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Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

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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

Meredith Flynn

Post-it on your heart

Meredith Flynn

Several months ago, I wrote Isaiah 26:3 on a yellow Post-it note and stuck it on my desk next to my laptop. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV). At the time (and still, if I’m honest), I was overwhelmed by a big project […]

AI

What should we make of AI?

Ben Jones

What should we make of AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) has steadily pushed its way to the front of the “another change I didn’t ask for” line. The talking tech heads promise AI is a silver bullet, but over the past year I haven’t shaken the uneasy feeling we humans might be on the receiving end […]

God is busy with our kids. Join in.

Scott Foshie

“We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.” ─ Psalm 78:4 God is reaching a new generation of Christ followers. All over Illinois, thousands upon thousands of children, youth, and adults are seeking the […]

More Columns

Deasy retires, heads for hills

Illinois Baptist Staff

Springfield | Jeff Deasy and his wife, Kathy, are headed home to Tennessee following his retirement after 10 years as IBSA Administrative Director for Operations. He oversaw finances, human resources, and properties. Their ministry began with pastoral leadership in worship in the Volunteer State. Then they spent 20 years with the International Mission Board in […]

News

AI questions

AI and your church: 4 practical prompts to start using this week

Mark MacDonald

Artificial Intelligence isn’t replacing church communicators, it’s simply helping the good ones work smarter. Tools like ChatGPT (and similar) can become a creative ministry partner that helps you understand audience, brainstorm fresh ideas and create content that connects. But only if you ask the right questions. CAUTION: don’t let AI do most of the work. […]

Pastors, church leaders encouraged to participate in church compensation survey

SBC sees attendance, baptism gains amid membership declines

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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