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Sex ed bill ready for Illinois House vote

May 25, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Illinois Baptist

A controversial sex education bill has moved from an Illinois House committee on Tuesday, May 25, and its next and final stop is a vote by the full House. The bill, containing a large portion of the REACH education requirements, will require special LGBT-favored curriculum, if a school system chooses to teach sex ed. A […]

Churches and individuals face challenges if Equality Act is passed

May 24, 2021 By Lisa Misner

U.S. Capitol

A bill awaiting passage in the U.S. Senate will redefine sex and require accommodation of divergent views of sexuality by institutions and individuals—likely including churches and Christians—if passed into law. The Equality Act promises tolerance and neutrality for gay and transgender people, but a Chicago law firm specializing in religious freedom cases says the proposed […]

Illinois sex ed bill poses new threat

May 4, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Interior Illinois Capitol Dome

Illinois lawmakers re-referred both the REACH (HB 1736) and Healthy Youth (HB 3071) Acts back to the House Rules Committee, but it didn’t mean those bills were dead. Instead, they were given new life and combined into one amendment that was added to Senate Bill 818 as Amendment 2. The new bill still mandates the […]

Trafficking survivor begs ‘notify parents’

April 29, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Brook Bello was raped at the age of 11, sex trafficked at 15, and forced to undergo multiple abortions by her trafficker. “Had my parents been notified, my mother would have [known] what city I was near.” Bello (right) believes law enforcement could have been alerted, and she may have been rescued sooner. That’s why […]

Evangelicals blamed for vaccine fear, but pastors, leaders promote shots

April 14, 2021 By Lisa Misner

Vaccine in vials with syringe on grunge background

Some in the media are warning the COVID-19 pandemic may last longer than necessary due to members of the evangelical community refusing a vaccine due to spiritual convictions or uncertainty regarding vaccine safety. An article headlined “How white evangelicals’ vaccine refusal could prolong the pandemic” appeared in the April 5 issue of the New York […]

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Featured Columns

A Committed Church: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Maurice Gaiter

In a recent trip to Haiti, I heard a Haitian pastor illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ. A man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn’t afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to […]

Paul Cooper

What’s greater than independence? Hebrews 10:19-25

Paul Cooper

We got news from my sister in New Mexico, and my brother, Dave, immediately called me. He wanted to see her, but the 20-hour drive was too hard to do alone. It would be easier with his brother. We could share the load. Even so, we would spend more than half our time on the […]

Our nation’s half-celebration at 250

Eric Reed

During these red, white, and blue months, YouTube keeps sending me a video clip. It’s King George’s solo from the musical “Hamilton.” Amid endless rapping and stamping of boots and swishing of tailcoats by Founding Fathers, a lone figure walks slowly to center stage, decked in satin knee breeches, ermine cape, and a crown. And […]

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SBU President called to Moody

Eric Reed

Chicago | A Baptist will be the new president of Moody Bible Institute (MBI) starting August 17. Rick Melson will leave his role at Southwest Baptist University (SBU) in Bolivar, Missouri for the post vacated by Chicago pastor Mark Jobe after seven years. Melson, with Baptist roots, joins the independent evangelical school founded by Dwight […]

News

Photo courtesy of Michael Byrd

Former IBSA Pastors Conference speaker, Send St. Louis church planter, announced as historic AMS appointment

Scott Barkley

Ferguson, Mo. | Michael T. Byrd, Sr.’s background in ministry began as a 19-year-old preacher before moving into the pastorate and associational work, all in his native St. Louis. It’s that experience he’s eager to put into practice as the new executive director of the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association. He told Baptist Press that […]

Mindy Cobb’s endless summer

New Illinois laws raise concerns for Baptists

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

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