IBSA News

Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

IBSA

Florida team travels to Chicago ‘to see, to serve and to sit’

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CHICAGO – The simple act of offering a cup of cold water and lemonade on a hot summer day, served with a smile and a prayer, opened hundreds of hearts to the Gospel in downtown Chicago. That’s how a 19-member mission team from New Philadelphia Ministries in St. Petersburg, Fla., began its week sharing the […]

Ramage to step down as IBDR state director

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Arnold Ramage, Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) State Director, will be stepping down from his position effective September 30 due to health challenges. Shannon Ford, IBSA Mission Director, made the announcement to IBDR volunteers in an email on September 25. “Arnold has brought management skills and the heart of a chaplain to his responsibilities,” wrote […]

Board hears plans for expanded collegiate ministry

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Springfield | The IBSA Board of Directors met Sept. 16 and heard plans for expanded collegiate ministry in 2026 during what was likely Nate Adams’ final report to them as executive director. Adams announced his retirement plans in February, with a new executive director expected to be in place when the board meets in March […]

Collecting blessings: Time to bring ministry supplies

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“Bless!” an Illinois Baptist friend says frequently, having picked up the abbreviated version of “bless your heart.” Well, it’s time to bless again. As messengers prepare to come to Springfield for the 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting, Nov. 4-5, their churches are invited to gather supplies for IBSA ministries, pack a box, and send it to […]

Illinois teams bring the gospel to Chicagoland

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Metropolis is a long way from Chicago. It’s 365 miles in distance—from the southern tip of Illinois to the north end, about six hours, not counting pit stops. But it’s also a long way in terms of population and culture—from small town to big city, from middle class midwestern to multi-ethnic communities at every socioeconomic […]