The news spread quickly among Illinois Southern Baptists that one of their own was named to serve as executive director/treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union. Sandy Wisdom-Martin, an Illinois native who grew up near the small town of Marissa, was unanimously elected by the WMU executive board at a special-called meeting July 29-30 in Birmingham, Ala. Read…
Mission
Shop with purpose
Is scoping out garage sales part of your weekend routine? These easy tips can turn a garage sale-ing hobby into a simple, effective witness opportunity. Jesus instructed his followers to tell about him “as you go” (Matthew 28:19-20). So next weekend, as you go for a morning of garage sale-ing, make it more than just a shopping trip. Share Jesus as you go. Read…
The stories will convince you
We’ve been from Elgin to East St. Louis, Davis Junction to Iuka, Plainfield to Metropolis, and many points in between. We’ve talked with pastors and joyful believers they’ve led to Christ. We’ve followed teenagers who braved city streets, sharing the gospel with strangers for the first time. And we’ve heard story after story from IBSA missionaries whose life-changing work brings them – and sometimes all of us – to tears. Read…
Church ‘banding together’ after fire
An early morning fire caused extensive damage to the facilities of Taylorville Southern Baptist Church. Firefighters were called to the church at 3:23 a.m. on Sunday, July 24. Several neighboring fire departments worked together to put out the fire, which took about an hour to get under control, the Springfield State Journal-Register reported. Read…
Lee honored in St. Louis; Search continues for new WMU head
Wanda Lee, who has served 16 years as executive director of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), was recognized during the Southern Baptist Convention in June for her long-standing commitment to missions. Lee announced in January that she will retire from the Birmingham-based Southern Baptist auxiliary once her replacement is named. A search committee, including Illinois WMU President Jill McNicol, currently is reviewing resumes for the post. Read…