Nate Adams will officially retire from serving as IBSA Executive Director on Wednesday, April 1 after serving just over 20 years in the position. In his last column for the Illinois Baptist newspaper… illinoisbaptist.org/thank-you/

As fighting escalates in the Middle East since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began on Feb. 28, so has the number of countries Americans are being advised to leave or avoid. illinoisbaptist.org/state-departme…

Two Chicago area pastors from IBSA network churches recently honored leaders in the civil rights movement who served as mentors and role models. illinoisbaptist.org/chicagolands-g…

Erdenekhuyag Vandan is the lead planter and pastor of Messenger Mongolian Christian Church in Glenview. His journey to faith and to Chicagoland started more than 30 years ago, with prayer to a God he didn’t know. . .” illinoisbaptist.org/mongolian-past…

“We’re all just one big family” is how Karen Mowers, Illinois Campers on Mission Secretary, described the volunteer evangelism ministry. That family suffered a major blow when it lost two of its members to a tragic car accident. . . illinoisbaptist.org/campers-on-mis…

Rising anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people have led many to question the cultural forces shaping this generation. In The Anxious Generation, author Jonathan Haidt links much of the crisis to the shift toward. . . illinoisbaptist.org/calming-an-anx…

As Adams leans into his April 1 retirement as Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association, it’s a good time for an exit interview. illinoisbaptist.org/ibsas-longest-…

Bellevue Baptist Church announced. “It’s with a heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Steve Gaines. After a two-year long battle with cancer, Bro. Steve stepped into eternity earlier this afternoon, . . .” illinoisbaptist.org/steve-gaines-e…

Nearly a week after an EF3 tornado struck Journey Church of Kankakee County, Church Treasurer Rachel Thill said she feels “God’s inexplicable peace about the situation. We shouldn’t have any peace, but we do.”  illinoisbaptist.org/journey-church…

In his first address to the full IBSA Board as incoming Executive Director on March 24, Scott Foshie honored his predecessor, described a mission field and mission force worthy of sacrifice, . . . illinoisbaptist.org/upbeat-foshie-…

After 10 days on the ground in Kankakee, Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers have wrapped up their work following an EF3 tornado that struck the area March 10. illinoisbaptist.org/ibdr-wraps-up-…

In the final days of Nate Adams tenure as IBSA Executive Director, columnist Meredith Flynn reflects on her decades‑long friendship with Nate and Beth Adams.  illinoisbaptist.org/where-honor-is…

Not only is Joel Vancil a pastor, but he’s also teacher and farmer. In a recent sermon, he described humanity’s original state of perfect fellowship with God and how the fall brought brokenness into work, relationships, creation, and daily life.  illinoisbaptist.org/protoevangeliu…

A church in Georgia reported baptizing 400 people on a single Sunday in March. From among 3,000 worship attenders at the church’s three campuses, hundreds responded to the call to follow Christ in baptism. illinoisbaptist.org/a-wave-of-bapt…

A pastor-friend called me just before Easter. “We’re having a joint Maundy Thursday service with the church down the street,” he told me. “Their minister said he’d rather not have the foot washing, because feet are gross. He wants to wash hands instead.” illinoisbaptist.org/half-stepping-…

Waldo has nothing on Scott Foshie. The new IBSA Executive Director is traveling Illinois, wedging listening sessions with pastors and associational leaders into a busy onboarding schedule. illinoisbaptist.org/wheres-foshie-…─-all-over-illinois/ all-over-illinois/

A week of missions on the Texas border became a journey of Spirit‑led conversations and unexpected connections. Serving at the Send Relief Center in Laredo, Texas, a team of women from Illinois Baptist churches discovered how simple acts of obedience. .  illinoisbaptist.org/more-than-a-mi…

A renewal of evangelistic zeal is dependent first on the Holy Spirit. When he finds a people who are open to his work and eager to share their faith, the Spirit opens doors for gospel conversations and readies the waters for baptism.  illinoisbaptist.org/how-your-churc…

The North American Mission Board’s Send Network is hosting a two-day workshop at Gospelife Church in Carol Stream designed to help pastors and church leaders build an intentional process for training qualified leaders to be church planters.  ibsa.org/events/residen…

The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home announced this morning (April 23) that its president, Juston Gates, passed away last night due to injuries from a hunting accident that occurred a week ago. illinoisbaptist.org/missouri-bapti…