Orland Park | When messengers from Illinois Baptist churches gather for the IBSA Annual Meeting Nov. 12-13, they will be encouraged to bring supplies for a variety of Chicago area ministries. If the mission project seems familiar, it is. Previously featuring multi-colored five-gallon buckets, the collection is now called “Blessing Boxes.” The switch is because square boxes are more efficient to transport, but the goal is the same, bless ministries with the supplies they need.
“Churches have responded so well the past two years,” said Shannon Ford, IBSA Missions Director. “We’re excited to bless some Chicago area ministries with what they need to restock their supplies as they serve needy families this fall and winter.”
The supplies list includes school supplies, diapers, wipes, hygiene items to make personal care kits, half-gallon and gallon-size Ziplock bags, socks, toboggan style winter hats, and gloves. (And did we mention socks!)
“We are partnering with the Send Relief ministry center in Chicago and the Chicagoland Baptist Association to provide items that their partners use to meet needs and show compassion in Christ’s name,” Ford said. Items will be distributed through the Send Relief center and partners like the Starting Point Community Church migrant ministry.
“Baptists like to collect things,” IBSA Associate Executive Director Mark Emerson once observed, and we’re good at it. Especially when the collection blesses children and churches and helps spread the gospel.
Stay over, plan your return
On the day after the Annual Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 14., messengers are invited to stay over for Serve Day. “We are organizing five ministry projects and five vision and prayer tour opportunities to allow messengers to see the needs and serve before heading home,” Ford said. Ford and IBSA Church Planting Director Kevin Jones are working with Qusai Mahmud and Jason Stuckey of Send Relief to coordinate this effort to bless Chicagoland Baptists and their partners.
At the Thrive ’24 website, there is a full list of meeting events, breakout sessions, and lodging options for the far south Chicago suburbs. For more visit IBSAAnnualMeeting.org.