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Corona Virus

Vaccines, religious liberty wins mark end of pandemic year

December 21, 2020 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Survey results released in late 2020 were a bright spot for churchgoers in an otherwise dim year. Gallup found frequent church attenders were the only group who reported gains in mental health during the year, even as most churches shut down temporarily to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Gallup’s annual health survey found 34% […]

Virtual worship returns amid surge in COVID cases

November 23, 2020 By Meredith Flynn

Springfield | Just head of the holidays, churches are again weighing whether to stay open for in-person services as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities across Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker renewed some statewide restrictions after confirmed and probable cases of the virus surged across the state. Increases in testing positivity rates and hospitalizations triggered Tier […]

Survey: Most churches meeting, but few back to pre-COVID attendance

October 21, 2020 By Aaron Earls

Survey: Most churches meeting, few back to pre-COVID attendance

Nashville, Tenn. | The majority of U.S. churches say they are holding in-person services, but churchgoers have yet to attend in the numbers they did before the coronavirus pandemic struck. According to the latest survey from LifeWay Research, 87% of Protestant pastors in the U.S. say their church met in person in September, while 13% […]

Some Illinois zones face new COVID limits

October 21, 2020 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Restore Illinois Map

Springfield | As Gov. J.B. Pritzker tightened COVID-related restrictions in suburban Chicago and the southeastern corner of the state, pastors debated their meeting plans and two churches continued their fight to stop the limitations. Pritzker’s announcement Oct. 20 affects Zone 5, which includes Mt. Vernon, Marion, and the surrounding area. He also renewed limits on […]

Some COVID restrictions return for Metro East

August 17, 2020 By Meredith Flynn

COVID cases in Illinois

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and public health officials have announced renewed restrictions for the state’s Metro East region, due to three consecutive days of a COVID-19 positivity over 8%. Positivity rate is one of the metrics that can trigger new mitigations if an area is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Under the new restrictions […]

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Apology renews debate on gender roles

Featured Columns

Let me ask one question

Sammy Simmons

I left the deacons meeting one proud pastor. It had been a tiring Sunday evening filled with meetings and preaching. However, I went home greatly encouraged by how God was at work using our leaders. In our meeting, five deacons told stories about how they had shared the gospel with someone during the past month. […]

Each church thriving

Nate Adams

Recently our IBSA staff set aside a day for spiritual retreat and focus. Since the beginning of the year, our weekly chapel services have been focusing on the Bible passages that undergird key words and phrases in our new mission statement: “Deliver network value that inspires each church to thrive in health, growth, and mission.” […]

Serving the crucified Christ

Brent Cloyd

Filled with hate, ignorant of truth, lacking in faith, and void of righteousness, the Jews had plotted to kill Jesus. Rome took ownership of their plot and made a statement of their authority in the act of crucifixion. In the course of less than 24 hours, Jesus was arrested, accused, lied about, cursed, and beaten. […]

More Columns

Evangelicals blamed for vaccine fear, but pastors, leaders promote shots

Lisa Misner

Some in the media are warning the COVID-19 pandemic may last longer than necessary due to members of the evangelical community refusing a vaccine due to spiritual convictions or uncertainty regarding vaccine safety. An article headlined “How white evangelicals’ vaccine refusal could prolong the pandemic” appeared in the April 5 issue of the New York […]

News

Lake Sallateeska, Streator managers ready to welcome visitors

Leah Honnen

IBSA’s new camp managers moved to Illinois when many COVID-19 restrictions were still in place, limiting to a very small number the people they met in their first months at Lake Sallateeska and Streator. But they’ve used the last few months to prepare for a camp comeback this summer. At Lake Sallateeska, Manager Brock Vandever […]

All-time low membership: What does it mean?

IBSA Board adopts new statements, budget

More News Stories

Mission

Mission teams hit the road after COVID hiatus

Meredith Flynn

Ken Schultz hadn’t performed in nearly a year when he dusted off his suspenders for a mission trip to Africa. The pastor of Crosswinds Church in Plainfield and long-time entertainer recently traveled to Kenya with a mission team to share the gospel with schoolkids. Schultz wowed the crowd with juggling feats and sleight of hand […]

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

Anxious? Don’t miss your shot!

More Mission Stories

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