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Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

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Prayer gathering brings call for repentance, expectation of revival

June 11, 2023 By Scott Barkley

SBC 2023 prayer gathering

The signs for revival are apparent, and perhaps it’s time to trust God and get out of the way. On Sunday evening, June 11, attendees of a prayer gathering in the New Orleans Theater worshipped, heard Scripture and prayed. They embraced times of silence designed for focus, and swung arms over shoulders in times of […]

Illinoisan encourages Christian response to prejudice and violence

January 17, 2023 By Scott Barkley

Ric Worshill

Ric Worshill remembers the beatings he endured his eighth-grade year. They always happened in the same place as he walked to Hebrew school. He remembers the perpetrators who “were supposed to be Christians.” Worshill identifies as a Jew who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. He is a North American Mission Board-endorsed chaplain and executive director […]

Southwestern Seminary announces layoffs

October 27, 2022 By Scott Barkley

SWBTS Dome

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary confirmed with Baptist Press Oct. 27 that the entity has initiated layoffs a week after announcing steps to rectify a financial environment that could “quickly escalate to a crisis.” “As part of the previously announced intention to implement organizational restructuring, including budget reductions, at the direction of the board of trustees, […]

Southern Baptists generosity fuels reaching the unreached

October 13, 2022 By Scott Barkley

October is Cooperative Program Emphasis Month

Southern Baptists are known for their support of missions, as evidenced by a record Lottie Moon offering. However, a significant portion also comes from the tithes and offerings given each Sunday and funneled through the Cooperative Program. It reflects an effort to achieve a monumental goal – presenting the Gospel to every people group. And while […]

Southern Baptists prepare for Florida cleanup, East Coast response to Ian

September 29, 2022 By Scott Barkley

Southern Baptist Convention rescue teams from North Carolina and Tennessee stage at Lake Yale on Sept. 29 in Leesburg, Fla. The teams will spread out across southwest Florida to aid in the recovery from Hurricane Ian. Photo by Alan Youngblood

Rob Heath had a lot to do today in preparing for Hurricane Ian and a direct knowledge of the unfortunate timing of its arrival to the South Carolina coast. “We’re hearing that it may get here around midday tomorrow,” he told Baptist Press as another weather alert went off on his phone. “That’s going to […]

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Featured Columns

Scott Foshie and Heartland interns

Foshie: Seeking Spirit-led momentum

Scott Foshie

As a young man starting out in ministry, I was reminded by mentors many times that “serving the Lord is a marathon, not a sprint.” This admonition continues to ring true as we launch into this new season of Illinois Baptist life. While we celebrate many signs of growing Spirit-led momentum in our Great Commission […]

Mark Emerson

Worth every effort

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 […]

Messengers close loophole

Eric Reed

It seemed like no big deal at the time. Messengers quickly voted for a change to the Baptist Faith and Message in 2023, there was no great debate. The motion came up and it kind of slid through—and that’s the problem. In 2026 they voted to prevent that from ever happening again. At the 2026 […]

More Columns

Final claim dismissed in Johnny Hunt lawsuit

Scott Barkley

Nashville | A U.S. district court has once again sided with the Southern Baptist Convention and other defendants in a suit brought by former SBC President Johnny Hunt. Chief District Judge William L. Campbell Jr., of the Middle District of Tennessee issued today (August 12) a final summary judgment on the only remaining claim in the […]

News

Scott Foshie and Hispanic pastors in Chicagoland

Good signs (so far)

Illinois Baptist Staff

Springfield | In church life, some summers are marked by a slump—in giving, attendance or attitude. But not this year, and especially not for IBSA. With the new administration now entering its second quarter, there are notable signs of positive attitudes in the network of churches. Some observations are anecdotal, with stories coming from the […]

IMB missionary dies while serving in the Philippines

Young returns to IBSA team

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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