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Controversial new teaching standards approved

February 17, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Empty school desks

The General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted Feb. 17 to approve the controversial new teaching standards some say would require teachers to abandon their religious beliefs. Meeting the standards will now be required to receive teaching certification in Illinois. The Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards (CRTLS) touch on issues such as […]

Baptists and a new, ‘blue’ White House

January 18, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Ahead of Wednesday’s inauguration, evangelicals are preparing for a chillier relationship with the Biden administration due to the President-elect’s positions on abortion, LGBTQ matters, and other issues on which evangelicals and the President-elect hold vastly different views. Additionally, violence at the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 increased tensions across the nation, including among Christians who continue […]

Vote delayed on controversial new teaching standards

January 8, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Empty school desks

The Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) was expected to vote during the General Assembly’s lame duck session on whether to uphold or reject controversial new teaching standards some say would require teachers to abandon their religious beliefs. Now the vote has been put on hold. At a Dec. 16 JCAR meeting, […]

Controversial new standards proposed for Illinois teachers

November 17, 2020 By Lisa Misner

Empty school desks

Springfield | The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has proposed a new set of rules some say would require teachers to abandon their religious beliefs. The “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading” standards touch on issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and race-based privilege in what supporters call an effort to encourage support for […]

Messengers approve 4 resolutions

November 8, 2020 By Lisa Misner

Messengers to the 114th IBSA Annual Meeting passed four resolutions as brought by the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Nov. 4 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. Topics included support for Baptist Children’s Home and Family Service’s new pregnancy resource clinic, parental rights, appreciation to the host church, and unity in the church, community, and […]

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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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