A circuit judge in Springfield has ruled against the Illinois Baptist State Association in a suit to protect IBSA from requirements to provide employees with insurance benefits that cover abortion.
The IBSA student missions event, held annually in late July, provides middle and high school students one week of rotating service opportunities alongside Illinois Baptist church plants and Christ-centered non-profits in Chicago.
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 4867 (HB 4867), which amended the Illinois Human Rights Act to “prohibit discrimination based on reproductive health decisions,” according to a media release from his office.
Every church and pastor goes through seasons of ups and downs. There are years when baptisms come in waves, and new people show up each
J. Darrell Molen has been faithful to the Church — he has been serving churches in Illinois and other areas for seven decades now.
“It’s important to be willing to walk with people and be present when it’s uncomfortable” said Melissa Pryer, a registered dietician and member of Ten Mile Baptist Church, McLeansboro, Illinois.
Illinois pastor David Wright of Joppa Missionary Baptist Church reflects on his journey, initially questioning his effectiveness before a surge of baptisms renewed his faith.
Always a nervous flyer, I prayed off and on for a few weeks before I left. But on the plane, with every bump or ding of the seatbelt sign my silent prayers took on a more frenzied pace.
Sandy Wisdom-Martin, Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) national executive director-treasurer, shared her story of missions legacy and learning set by her father and the small Baptist church where she grew up.
In many parts of Illinois, there are pastors who have stayed in their churches for 15, maybe 20 years. And some longer than that, like maybe 25. But few have stayed 60 years.
