Listening to God is an opportunity. God’s Word implores us, “So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying his voice, and by holding close to him; for this is your life and the length of your days…” (Deut. 30:19-20, NASB).
My family’s new call launched an extended season of hearing God’s voice through you. Since December, I have travelled thousands of miles across the Land of Lincoln. I have many more opportunities on the calendar, and I hope to reach the milestone of listening to God through gatherings provided by all 33 Illinois local associations. (Have you invited me yet?)
What I’m hearing fills me with hope for a great future and fuels my desire to serve you. Here are a few examples.
You are resilient and hopeful
At Hillcrest Baptist Church in suburban Chicago, Pastor Adron and Victoria Robinson welcomed Scott Foshie and his son, Levi.
Illinois Baptists are grateful to God for his faithfulness. I’m hearing countless stories of how he is bringing new life to our churches. As our culture remains embroiled in intense spiritual warfare, we are not naïve about our challenges. I have been struck by how, dependent on God, we are overcoming and thriving in Jesus.
I’ve heard multiple stories of churches seeking God’s deliverance from baptism droughts, and he is blessing them with new, eternal fruit. In every case, the Lord called churches to first ask God for new, willing hearts. That led to a season of intentionally showing up in the lives of lost people, loving them, praying for them, and sowing the gospel.
As a result, people are coming to Christ in greater numbers through Illinois Baptists than before the pandemic began, with nearly 4,000 baptisms celebrated in 2025. If we continue to seek God, live “2 Chronicles 7:14 repentance,” seek “John 15:5 abiding in Jesus,” and practice “Acts 1:8 evangelism and missions,” God will continue to multiply blessings!
You are hungry for relationship
I am humbled by the koinonia love of our Baptist family and hear your clarion call for deeper relationship. Pastors are urgently seeking life-giving opportunities and deeper brotherhood.
As a result, I am committed to leading our team to expand efforts to connect us in ways that strengthen local associations and multiply our presence throughout our mission field. Please pray for our team to have his wisdom about how to depend on God and accomplish this well.
You are raising new pioneers
In recent years, we’ve been burdened by our need for renewal and a new generation of servant leaders, so that Illinois Baptists can continue to bring life to Illinois and the world. I’m seeing exciting, tangible signs that the Lord is answering our prayers. I’ve had numerous encounters with new, hope-filled leaders God has called to preach, lead, and serve. These leaders desire to foster new seasons of life in churches across our state that reach souls.
We are committed to serving Illinois Baptists and ensuring you have abundant resources and opportunities to join God in his life-giving work. Your faithful giving to the Cooperative Program is the fuel for this wonderful Great Commission engine the Lord has entrusted to us, and we are committed to stewarding it well.
I hope to talk with you personally soon, if we haven’t connected already. We are committed to serving you well, and I would love to hear from you about how God is speaking to you as you reach your mission field.
Contact Scott Foshie at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org.