Messengers voted to increase the state’s Cooperative Program giving to national causes, met missionaries coming off the international field who joined the state staff, and welcomed new churches to the Association in the business sessions of the 2016 IBSA Annual Meeting.
Messengers approved the 2017 IBSA budget of $8.5 million, with projected Cooperative Program giving of $6.3 million. That included a quarter-point increase in giving to missions through the national Southern Baptist Convention. Starting in January, 56.5% of CP giving in Illinois will provide for ministry, missions, and church planting within the state, while 43.5% will go to the SBC Executive Committee for distribution to national and international missions. Illinois is the eleventh-highest in percentage giving among 42 state conventions. IBSA Board President Bob Dyer noted this was the first adjustment in the CP ratio in eight years, and reflected a multi-level approach to missions involving state, national, and international partners.
In his report, Executive Director Nate Adams provided updates on the four focuses of IBSA: developing church leaders, inspiring cooperation among churches, stimulating church health and growth, and catalyzing evangelistic church planting and missions.
Adams shared that in 2016, “We have 257 pastors engaged in personal leadership development, and this year 27 regional cohorts have been facilitated by IBSA staff or one of our part-time zone consultants.”
As part of the Association’s efforts to inspire cooperation, Adams noted this year IBSA staff have been “in communication with all IBSA churches, and in personal contact or consultation with 87% of churches.”
In regards to church health and growth Adams said, “Almost 5,500 leaders from 609 churches have received training in areas that promote church health and growth.” After last year’s emphasis on the evangelistic building block of Vacation Bible School, participation in VBS training increased by 35%. Further outcomes of the “Build Your Kingdom Here” emphasis, which advocated five evangelistic commitments by IBSA churches in 2016, are expected on the next comprehensive report of Annual Church Profiles early next year.
The Association also anticipates 16 new churches to be planted in Illinois in 2016.
Missions was celebrated in Adams’ report in ways both new and familiar. “For the fourth year in a row Illinois Baptists have sent more than 24,000 volunteers to one or more of their Acts 1:8 mission fields,” he shared.
A new dimension was added to IBSA missions involvement with three returning International Mission Board missionaries joining the IBSA staff: Jeff Deasy, associate executive director of the Church Cooperation Team, was a career missionary, along with his wife, Kathy, in Kenya. Dwayne Doyle, director of men’s ministry and missions, served most recently in Greece; and Mike Young, camp manager of Streator Baptist Camp, served in the Czech Republic. All three joined the IBSA staff in 2016.
Looking ahead
The 2019 Annual Meeting will be November 6-7 at Cornerstone in Marion, following action by the messengers. The 2017 meeting will take place November 8-9 at Tabernacle Baptist in Decatur, and the 2018 meeting is November 7-8 at First Baptist, Maryville.
Sammy Simmons, pastor of Immanuel Baptist in Benton, will bring the Annual Sermon in 2017 and Tom Hufty, pastor of First Baptist, Maryville, will serve as the alternate.
The Credentials Committee presented 10 churches for affiliation with IBSA, which were admitted without objection. They are Another Chance, Chicago; Grace Community, Yorkville; Greater Morning View, Chicago; Iglesia Alfa y Omega, Aurora; Iglesia Dios con Nosotros, Chicago; Metropolitan, Gary, Ind.; Perfecting Faith Ministry, Swansea; Revelation Road, Buncombe; Second Baptist, Wheaton; and Strong Tower, Flora.
The Resolutions and Christian Life Committee presented five resolutions, all of which were approved. The resolutions encouraged Illinois Baptists to vote biblical values; promoted unity, harmony, and reconciliation through Jesus Christ among all nations; showed appreciation to Broadview Missionary Baptist for hosting the Annual Meeting; honored Doug Devore on his retirement from Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services; and called for the revitalization and renewal of churches in North America.
A time of special recognition took place to honor the memory of IBSA staff who passed away in 2016. Those honored were:
• Jim Smith served as executive director from 1967-1979,
• Betty Walker, IBSA’s longest serving staff member at 42 years, held various leadership roles from 1947-1989,
• Keith Stanford led the church development department from 1986-1997, and
• Ed Handkins directed church planting efforts from 1996-2005.