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Priority Women’s Conference is a launching pad for mentoring & ministry

May 30, 2023 By Meredith Flynn

The Priority Efffect

As hundreds of women searched the convention center for the right breakout room, it became apparent that Room B9 was a hot ticket. A crowd packed into the room for Stephanie Shouse’s session on strengthening personal Bible study. It was 10:30 on a Friday morning, but not too early to dig into a spiritual discipline. […]

Abuse task force to clarify ‘credibly accused’

May 26, 2023 By Meredith Flynn

ARITF update

Ahead of its report to messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting next month, the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) released an update May 25 to “bring truth and clarity” to the SBC about its work. The update addressed questions about the standard of “credibly accused” as it relates to the upcoming Ministry Check website, […]

Appeals over removing churches from SBC spark larger debate

May 18, 2023 By Meredith Flynn

The announcement that three churches will appeal the decision to deem them not in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention is a key point in a larger discussion likely to happen when Southern Baptists convene in New Orleans this summer. On June 13, messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting will vote on whether to […]

I’m still learning from my Mom

May 11, 2023 By Meredith Flynn

Meredith Flynn

I am a helicopter parent (and I am), I didn’t get it from my own mom. Chalk it up to raising kids in a simpler time, but my mom doesn’t suffer from my tendency to hover. Instead, she chose her moments carefully. In fact, she’s the one who taught me that principle after a contentious […]

‘We need His help’: Intercessors gather for National Day of Prayer

May 4, 2023 By Meredith Flynn

(Twitter photo courtesy of Griffin Gulledge)

Faith leaders and government officials called on Americans to unite in prayer May 4, designated as the country’s National Day of Prayer. Created in 1952, the day dedicated to prayer has been held on the first Thursday in May for 35 years. Across the country, intercessors gathered to pray at state capitols, city halls, courthouses, police […]

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Featured Columns

Online fraud

Six steps to protect your church from online fraud

Jeff Deasy

Several SBC churches and entities have been hit with online fraud nearing $1 million each. Their dramatic losses serve as warnings to all our churches. The Florida Baptist Convention lost more than $700,000 in a transfer involving a fraudulent email that was intended for the North American Mission (NAMB). A similar scam involved an email […]

"My unlikely Ebenezer"

My unlikely Ebenezer

Amy Richards

My husband’s cheerful voice on the other end of the line said, “I found a cool piece of wood.” I answered with an indifferent “OK,” but he continued, untouched by my disinterest. I listened, but my mind circled with questions. What in the world am I going to do with junk wood he found in […]

SBC: Striking a healthy balance

Nate Adams

A pastor once told me that he didn’t feel he should serve on one of our statewide committees because he wasn’t in complete agreement with the SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message statement. He cited Article VII on “Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” He said he felt it described what is commonly referred to as “closed […]

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Former Central Association DOM Tom Miller dies at 92

Illinois Baptist Staff

Thomas E. “Tom” Miller died June 3. He was 92 years of age, and was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, in November 2022. Miller served as Director of Mission for the Central Baptist Association from 1979 to 1994. He pastored several churches in the Decatur area, including Hammond Missionary Baptist Church, Macon First […]

News

Nick Volkening, campus ministry at U of I (left) and Jonah Christiansen, Salt Network campus ministry at Illinois State participate in an exercise together.

Leaders target college evangelism in confab

Lisa Misner

College ministry leaders met to make evangelism a chief goal of their work on Illinois campuses. Baptist collegiate leaders and their families gathered at a retreat center near Starved Rock State Park over the Memorial Day Weekend for what they hope will become an annual event fostering ministry collaboration. Church Planting Director Kevin Jones, who […]

Wellman nod fails, Robinson respects decision

Church Renewal Journeys revitalize churches

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Mission

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Ben Jones

Pastors and church leaders from around the Metro East area gathered in Collinsville May 17 for the second Multiply Illinois Hub. These quarterly regional events are designed to encourage and equip those interested in church multiplication. Heights Community Church, planted in 2016, hosted the gathering in their newly renovated home. With the St. Louis skyline […]

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

A first-time ministry to migrant workers is very fruitful

More Mission Stories

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