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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 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 skyline […]

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

Meredith Flynn

My rooftop vision

Meredith Flynn

If seasons had titles, this one would be “the summer of new roofs.” Hailstorms on consecutive Sundays last spring gave way to early morning hammering across our neighborhood this summer, as home after home received a brand-new roof. We hadn’t given much thought to the hail or its fallout until we started seeing the “approved” […]

Eric Reed

Leaders object as ethnic staff cuts sink in

Eric Reed

The story of David and the little ewe lamb comes to mind, as staff cuts at the SBC Executive Committee sink in. Among the five full-time staff and two contract workers terminated to save money, two were heads of ethnic ministries. For a denomination that has seen significant growth among ethnic groups and language ministries […]

‘But not here’: Illinois’ cry one year after Roe ended

Lisa Misner

“A new and vibrant culture of life is being established in our nation after decades of death caused by Roe v. Wade,” the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission’s Brent Leatherwood said at the one-year anniversary of overturning Roe in June. “That is worth celebrating.” Culture of life? In other states perhaps, but not here. Not […]

More Columns

Mattoon church marks 75th

Illinois Baptist Staff

First Southern Baptist Church of Mattoon celebrated 75 years in a special service Sept. 10. Pastor John Coin preached and also provided smoked meats for the anniversary dinner. IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams was on hand to present a plaque honoring the milestone. Also present were John and Julie Calio who served the church for […]

News

New officers were elected at the 2023 ERLC Trustees’ meeting in Nashville on Sept. 12-13. (Left to right) Kevin Smith will serve as chairperson; Amy Pettway will serve as secretary and Tony Beam will serve as vice chair. ERLC photo

Illinois trustee aids ERLC bylaw change

Illinois Baptist Staff

ERLC trustees approved bylaw revisions focused on the relationship between the president and the board, simplifying access to financial information and clarifying areas of decision making that require full board participation. Some of the issues were raised during the administration of former president Russell Moore and at the time of his departure. A workgroup including […]

Awbrey joins IBSA Growth Team

Peters joins IBSA as zone consultant

More News Stories

Mission

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

Baptist Press

(Ed. Note—In our July issue, we reported that Illinois’s very own Sandy Wisdom-Martin told the story of her brother’s recent baptism during her WMU presentation at the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Anaheim. We thought we you would appreciate this longer account that shows God’s fingerprints through multiple SBC connections. It’s too good to miss.) […]

A first-time ministry to migrant workers is very fruitful

FIRST-PERSON: A once-feared tribe now spreads the Gospel

More Mission Stories

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