Four candidates have announced their intention to run for SBC president when Baptists meet in June. The 2021 election, two years in the making, represents some of the biggest differences currently among Baptists. The candidate who emerges in Nashville could shape the denomination’s future on issues including racial reconciliation and social justice, theological direction, and […]
900 gather online and in person for Priority Women’s Conference
Even Billy Graham’s daughter once found the Holy Spirit too mysterious to understand. For Anne Graham Lotz, references to the “Holy Ghost” she heard as a child were more frightening than encouraging. Now, though, Lotz urges women to remember that the third member of the Trinity is listed that way not because he’s less important […]
Call it a comeback: Vacation Bible School is our opportunity for a fresh start
In 2020, churches of the Illinois Baptist State Association reported a drastic decline in Vacation Bible School enrollment. Churches saw 73% fewer people participate in VBS due to pandemic-related shutdowns. While some churches pivoted to offer VBS in small modules, in driveways, or online, many were forced to postpone the 2020 version of a beloved, […]
News Stories
Send Conference invites Baptists to unite around Great Commission
“Nothing is needed more than a movement of God in our churches to engage our people in reaching the lost world with the lifesaving gospel of Jesus Christ, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19,” said Florida pastor David Uth. The president of the canceled 2020 SBC Pastors’ Conference partnered with the North American and International […]
Illinois sex ed bills pose new threat
Illinois lawmakers have re-referred both the REACH (HB 1736) and Healthy Youth (HB 3071) Acts back to the House Rules Committee, but it doesn’t mean those bills are dead. Instead, they’ve been combined into one amendment that has been added to Senate Bill 818 as Amendment 2. The new bill would still mandate the teaching […]
Trafficking survivor begs ‘notify parents’
Brook Bello was raped at the age of 11, sex trafficked at 15, and forced to undergo multiple abortions by her trafficker. “Had my parents been notified, my mother would have [known] what city I was near.” Bello (right) believes law enforcement could have been alerted, and she may have been rescued sooner. That’s why […]
SBC resolutions submission portal now open
The submission portal for 2021 SBC resolutions opened April 15. In accordance with SBC Bylaw 20, proposed resolutions may be submitted as early as April 15 but no later than 15 days prior to the SBC Annual Meeting, giving the Resolutions Committee a two-week period in which to consider submissions. Committee members also may propose […]
Encouraging Words
Personal resurrection
Matthew 28 takes us to the first Sunday morning after the crucifixion. Two days prior, the disciples and friends of Jesus had witnessed his brutal execution and saw his body placed in the tomb. Many of them had restructured their lives in order to follow Jesus. They had found pride in being a part of […]
Serving the crucified Christ
Filled with hate, ignorant of truth, lacking in faith, and void of righteousness, the Jews had plotted to kill Jesus. Rome took ownership of their plot and made a statement of their authority in the act of crucifixion. In the course of less than 24 hours, Jesus was arrested, accused, lied about, cursed, and beaten. […]
Leaders
Illinois Leadership Summit goes online
Challenges presented by the pandemic are proving to be growth opportunities for IBSA conferences and leadership events. Because of limitations on attendance in a single location, the 2021 Illinois Leadership Summit will be available online for the first time. Future Focus: Leading Your Church Beyond COVID-19 will be the theme of the event on Jan. […]