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Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

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Annual report shows recovery continues

March 1, 2023 By Ben Jones

2022 Baptisms

The 2022 Annual Church Profile (ACP) paints a picture of churches reclaiming some of the ground lost during the pandemic and fighting to weather the challenges of economic inflation. After two years of significant decreases in almost every church category, the 2022 ACP data showed that Illinois churches are experiencing renewed strength after the Covid-induced […]

Tomorrow’s leaders need mentors

February 1, 2023 By Ben Jones

In a packed 24 hours over two days, about 200 pastors, leaders, and potential leaders worshipped and learned in multiple sessions. Justin Falloon of FBC Bethalto and Kyle Avripas of Redemption Church in Johnston City led worship.

If the church is going to have leaders tomorrow, it’s going to take a new wave of mentoring from existing leadership today. This reality drove organizers of the 2023 Illinois Leadership Summit (ILS) to ask those coming to the annual event, “Which younger leader will you bring with you?” The evidence that many pastors took […]

Fall events build teen disciples

November 16, 2022 By Ben Jones

Hundreds of students gathered for discipleship events led by IBSA this fall. Youth Encounter (YE), IBSA’s annual one-day student event, featured a clear presentation of the gospel and practical evangelism training for teens. YE was staged at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur and Cornerstone Church in Marion. “We really saw God move,” IBSA’s Kevin Jones said. […]

A first-time ministry to migrant workers is very fruitful

November 16, 2022 By Ben Jones

Harvest of souls

One of the migrant workers lingered for a few minutes after the meal. Juan Carlos wanted to talk with a pastor. “My hometown was attacked,” he said, holding out a cell phone. “My parents escaped,” the young man said in Spanish, “but my wife and children are trapped there, and my brothers are missing.” The […]

Changing demographics in Illinois call for ministry across people groups

October 17, 2022 By Ben Jones

Church members receive food to stock the food pantry shelves with at Elmwood Park Community Church as part of their plan to reach out to a diverse community.

“Why would you live in Chicago?” It’s a question Sean and Lydia Stevenson are regularly asked. For those familiar with Chicago, and by extension, Illinois, it’s a reasonable question. Fair or not, Chicago has a reputation. Carl Sandburg wrote about it over a century ago. “Come and show me another city with lifted head singing […]

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Featured Columns

Online fraud

Six steps to protect your church from online fraud

Jeff Deasy

Several SBC churches and entities have been hit with online fraud nearing $1 million each. Their dramatic losses serve as warnings to all our churches. The Florida Baptist Convention lost more than $700,000 in a transfer involving a fraudulent email that was intended for the North American Mission (NAMB). A similar scam involved an email […]

"My unlikely Ebenezer"

My unlikely Ebenezer

Amy Richards

My husband’s cheerful voice on the other end of the line said, “I found a cool piece of wood.” I answered with an indifferent “OK,” but he continued, untouched by my disinterest. I listened, but my mind circled with questions. What in the world am I going to do with junk wood he found in […]

SBC: Striking a healthy balance

Nate Adams

A pastor once told me that he didn’t feel he should serve on one of our statewide committees because he wasn’t in complete agreement with the SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message statement. He cited Article VII on “Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” He said he felt it described what is commonly referred to as “closed […]

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Former Central Association DOM Tom Miller dies at 92

Illinois Baptist Staff

Thomas E. “Tom” Miller died June 3. He was 92 years of age, and was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, in November 2022. Miller served as Director of Mission for the Central Baptist Association from 1979 to 1994. He pastored several churches in the Decatur area, including Hammond Missionary Baptist Church, Macon First […]

News

Nick Volkening, campus ministry at U of I (left) and Jonah Christiansen, Salt Network campus ministry at Illinois State participate in an exercise together.

Leaders target college evangelism in confab

Lisa Misner

College ministry leaders met to make evangelism a chief goal of their work on Illinois campuses. Baptist collegiate leaders and their families gathered at a retreat center near Starved Rock State Park over the Memorial Day Weekend for what they hope will become an annual event fostering ministry collaboration. Church Planting Director Kevin Jones, who […]

Wellman nod fails, Robinson respects decision

Church Renewal Journeys revitalize churches

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Mission

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Ben Jones

Pastors and church leaders from around the Metro East area gathered in Collinsville May 17 for the second Multiply Illinois Hub. These quarterly regional events are designed to encourage and equip those interested in church multiplication. Heights Community Church, planted in 2016, hosted the gathering in their newly renovated home. With the St. Louis skyline […]

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

FIRST-PERSON: A once-feared tribe now spreads the Gospel

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