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Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

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Church Planting

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

May 19, 2023 By Ben Jones

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

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 […]

MIO: Church starts five congregations

August 25, 2021 By Lisa Misner

One church plant birthed another, and another, and another—reaching multiple people groups. Your church can do it too, says Chris Kim.

Chris Kim’s church in Mt. Prospect has helped start five Asian congregations in Illinois. Kim has engaged in such prolific church planting by offering the same kind of mentoring he received. “We have to take care of our family first, right? That’s our mentality,” Kim said. “But he is doing the opposite.” “He,” in this […]

Replanting season: Young churches embrace opportunities for growth and new ministry

February 16, 2021 By Meredith Flynn

Grace Family Church celebrated its second anniversary in early 2021 with a worship service in the Art Deco theater they’ve called home for the last few months. But the young church has already been planted twice. At least, that’s how it feels to Pastor Jorge Rodriguez. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Rodriguez later lived in Chicago […]

New life on campus: Collegiate church celebrates first baptisms

September 9, 2020 By Meredith Flynn

Celebrating baptisms

On the shore of Lake Michigan on a Sunday in June, Jeff Bi compared his life to a car. When he was in the driver’s seat, said Bi, a student at the University of Chicago, the side mirrors were gone and the doors were off the hinges. But giving the wheel to Jesus, he said, […]

Church serves community hard-hit by Coronavirus

May 12, 2020 By Meredith Flynn

Chicago | “What can we do?” After Starting Point Community Church had to scrap more than one plan to help their community due to COVID-19 restrictions, Pastor Jonathan de la O said his congregation started back at square one with that simple question. The answer: Fill as many boxes as possible with purchased and donated […]

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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 […]

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Streator names new camp manager

Illinois Baptist Staff

Anthony Heathcoat has been named as the next Manager at Streator Baptist Camp. Heathcoat will move north to Streator from southern Illinois after serving as Assistant Professor at SIU Carbondale in the School of Automotive Technology and leading the Men’s Ministry at First Baptist Church of Sesser. “We are excited about Anthony getting started at […]

News

Carole Doom and team

Carole’s short retirement

Lisa Misner

Springfield | After serving IBSA nearly 27 years, Administrative Coordinator Carole Doom retired on January 2, 2026. However, she won’t be missed for long. Doom will return in mid-January to serve with the Operations Team in a part-time role, three-days a week, as a ministry coordinator. During her tenure with IBSA, she’s been part of […]

Reaching ‘Across State Lines’ could save lives

Farewells in Rehoboth, Louisville

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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 […]

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

A first-time ministry to migrant workers is very fruitful

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