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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, […]

Mission teams hit the road after COVID hiatus

Ken Schultz hadn’t performed in nearly a year when he dusted off his suspenders for a mission trip to Africa. The pastor of Crosswinds Church in Plainfield and long-time entertainer recently traveled to Kenya with a mission team to share the gospel with schoolkids. Schultz wowed the crowd with juggling feats and sleight of hand […]

Opening Day: Camps celebrate long-awaited return

The themes of IBSA’s 2021 summer camps forecast a joyous return to the places many adult leaders credit with deepening their faith. Bounce. Rebound. Comeback. If 2020 was a year without camp, this summer is shaping up to be a relaunch of treasured ministries, and memories. Lynnette Wilson is a big believer in summer camps. […]

Abuse in the SBC

Former Illinois pastor accused; two relationships occurred in youth ministry in 2002

Illinois Baptist Staff

Former Illinois pastor Wes Feltner is accused by two women of abusive relationships, one of them sexual, when he was their youth minister in Indiana 17 years ago. The charges came to light as Feltner is lead candidate for the pastorate of First Baptist Church of Clarksville, Tennessee. The story was reported by the Clarksville […]

Longtime Chicago pastor resigns; sexual abuse prior to ministry among reasons

Illinois Baptist Staff

Charles Lyons resigned as pastor of Armitage Baptist Church in Chicago following what church leaders called a “corrective leave of absence” that began in October 2018. Read…

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News Stories

Vaccine in vials with syringe on grunge background

Evangelicals blamed for vaccine fear, but pastors, leaders promote shots

Lisa Misner

Some in the media are warning the COVID-19 pandemic may last longer than necessary due to members of the evangelical community refusing a vaccine due to spiritual convictions or uncertainty regarding vaccine safety. An article headlined “How white evangelicals’ vaccine refusal could prolong the pandemic” appeared in the April 5 issue of the New York […]

Lake Sallateeska, Streator managers ready to welcome visitors

Leah Honnen

IBSA’s new camp managers moved to Illinois when many COVID-19 restrictions were still in place, limiting to a very small number the people they met in their first months at Lake Sallateeska and Streator. But they’ve used the last few months to prepare for a camp comeback this summer. At Lake Sallateeska, Manager Brock Vandever […]

All-time low membership: What does it mean?

Eric Reed

A recent Gallup poll showing that church membership among U.S. adults has dropped below 50% for the first time in 80 years has religious leaders scratching their heads. They’re not so much wondering why, but how do we get them back? A summary showing who actually left may help. Gallup says that declines are smaller […]

IBSA

IBSA Board adopts new statements, budget

Illinois Baptist Staff

The Board of Directors of the Illinois Baptist State Association approved new mission and values statements for the organization during a virtual meeting March 30. The newly adopted statements resulted from a multi-year vision process that gives new direction and language to IBSA’s goals and strategies. The mission, values, strategies, and measures are parts of […]

Poll: Illinoisans not in favor of repealing parental notice

IBSA President accepts role with North American Mission Board

More News Stories

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 […]

Sketch of Garden Tomb in retro style

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. […]

Are you weary? Run on.

Aubrey Krol

God with us

Sammy Simmons

More Posts from this Category

Leaders

Illinois Leadership Summit goes online

Illinois Baptist Staff

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. […]

More Leaders Stories

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Tuesday Briefing

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Apology renews debate on gender roles

Featured Columns

Let me ask one question

Sammy Simmons

I left the deacons meeting one proud pastor. It had been a tiring Sunday evening filled with meetings and preaching. However, I went home greatly encouraged by how God was at work using our leaders. In our meeting, five deacons told stories about how they had shared the gospel with someone during the past month. […]

Each church thriving

Nate Adams

Recently our IBSA staff set aside a day for spiritual retreat and focus. Since the beginning of the year, our weekly chapel services have been focusing on the Bible passages that undergird key words and phrases in our new mission statement: “Deliver network value that inspires each church to thrive in health, growth, and mission.” […]

Redefine a winning season

Paul Cooper

My senior year of football, we stunk. Our preseason goal to win every week shifted to a goal to just win once. Which we did—the final game of the season. As church leaders, it can be easy to watch all the loss from this pandemic and think we need to lower the bar of what […]

More Columns

Evangelicals blamed for vaccine fear, but pastors, leaders promote shots

Lisa Misner

Some in the media are warning the COVID-19 pandemic may last longer than necessary due to members of the evangelical community refusing a vaccine due to spiritual convictions or uncertainty regarding vaccine safety. An article headlined “How white evangelicals’ vaccine refusal could prolong the pandemic” appeared in the April 5 issue of the New York […]

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