Springfield | Redefine your measurements for success if you want to reach the next generation, said Seth Conerly, pastor of Metro Community Church. Conerly, who has served in church planting, megachurch ministry, and revitalization settings across the South and Midwest, told Illinois Leadership Summit attenders that many pastors feel pressure to measure effectiveness by attendance […]
IMB Sending Celebration highlights stories of faith, generosity
Southern Baptists gathered earlier this month to support and send 41 International Mission Board missionaries who are going to the nations to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will serve in such diverse places as Thailand, Columbia, Spain, and regions hostile to the gospel. Each had their own story of how God called them […]
Addis says churches must become intergenerational: ILS26
Springfield, IL | More than 200 church leaders gathered at the IBSA Building in January to focus on the question of how to reach the next generation at the 2026 Illinois Leadership Summit. College age adults are part of that next-gen group. But the term has come to mean a broader age-range including Gen-Z and […]
ERLC Trustees approve guiding statement
Nashville, Tenn. | The SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) approved a statement January 30 that will help guide the work of the public policy entity’s next president. Meantime, the presidential search committee reported progress in their effort to bring a nominee, with hope that a new leader will be in place by the […]
Five reasons churches struggle to reach the next generation: ILS26
Editor’s note: The 2026 Illinois Leadership Summit, held in Springfield January 20-21, featured four main session speakers discussing the hard work needed to reach the next generation. This is the first of four articles, published weekly, based on those messages. Churches hoping to engage younger generations must move beyond comfort, familiarity, and fear, according to […]
Leaders focus on next gen at Summit
Springfield | More than 200 leaders from Illinois churches focused on reaching the next generation in a two-day conference at the IBSA Building. With four keynote speakers and 21 breakout sessions, pastors and church leaders gleaned insight on connecting with young people now coming of age, leading them to faith, and training them for leadership. […]
Community Reborn: Gospel transformation underway in Chicago’s Garfield Park
Overdose deaths, homicides, gang violence, prostitution and political corruption are rampant in Chicago’s Garfield Park, but God called Jamie Thompson to plant a church “right in the middle of the devil’s playground.” “It’s just been a miracle story of God’s grace,” Thompson, pastor of Reborn Community Church, told Baptist Press. Thompson grew up in a […]
Q & A with Scott Foshie
In December, the IBSA Board of Directors met and unanimously elected Scott Foshie IBSA Executive Director. He will serve as Executive Director Elect until current IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams retires on April 1. A few days following his election, IBSA Media Editor Eric Reed interviewed Foshie about his thoughts on the challenges ahead of […]
News Stories
Illinoisan named to national Acteens panel
Birmingham, Ala. | A young woman from Illinois has been named to the 2026 National Acteens Panel, a group of four who will serve with the national WMU at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando. Abigail (Abbie) Howard of Casey First Baptist Church has been active in missions service through Acteens for seven years. “Being […]
HLGU suit secures Christian schools’ rights
Hannibal, Mo. | The settlement of a suit filed by Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) against the Department of Education prevents the federal government from applying regulations on for-profit schools to non-profit faith-based schools. In HLGU’s estimation, that protects the constitutional right of Baptists to establish and maintain schools that reflect their faith, doctrine, and values. “This regulation […]
Nolin returns to consult new Northern Region
Springfield | Chris Nolin is no stranger to Illinois Baptist associations. Now he is rejoining IBSA as Regional Consultant of the newly created Northern Region. The pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling has previously served as an IBSA Zone Consultant and most recently as Associational Mission Strategist for the Sinnissippi Association. “I am excited […]
Messenger, childcare registration open for SBC26
Orlando | Pre-registration for messengers and childcare opened Monday (Feb. 2) as Southern Baptists continue preparations for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, June 7-10 at the Orange County Convention Center. Directions for pre-registering and the information needed to do so are available and linked to SBCAnnualMeeting.net. Registration with Giant Cow provides events and care for children 12 and […]
BF&M 2000
BF&M Article 18: In the beginning God created… family
At the apex of God’s creative workweek, we find him crafting a man, then a woman, and directing them to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28). It might surprise younger Baptists to know that Article 18 wasn’t included in the 1925 BF&M. Or the 1963 version. It was added […]
BF&M Articles 15, 16, 17: Our dual citizenship
Some nations allow dual citizenship. Citizens can enjoy all the rights and privileges of their nation while pledging allegiance to another nation as well, so long as they keep up their obligations (and pay taxes, I suppose). The United States does not prohibit dual citizenship, but if you want to enter the country, you must […]
BF&M Articles 13 & 14: What’s temporary vs. what’s lasting
Those unfamiliar with the biblical use of the word steward may find it helpful to substitute the word manager. The Bible teaches that God owns everything, and that Christians, God’s people, are temporary managers of all that he entrusts into their lives. Managers are not owners. They are caretakers, with delegated responsibility for the treasures […]
BF&M Articles 11 & 12: Let’s talk about Jesus
The first official SBC-sanctioned witnessing training I received was called “Lay Evangelism School.” A leader from the state convention came to our church and taught us how to use a “survey method” to share the gospel on a Saturday morning. Then we went out and did it. We knocked on doors in the neighborhood and […]