Messengers to the 114th IBSA Annual Meeting passed four resolutions as brought by the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Nov. 4 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. Topics included support for Baptist Children’s Home and Family Service’s new pregnancy resource clinic, parental rights, appreciation to the host church, and unity in the church, community, and home following the 2020 election.
There was no discussion as Nathaniel Trowbridge, committee chair and pastor of Samaria Missionary Baptist Church in Albion, presented the resolutions to the audience of nearly 170 gathered in-person and almost 200 online.
Here is a short summary of the approved resolutions:
On the BCHFS GraceHaven Pregnancy Resource Clinic: Messengers cited the “exemplary leadership” of BCHFS Executive Director Denny Hydrick for expanding the agency’s services with the establishment of GraceHaven, a new pregnancy resource clinic in Mt. Vernon. The resolution recognized the BCHFS staff for their “foresight, dedication, and diligence in establishing” the clinic to “provide life-giving care to the unborn and those bearing them.” In addition, messengers commended Illinois Baptist churches to pray and promote the clinic’s services.
On Parental Rights Bill HB 4870: Illinois House Bill 4870 (HB 4870) is an amendment to the Communicable Disease Prevention Act that mandates the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine be given to sixth-grade students in public, private, parochial, and home schools, with completion of the vaccine course by ninth grade. As approved, the resolution asks state legislators not to pass the amendment in keeping parental and religious rights.
On Appreciation to Tabernacle Baptist Church of Decatur: Messengers thanked Tabernacle Baptist Church, Pastor Carlton Binkley, staff, and members for their hospitality and cooperation in hosting the 2020 IBSA Annual Meeting. The resolution expresses “our deepest appreciation to this gracious host church, and prays that God grants its leadership and members spiritual wisdom and understanding so this local body might continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
On Unity in The Church, Community, and Home After The 2020 Election: The resolution acknowledges the “state of political, moral, and spiritual brokenness” in the United States, “which can only be changed through the gospel of Jesus Christ.” It cites Scripture urging unity, humility, gentleness, patience, and love among believers (Ephesians 4:3).
Through the resolution, messengers encouraged “all Southern Baptist churches in Illinois and nationwide to continue elevating Jesus Christ above all political parties or partisan stances in the church, community, and home, that we may deepen our commitment to cooperate with unity in the mission of advancing God’s kingdom after the conclusion of the 2020 election season.”
The full text of each resolution may be read in the 2020 IBSA Book of Reports, available at IBSA.org/IBSAannualmeeting.