The Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI) deals in numbers. Lots of numbers. In his report to messengers, BFI Executive Director Doug Morrow went a different direction. “I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the numbers,” Morrow said. “I want to spend some time allowing you to hear and see from two churches and pastors and what they’re doing.” Read…
IBSA
Bivo pastor honored
“The difference between a bivocational pastor and a full-time pastor is very little—we’re both longwinded, amen?” Bruce Sasse drew laughs with that comment and several others as he accepted the 2016 award as Bivocational Pastor of the Year. Sasse serves Columbus Baptist Church in Keyesport. Read…
Former IBSA Exec James Smith leaves legacy of leadership
James H. Smith, the former IBSA executive director who led the relocation of the Association’s office to its current location, died October 21 at the age of 95. Smith led IBSA for 13 years, including the move from southern Illinois to Springfield in 1971. Read…
Ed Handkins dies at 74
Former IBSA church planting director Ed Handkins died in North Carolina on October 25. Handkins, who was born in Williamson County and grew up on a farm near Marion, spent his life pastoring churches, serving as a director of missions, and catalyzing new churches. Read…
Messengers respond to Annual Meeting call
Broadview | The call was “Come to Chicago!” and messengers from across Illinois answered. The Illinois Baptist State Association’s 2016 Annual Meeting held at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church focused on reaching across cultures with the gospel, both in the business sessions, November 2-3, and in the Pastors’ Conference that preceded it. The meeting was attended […]