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News

Mohler narrows amendment to preaching, resolution addresses women’s roles

June 3, 2026 By Eric Reed

Al Mohler

SBC | Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler narrowed the language in his to proposed amendment to prohibit women “specifically preaching” in a pastoral capacity. His earlier version, planned for introduction at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando next week, had said that cooperating SBC churches would “not affirm, appoint, or endorse women serving as pastors […]

New regional consultant named

June 2, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Kevin Alvarez

Springfield | Kevin Alvarez joins the IBSA staff as Central Region Consultant as of June 15. As a regional consultant, Alvarez will travel within his designated region to encourage local churches, provide resources, training, and support, and help churches discover and accomplish their next steps in sharing the Gospel. The Central Region includes Bay Creek, Central, […]

Two promoted in IBSA leadership

June 1, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Ashley Parsons and Drew Heironimus

Springfield | In anticipation of the retirement of Jeff Deasy as head of operations, two IBSA team members were promoted January 1. Ashley Parsons was named Administrative Director of Operations. She has served IBSA as accountant since 2017. Parsons holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Old Dominion University, and a Master of […]

‘Blueprint’ for NextGen to reach the nations

May 27, 2026 By Jaclyn Mains

IMB Photo

The International Mission Board has released “Blueprint: Recognizing God’s Design for His Glory among the Nations,” a new course and companion book for students, young adults and ministry leaders to understand Scripture as one unified story and recognize their role in God’s global mission.  Developed for use in churches, college ministries and small-group discipleship settings, Blueprint […]

Cloyd finishes as Wabash AMS

May 19, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Brent Cloyd

Brent Cloyd retired March 31 as Associational Mission Strategist for Greater Wabash Baptist Association. He served the local network of 22 churches since 2015. “When people have asked me… I have always bragged that we are the best association in Illinois,” Cloyd wrote in his final newsletter. “Our churches differ from one another in many […]

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Featured Columns

A Committed Church: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Maurice Gaiter

In a recent trip to Haiti, I heard a Haitian pastor illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ. A man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn’t afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to […]

Paul Cooper

What’s greater than independence? Hebrews 10:19-25

Paul Cooper

We got news from my sister in New Mexico, and my brother, Dave, immediately called me. He wanted to see her, but the 20-hour drive was too hard to do alone. It would be easier with his brother. We could share the load. Even so, we would spend more than half our time on the […]

Our nation’s half-celebration at 250

Eric Reed

During these red, white, and blue months, YouTube keeps sending me a video clip. It’s King George’s solo from the musical “Hamilton.” Amid endless rapping and stamping of boots and swishing of tailcoats by Founding Fathers, a lone figure walks slowly to center stage, decked in satin knee breeches, ermine cape, and a crown. And […]

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What rural churches can do

Karen Willoughby

Sicily, Italy | “The goal is to get the gospel out,” said Steve Brown, a missionary in Europe serving as a team leader through the International Mission Board (IMB) for 22 years, the last five based in Palermo, Sicily. He recently came up with a new strategy for doing so, specifically designed to appeal to […]

News

Photo courtesy of Michael Byrd

Former IBSA Pastors Conference speaker, Send St. Louis church planter, announced as historic AMS appointment

Scott Barkley

Ferguson, Mo. | Michael T. Byrd, Sr.’s background in ministry began as a 19-year-old preacher before moving into the pastorate and associational work, all in his native St. Louis. It’s that experience he’s eager to put into practice as the new executive director of the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association. He told Baptist Press that […]

Mindy Cobb’s endless summer

New Illinois laws raise concerns for Baptists

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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