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Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

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Gen Z’s successors are hitting their teens and changing the scene

September 23, 2025 By Daniel Kim

Gen Alpha

“Man, you have to stop calling your students Gen Z. You have no idea, it’s Gen Alpha who’s taking over.” I paused, confused, as my fellow pastor interrupted my thoughts during a conversation about next-generation ministry. I had just referenced Gen Z in my sermon planning, but now I was second-guessing everything. Who exactly is […]

Turning volunteers’ no’s into enthusiastic yes’s

May 23, 2025 By Daniel Kim

Daniel Kim

In the third week of my internship, I was assigned to tear down chairs and tables after an event in our gym. Coming from a smaller church, I assumed I could handle it on my own—until I saw eight tables and 150 chairs that needed to be cleared. After three grueling hours, one thought kept […]

My mentor saved me from rookie mistakes

January 27, 2025 By Daniel Kim

Daniel Kim

“Daniel, as part of your role at Gospelife Church, you’ll be meeting with Dave as your life mentor,” the executive pastor said. “Take the initiative to connect with him and aim to meet weekly or bi-weekly.” I walked out of my meeting feeling a mix of confusion and uncertainty. I had just stepped into my […]

Revival Generation: Will our students lead the way?

October 14, 2024 By Daniel Kim

Asbury Revival

Wow! It sounds like your student ministry is experiencing a revival,” a youth pastor friend said to me after I shared what’s been happening in our ministry. Our student ministry recently experienced an incredible season of growth. After facing challenges that hindered us from gathering, we were able to come together again, and the results […]

Featured Columns

Meredith Flynn

Post-it on your heart

Meredith Flynn

Several months ago, I wrote Isaiah 26:3 on a yellow Post-it note and stuck it on my desk next to my laptop. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV). At the time (and still, if I’m honest), I was overwhelmed by a big project […]

AI

What should we make of AI?

Ben Jones

What should we make of AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) has steadily pushed its way to the front of the “another change I didn’t ask for” line. The talking tech heads promise AI is a silver bullet, but over the past year I haven’t shaken the uneasy feeling we humans might be on the receiving end […]

God is busy with our kids. Join in.

Scott Foshie

“We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.” ─ Psalm 78:4 God is reaching a new generation of Christ followers. All over Illinois, thousands upon thousands of children, youth, and adults are seeking the […]

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Deasy retires, heads for hills

Illinois Baptist Staff

Springfield | Jeff Deasy and his wife, Kathy, are headed home to Tennessee following his retirement after 10 years as IBSA Administrative Director for Operations. He oversaw finances, human resources, and properties. Their ministry began with pastoral leadership in worship in the Volunteer State. Then they spent 20 years with the International Mission Board in […]

News

AI questions

AI and your church: 4 practical prompts to start using this week

Mark MacDonald

Artificial Intelligence isn’t replacing church communicators, it’s simply helping the good ones work smarter. Tools like ChatGPT (and similar) can become a creative ministry partner that helps you understand audience, brainstorm fresh ideas and create content that connects. But only if you ask the right questions. CAUTION: don’t let AI do most of the work. […]

Pastors, church leaders encouraged to participate in church compensation survey

SBC sees attendance, baptism gains amid membership declines

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Mission

“While we have not yet arrived at the destination we envision, I believe we are clearly headed in the right direction,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood to trustees in the May 22 plenary session. IMB Photo

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Leslie Caldwell

Richmond | International Mission Board trustees approved 65 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 21-22 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:08 a.m. CDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. The event will […]

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

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