September 1, 2002

JEFFERSON CITY--A $400,000 budget for The Pathway to begin publishing as a biweekly, 16-page newspaper in January will be recommended to the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board when it meets just prior to the state convention's annual meeting Oct. 28-30 in Springfield.

The MBC Executive Board's newsjournal committee is expected to recommend an annual individual subscription rate of $10, but will offer a discounted rate of $6 for churches that order in bulk.

"Missouri Baptists are starving for a theologically conservative state newspaper and that is what we are going to give them," said Don Hinkle, Pathway editor. "We're anxious to tell the story of Missouri Baptists, whether on the foreign or domestic mission field, in the churches, or in our communities."

"The time has come for Southern Baptist churches in Missouri to step up and support their new state newspaper. We strongly encourage churches to order in bulk and to get their subscription orders in for 2003 by Dec. 1," he said, noting that The Pathway Web site will continue, serving as a supplement to the new newspaper as a means of disseminating fast-breaking news.

In addition, eight newsletter editions of The Pathway will be published beginning Sept. 1. The biweekly newsletter will run through Dec. 15. Free copies of the newsletter are being supplied to every pastor and director of missions in the state so that, if they wish, they may make copies and distribute them to congregations. A subscription price of $2 is also available for individuals or churches that wish to order in bulk.

Churches may call Angie Hurd at Jefferson Baptist Association at 636-937-8608 to subscribe to The Pathway newsletter and/or the 2003 newspaper.