As Illinois Baptists prepare to gather for the 2026 IBSA Annual Meeting in Edwardsville under the theme “It’s All About the Gospel,” there is a sense that something bright is dawning.
There is a growing sense across our state that God is at work among us. Not because of any one thing and not necessarily because of any measurable metric. But there is clearly a growing feeling of expectancy and renewed connection within many pastors and churches.
Simply put, it feels like a new day.
Over the past year, Illinois Baptists have seen encouraging signs. Reports from churches across the state tell stories of reaching new people and lives being changed. At his first IBSA Board meeting as Executive Director, Scott Foshie highlighted ACP data showing baptisms rising above pre-pandemic levels, while also sharing stories of churches experiencing renewed gospel impact.
This momentum is not merely numerical. Foshie has also described a desire among Illinois Baptists to pursue “Spirit-led momentum,” marked by dependence on God’s Word, prayer, and obedience to his mission.
One clear sign of this new day is the renewed direction of the Mission Illinois Offering, and the enthusiastic response from the pastors and the pews. The 2026 emphasis on Kids, Camps, and College Ministries, called Faith Forward, has given churches a compelling vision of a future filled with the next generation of gospel leaders.
At the same time, Illinois Baptists are experiencing a growing sense of connectedness. Throughout 2026, Foshie has carried out a statewide listening tour in local associations, hearing from pastors and church members in every corner of Illinois. The message he heard was consistent: Churches want to partner together to make greater gospel impact than they can accomplish alone.
This rising spirit of partnership is the brightest harbinger of what is dawning. And it will be most evident at the Annual Meeting as new partnerships with the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, and Tennessee Baptists are celebrated.
These formal partnerships within the larger Southern Baptist family, as well as the more organic ones that are developing with associations and between individual churches, signal a belief that togetherness is how the gospel will be carried into our Illinois neighborhoods and to the nations.
Messengers and guests to the November gathering at Metro Community Church will see that togetherness on display as they hear from SBC entity heads including Paul Chitwood (IMB), Evan Lenow (ERLC), Jeff Iorg (SBC EC), and Sandy Wisdom-Martin (WMU). They will also hear more about the exciting new direction for Send Illinois, the new partnership with NAMB to expand church planting and evangelism efforts in our home state.
Edwardsville will also be significant as Illinois Baptists celebrate Foshie’s election to Executive Director with an installation ceremony during the Tuesday evening session. They will also honor their native daughter, Wisdom-Martin, as she retires in January after decades of Southern Baptist women’s and missions ministry.
“I believe a new season of cooperation and Great Commission fruit is about to be driven by our Lord,” said Foshie. “We can’t do it by ourselves… It must be a ministry of the Holy Spirit through Illinois Baptists.”