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In Focus

Share the Gospel, finish well

July 23, 2016 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Speakers at the SBC Pastors’ Conference preached on one passage during the 2016 meeting in the Gateway City, diving deep into the apostle Paul’s instruction to younger church leader Timothy. “Live This,” the theme of this year’s Pastors’ Conference, was taken from 2 Timothy 4:5-6, when Paul urges Timothy to “be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” Read…

Metro East St. Louis: Fun leads to faith in 85 community projects across the region

July 23, 2016 By Illinois Baptist Staff

One man said, “Last Sunday, I was going to kill myself.” The man told Eloy Rodriguez he had been in his car and was going to drive into traffic, but pulled back when he realized he wouldn’t only be killing himself, but the people in the other cars as well. But the man said he still didn’t want to go on. Rodriguez and his team shared the gospel and he accepted Christ as his savior. Afterwards, “that guy gave me the biggest hug I’ve ever had,” Rodriguez said. Read…

SBC Crossover: Churches lead gospel outreach on Illinois side of the river

July 23, 2016 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Three months ago, Josef Latham was a self-described agnostic struggling with difficulties he didn’t know how to handle. He asked a friend what he should do, and she advised him to pray, believing God would hear him. Her advice eventually led him to First Baptist Church, Mascoutah, where he accepted Christ and was baptized on Easter. Josef shared his testimony at a community worship service hosted by the church as part of Crossover Read…

High Stakes, Higher Calling by Meredith Flynn

July 23, 2016 By Meredith Flynn

The stakes are high, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd declared to Southern Baptists gathered in St. Louis. And perhaps they’ve never been higher. Christians are being martyred around the world. Refugees are fleeing for their lives. There are still thousands of people groups unreached with the gospel, but limited funds required the SBC this year to reduce its missions force by more than 1,000. Read…

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Featured Columns

Warning: Deadly serious, but fun

Deadly serious, but fun

Lisa Misner

Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live […]

Stock image

Trey’s new family

Valarie Veteto

“I’m not religious.” She spoke the words as soon as I pulled a chair beside her hospital bed. “That’s okay,” I replied, unsure if anyone had ever been so direct. I whispered an arrow prayer to the Lord for wisdom: Please help me say the right thing, Lord—Your words, not mine. She reclined in the […]

The real Christmas angels

Melissa Spoelstra

An angel accented the top of our family’s Christmas tree each year when I was growing up. This regal figure featured a golden gown, wings and a halo. Angels have become a common part of Christmas décor, but they are rarely portrayed accurately according to Scripture. Angels are not winged cherubs playing harps and sitting […]

More Columns

Deadly serious, but fun

Lisa Misner

Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live […]

News

Retirement

Farewells in Rehoboth, Louisville

Illinois Baptist Staff

Rehoboth Baptist Association saw two of its top ministry leaders retire at the end of 2025, Director of Missions (DOM) Joe Lawson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Flowers.  Both served over 25 years with Flowers joining the association in November 1999 and Lawson becoming DOM in May 2000. They retired on December 31. Lawson is also […]

Consultants work in 5 regions

News stories in the new year that we’re watching for new developments

More News Stories

Mission

“While we have not yet arrived at the destination we envision, I believe we are clearly headed in the right direction,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood to trustees in the May 22 plenary session. IMB Photo

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Leslie Caldwell

Richmond | International Mission Board trustees approved 65 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 21-22 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:08 a.m. CDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. The event will […]

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

More Mission Stories

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