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Celebrating partners in ministry

April 9, 2025 By Doug Munton

Doug Munton

I look forward to meeting Tychicus in heaven one day. Do you remember Tychicus? Outside of having a great name (something for you expecting parents to consider!) Tychicus had an important role in the Bible. Let’s note a couple of things the New Testament tells us about Tychicus. (Could we call him “Ty” for short?) […]

Let’s get connected

February 19, 2025 By Doug Munton

Blocks

Do you remember playing with Legos as a child? They snap together to make all kinds of wonderful things. They are made for connections! Christians are made for connections as well. We work best when we work together. All kinds of wonderful things happen when we connect. I can’t help but notice that Christians and […]

The man I never really knew

June 11, 2024 By Doug Munton

Doug Munton

I walked out of my office and into the church parking lot not long ago just as an older couple was pulling in to visit our church bookstore. As the husband rolled down the window, I recognized him as the son of an old pastor, long since departed to glory. That old pastor had been […]

Don’t wait! A procrastinator’s plan for the new year

December 26, 2023 By Doug Munton

Doug Munton

“I’m not a procrastinator!” That is my new go-to saying whenever my wife notes something I need to do. Instead of waiting (and then forgetting), I’m trying to be more helpful by getting right to the task at hand. The reason for saying “I’m not a procrastinator” is because, well, for much of my life […]

3 reasons revival matters

February 1, 2022 By Doug Munton

Wake-Up Call

Perhaps the greatest need of our day is revival. I’m not talking about a series of revival meetings, though that might be needed as well. I’m talking about a genuine revival in the lives of Christians that brings spiritual renewal, vibrancy, and power. What a difference it would make in our day if revival was […]

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Featured Columns

Gerald and Betty Steffy

We need more like them

Brent Cloyd

When Gerald and Betty Steffy came to Fairfield in August 1959, the couple were in their mid-twenties.  Gerald had just completed his theological training, and he was called to serve North Side Baptist Church. Gerald and Betty served churches in Illinois well into their eighties. Gerald died in September 2022, and Betty just a few […]

Ruth and Naomi

Ruth’s surrendered life

Meredith Flynn

Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16). A few months after I moved to Illinois, I was assigned to […]

Watching for Baptist smoke

Eric Reed

While the world waited in St. Peter’s Square, watching a nondescript stove pipe protruding from the roof of the Vatican, I was recalling the smoke jokes at the church where I have served as interim pastor. And I’m thinking about our own Baptist conclave coming soon. In Rome, three rounds of black smoke from the […]

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9 tips for life on mission: Retired missionaries offer advice for next generation

Sue Sprenkle

The 20-something held up a fistful of letters. Inside the old-fashioned style of communication were words of encouragement and advice for the new International Mission Board missionary.  The letters reaffirmed words Zoe Hill heard countless times in person at First Baptist Church Columbia, Mississippi, from retired IMB missionaries Tom and Gloria Thurman:  1. The call […]

News

Victoria Awbrey

Awbrey named to SBC’s Dallas Team

Illinois Baptist Staff

Victoria Awbrey returns to the Registration Committee for the 2025 Annual Meeting in June. She was one of 26 members appointed by SBC President Clint Pressley. The registration committee is called “to supervise the registration of messengers, to oversee the operations of the registration desk, and to rule upon any questions which may arise in […]

Hunt trial on hold for now

‘To preserve unity’ S.C. megachurch withdraws

More News Stories

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, 2023 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 […]

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

A first-time ministry to migrant workers is very fruitful

More Mission Stories

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