Just as the semitruck full of food pulled into the parking lot at Second Baptist Church in Granite City, the skies opened up, said Pastor Chris Sedabres. But even as the rain poured down, people came to the church to receive free groceries and supplies. And many of them stayed to help, Sedabres said. “We […]
Annual offering takes the gospel to unreached groups
Editor’s note: The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Week of Prayer for International Missions is Nov. 29-Dec. 7. Anim* remembers the day when an old fortune teller told her mother that Anim had the gift of sight. “My mother and my grandmother were both fortune tellers,” she said, “so my mom wasn’t surprised when the […]
Illinois Baptists celebrate pivots, perseverance at annual meeting
In a year no one anticipated, the Illinois Baptist State Association made necessary shifts in ministry while continuing to connect with leaders and develop the next generation. “Pivot and Persevere” set the theme for the 2020 IBSA Annual Meeting, held Nov. 4 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. The meeting was livestreamed for viewers watching […]
News Stories
Teens celebrate AWSOM in an unusual year
Jacksonville | Tie-dye, popcorn, friendship bracelets, pizza, karaoke, ice cream, sardines (the game, not the food), and of course, solid Bible teaching. Oh, and no sleep. In this year of social-distance, it was essential. And it was definitely AWSOM. This was my first year as a chaperone for the teen girls’ conference IBSA hosts each […]
Virtual worship returns amid surge in COVID cases
Springfield | Just head of the holidays, churches are again weighing whether to stay open for in-person services as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities across Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker renewed some statewide restrictions after confirmed and probable cases of the virus surged across the state. Increases in testing positivity rates and hospitalizations triggered Tier […]
Controversial new standards proposed for Illinois teachers
Springfield | The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has proposed a new set of rules some say would require teachers to abandon their religious beliefs. The “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading” standards touch on issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and race-based privilege in what supporters call an effort to encourage support for […]
Messengers approve 4 resolutions
Messengers to the 114th IBSA Annual Meeting passed four resolutions as brought by the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Nov. 4 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. Topics included support for Baptist Children’s Home and Family Service’s new pregnancy resource clinic, parental rights, appreciation to the host church, and unity in the church, community, and […]
Encouraging Words
Loss comes with permission
The loss of nearly everything reveals the true value of what you have left. Fifteen years ago, the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina took away homes, family photos, and heirlooms, along with the necessities of everyday life—furniture, dishes, towels, sheets, electronics, toys—gone in an instant. When New Orleans Seminary families dressed in hazmat suits to salvage […]
Casting off and putting on
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2) With these words, Paul starts a section of his letter to the church at […]