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…
IBSA
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 […]
Cross-Culture: God’s ‘relentless inclusivity’ compels ministry across boundaries
A stagnant church isn’t a 21st century phenomenon. The book of Acts outlines a time when the spread of the gospel halted temporarily and the revolution started by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection seemed like it’s impact might stop with a small group of people living in a particular place. Starting in Acts 3, Jeff […]
Whatever the Outcome: Preachers stick to reconciliation, mostly steer clear of election
Whatever happens in the general election, preach the Word – and stick to the Word – speakers at the 2016 IBSA Pastors’ Conference exhorted their audience. The first day of the meeting in metro Chicago coincided with the World Series, so several the speakers got in on the Cubs banter, but ultimately the stuck to the Word. Read…
Big day for church starts; Three congregations launched September 18
“September 18 in the Metro region is a very special day. I am so grateful for what God is doing here and [for] the faithfulness of the planters. And I can only imagine the impact these churches will have immediately and for eternity.” Read…