“Come a day early and share the gospel in Springfield” is Scott Harris’s word to messengers as they make hotel reservations ahead of the IBSA Annual Meeting. Harris and the IBSA Mission team will facilitate Crossover Missions projects prior to the event.
A day invested in outreach in the IBSA Annual Meeting host city is familiar to those who have attended the Southern Baptist Convention over the past two decades. In those cities, hundreds of gospel encounters were often reported, with existing churches strengthened and new churches started.
On November 1-2, two Springfield churches will partner with Annual Meeting participants to conduct surveys in their neighborhoods, collecting prayer requests and sharing their faith. First Baptist Church of Springfield, which has relocated to a neighborhood on the north side of the city, will lead spiritual surveying in its new community.
Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) will partner with Together Church on North Grand for a food distribution. Formerly Springfield Southern Baptist Church, the congregation has witnessed growth this year with outreach to its neighbors through events including street-side food markets. Volunteers will also assist in preparing and serving meals to the City’s homeless community.
In addition, IBDR will be cutting down trees at area homes and needs volunteers to assist with pulling cut limbs to the side of the road and removing tree debris from yards.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to share the gospel in partnership with these churches,” Harris said.
He suggests anyone planning to attend the Annual Meeting, “Please take a moment and pray about how you and your team could be blessed by being involved in Crossover!”
Illinois Baptists may register online in advance to participate in Crossover Springfield.