
  • Missouri's The Pathway
  • Latest News, Missions, Missouri
(Photo courtesy of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Springfield)

‘We are neighbors’: Ridgecrest Baptist launches year-long neighboring initiative

Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield exists to make Christ-centered disciples of its neighbors and the nations. In 2022, church leaders are asking the Lord to lead members to build strong, loving relationships with their eight closest Missouri neighbors as part of a neighboring initiative being called “We Are Neighbors.”

The initiative launched on Jan. 2 with the first sermon in a five-part sermon series.

Six challenges

As part of the initiative, Ridgecrest is rolling out six different challenges during the year and offering several classes, conferences and sermons focused on neighboring. The six challenges are expressed as Pray, Meet, Act, Gather, Serve and Invite.

Additionally, Ridgecrest Baptist will host the “We Are Neighbors” conference March 5 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. in its fellowship center. Registration costs $10. To register online, visit https://www.ridgecrestbaptist.org/neighbors.

“We are spending the year encouraging our members to learn the names of all their neighbors, then build relationships with them through common interests and shared experiences and sustain compassionate and caring practices of neighborly love,” said Kelsey Kleier, missions director at Ridgecrest.

Changing perspectives on neighbors

Studies show that most Americans now believe a good neighbor is someone who is quiet and leaves them alone. The initiative challenges Christians to change that narrative and demonstrate what it means to love their neighbors with active, Christ-like, sacrificial love.

“Ridgecrest also has a unique opportunity here because we’re on the southwest corner of Springfield. We have a lot of members in Nixa, Ozark and Republic. How can we, as a congregation, reach out to, bless and encourage these communities?” Kleier asked.

Individuals working on the neighboring initiative say Ridgecrest member households can develop positive, loving relationships with 11,700 area residents based on a recognized metric.

“We are encouraging our members to not only focus on God’s heart for the nations and what the Lord is doing all around the world but to set our eyes on those people that are around us. How can we encourage them? How can we strengthen them? How can we be a friend?” Kleier said.

For more information, go to https://www.ridgecrestbaptist.org/neighbors.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was originally published by The Pathway, newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • NextGen teams ‘on front lines of lostness,’ reaching nations with gospel
    NextGen teams ‘on front lines of lostness,’ reaching nations with gospel
    June 8, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Sixteen members of Nigerian church released after being kidnapped
    Sixteen members of Nigerian church released after being kidnapped
    June 8, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson dies at 93
    Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson dies at 93
    June 8, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

NextGen teams ‘on front lines of lostness,’ reaching nations with gospel

Sticky notes plastered to the wall represented all the ways summer volunteers will embark on the missionary task in the next few weeks and months.

Sixteen members of Nigerian church released after being kidnapped

Sixteen members of Bege Baptist Church of Masala in central Nigeria were released June 4 after being kidnapped nearly a month earlier. Gunmen abducted 43

Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson dies at 93

Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, died June 8 at his Virginia Beach home. Robertson was 93. “Pat Robertson has gone home to

First Person: Gaining altitude — WMU celebrates 135 years of SBC missions

According to an insect identification database, 647 types of bugs and insects are found in Alabama. Some downright scare me. I looked at images of

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel