IBSA News

Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

Illinois Churches

Church serves community hard-hit by Coronavirus

By

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 […]

Illinois churches respond as more seek meals

By

With people unable to meet in large groups, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to shut down a Harrisburg church’s weekly community meal. But faced with the question of whether to continue, organizers Joe and Stacey Thompson said the answer wasn’t if, but how. The Harrisburg couple has continued the ministry of First Baptist Church, adapting their […]

Planting in a pandemic: New churches adapt plans for a new normal

By

Gospel Grace Church has been renovating a building (pictured above) in Woodstock, Ill., since last year, preparing for their official launch this spring. A statewide stay-at-home order March 21 halted in-person gatherings for the new church, and most across Illinois, until further notice. “Everything’s on hold,” said Pastor Nate Praytor, “but we also realize this […]

Kids adopt grandparents during pandemic

By

Children in Nashville, Ill., are helping ease anxiety during the Coronavirus pandemic with a simple outreach organized by Lighthouse Community Church. Through a temporary adopt-a-grandparent initiative, kids are sending letters, cards, and handmade gifts to 63 seniors at two local nursing facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on seniors, who are more likely […]

The church in action: Volunteers provide much-needed masks

By

The first call came from a nurse in Decatur who said she and her coworkers desperately needed hand-sewn protective masks. Volunteers quickly mobilized at Tabernacle Baptist Church, making enough masks to fill the request, and many more. Since late March, the group of sewers—including some novices—has produced more than 400 fabric masks. Project organizer Brenda […]