Pastor of Discipleship

Lynwood Baptist Church to host regional event for parents in Cape Girardeau on April 8. An interactive children’s experience will be hosted at the same time and place, giving parents a unique opportunity for personal growth while providing a high-quality experience for their children.

Raising children can be as frightening as it is rewarding. Parents desire to instill in their children the character and skills necessary for a happy and fulfilling life but often feel lost, alone, and overwhelmed with the task before them. In response to the general challenges of raising children, many voices peddle parenting advice in the form of books, online videos, and blogs. Culture sends its own messages, some good and some bad, about parenting. Rarely, however, do parents look to those who are most ready, and may be most qualified, to guide them on parenting. Rarely do they look to their own children.

Tom and Rhonda Hufty believe that one of the keys to successful parenting is to listen closely to the cries and longings of our children. Within those cries, they say, will be some of the best parenting advice available. To say Tom and Rhonda are passionate about their family would be an understatement. They have a deep passion to help marriages and families work and grow. Tom has been working with families for over 40 years and is currently the senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Maryville, IL. Rhonda is enjoying a new chapter in her life — that of a pastor’s wife, after leaving a career in public relations for a Christian university. She enjoys speaking at women’s retreats and conferences, writing, and mentoring. Tom and Rhonda lead marriage, family, and parenting conferences across the nation and internationally. They use humor and personal experiences to effectively communicate in a manner that is both helpful and accessible. Tom and Rhonda are parents to adult children, Zac (Nicole) and Mackenzie (D.H.) and are proud to be called “Poppy” and “Gigi” by granddaughters Emmalyn, Kaylin, Vivian and Pearl.

Tom and Rhonda will share their experiences and perspective at a regional parenting event in Cape Girardeau on Friday, April 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event, Blindspots: 12 Cries Every Parent Needs to Hear, will be hosted by Lynwood Baptist Church.

Parents are invited to bring their children to the event. An interactive children’s experience, Stop and Go, will be hosted for children in grades K-6. This experience will give kids an opportunity to play, learn, and interact with others in a safe and encouraging environment. Childcare will be available for preschoolers age birth-5.

Blindspots parenting event, Stop and Go interactive children’s experience, and childcare for preschoolers are each offered free of charge. Registration is required for preschool childcare and the Stop and Go children’s experience and is requested for the Blindspots parenting event. To register, or for more information, parents can visit lynwoodbc.org/blindspots.

Follow-up questions or requests for interviews should be addressed to:

Kevin Coffee

Pastor of Discipleship

Lynwood Baptist Church

(573) 334-4600

kcoffee@lynwoodbc.org