Across the country, the numbers are sobering. At least 80% of American churches are plateaued or declining, and many leaders are struggling to know what steps to take to revitalize flagging ministries. “We need a new wave of church revitalization to sweep across America,” Rob Peters said at the Illinois Baptist State Association’s Annual Meeting […]
News Stories
Protests meet abortion clinic opening in Metro East
Prolife advocates stood outside the black metal fence of a new abortion clinic in Fairview Heights as its operators, Planned Parenthood, and their supporters cut the ribbon on the new 18,000-square-foot facility Oct. 21. The clinic, built secretly in the Metro East city and revealed only a few weeks ago, could become the largest abortion […]
Church hits the ‘Mother Road;’ Red Hill’s outreach aims for a better city through gospel presence
Edwardsville | In a town proud of its Route 66 heritage, thousands gather every year to celebrate what John Steinbeck called “the Mother Road.” For more than 20 years, Edwardsville’s annual Route 66 festival at City Park has offered visitors fun, food, and classic cars. What was missing, realized church planter Rayden Hollis, was a […]
Youth Encounter encourages next steps for students at every level of faith
IBSA’s annual youth conference needs to reach some distinct audiences, said Jimmy Hammond. Youth Encounter, held in two of its three locations this month, is designed for students who know Christ and those who don’t, for teens in the church and out of it. At Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur, speaker Josh Griffin (pictured on […]
Churchgoers say they can go it alone, but they also need others
A LifeWay Research survey uncovered contradictory info about modern churchgoers and biblical community: 65% say they can walk with God without other believers, but an even larger number–75%–say they need other believers to help them grow in their faith. The findings are at odds with each other, says Southwestern Seminary’s Kenneth Priest, and the issue […]
Partnerships breathe new life into northern Illinois community
The year after Redemption City Church closed its doors, a new church is preparing to use its building as a hub for outreach and ministry in this community 60 miles northwest of Chicago. Gospel Grace, a church plant headed by Nate Praytor, has spent the summer meeting neighbors and gathering in two Bible study groups: […]
Stitchin’ time: Quilters on a mission to support Illinois families
“Each one of us has got some adopted grandchildren.” In a Sunday school classroom at Marshall Missionary Baptist Church, Alberta Siverly explains why she and her sisters meet here every week. Along with their friend Karen Wallace, the sisters are assembled to work on quilts for an annual auction held by Illinois’ Baptist Children’s Home […]