Decatur | The 111th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association, timed to coincide with the start of Illinois’ Bicentennial celebration, might have been overshadowed by killing of 26 worship attenders at a Texas church the preceding Sunday, if not for the awareness that God is at work in everything.
Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines was scheduled as featured speaker for both the Pastors Conference and the Annual Meeting, but the gravity of the Texas massacre required that he be there to represent Southern Baptists and to minister to the community. Replacement speakers had to be found on a day’s notice.
Randy Johnson, pastor of the host church, Tabernacle Baptist, filled in ably at the Pastors Conference. And Tom Hufty, pastor of Maryville First, was an apt substitute for the Wednesday night presentation, given the church’s own experience with a fatal attack in its sanctuary.
With the reality of martyrdom fresh on their minds, the messengers appeared to accept the four new challenges for IBSA churches with a renewed understanding of their importance. More than slogans, the four commitments were presented as four key elements in advancing the gospel—and leading lost souls to Christ—before it’s too late.
Tragic scenes from a small church in a small town like so many in Illinois served to verify what we already know: following Christ is dangerous and costly, and our witness is desperately needed right now.
– The Editors