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Journey Church Kankakee severely damaged by tornado

March 11, 2026 By Lisa Misner

Journey Church

Kankakee, IL | Journey Church in Kankakee suffered severe damage from a tornado that tore through the community on Tuesday evening (March 10). The church, located on the south side of town near the Aroma Park area, lost two thirds of its roof, with the remaining portion receiving significant damage. The church building is constructed […]

Conerly: Young people want authentic experiences of God

February 11, 2026 By Lisa Misner

Seth Conerly

Springfield | Redefine your measurements for success if you want to reach the next generation, said Seth Conerly, pastor of Metro Community Church. Conerly, who has served in church planting, megachurch ministry, and revitalization settings across the South and Midwest, told Illinois Leadership Summit attenders that many pastors feel pressure to measure effectiveness by attendance […]

Five reasons churches struggle to reach the next generation: ILS26

January 28, 2026 By Lisa Misner

Editor’s note: The 2026 Illinois Leadership Summit, held in Springfield January 20-21, featured four main session speakers discussing the hard work needed to reach the next generation. This is the first of four articles, published weekly, based on those messages. Churches hoping to engage younger generations must move beyond comfort, familiarity, and fear, according to […]

Carole’s short retirement

January 15, 2026 By Lisa Misner

Carole Doom and team

Springfield | After serving IBSA nearly 27 years, Administrative Coordinator Carole Doom retired on January 2, 2026. However, she won’t be missed for long. Doom will return in mid-January to serve with the Operations Team in a part-time role, three-days a week, as a ministry coordinator. During her tenure with IBSA, she’s been part of […]

Reaching ‘Across State Lines’ could save lives

January 14, 2026 By Lisa Misner

Across State Lines

Many Americans have observed a profound cultural shift since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision in June 2022, deepening divisions between pro-life and pro-choice states. In pro-choice states like Illinois—which had already enacted multiple protective laws for abortion access—leaders pledged to expand those protections further. They have kept that […]

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Featured Columns

Scott Foshie

Two ways shared service works

Scott Foshie

This month, thousands of messengers and guests from around the SBC will converge in Orlando for our annual time of celebration, prayer, and family decision making. There will be lively debates, nomination speeches, and votes on multiple issues. However, the part I look forward to the most about our family meetings is the fellowship, worship, […]

Blackabys

Less produces more

Eric Reed

Richard Blackaby challenged the IBSA staff at our annual Spiritual Focus Day. “If glorifying God is the goal of life, how do I increase that each year?” For all of us in ministry, especially those who set goals and count results and live by metrics, that’s a tough question. Can we always do more than […]

SBC ’26: What we’re watching

Illinois Baptist Staff

The question at the Illinois Baptist each spring is “What do you think will come up at the convention?” Some things are obvious, because they’re on the agenda—such as the presidential election. Pastors Josh Powell and Willy Rice are in the ring. There have been no surprise announcements so far, unlike 2024 when we had […]

More Columns

Mohler narrows amendment to preaching, resolution addresses women’s roles

Eric Reed

SBC | Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler narrowed the language in his to proposed amendment to prohibit women “specifically preaching” in a pastoral capacity. His earlier version, planned for introduction at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando next week, had said that cooperating SBC churches would “not affirm, appoint, or endorse women serving as pastors […]

News

Kevin Alvarez

New regional consultant named

Illinois Baptist Staff

Springfield | Kevin Alvarez joins the IBSA staff as Central Region Consultant as of June 15. As a regional consultant, Alvarez will travel within his designated region to encourage local churches, provide resources, training, and support, and help churches discover and accomplish their next steps in sharing the Gospel. The Central Region includes Bay Creek, Central, […]

Two promoted in IBSA leadership

‘Blueprint’ for NextGen to reach the nations

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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