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SBC

Former SBC President Steve Gaines dies at 68

March 16, 2026 By Eric Reed

BP file photo

Memphis | Former SBC President Steven Gaines died Friday afternoon (March 20) Bellevue Baptist Church announced. “It’s with a heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Steve Gaines. After a two-year long battle with cancer, Bro. Steve stepped into eternity earlier this afternoon, and he is now […]

State Department urges Americans to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries

March 3, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Middle East

As fighting escalates in the Middle East since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began on Feb. 28, so has the number of countries Americans are being advised to leave or avoid. The U.S. Department of State released a list of 14 countries on March 2, urging American citizens to depart them immediately on available commercial transportation. […]

Group of SBC leaders caught amid Iran attacks now headed back to U.S.

March 2, 2026 By Scott Barkley

Submitted photo

Cairo, Egypt | After 17 trips to a bomb shelter over 36 hours and a man named Moses leading them into Egypt, a group of weary pastors and their wives are headed back to the United States. Members of the group led by former Send Relief President Bryant Wright had just finished taking rooftop pictures from […]

SBC leaders touring Israel await airport reopening

March 2, 2026 By Brandon Porter, Baptist Press

Submitted photo

Jerusalem | A group of Southern Baptist pastors and their spouses, including former Send Relief President Bryant Wright, sheltered in place in Jerusalem Saturday morning (Feb. 28) as the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Within hours, Iran responded with strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets across the Middle East. Bryant is […]

‘Habits’ author at FBC O’Fallon

February 27, 2026 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Elizabeth Woodson

Author and teacher Elizabeth Woodson will speak March 2 at First Baptist Church of O’Fallon. Her new book Habits of Resistance: 7 Ways You’re Being Formed By Culture and Gospel Practices to Help You Push Back identifies detrimental ways the culture is shaping Christians with false gospels that they may not recognize. She shares how […]

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Featured Columns

Stock photo

How your Church can cultivate an evangelistic culture

Mark Emerson

A renewal of evangelistic zeal is dependent first on the Holy Spirit. When he finds a people who are open to his work and eager to share their faith, the Spirit opens doors for gospel conversations and readies the waters for baptism. IBSA’s Mark Emerson said there are vital ways for churches to encourage an […]

Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet by Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo (Public Domain/Wiki Commons)

Half-stepping for Jesus

Eric Reed

A pastor-friend called me just before Easter. “We’re having a joint Maundy Thursday service with the church down the street,” he told me. “Their minister said he’d rather not have the foot washing, because feet are gross. He wants to wash hands instead.” “Hands?!” I erupted. “That’s Pilate!” “What?” “Pilate! That’s Pilate, washing his hands […]

Evangelism matters

Doug Munton

Once, some years ago, our family drove to the mall. Do you remember malls? When we arrived at the parking lot, our kids piled out of the minivan. Except one didn’t. My wife gasped, “Where is Rachel?” Somehow, in the confusion and mayhem of loading the family of six into the vehicle, we left our […]

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More than a mission trip: Encounters from the border

Rita Klundt

Editor’s note: A team of women from Illinois Baptist churches spent a week with the Send Relief Center in Laredo, Texas. The center, operated by the North American Mission Board, has served thousands of “the least of these,” migrants and refugees at the Rio Grande border with Mexico. Today, about 20 people arrive each week. […]

News

Where's Scott?

Where’s Foshie? He’s on a listening tour─ all over Illinois

Illinois Baptist Staff

Updated April 1, 2026 | Waldo has nothing on Scott Foshie. The new IBSA Executive Director is traveling Illinois, wedging listening sessions with pastors and associational leaders into a busy onboarding schedule. “At every meeting, I have been humbled by the love and support for our Illinois Baptist Team,” Foshie said. He is well known […]

After Moody sues, Chicago opens teaching intern spots to students

Campers on Mission lose two of their own

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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