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Eric Reed

Chatham Strong: When tragedy hits home

April 30, 2025 By Eric Reed

Rylee Britton

You expect to see the signs after a bombing or a school shooting or a natural disaster. But you don’t expect to see them in your own small town: “Chatham Strong” with its red ribbon has joined Boston, Uvalde, and Highland Park in declaring strength after tragedy. Perhaps it’s a plea more than a declaration, […]

The Southern Baptist President—more or less

December 29, 2024 By Eric Reed

Former President Jimmy Carter 1924-2024

Editor’s note: Former President Jimmy Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100 after spending more than a year in hospice care. Rosalynn, his wife of 77 years, preceded him in death at the age of 96 on Nov. 19, 2023. Jimmy Carter put a new face on Southern Baptists, one that […]

Separation of church and…debate?

October 7, 2024 By Eric Reed

Eric Reed

A new poll of pastors’ preferences in the upcoming presidential election shows not only the divide between clergy in political terms, but also the difficulty in talking about politics, especially in church. Half of pastors indicated a preference for former President Donald Trump, one quarter (24%) chose Vice President Kamala Harris, but another quarter (23%) […]

ERLC’s Leatherwood wasn’t fired after all

July 23, 2024 By Eric Reed

Brent Leatherwood

Nashville, Tenn. | Brent Leatherwood appeared unemployed briefly on Monday, July 22. Then, in just few hours, the announcement of his firing was rescinded, and he was back in place as President and CEO of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission “with our support moving forward,” an ERLC Executive Committee statement said early Tuesday. […]

When silence is deafening

May 15, 2024 By Eric Reed

Eric Reed

As a Baptist who pastored in Catholic New Orleans for a decade, I came away with an appreciation for Lent. I have never given up chocolate. But some years I have shortened my screen time. Most years I add a devotional practice—a special Bible study or focused prayer topic. This year God shut all that […]

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Featured Columns

Gerald and Betty Steffy

We need more like them

Brent Cloyd

When Gerald and Betty Steffy came to Fairfield in August 1959, the couple were in their mid-twenties.  Gerald had just completed his theological training, and he was called to serve North Side Baptist Church. Gerald and Betty served churches in Illinois well into their eighties. Gerald died in September 2022, and Betty just a few […]

Ruth and Naomi

Ruth’s surrendered life

Meredith Flynn

Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16). A few months after I moved to Illinois, I was assigned to […]

Watching for Baptist smoke

Eric Reed

While the world waited in St. Peter’s Square, watching a nondescript stove pipe protruding from the roof of the Vatican, I was recalling the smoke jokes at the church where I have served as interim pastor. And I’m thinking about our own Baptist conclave coming soon. In Rome, three rounds of black smoke from the […]

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9 tips for life on mission: Retired missionaries offer advice for next generation

Sue Sprenkle

The 20-something held up a fistful of letters. Inside the old-fashioned style of communication were words of encouragement and advice for the new International Mission Board missionary.  The letters reaffirmed words Zoe Hill heard countless times in person at First Baptist Church Columbia, Mississippi, from retired IMB missionaries Tom and Gloria Thurman:  1. The call […]

News

Victoria Awbrey

Awbrey named to SBC’s Dallas Team

Illinois Baptist Staff

Victoria Awbrey returns to the Registration Committee for the 2025 Annual Meeting in June. She was one of 26 members appointed by SBC President Clint Pressley. The registration committee is called “to supervise the registration of messengers, to oversee the operations of the registration desk, and to rule upon any questions which may arise in […]

Hunt trial on hold for now

‘To preserve unity’ S.C. megachurch withdraws

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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, 2023 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 […]

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

A first-time ministry to migrant workers is very fruitful

More Mission Stories

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