Brooks shares plans for pregnancy resource center

The Rev. Irvin Brooks is a pastor at Burfordville Baptist Church. In this week's Ministry Focus, he shares information about some of the ministries and events hosted by the church.

In addition to his church service, Brooks is on the board for Options for Women, a pregnancy resource center with plans to open in November.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I am 51 years old. I was raised in Leadwood, Mo., married Patricia White [on] May 22,1982. Pattie is from Bonne Terre, Mo. We have two children and four grandchildren. My favorite things to do are spending time with my wife and fishing.

Q: How long have you been a member of your faith?

A: At the end of a date with a young lady, who is now my wife, she shared with me the plan of salvation. A few days later the Holy Spirit reminded me of her words and convinced me of my need for forgiveness and a personal relationship with Christ. I was baptized by my father-in-law in a Southern Baptist Church about 32 years ago.

Q: Who or what inspired you to join the ministry?

A: God continually impressed upon me His will for me to be a pastor until I accepted His invitation 25 years ago. Two great men of God previously had discipled me and helped prepare me for ministry.

Q: You serve on the board for Options For Women, a pregnancy resource center. Tell us about the center, its objectives and how it was started.

A: Options for Women has been the vision of several people for about a year and a half. The mission of Options For Women is to promote Biblical values of human life. We will be offering pregnancy tests, first trimester ultrasounds, pregnancy education and support, alternatives to abortion, parenting classes, abstinence education and other services to strengthen families.

At this point we have a building on Silver Springs Road in Cape. We have a state-of-the-art ultrasound, and plans to renovate the building to fit our needs. Our plans are to be open by November. We need volunteers to staff the clinic in positions from receptionist to ultrasound techs. We also, as any ministry, need funding.

If you would like to volunteer, give or need more information, please call me at 573-517-3363 or email me at idbpeb@yahoo.com. Websites will be coming soon.

Q: What's the greatest blessing you've experienced in the ministry?

A: Baptizing people and watching them grow into mature, ministering believers.

Q: What upcoming events or sermon series do you have scheduled at Burfordville Baptist Church?

A: We just finished a very busy and productive children and teens camp season. We are looking forward to a church picnic and a fall overnight retreat. We will once again host a "Trunks of Treats" outreach on Halloween night.

Q: What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

A: Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." If we follow these words of Christ our life and the life of those around us will be better because we will be in the center of God's will.

Q: What makes your church unique?

A: Very friendly and accepting church with a heart for ministry.

Q: What ongoing ministries does your church offer?

A: We have great Bible studies for all ages on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The quality of our teachers shows in the great group of children and teens we have. We have teens events every other Friday evening. This month they [were] Aug. 9 and [will be] 23. Our ladies meet on the third Monday evening of the month for ministry and fellowship; there is also a ladies Bible study on the third Tuesday at 10 a.m. We do ministry at two nursing homes and help with the food pantry at Red Star Baptist Church.

You can check out Burfordville Baptist on Facebook.

lpresson@semissourian.com

388-3649

Pertinent address: 201 State Highway 00, Burfordville, MO