Wyoming question

[Reagan]

Are there many independent Baptist churches in Wyoming? Particularly the northwest corner? I've heard there aren't many.

Of the ones there, roughly what percentage are calvinist? (I'm not calvinist, but I know you are). In any event, I thought you might have a knowledgable guess on this subject.

[ July 25, 2003, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Dr. Bob Griffin ]

 

[Dr. Bob]

They're aren't many ANYTHING's in Northwestern Wyoming. SBC have small works in every major town (major being 200 people or more). NW basin (Yellowstone actually occupies all of NW Wyoming) communities are heavy Mormon.

Largest city (Cody, 8000) has a couple ifb churches + SBC. One "berean" church that is calvinistic. Only other "big" city is Jackson (4500) and controlled by big money. Homes are 400k. One baptist church.

Let me know if you want to come this way and preach!

 

[Pastor Chet]

Can I come that way and preach????
Don't answer at once. You're suppose to say I'll pray about it .LOL
chet

 

[SaggyWoman]

Bob, I can come that way and preach. When do you want me to come?

 

[Roy]

REAGAN: Try this link and see if it helps.
http://www.baptistinfo.com/States/WY/WY.HTM

Roy

 

[Xingyi Warrior]

Dr. Griffin, where in Wyoming do you live? I am a lifelong fan of your state and vacation there regularly. It is my desire to move there once I graduate with my Master's degree in December. I currently live in Springfield, Missouri, but my wife and I hate it here because there is nothing to do, the pay here is abominable, and we don't like the local culture or people. Laramie is my first choice but Jackson would be my second. I have interviewed for two jobs out there but sadly neither selected me for employment. Any tips on getting employed in your state?

 

[Reagan]

Dr. Bob, I would love to come to Wyoming someday and preach.

I can see you are very knowledgable about your state. What about the area west of Casper and south of Jackson and Cody?

I'm amazed at the lack of churches there. I'm from Tennessee and I can count around 9 independent Baptist churches within 15 miles of the church I attend and about that many more southern Baptist churches. And this isn't a city, just 3 small towns. It would be nice to have some of those churches buildings in more needier places. Can you believe that someone started an independent Baptist store-front church in this area 2 years ago? I'll never believe God led them!

Even though there are fewer churches in Wyoming, is it just because there are so fewer people? Are there actually enough churches based on the population?

 

[Dr. Bob]

Reagan - If you look at the map, you will see a notch cut out of Utah. This part was taken from that state and given to Wyoming after the Mormon wars, as punishment to Utah.

So figure the bottom left quarter of Wyoming is heavily Mormon and tied to Utah more than the rest of our state.

Tremendous need - but cities are very small and close knit. SBC is working hard to have a church in every town. Little employment opportunities for bi-vocational pastors.

Wyoming is another world compared to Tennessee or Missouri or even Texas! No parallel works.

Bigger cities have LOTS of Baptist churches (22 in Casper, largest city in Wyoming with 50k)

 

[Dr. Bob]

Originally posted by Xingyi Warrior:
Dr. Griffin, where in Wyoming do you live? I am a lifelong fan of your state and vacation there regularly.

I'm dead center, in Casper. Hub of the state, although out of the loop of state functions. All of those are along the Union Pacific corridor running parallel to the Colorado border.

Laramie has 25k people, 8 baptist churches + college ministries. Housing is expensive.

But not like Jackson! The rich and famous have gobbled up the beautiful area all around Jackson and new home construction is half million and up.

School teachers there get highest wages in state, but with the costs so high, they are always looking for help.

South from Jackson goes into high desert. All of southern Wyoming is high desert. Ugliest, most godforsaken places in the state.

Check http://www.nbmissions.org/about_nbm.htm

 

[Xingyi Warrior]

All housing in Wyoming is more expensive than it is where I live now. But the average wage here is $21,000 per year and the town is saturated with unemployed college students who are like fish in a hatchery when waiting for jobs to open up. Besides that there is nothing to do unless your terminally ill and must go to the doctor all the time. I interviewed for one job in Gillette, and another in Sheridan. Both jobs paid about twice what I can get here in Springfield. I hope that I can get some more interviews soon. The only part of Wyoming I really didn't care for is SW - Evanston - Rock Springs.