“The cities of Illinois are our greatest challenge,” said Van Kicklighter, IBSA’s associate executive director for church planting. It’s an incredible challenge, he said, to engage millions upon millions of people, and their neighborhoods, people groups, languages and cultures. Read…
Keith Stanford, Former IBSA staffer remembered for ‘pastoral spirit’
Keith Stanford, who pastored several Illinois churches and served on the IBSA staff, died September 24 at the age of 86. “Keith was a thoughtful, effective, and leading pastor in Illinois, and then a wonderful servant of pastors through his role here at IBSA,” said Nate Adams. Read…
IBSA board meeting Achievements, aspirations reported
IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams encouraged the board to invite their fellow church members to attend the IBSA Annual Meeting and Pastors’ Conference November 1-3 in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago. The theme of this year’s conference is “Cross Culture,” which will explore the multitude of cultures and gospel opportunities available not only in Chicagoland, but also the rest of Illinois. Read…
Summer campers dive deep: 34 students start ‘journey of faith’
Camp Director Scott Slone came upon a conversation between two junior-highers during a devotional time at Sallateeska, IBSA’s camp facility in southern Illinois. One of the students looked up and said, “Man, this is intense,” Slone remembered. “It was a defining moment for me as I watched this young man process what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ,” said Scott Slone, who pastors First Baptist Church, Elkville. Read…
Believing athletes credit Christ at Rio Olympic Games
Mackenzie Brown, the fourth-ranked archer in the world, was upset in the round of 16 on August 8, ending her hopes for a medal and bringing her first Olympic competition to a close. Despite the disappointing outcome, Brown’s Olympic journey was made with the support of her family and home church, Flint Baptist Church in Flint, Texas. “She really walks the walk,” Senior Pastor Sam DeVille said of Brown. “She really is a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” Read…