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Worth every effort

August 5, 2026 By Mark Emerson

Mark Emerson

When the news came, I was tired—Day 4 of VBS tired. Tired had been the theme of every drive home with my wife that week. Somewhere along the way I had finally asked the question only the overly weary ask: “How long are we going to keep this up?” Months of planning had become weeks […]

How your Church can cultivate an evangelistic culture

April 7, 2026 By Mark Emerson

Stock photo

A renewal of evangelistic zeal is dependent first on the Holy Spirit. When he finds a people who are open to his work and eager to share their faith, the Spirit opens doors for gospel conversations and readies the waters for baptism. IBSA’s Mark Emerson said there are vital ways for churches to encourage an […]

Yes, pastors are tired. What can you do about it?

March 19, 2024 By Mark Emerson

Mark Emerson

I’m at the season where I am contemplating lessons learned from past ministry. I find myself using “If I was to do it all over again” statements in training and coaching seeking to warn others to learn from missteps that I identify in my journey. Don’t get me wrong! I’d love to go back and […]

Fishing season: 8 hooks for effective pastor search

September 24, 2021 By Mark Emerson

Fishing season

One outcome of the Covid season appears to be an increase in pastors changing churches, and churches starting pastor searches. Call it “pent-up demand.” In many fields, people waited during the closures forced by the pandemic before making major purchases, changing jobs, or relocating. Even in the best of situations, churches will need to call […]

What happens at camp can be life changing. It was for me.

March 6, 2020 By Mark Emerson

Unlike several of my coworkers, I did not receive the Lord at camp. Yet, thinking back through my time attending summer camp as a student and leading camps for the past 30 years, most of the major spiritual decisions in my life happened in a camp context. I can show you the exact spot in […]

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Featured Columns

Cross found in the rubble.

25 years after 9/11: A lot has changed. And not much.

Eric Reed

By the time you read this, many people will be talking about where they were when the Twin Towers fell 25 years ago. Bells will toll. Long lists of names will be read. We will remember, and never forget. The realization that its anniversary is upon us raises the question— Has anything really changed since […]

Scott Foshie and his father

Paying the ‘Faith Forward’

Scott Foshie

“The LORD is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable. One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.”– Psalm 145:3-4 In August, Audra and I celebrated 25 years of marriage. After an anniversary dinner and dessert together, we came home and looked through our wedding photos. […]

What makes ministry successful?

Mark Goldman

As a psychologist and researcher, Angela Duckworth was puzzled why some intelligent and talented people persisted while others quit. Most of those she observed were probably far more gifted than I am, but raw talent was not a reliable predictor of success. What she found was one characteristic that repeatedly predicted success above raw talent—grit. […]

More Columns

3 partnerships in development

Illinois Baptist Staff

Springfield | With the inception of Scott Foshie’s leadership, IBSA is developing partnerships with three SBC mission boards, including an IMB partnership that promises to be the first of its kind in the convention. They are expected to bring additional missions engagement for churches in Illinois and opportunities for service outside the state. “Our partnership […]

News

Willy Rice

Prepping for Indianapolis: How to pray for Willy Rice, and more from our exclusive interview

Eric Reed

At the SBC Executive Committee meeting Sept. 20-21, recently elected convention President Willy Rice is expected to present several challenges to the 86-member panel about next steps to secure final approval of the constitutional amendment dubbed by its author Al Mohler the “Truth & Unity Amendment.” Passage by two-thirds majority of messengers meeting at the […]

Youth Encounter expands to 3 locations

Blackwell commits to ‘come alongside’ churches at Lifeway trustee meeting

More News Stories

Mission

World Cup scores for digital witness

Illinois Baptist Staff

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup roared to a close and Spain left holding the trophy, Southern Baptist churches and missionaries around the world prayed for impact that outlasts the hardware. Southern Baptists mission boards joined churches and associations in digital and in-person outreach, as North America hosted the World Cup for the first time […]

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

More Mission Stories

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