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The real Christmas angels

December 19, 2025 By Melissa Spoelstra

Christmas angels

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 […]

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 […]

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Standing O for Sandy

Eric Reed

Orlando | Sandy Wisdom-Martin said goodbye to Southern Baptists in Orlando Wednesday (June 10) during her final report to the Convention. Illinois’ favorite daughter will retire from her post as Executive Director-Treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) at the end of the year. “Obedience in this season of my life requires me to be a […]

News

Nominees

Nominees sought for IBSA Boards & Committees

Illinois Baptist Staff

The Illinois Baptist State Association is seeking recommendations to fill positions on its boards and committees. To submit a name, complete the Nominating Form found at IBSA.org/about/organization or click here to go directly to the form. IBSA’s Nominating Committee recommends people to serve on the Association’s three boards: IBSA, the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI), and Baptist Children’s Home and Family […]

SBC: Illinoisans join Crossover outreach

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

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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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