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Adopted for identity

January 16, 2024 By John Yi

The Yi family outside the Adoption Court in Chicago.

On December 29, 2016, when he was 2 years, 10 months, and 22 days old, Gloria and I legally adopted Jasceon Watson. That day, we commemorated his new identity with his new name, Jabez Jasceon Watson Yi. The very next morning felt like so many mornings past. “Jay” hopped up on his bathroom stepstool, and […]

Start fresh with family worship

January 11, 2021 By John Yi

Before my wife, Gloria, and I even married, we vowed to establish a rock-solid family tradition of daily devotions together. But after almost 25 years of marriage and building a family, we could count on a single hand the longest streak of consecutive days when every member had come together for family worship or devotions […]

Leading from the inside

September 2, 2016 By John Yi

My wife, Gloria, and I have been foster parents since 2012. It wasn’t until the truth of God’s Word – to care for the defenseless and helpless – was clothed in our action that we had a real voice to speak into the lives of both believers and the lost. We must lead from within. Read…

Featured Columns

Warning: Deadly serious, but fun

Deadly serious, but fun

Lisa Misner

Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live […]

Stock image

Trey’s new family

Valarie Veteto

“I’m not religious.” She spoke the words as soon as I pulled a chair beside her hospital bed. “That’s okay,” I replied, unsure if anyone had ever been so direct. I whispered an arrow prayer to the Lord for wisdom: Please help me say the right thing, Lord—Your words, not mine. She reclined in the […]

The real Christmas angels

Melissa Spoelstra

An angel accented the top of our family’s Christmas tree each year when I was growing up. This regal figure featured a golden gown, wings and a halo. Angels have become a common part of Christmas décor, but they are rarely portrayed accurately according to Scripture. Angels are not winged cherubs playing harps and sitting […]

More Columns

Deadly serious, but fun

Lisa Misner

Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live […]

News

Retirement

Farewells in Rehoboth, Louisville

Illinois Baptist Staff

Rehoboth Baptist Association saw two of its top ministry leaders retire at the end of 2025, Director of Missions (DOM) Joe Lawson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Flowers.  Both served over 25 years with Flowers joining the association in November 1999 and Lawson becoming DOM in May 2000. They retired on December 31. Lawson is also […]

Consultants work in 5 regions

News stories in the new year that we’re watching for new developments

More News Stories

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

More Mission Stories

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