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IBSA

Illinoisan named to national Acteens panel

February 11, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Abbie Howard

Birmingham, Ala. | A young woman from Illinois has been named to the 2026 National Acteens Panel, a group of four who will serve with the national WMU at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando. Abigail (Abbie) Howard of Casey First Baptist Church has been active in missions service through Acteens for seven years. “Being […]

Nolin returns to consult new Northern Region

February 4, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Chris Nolin

Springfield | Chris Nolin is no stranger to Illinois Baptist associations. Now he is rejoining IBSA as Regional Consultant of the newly created Northern Region. The pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling has previously served as an IBSA Zone Consultant and most recently as Associational Mission Strategist for the Sinnissippi Association. “I am excited […]

Protecting your church from freezing cold

January 23, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Pipe burst

Streator | Extreme cold and water pipes can be a bad combination. That was case Thursday (January 22) at Streator Baptist Camp when a water pipe in the kitchen ceiling froze and then burst creating a cold, wet, and costly mess for the camp. As a major winter storm expected to stretch more than 2,000 […]

Severe weekend weather forecasts prompt Disaster Relief prep

January 22, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Winter storm

Nashville, Tenn. (BP) | One year ago, residents along the Gulf Coast were having fun in the rarest-of-rare snow events. That mood is different today for those in areas forecast to receive severe winter weather this weekend, with predictions of freezing rain and snow accumulations in feet, not inches. The lines of precipitation and amounts continue […]

Federal investigation underway into protest at Minnesota church

January 20, 2026 By Brandon Porter, Baptist Press

YouTube screen capture via Baptist Press

St. Paul, Minn. (BP) | U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says she has spoken to a Minnesota pastor following a disruption by protestors during Cities Church’s morning worship service Jan. 18. “Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law,” Bondi wrote on X late Sunday night. […]

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Featured Columns

Meredith Flynn

Post-it on your heart

Meredith Flynn

Several months ago, I wrote Isaiah 26:3 on a yellow Post-it note and stuck it on my desk next to my laptop. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV). At the time (and still, if I’m honest), I was overwhelmed by a big project […]

AI

What should we make of AI?

Ben Jones

What should we make of AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) has steadily pushed its way to the front of the “another change I didn’t ask for” line. The talking tech heads promise AI is a silver bullet, but over the past year I haven’t shaken the uneasy feeling we humans might be on the receiving end […]

God is busy with our kids. Join in.

Scott Foshie

“We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.” ─ Psalm 78:4 God is reaching a new generation of Christ followers. All over Illinois, thousands upon thousands of children, youth, and adults are seeking the […]

More Columns

Deasy retires, heads for hills

Illinois Baptist Staff

Springfield | Jeff Deasy and his wife, Kathy, are headed home to Tennessee following his retirement after 10 years as IBSA Administrative Director for Operations. He oversaw finances, human resources, and properties. Their ministry began with pastoral leadership in worship in the Volunteer State. Then they spent 20 years with the International Mission Board in […]

News

AI questions

AI and your church: 4 practical prompts to start using this week

Mark MacDonald

Artificial Intelligence isn’t replacing church communicators, it’s simply helping the good ones work smarter. Tools like ChatGPT (and similar) can become a creative ministry partner that helps you understand audience, brainstorm fresh ideas and create content that connects. But only if you ask the right questions. CAUTION: don’t let AI do most of the work. […]

Pastors, church leaders encouraged to participate in church compensation survey

SBC sees attendance, baptism gains amid membership declines

More News Stories

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 […]

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

More Mission Stories

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