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14 million people have fled their homes in war-torn Ukraine, and 6.5 million of them have left for neighboring countries.

Medical ministry is part of global engagement for Metropolis church

When Randy Oliver saw news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the doctor from Southern Illinois knew he would be going to the region again. And when he received notice from the International Mission Board that Ukrainian refugees were flooding into nearby countries, the family physician quickly joined a five-person medical mission team that included […]

End abortion

Post-Roe vs. post-abortion: Baptists have a larger goal in mind

As they gathered for the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, messengers anticipated release of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that might overturn the 1973 decision legalizing abortion in all 50 states. They prayed about it. They hoped it might even come during the convention. But what was made clear in the convention is […]

IBSA

IBSA Executive Director responds to SCOTUS ruling

Illinois Baptist State Association Executive Director Nate Adams provided a statement regarding today’s (June 24) U.S. Supreme Court decision in the abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. The Court’s decision overturned the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling, calling it unconstitutional and returned the decision of whether or not to legalize abortion to individual […]

Abuse in the SBC

With SATF recommendations approved, the hard part begins

Lisa Misner

“The recommendations before you are not from Guidepost, they are from the task force,” Bruce Frank, chairman of the Sexual Abuse Task Force told messengers as they prepared to vote on a set of history-making recommendations at the SBC Annual Meeting June 14-15 in Anaheim, Calif. The task force was assigned and authorized by action […]

IBSA President on abuse response: From difficulties to determination

Heath Tibbetts

A 288-page report on any subject is daunting, but as a Southern Baptist, pastor, and president of IBSA, I felt a responsibility to keep the report open all last week and slowly read through it. I made notes and wrote down personal thoughts, and as I reviewed them afterwards, I was surprised to discover a […]

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

Illinois Welcome Sign

How pro-choice is Illinois?

Lisa Misner

While Illinois Baptists celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, they were quickly reminded of the challenges ahead to making Illinois a pro-life state when Governor JB Pritzker announced plans to call the Illinois General Assembly back into session to “further enshrine our commitment to reproductive health rights.” In a press […]

Stop abortion

Abortion by the numbers

Illinois Baptist Staff

Opinions on abortion Of likely U.S. voters, 48% would approve of the Roe v. Wade ruling being overturned by the Supreme Court according to a new Rasmussen poll. However, 59% say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to Pew Research. “Abortion should mostly be illegal” Pew Research polled U.S. adults in […]

Reagan Webb with BFI Board chair David Grove at the award's dinner.

BFI scholarships top $100,000

Lisa Misner

Scholarship recipients from as far south as Anna, up to Hoffman Estates, and communities in-between gathered in Springfield for the first Baptist Foundation of Illinois Scholarship Dinner. BFI awarded a record $101,750 to 49 college and seminary scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year. Reagan Webb, a member of Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, […]

SBC Executive Committee

Executive Committee president search team receiving recommendations

Scott Barkley

After a season of prayer, the group tasked with presenting the next candidate for president/CEO of the Executive Committee wanted to hear from Southern Baptists before taking next steps. The team is now ready begin the search in earnest. Messengers to last week’s annual meeting in Anaheim approved recommendations from the Sexual Abuse Task Force […]

Encouraging Words

Leah Honnen

Frozen in motion

Overwhelm. I think that’s my word so far for 2022. Last year began as a year of weary, needing change. My husband was jobless. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment with our toddler. My work was remote, and our lifestyle was very limited. But this year the changes are hitting me hard. None of these […]

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 […]

Leaders

Jonathan de la O

Ministering to immigrants

Jonathan de la O

Jared Pryer of Ten Mile Baptist Church once expressed to me a burden that God laid on his heart. He explained the overwhelming need of ministering to hundreds of migrant workers who would travel to Southern Illinois and work for three months, before heading back to their home countries. They would come, work, and go […]

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Featured Columns

Nate Adams

Lamenting and learning

Nate Adams

In the period between release of the third-party investigation of the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of sexual abuse claims in the denomination and the SBC Annual Meeting where messengers acted on recommendations for reform, several things became clear. Everyone has an opinion on the report and its findings. Not everyone who has commented has read […]

Meredith Flynn

Fuel for the second half

Meredith Flynn

For the first time since we became parents, we navigated Easter morning without tears. There was no fussing over pinchy shoes. Our pre-church Easter basket treats caused no sugar crashes. Porch pictures were taken with gladness. All was well. Fifteen minutes later, it began. “I need a drink of water,” my daughter whispered to me […]

Discussing abortion with your pro-choice friends

Lisa Misner

Abortion is a difficult subject to discuss with a friend or family member who is pro-choice, when as a pro-life Christian you perceive that choice as ending the life of another. Here are a few strategies for having a productive conversation: Pray. Ask God to give you wisdom as you speak. Jesus said we are […]

More Columns

Lamenting and learning

Nate Adams

In the period between release of the third-party investigation of the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of sexual abuse claims in the denomination and the SBC Annual Meeting where messengers acted on recommendations for reform, several things became clear. Everyone has an opinion on the report and its findings. Not everyone who has commented has read […]

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