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Let me ask one question

April 9, 2021 By Sammy Simmons

I left the deacons meeting one proud pastor. It had been a tiring Sunday evening filled with meetings and preaching. However, I went home greatly encouraged by how God was at work using our leaders. In our meeting, five deacons told stories about how they had shared the gospel with someone during the past month. […]

Anxious? Don’t miss your shot!

February 3, 2021 By Sammy Simmons

I got infected with a bad case of “buck fever” this past fall. I had heard about individuals getting so amped seeing horns that they couldn’t shoot straight; but I honestly thought that could never happen to me. I grew up in the country shooting squirrels and skeet. I wrongly assumed that that experience would […]

God with us

December 22, 2020 By Sammy Simmons

Encouraging Words

I love people and deeply miss the connectedness that’s hard to have in the middle of a pandemic. I recently had a senior adult lady who I haven’t seen in months come by the church I pastor. My first comment to her was, “Ida, I’ve missed being WITH you so much I would almost hug […]

How sharing Christ overseas changed a church

November 6, 2020 By Sammy Simmons

This January, I got to watch God move again in a way that brings so much joy to this pastor’s heart. I was on the dusty, noisy street on the edge of a slum in Nairobi, Kenya, with two Kenyans who served as our translators and two church members from Immanuel in Benton, Brad and […]

God’s work in adversity

September 14, 2020 By Sammy Simmons

Encouraging Words

Read: Romans 5:2b-5 “Even when I don’t see it, you’re working. Even when I don’t feel it, you’re working. You never stop, you never stop working.” These words are lyrics to the song “Waymaker,” which has been on my heart over the past few weeks. My heart continues to be reminded that God often works in the […]

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Featured Columns

Nate Adams

Lamenting and learning

Nate Adams

In the period between release of the third-party investigation of the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of sexual abuse claims in the denomination and the SBC Annual Meeting where messengers acted on recommendations for reform, several things became clear. Everyone has an opinion on the report and its findings. Not everyone who has commented has read […]

Meredith Flynn

Fuel for the second half

Meredith Flynn

For the first time since we became parents, we navigated Easter morning without tears. There was no fussing over pinchy shoes. Our pre-church Easter basket treats caused no sugar crashes. Porch pictures were taken with gladness. All was well. Fifteen minutes later, it began. “I need a drink of water,” my daughter whispered to me […]

Discussing abortion with your pro-choice friends

Lisa Misner

Abortion is a difficult subject to discuss with a friend or family member who is pro-choice, when as a pro-life Christian you perceive that choice as ending the life of another. Here are a few strategies for having a productive conversation: Pray. Ask God to give you wisdom as you speak. Jesus said we are […]

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Lamenting and learning

Nate Adams

In the period between release of the third-party investigation of the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of sexual abuse claims in the denomination and the SBC Annual Meeting where messengers acted on recommendations for reform, several things became clear. Everyone has an opinion on the report and its findings. Not everyone who has commented has read […]

News

Illinois Welcome Sign

How pro-choice is Illinois?

Lisa Misner

While Illinois Baptists celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, they were quickly reminded of the challenges ahead to making Illinois a pro-life state when Governor JB Pritzker announced plans to call the Illinois General Assembly back into session to “further enshrine our commitment to reproductive health rights.” In a press […]

Medical ministry is part of global engagement for Metropolis church

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Mission

Annie Armstrong

How SBC missions have been influenced by Annie Armstrong

Sandy Wisdom-Martin

A few years ago, I read the SBC president at the time was considering different gavels for presiding at the SBC Annual Meeting. One of the options under consideration was the Armstrong gavel. I sent him an email with this message: This weekend I did a bit of reading on Annie Armstrong and was inspired […]

On mission again

New partnership targets biblical literacy

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