August 1, 2022 Illinois Baptist

Illinois Baptist

The trials of a pastor’s wife

And some joys too.

Melody Westbrook

P. 13

Highland Park | “When you ask if they were a victim of the parade shooting, you get several different responses,” Bev Laechelt explained.

“Some people are very angry and they say ‘I-am-not-a-victim; I’m a survivor.’ Or they start crying because it’s the first time they’ve talked about it, and I have to get them to a counselor right away.”

Laechelt and her husband, Wayne, are volunteers with Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief. They often serve as “blue caps” coordinating the response at com-

INSIDE: 3 pages of colorful photos and students’ stories starting on page 7

mand centers and storm damage sites. This time they were asked to come to Highland Park after the July Fourth mass shooting that left seven dead and more than 40 injured. IBDR operated childcare four days, while the Laechelts worked at the center set up by the Red Cross at the request of the FBI.

In the week following the shooting, more than 1,200 families were interviewed by law enforcement agents. Some came to share information about their experience, others came to claim the coolers, blankets, and bikes they had abandoned on the north Chicago suburb’s main street as gunfire rang out. The city shut the street down for a week afterward while detectives collected evidence.

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

Copy Editor - Leah Honnen

Team Leader - Ben Jones

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The BIG Baptist family album

Our Illinois mission field

Jacob Lee and his family have recently moved from Arizona to Illinois to plant a Korean congregation in partnership with Cornerstone Church in Savoy. Their story is one of four told during the Mission Illinois Offering and Week of Prayer, Sept. 11-18. Watch it at MissionIllinois.org.

Pray the news: Ending gun violence

Chicago pastor T.J. Grooms (page 4) says the gun violence in America is closer to all of us than we may realize. He connects this tragedy to the need for more workers in the harvest field. Pray for a gospel movement that saves souls and also brings an end to bloodshed.

Cooperative Program at work

IMB missionary Travis Burkhalter baptized Sarah, the first person in the Embera tribe believed to have followed Christ. Burkhalter and his wife, Beth, journeyed to Columbia and began sharing with the unreached people group three years ago. Sharing the gospel was not easy, because the tribe has a difficult, but unwritten language. Members of the tribe stood on rocks nearby as Sarah was baptized in a river

Giving by IBSA churches as of 07/15/22 $2,887,032

Budget Goal: $3,338,468

Received to date in 2021: $3,165,414

2022Goal: $6.2 Million

NATE ADAMS

Why we’re here

Aconsultant assisting IBSA with strategic planning recently challenged us with this question: “Why does Illinois need a Southern Baptist brand of disciple?”

He wasn’t downplaying the Great Commission nor disparaging Southern Baptists. He was making the point that there are many other Christian groups in Illinois, in fact many other evangelical groups. Especially in a northern state like Illinois, why are Southern Baptist churches needed, and why start other Southern Baptist churches?

It’s an appropriate question as September approaches and IBSA churches are asked to pray for state missions, and to give generously through the annual Mission Illinois Offering. While we are grateful for all Christcentered, biblically faithful churches, we believe the churches of our network and the missions work we do together bring unique, valuable, and powerful benefits to the mission field of Illinois.

So as we focus on state missions during this season, here are three answers to the question, “Why does Illinois need Southern Baptists?”

1. Illinois needs Southern Baptists because we not only deliver the gospel, but teach doctrine that we believe most clearly interprets the Bible. The Baptist Faith and Message, last updated in 2000, is a surprisingly brief yet powerfully clear statement that gives trustworthy guidance in the Bible’s most central truths. Those truths still meet the most pressing needs of our world today.

Some people think that all Christians believe the same things or interpret the Bible the same way. But Baptists hold to unique and important beliefs about the authority of the Bible and the autonomy, leadership, and ordinances of the local church. We believe differently than some other Christian groups about how salvation takes place, and whether it lasts or can be lost. Baptists have increasingly countercultural beliefs about gender, sexuality, marriage, and the sanctity of life. Pastors trained in SBC schools and church members being discipled with SBC resources can be confident that they are building their lives on a clear understanding of God’s unchanging Word.

3 reasons Illinois needs Southern Baptists

2. Illinois needs Southern Baptists because disciples and churches here are launching pads for sending the gospel everywhere. Each year, thousands of new believers profess faith in Christ through Illinois Baptist Churches. New church plants often lead the way in the ratio of new believers to church members. Many of these hear the gospel because our network provides training, resources, strategies, or events for intentional evangelism.

Our national SBC mission boards then facilitate volunteer participation alongside thousands of career missionaries in evangelistic missions and church planting. Just think how challenging and slow worldwide mission work would be if each church had to attempt it on its own.

3. Illinois needs Southern Baptists because we are a unique gift as a people. Many, though certainly not all, of us have some background in southern culture, and that often translates to a wonderful warmth and friendliness in church culture, not to mention some pretty good cooking. Many of us grew up learning the Bible and loving missions, and that heart for the Lord and for the lost helps turn our churches inside out into our communities. Our churches have grown diverse in their ethnicities, music preferences, geographies, and sizes, equipping us to reach many different kinds of people. Each church is a missionary!

Southern Baptists are not perfect by a long stretch. But when we are at our best, our Illinois churches and the disciples they are making are loving and unique gifts from God to more than eight million lost people here. And when we give our gifts through the Mission Illinois Offering, it helps us give more of ourselves and our resources to more of them.

Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Respond at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org.

Poll questions pro-choice numbers

Springfield | Marches in large cities have resumed, including this one (above) in Springfield July 9, but the protests are mostly by people angered by the overturning of legalized abortion on the federal level. Pro-life demonstrations are more likely outside abortion clinics. The rallies raise the question: How pro-choice is Illinois?

Gov. J. B. Pritzker said, “The majority of people in the state of Illinois are prochoice,” as he announced plans for a special session of the General Assembly to strengthen already liberal abortion laws in Illinois. But a new poll of Illinois voters shows they may not be as “progressive” on the issues as purported.

According to a poll taken by Chicago-based Ogden & Fry, Illinois voters differ on what makes them pro-choice or pro-life and on what limits there should be on abortion. FOX Chicago reported the poll found 22% of Illinois voters favor no restrictions on abortion, calling themselves 100% pro-choice, while 40% say they are pro-choice but support some limits; 24% say they are pro-life with some limits, and 14% say they are 100% pro-life, with no limits.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade returned the legality of abortion to the states for the people to decide. That’s why Tim Moore, president of Springfield Right to Life, said it’s important for voters to think strategically at the voting booth. This includes not only finding

out the candidates’ views on abortion at the state senate and house levels, Moore said, “but as they’re coming up through the park board and the school board. Those [offices] are the steppingstones.”

The remainder of the survey’s findings seem to bear out Moore’s thinking. When asked about allowing time limits on abortion, in addition to the 22% who favored no limits at all, 26% said they favored abortion up to 20 weeks’ gestation, 18% said up to 12 weeks, 16% said up to 6 weeks, and 17% said never, even if a mother’s life were in danger.

These views on a timetable for acceptable abortions stand in contrast with the Illinois Reproductive Health Act passed in 2019, which sets as its standard for abortion as up until viability. However, it does allow, at the medical provider’s discretion, for abortions to be performed up until birth if the mother’s health is in distress.

The Act defines health as including not only the patient’s physical condition, but emotional and psychological conditions as well. But there are no other legal standards or regulations in place to serve as a guide for that determination making abortion in Illinois legal up until birth.

Illinoisans, by a wide margin, do not support taxpayer funding of abortions: 56% said no, 28% yes, and 17% unsure. And the survey found 78% of voters favored notification of a minor’s parent or guardian, but the Parental Notification Law was repealed June 1.

Daughters honored Church grieves after tragic accident

Carlyle | Two teenage daughters of an Illinois Baptist pastor and the pastor’s sister died in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer near Beckemeyer in Clinton County on July 8. The girls, Savanna Grace Broughton, 17, and Brooke-Lynn Kay Broughton, 15, are the daughters of Scott and Amanda Broughton. He is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Carlyle. The girls’ aunt who also died in the crash was Rhonda Evans of Ackerman, Mississippi.

Local authorities reported the car the girls were in crossed the center line on Old Highway 50 and collided with the tractor-trailer. The truck driver received only minor injuries.

A vigil was held at Carlyle High School on the evening of the accident. Funeral services were held July 11 at First Baptist Church of Carlyle.

Social media was flooded with condolences for the family and the church and fond remembrances of the girls from church members, classmates, and the community. Even the staff at the local Dairy Queen recalled their characteristic kindness and smiles.

SAVANNA BROUGHTON BROOKE-LYNN BROUGHTON

Both girls were active in the church’s worship ministry. Savanna would have been a senior at Carlyle High School in the fall. She served as Student Council President, was a member of the homecoming court, and was a reporter for the high school’s chapter of FFA. She had a passion for mission work and served at homeless and women’s shelters.

Brooke-Lynn played tenor sax in the high school band and was a member of the color guard. She loved art and painting.

Savanna and Brooke-Lynn are survived by their parents, siblings Mary Kathryn and Emerson Keeton Broughton; and their maternal grandparents. Memorials were suggested in honor of the girls’ interests to the Carlyle High School Class of 2023 and the Carlyle High School Band.

– Lisa Misner

From the front: july fourth shooting

Continued from page 1

The FBI interviews continued for two weeks, while news reports covered funerals of the seven victims and tracked hospital stays of the critically injured. Police arrested Robert Crimo, 21. No motive for the mass shooting was immediately determined.

Highland Park High School served as incident command for the survivors’ interviews. That’s where IBDR volunteers provided care for children while their parents were talking with FBI agents and Red Cross workers.

“People in the area sent all kinds of toys for the children, to give them something to play with or to hug,” Bev said.

While Wayne was connecting kids with teddy bears and survivors with “ambassadors” who helped them with interviews and accessing counseling resources, Bev managed the intake desk with a team of four. Friends she met from Northern Illinois Community Organizations Assisting in Disasters reached out because of their previous experience together. They had worked after at a mass shooting at a manufacturing facility in 2019 in west suburban Aurora where the Laechelts live.

For IBDR volunteers at the incident command and childcare centers, the work meant thirteen-hour days, and for the Laechelts, another ninety minutes each way for their commute across Chicagoland. “It’s hard work, but we know we’re supposed to be there,” Wayne said of their ministry.

“It’s a privilege when someone decides to share their story with you—they don’t have to,” Bev said.

Chicago pastor urges support to quell gun violence

CHICAGO | New Beginnings Church of Chicago Assistant Pastor T.J. Grooms ministers in Parkway Gardens, a low-income housing development where a mass shooting occurred early July 1 next door to the South Side church.

“I know everybody in that community,” Grooms said. “I knew three out of the five that were shot. It happened in the wee hours of the morning, and my phone was blowing up around 2:30 that morning.”

At least 10 people were shot dead and 62 injured across Chicago during the July fourth weekend. But the Chicago shootings, were lost in the shadow of the July Fourth mass shooting in Highland Park, a suburb 30 miles north.

Grooms doesn’t downplay the Highland Park tragedy, but encourages Americans and particularly fellow Southern Baptists to treat Chicago’s violence with as much disdain shown the violence in Highland Park.

“When they see the statistics on the internet or in the media,” Grooms said, “I don’t want them to sit back and say, ‘yeah, another one.’ I don’t want them to be completely desensitized or just see it as a statistic.

“I want them to imagine that their son or daughter that they have brought up and tried their best to steer in the right direction goes out and doesn’t come home. When you view it in that manner, you tend to help.”

young church member who died from gun violence that was gang-related.

“I had gotten to the place where (I said) this is normal, and I should never have been that way. But I got there,” he said. “But this one hit different because this one was extremely close to me. It was almost like the first time I lost somebody over again.

“There are nights where I can’t sleep. There are times my wife (Quinn) and I will sit down and talk because she’s concerned about losing people that way. There are times when I’m like, Lord, is what I’m doing even working?”

New Beginnings Senior Pastor Corey Brooks, who founded in 2011 the nonprofit community vitalization group “Project HOOD” (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), recruited Grooms to the church in 2018.

Brooks has raised $18 million toward a $35 million fundraising campaign to build a community center aimed at deterring crime and encouraging success.

Brooks brought attention to the city’s rising crime by spending 100 nights on a rooftop inviting people to visit and discuss ideas, solutions, and opportunities to curb gun violence. Later he returned to the roof.

“That’s how I’ve always looked at it with floods or tornadoes. So when these folks who survived a shooting, who are so upset, decide to share with me, it’s a blessing.”

While the rest of the state looked at the tragedy from a distance, these Illinois Baptists saw the horror of a mass shooting up close. Ministry in its wake had high and low moments.

“Seeing a young boy smiling as he wheeled his bike out the door still decorated for the Fourth of July, things like that were high moments for us,” Bev said. “But when you see the parents carrying chairs or coolers, and you see the anxiety on their faces, you know where that stuff had been—that’s a low moment.”

“Some people want their property back, others want nothing to do with it,” Wayne said. “One man wanted his hat: ‘I’m just looking for my hat.’ Why the hat? I think it’s closure. They need closure.”

The relative silence over the shootings in Chicago reflects, for Grooms, the lack of workers available to reap the plentiful harvest Jesus speaks of in Scripture.

“The harvest is always in areas where people don’t want to work,” Grooms said. “I see the marginalized of our society as harvest. I don’t see them as waste.... I see a gangbanger as a harvest. I see someone who is on the low end of the totem pole economically as a harvest.

“I believe that there are treasures that are trapped, as the Scripture says, in earthen vessels,” Grooms said. “And it is my job to do whatever I can to make sure that they realize that treasure in them. But in order for me to get to the treasure, because it’s in an earthen vessel, I got to get past their dirt.…I live by that principle.”

Grooms laments having normalized crime in the area himself until he had to bury a

“Violence is like cancer: You can see it spreading,” Brooks said. “When you don’t deal with the violence, when you don’t handle it as you should, it continues to escalate not only here but in Memphis, St. Louis, New Orleans, San Francisco.…You have to intervene in people’s lives before they start down a pathway toward destruction.”

Grooms encourages Southern Baptists not only to pray but also to conduct and support similar ministries to deter gun violence.

Every church has an opportunity to minister to underserved communities that are near them or within driving distance.

“It may not be as bad, but there is a form of it that’s happening in your area,” Grooms said. “I would say this to the church: Be the church. You cannot change what you fear. If you are afraid to touch them, if you are afraid to talk to them, if you are afraid to be around them, you can’t change them. You can’t be the change for them.

“Don’t fear them. Be the change.”

‘Be the change’

– Eric Reed

T.J. GROOMS

– Diana Chandler, Baptist Press, photo from Fox News

HIGHLAND PARK STRONG – As investigators reopened the parade route a week later, residents brought flowers to a makeshift memorial for the seven people who died on July Fourth.

Lifeway targets frontier states

Mandrell brings his Illinois roots to bear on new products

Illinois native and Lifeway head Ben Mandrell shared the organization’s desire to partner with churches around the globe, including those who have felt underserved. After noting the challenges of leading Lifeway during his first three years as president, Mandrell said he believes the organization’s vision is crystallizing. “We are expanding the boundaries beyond the Southeast portion of the U.S.,” he said. “We have a vision for serving churches everywhere.”

Mandrell showed messengers at the Anaheim SBC Annual meeting a map of the United States, with counties colored corresponding to the most populous religious group living there. Southern Baptists are primarily in the Southeast. In 2013, he and his wife, Lynley, saw this map, and it moved them—literally. “We resigned a large church in west Tennessee and moved our kids 1,000 miles west to Denver, Colorado to plant a church.”

After establishing the church, raising up leaders and moving into a new building, Mandrell said he felt called to Lifeway. “Though my family now lives in Middle Tennessee, our heart will always beat for helping church leaders who find themselves in frontier states and highly secular places,” he said.

As part of the effort to better serve churches beyond the South, Mandrell said Lifeway is working to both recruit employees

living in those areas and to develop resources designed specifically for congregations in other regions.

By 2027, Lifeway employees will likely be evenly distributed between those living in the Nashville area and those living outside Middle Tennessee. The organization is “drawing writers, editors, graphic designers and software developers from across the country and world,” Mandrell said. “They are staying in their local churches, which is what we want, so that our products begin to feel more versatile. We are moving from a Nashville mindset to a national mindset.”

To that end, Mandrell announced a new next generation curriculum line to be completed next fall, which will give churches an added option alongside Lifeway’s current curriculum lines: Bible Studies for Life, Explore the Bible, The Gospel Project, and YOU.

– excerpted from Baptist Press

Vacation Bible School sparks creativity

2023 theme revealed

The VBS for next year is based on a fictional game, “Twists and Turns.” The theme was announced just ahead of the SBC meeting in Anaheim. “Spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead, level up, and play to win!” Lifeway advertised in the big reveal. The game theme is used to teach five key statements about Jesus, starting with his holiness and concluding that “Jesus came for everyone.” One-quarter of all baptisms in the SBC result from VBS.

SBC in the Midwest

Midwestern has record enrollment

Reflecting on God’s faithfulness to the seminary over the past decade, Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen said the school has continued to experience record enrollment growth due to their “For the Church” vision and the support of the convention of churches.

“I am delighted to share that as we close this academic year, our total enrollment will finish right around 5,000 students, a significant increase from the enrollment of approximately 1,000 I inherited when I became president,” Allen said in his report to messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim. “I believe our continued growth is a testament to the belief you all have in your seminary in Kansas City.”

He continued, “Our enrollment includes students from all 50 states and over 60 countries including Belarus, China, Colombia, Cuba, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, North Korea, Taiwan, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.”

“Within all of the global work we are called to do, know that we do all this work on your behalf, and it all emanates from Kansas City,” Allen said.

Mohler marks 30 years at Southern

Al Mohler, who began as Southern Seminary president in 1993, said the message to Southern Baptist churches remains unchanged from those early days. Southern Seminary continues to set annual records in enrollment, graduates, and finances, Mohler said, a tribute to the perseverance in faithfulness of local congregations.

Mohler pointed out with sadness that several evangelical schools are struggling at the moment, but none of the six seminary presidents delivering reports to the messengers at this year’s annual meeting were talking about crisis or downgrade.

“It is because of the strength of the Southern Baptist Convention which means it is the strength of our churches that we are able to come to you and say we are at peak efficiency, and we are at peak enrollment,” he said.

VBS soundtrack tops charts

The “Spark Studios” VBS soundtrack reached the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s Top 100 Children’s Music Albums chart in June. And the album reached No. 63 among all albums in recent weeks.

The album’s popularity proves that “VBS is returning in full force across the country” after a gap of two years due to the pandemic, said Lifeway’s VBS and kids ministry specialist Melita Thomas.

Music is an intentional part of the VBS strategy, Thomas said. “You’ll find the daily Bible verses embedded in the daily songs and the theme song often includes the theme verse in its entirety, which makes it easy for kids to memorize.”

“The Lord is blessing beyond anything we could imagine and at Southern Seminary we’re looking at over 6,000 students this year, sending out over 700 graduates. But I just want to tell you, it’s not about the greatness of the institution, it is about the faithfulness of Christ and his churches in all of that.” Mohler urged continued fidelity to the gospel. “I want to encourage you as churches of the SBC. It is abundantly clear that we must be, as a convention, and as the institutions of this Convention, following the same admonition that the apostle Paul gave Timothy and it’s now up to us, even as a convention and as the churches of this convention to continue in what we have learned and have firmly believed.”

– excerpted from Baptist Press

IBSA affiliation notice

Churches wishing to apply for affiliation with the Illinois Baptist State Association must submit an application for membership by September 20.

To request an affiliation packet, visit www.IBSA.org/membership. For more information, contact Barb Troeger at (217) 391-3107 or email BarbTroeger@IBSA.org.

JASON ALLEN

AL MOHLER

BEN MANDRELL

Coach wins prayer suit

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a high school football coach in Bremer, Washington who lost his job because he knelt to pray on the field after each game. Some parents claimed their sons felt pressured to join him. But in a 6-3 ruling, the Court said the local school board violated coach Joseph Kennedy’s First Amendment rights. The opinion said the board had “a mistaken view that it had a duty to ferret out and suppress religious observances even as it allows comparable secular speech.”

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco had twice ruled against Kennedy. The SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission joined three amicus briefs in support of Kennedy during the proceedings.

“An individual employed by a school does not forfeit his or her constitutional right to free expression simply by entering ‘the schoolhouse gate’ or, as it were in this case, the field of play,” ERLC said after the victory. – info from Baptist Press

Christian students’ speech rights upheld

A judge issued a temporary block to a university policy that censored three Christian students who had expressed opposition to same-sex marriage on religious grounds.

Students Peter Perlot, Mark Miller, and Ryan Alexander sued the University of Idaho over a policy in which they were barred from talking with a student about same-sex marriage.

“Some may disagree with Plaintiffs’ religious beliefs,” the judge wrote.

“Such is each person’s prerogative and right. But none should disagree that Plaintiffs have a right to express their religious beliefs without fear of retribution. The Constitution makes that clear.”

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a law firm (and IBSA ministry partner), helped to represent the three plaintiffs. “Peter, Mark, and Ryan are guaranteed the freedom under the First Amendment to discuss their faith on campus, just like every other student and faculty member,” said ADF Legal Counsel Mathew Hoffmann.

– excerpted from Christian Post

American pride declines

Lee Greenwood sang he was “proud to be an American,” but the numbers who join him in that sentiment today are declining. Down 20 points from a decade ago, only 38% of adults surveyed said they were “extremely proud.” But it’s a matter of degrees: 27% were “very proud” and 22% were “moderately proud.” Republicans were more likely than Democrats to express extreme pride in their citizenship (58% to 28%), and men more so than women (72% to 60%).

– from Gallup Poll (June 1-20, 2022)

reporter’s notebook In the world? What of it.

The Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim may have appeared to some to be as laid back as its California location, but in that book/cover dichotomy, you can’t judge the tenor of the meeting by what’s happening on the outside.

“Outside of the convention hall, Southern Baptists greeted old friends, ate at food trucks and listened to worship music from students at California Baptist University while sitting under palm trees,” Bob Smietana reported for Religion News Service. “Unlike the previous year’s meeting in Nashville, where street preachers with bullhorns criticized Southern Baptists for being too ‘liberal’ and spew(ed) angry rhetoric, the mood was festive.

“A group of street preachers showed up on Sunday ahead of the pastors’ conference but gave up after their bullhorns were drowned out by worship music,” Smietana wrote.

negotiate with people who hate Christ, hate God, hate the Bible?”

The counterpoint to his point came two days later during a convention business session. News broke a week earlier that Guidepost Solutions had expressed support for LGBTQ rights at the start of “Pride Month.” Calls came from several quarters to break ties with the company that conducted the independent investigation into the handling of abuse claims by the SBC Executive Committee. Their report was already complete, but some feared the report and its proposed reforms would be tainted.

The reforms passed overwhelmingly. But later, EC Chair Rolland Slade called on one of the EC’s interim attorneys to speak from the floor.

But the real measure of the tension in the convention wasn’t on the streets. It was in the elections, the floor debate, and even more so in some meetings prior to the annual meeting itself. Abuse reform and the roles of women in church leadership were prominent issues, but the theme running under it all was the relationship of Southern Baptists to the world. We are in it, but are we of it?

And as some seemed to ask, do we even have to be in it?

While the Pastors’ Conference was meeting at the Convention Center, about 1,000 people attended a meeting of the two-year-old Conservative Baptist Network (CBN) with headliner John MacArthur. “I think you’re my people.… I think the things that concern you are the things that concern me,” the pastor of the independent Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California told those present.

As reported by the Washington Post, MacArthur charged, “We have one day for Memorial Day then thirty for homosexual perversion. This is neopaganism…. It’s over. This country, the West, our country has fallen….They offer us nothing.”

The crowd applauded when MacArthur told how his church defied California orders to close at the onset of Covid. “I have no interest in taking orders from the political powers of the kingdom of darkness. I couldn’t care less what the federal government or state government says, I have Christ as the Lord of the Church. You can tell us to shut down our church and we’ll stay open,” he said.

CBN’s candidates for SBC President, First Vice President, and Pastors’ Conference President all lost their elections, but MacArthur scored with his exhortation. “Don’t compromise. How can you

“I wholeheartedly appreciate the pastors in this room,” Scarlett Nokes said, citing in particular pastors from her SBC church in Tennessee who were standing with her. “There’s no doubt these godly men and so many other men and women have made a profound impact on my life and my faith. But those of us working in corporate America are also making an impact,” she said.

Nokes said she and fellow attorney Gene Besen have suffered character attacks because of the stance their employer, the Bradley law firm, takes on LGBTQ issues. Similar to the revelation about Guidepost Solutions, Bradley’s position was reported in February.

The soft-spoken Nokes refuted calls to replace the law firm and defended her personal choice to work for them. “We are serving where we are. I am serving where I am. Our places are a mission field,” Nokes said.

The complicated legal issues surrounding abuse “are varied and complex, and they are coming with a vengeance…. They require a specific set of skills,” Nokes said. “God has given me certain opportunities, skills and abilities to be of service to his people during this season.

“I ask myself and every one of you: How does the gospel advance if we insulate ourselves from the world entirely?” she said. “If we’re to be the light of the world referenced in Matthew 5, we have to be in the world, not surrounded by like-minded Christians and Southern Baptists all the time.”

Nokes received a standing ovation—from more than half the room.

“I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one…. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15, 18).

Eric Reed is editor of Illinois Baptist media.

The issue in Southern Baptist life may be less about ‘drift’ and more about ‘place.’

JOHN MACARTHUR

SCARLETT NOKES

IN FOCUS

Launching leaders

Eager students and long-time teachers prioritize discipleship at IBSA’s Super Summer

BY MEREDITH FLYNN

o you want help?” Becky Byars says as she steps toward the nervous seventh grader. The student has just been called on to pray out loud in front of her purple school peers, the youngest group at IBSA’s Super Summer discipleship week.

Byars, a leader from First Baptist Church in McLeansboro, supplies the first line of a prayer and the teen takes over from there, boosted by the assist. Across the HannibalLaGrange University campus, 175 Super Summer students experience this mix of challenge and encouragement, independence and guidance.

The week isn’t billed as a traditional camp. Instead, the focus is on discipleship, leadership, and growing deeper as a follower of Christ. Students are grouped by age into color-coded schools, each with a different focus for the week—salvation, identity,

community, apologetics, kingdom living, foundational beliefs, and outreach.

Pipeline “D

“We’re pressing hard to get them step into leadership and ministry, whatever it might be,” said Lonnie Trembly, dean of the blue school for incoming freshmen. Trembly retired this summer after 14 years as student pastor at First Baptist Church in Columbia. But he isn’t ruling out a return to Super Summer, where he has served every year since 1997.

“I think all the leadership that comes here has been coming here for years, as much as they can make it, because of the results that we see,” he said. Trembly’s voice breaks when he talks about how many students he’s known over the years whose lives have changed because of this week.

“Super Summer put them in the right place.”

Super Summer is not camp. This annual weeklong event for teens includes some fun, but don’t call it camp. It’s a spiritual growth pipeline that turns students into disciples, and disciples into leaders.

Training ground

Trembly doesn’t shy away from challenging students. On mission trips, students are expected to lead devotions and are ready to share their faith. At Super Summer, he starts school sessions by asking a few students to share their personal testimonies.

“I don’t believe in teenagers,” he said. “I believe in adults-in-training.” Expectations are high during this discipleship week, with several leaders over the years echoing a similar refrain: students aren’t the future of the church. They’re the church right now.

“We ask them to unplug from the world and, as a Christian, go deep,” Trembly said. “Put aside everything that’s possible to put aside. Do everything you can to hold onto Christ, for the sake of your own soul.” Super Summer is designed for students who are already growing in their faith, but for some, Trembly said, it’s the first step. “We see a lot of kids that come to salvation because they’re good church kids, they’ve got all the answers, but the Holy Spirit of God has never lit them up.”

In purple school, Trembly’s son, Matt, is leading the youngest Super Summer participants in learning the basics of the Christian faith. The progression from school to school is designed to help students build onto a firm foundation, said Matt, who has been part of Super Summer as many years as his dad.

“Super Summer is about discipleship. It’s not your typical summer camp where

you go canoeing and swim in the lake and have worship services at night so you can check off the church box.” In addition to twice-daily school sessions, students choose “intensives” on topics including reading the Bible, biblical manhood and womanhood, and intro to guitar.

“It’s an intensive discipleship week, and we don’t just spend time talking at students,” said the younger Trembly, who takes time off from his IT job to serve at Super Summer. “We’re involving them and challenging them.”

Down in the blue school room, students take notes while Lonnie Trembly teaches, looking up occasionally to answer the questions he asks. He gives students responsibility and expects them to be respectful, Trembly said.

“Generally, I find, they step up to the plate.”

Life-altering questions

Alexis Fromme stands in a circle of blue school students, delivering a pep talk before the upcoming all-school recreation tournament. In a few minutes, the high school freshmen she’s helped lead this week will slip and slide through a chaotic series of relay events. Right now, they listen as Super Summer veteran Fromme encourages them to do their best and be vocal with their encouragement of other teams. (It earns you extra points for the final tally.)

“I have attended Super Summer every single year since I could!” said Fromme,

LOVING LEARNING – Matt Trembly (top) teaches a guitar class. Tony Muñoz (with his beard dyed orange in honor of the orange class) teaches and students learn worship leadership. As an adult, Alexis Fromme (bottom) now leads students in Super Summer which she attended since junior high.

an engineer and student ministry leader from First Baptist in Bethalto. There wasn’t a purple school when she started but she worked her way through the others—red, blue, orange, yellow, and green—until ending up in the grey school led by Phil Nelson, pastor of Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale.

That final year was pivotal, Fromme said. As Nelson reminded them this was their last year as Super Summer students, she realized she didn’t want to leave for college and fall away from her faith. Buoyed by accountability from her local church and Super Summer friends, she started the school year instead with a new commitment to read the Bible. She started writing out Scripture passages, a method suggested by one of her grey school leaders.

“God really used Phil and the other grey school leaders to motivate me to do better in my walk with Christ,” Fromme said. “It’s a true joy to be able to still serve with people who were leaders when I was a student and with those who were students with me at Super Summer.”

For some like Fromme, Super Summer is a step toward maturity in their relationship with Christ. For others, it’s the beginning.

Austin Luebbers has been attending church regularly since some friends invited him six months ago. He traveled to Hannibal for his first Super Summer with the group from FBC Columbia. Luebbers was a student in grey school, led again by Phil Nelson. He was tired during the first school session after a day of travel. But things changed when Nelson told students the main question Paul asked the Colossians: Is Jesus enough?

“That really opened up my eyes that he was enough,” Luebbers said. Through the week, the love of God in light of Luebbers’s own imperfections came more into focus, he said. And on Thursday, Luebbers approached Trembly after the group from FBC Columbia met to close out the day. They prayed together, and Luebbers decided to follow Jesus.

The young man uses the imagery of eyes being opened often when describing his week at Super Summer. Life back at home has been pretty normal, he said, except he’s looking at things with a new point of view and a new sense of accountability. Luebbers and two of his friends are commit-

ted to meet together for Bible study once a week.

“Students accept Christ at this camp,” Fromme said. “They rededicate their lives to the Lord. They realize that now is the time to become serious in their faith, and nothing is better than walking alongside them as the Holy Spirit works in their lives.”

‘God shows up’

Lindsay Wineinger wasn’t a Super Summer student in high school, but she’s long been involved in its leadership. “When you see God moving, you go,” said next year’s Super Summer director and current president of Illinois WMU.

“It’s beautiful to see kids coming in right out of sixth grade, and being with the organization long enough where I’ve seen some of my seventh and eighth graders go through all of the different school levels and graduate out, and then come back and be leaders for those schools.

“It’s a beautiful picture of what true discipleship is as well.”

As dedicated as Super Summer students are— to their schools and to the intense discipleship process found here—the commitment of its leaders is arguably even stronger. Their desire for the next generation of Christians to grow as disciples is clear. And they’re seeing real results.

“It’s not just a place for students,” said Lonnie Trembly. “I think all the leadership that comes here has been coming here for years, as much as they can make it, because of the results that we see.”

As director, Wineinger hopes to visit sixth graders at IBSA’s summer camps and share with them the opportunities coming their way to participate in Super Summer. This year’s Super Summer theme, “Influencer,” reflects that way of thinking: one generation passing down a legacy of faith to the next.

“It’s a beautiful depiction that no matter what age you are, you are an influencer of the next group,” she said. For students and leaders at Super Summer, the legacy is one of God at work. He goes above and beyond every year, she said, from students who aren’t expecting to have their lives changed, to long-time leaders who say this was the best year yet.

“God shows up in big ways, and I think a lot of us come back because we just get so excited for

“No matter what age you are, you are an influencer of the next group.”

– Lindsay Wineinger

LIFE LESSONS – Lonnie Trembly has served at Super Summer since 1997. Here he teaches the 3 Circles method of faith sharing.

157,690

reasons to support

THE cooperative program • 2ND quarter report • jan. 1 - JUNE 30, 2022

This report includes contributions received by the Illinois Baptist State Association through the second quarter of 2022. For questions about this report, contact the IBSA Church Cooperation Team at (217) 391-3106, email JeffDeasy@IBSA.org, or write to P.O. Box 19247, Springfield, IL 62794-9247.

1. Cooperative Program works.

In nearly 100 years, Southern Baptists have given $20 billion to missions through CP.

2. Multiplication is powerful.

With 48,000 churches each sending a small percentage of their offerings, Southern Baptists give about $190 billion every year.

3. Missionaries need steady funding.

CP eliminates the need for fundraising trips and time away from the mission field. SBC missionaries can count on our support.

Top 100 Illinois churches in Cooperative Program support through the second quarter of 2022

First, Nashville

Bluffs, Bluffs 79.65

Cutler First, Cutler 79.54

Peru First, Peru 78.64

Du Quoin First, Du Quoin 78.39

Bethel, Bourbonnais 78.34

Cave in Rock First, Cave in Rock 78.13

Fairview Heights First, Fairview Heights 78.00

Cristo Es Rey, Bolingbrook 77.84

Twin Oaks, Sleepy Hollow 77.11

Central City, Centralia 76.66

Calvary, Monticello 76.06

Calvary, Pittsfield 75.05

Columbia First, Columbia 74.88

Erven Avenue, Streator 74.31

Royalton First, Royalton 74.24

Tabernacle, Decatur 74.00

Wisetown, Greenville 73.69

Willow Springs First, Willow Springs 73.58

Redeemer, Panama 73.11

S I Country, Makanda 70.97

Springbrook Community, Plainfield 70.65

Union Grove, Eldorado 69.26

Grace Fellowship Davis, Stillman Valley 69.16

The Lord’s Church, Naperville 68.18

Emmanuel, Sandwich 68.18

Mt Olive, Dongola 67.98

4. Cooperative Program is proven.

Replacing piecemeal giving to special causes, this unified system of funding missions founded in 1925 has a history of success.

5. Churches need leaders. CP funds theological education in six SBC seminaries. And IBSA trains pastors and church leaders in effective ministry processes.

6. The next generation is vital.

Through CP, Southern Baptists engage in ministry on college campuses. And Illinois Baptists support student ministry development and IBSA camps.

Bethlehem, Shipman 67.95

Bethel, Vandalia 67.10

Metro Community, Edwardsville 66.69

Peace Community, Chicago 66.67

Flat Rock First Missionary, Flat Rock 66.39

Washington First, Washington 65.19

Meadowridge, Zion 64.80

Indian Camp, Stonefort 64.66

Swansea, Swansea 64.44

Pelley Road Christian, Rockford 64.39

Grace Fellowship, Murphysboro 64.31

Carterville First, Carterville 63.89

Ditney Ridge, Norris City 63.75

Casey First, Casey 63.53

Ten Mile, Mc Leansboro 62.38

Grace Community Fellowship, Vandalia 62.32

Calvary, Elgin 61.69 Salem First, Salem 61.10

Cornerstone, Marion 61.09

Tinley Park First, Tinley Park 61.01

Golf Road, Des Plaines 60.57

Highland Avenue, Robinson 59.61

O’Fallon First, O Fallon 59.46

Sandy Creek, Tamms 59.27

Clarksville, Marshall 59.05

7. Lives are changed.

Our international missionaries baptized 107,000 people in 2021. And SBC churches baptized 154,701.

Top 100 Illinois churches in per capita CP support through the second quarter of 2022

8. Cooperative Program is comprehensive.

With Acts 1:8 as a strategy model, CP helps every church reach every mission field intentionally, starting at home and going global.

9. Focused cooperation unites.

With our shared purpose to share Christ with the world, CP brings SBC churches together for the cause of missions and evangelism.

10. People need Jesus.

As IMB President Paul Chitwood reported at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting, the number of people who die every day without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior is Could we need any greater reason than that? Support

157,690.

GROWING

Learning curve recommendaTions

The Beginning: First Steps for New Disciples LifeWay

This resource challenges me to read my Bible so I am better able to answer questions in the daily workbook, yet the amount of work is easily approachable. I enjoy the weekly small group because it allows different thoughts to be expressed by others working toward the same goal of growing in the knowledge of God, our King.

table talk

Hard-learned lessons

Is being a pastor’s wife a blessing or a curse?

Hi! I’m Melody Westbrook and I am a recovering Pastor’s Wife. My husband and I recently resigned after 35 years of pastoring two churches. We moved from Oklahoma to Illinois in 1991 to plant a church in Edwardsville. As we departed, my identity as pastor’s wife quickly faded. I was warned about the loss of identity and the effect it would have on me. But truthfully, I was relieved. I had secretly resigned that position years prior because I was tired of the pedestal I sat upon, therefore working tirelessly to crawl down.

Why?

Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar in Youth Ministry

Book • Tim McKnight

Fun, high-energy events are great in youth ministry, however, our goal is to equip an army of disciples and launch them into adulthood to make a name for Jesus. The events that draw crowds can also be a distraction. McKnight gives theological and practical advice to equip and encourage families as the primary disciple maker, unleashing disciples after God’s heart.

Well, I am confident a large part was due to my own brokenness and fear of failure that lurked deep within. I no longer wanted to live within that bubble, fighting to escape the scrutiny of others. But, if I were to be gut wrenchingly honest, I wanted to run from the scrutiny I placed on myself to be everything for everyone.

Years ago, I walked into my counselor’s office depleted and torn. I will never forget what she said: “You are an empty shell!” Being a pastor’s wife can strip you of who you are. You are tossed around like a lost sock in a dryer. You live your life to please others while you exist in the shadow of your husband.

In this existence, you survive the scrutiny of others judging your every move, not to mention what

The Daily Grace Co. Website

This is a hub for some pretty amazing Scripture-based Bible studies, books, podcasts and more. Their company’s tag is “Equipping disciples in the Word,” and that’s exactly what they have done in my life.

– Lindsay Wineinger Illinois WMU President

hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

As a pastor’s wife, you become a catalyst for change—not in your church structure or political system, but change in the precious lives that you touch. So never minimize the role you play.

Embrace it, love it, and live it!

this does to your children. You smile lovingly as you listen to others criticize how your husband shepherds. You become the vessel for others to pour in their complaints as though you are the complaint box sitting in the foyer. They complain to you hoping that you will have a come-to-Jesus conversation with your husband at the dinner table. If they can’t get to him, they will go through you.

The list of the curses is endless, but what about the blessings? Are there any?

My answer is absolutely!

What other position warrants the opportunity to sit in conversation after conversation, hearing the hurts and triumphs of the souls of women? What other life space is allowed to be witness of life change in real time? As a pastor’s wife, you are given a front row seat to the most beautiful story ever told: “Christ in me, the

Girls, the master is happy with you today! He is happy with your faithfulness. He is happy with your patience. He is happy with your exhaustion for the hope of his glory. He is happy for your rest, and he is happy that he created you to be exactly who he desires you to be!

March on, sister in Christ. March on!

Melody Westbrook blogs on the ministry life. She serves as mentor to women. She led breakout sessions at the 2022 IBSA Priority Women’s Conference. After 31 years as pastor of Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, her husband, Paul, joined the staff of IBSA as a leader in church planting.

– Chris Merritt Pastor of Business Administration, Tabernacle, Decatur

– Lily Pryer Youth group member, Ten Mile, McLeansboro

“If your stomach starts growling, Grammy’s packing goldfish.”

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

– Matthew 25:21

Majoring on the minors

This unique gospel outreach is a winner for new Alton congregation

Alton | In addition to baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie, you might add to the list of America’s favorites this one: evangelistic outreach. Requiem Church has forged a relationship with the Alton River Dragons, a local team that is part of the Prospect League. That’s a summer collegiate level league with 16 teams in Illinois and the Midwest region. The Dragons are in their second season.

“I reached out to the General Manager this summer and asked if they wanted a chaplain,” pastor Vince Bissey said. “He said yes, and we’ve been figuring out together what that looks like, since they’ve never had one before and I’ve never been one before.”

The players come to Alton for the summer and live with host families. Requiem Church held a community outreach event in July for the team, coaches, and host families. “Our church loved the opportunity to build relationships, serve this team, and establish presence in a positive way within the community,” Bissey said.

Bissey served as pastor for discipleship and development at August Gate Church in St. Louis from 2017 to 2021. At that time, he was sent to Alton to plant Requiem Church. The church launched in April 2022, and they have six core families.

The planter described a season of his life when he thought he had his life “together,” but Bissey learned he was trying to earn God’s favor through a well-ordered existence. In the basement of his seminary apartment, he called out to God—literally and loudly. “Why can’t you just love me?!”

Bissey soon found God did love him. And this “you can’t earn it” message has become central to his ministry.

“For the first time in a long time, the fear and guilt I had been living in started to give way to freedom and joy,” he said in a video introducing Requiem Church. “Instead of working for Jesus, because of the gospel I was able to come and rest in Jesus and what he had done for me.

“From that point on…the burden that God has given me has been to invite anyone who will listen to come and join me in pursuing that rest…that only Jesus can give us,” Bissey said. Requiem, he pointed out, means rest.

Bissey attempted to plant a church in Alton in 2012, but it didn’t take off. What did grow was his love for a community that he describes as both blue collar and creative, where people value “raw honesty.” Bissey (pictured right in downtown Alton) especially wants to reach young men with the gospel.

So he has taken that message to an area of 50,000 people that has a small percentage of believers, to the church’s Wednesday night services, and to new relationships through the Dragons.

One outreach event led to another, Bissey said.

The General Manager asked if Requiem would like to sponsor a game.” The sponsorship

IT’S A HIT! – The Alton River Dragons bested the Normal Cornbelters 13-2 in the July 17 game which was sponsored by Requiem Church. The new church plant reached out to coaches, players, and local families who host them during the two-month summer season. In addition to Bobblehead night at the ballpark (above), Requiem held a cookout and wiffleball game for the team (below). IBSA served as a partner.

meant exposure on screen at the ballfield to let people know the church is a local partner. “This is some really great exposure, especially because the night they gave us was bobblehead night!”

More people than usual were expected for the giveaway which featured the team’s mascot, a dragon named Dinger. And for Bissey and the church, that was homerun.

– Eric Reed

Free bobbleheads on the churchsponsored game night. It was a humdinger!

– photo by Colin Feeney

Lanny Faulkner is transition pastor at Summit Fellowship in Decatur. He brings 22 years of pastoral experience and spent 18 years as DOM/AMS for Central Baptist Association, until his resignation from that position in June. Faulkner holds degrees from Tennessee Temple University and Covington Seminary, and a Ph.D in Theological Studies from Louisiana Baptist University. He and his wife, Lin, served together until her death in 2015.

Jim Walkington retired after 21 years at Wilmington Baptist Church. He also served 13 years with the Illinois Department of Revenue and was a farmer prior to that.

First called to preach as a junior college student in Mississippi, Walkington served Illinois churches bivocationaly including Milton, Meredosia, and White Hall. Walkington and his wife, Patricia, have four sons.

with the lord

Helen Ruth Dillow, 91, wife of Don Dillow, retired IBSA director of Church Minister Relations (19851991), died May 3. Dillow actively supported her husband of more than 71 years in ministry in Texas and Illinois.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, she was a librarian at Lincoln Land Community College before her retirement. A celebration of life was held May 21 at FBC McKinney, Texas.

Marjorie Ellsworth, 89, died June 22 at The Baptist Home in Ironton, Mo. A member of First Baptist Church in Fairview Heights with her husband Bill, they served in youth, music, and pastoral ministry. The couple also served as missionaries to the Sioux Nation in Pine Ridge, SD.

Ellsworth taught piano and had her own radio and television show. She accompanied many WMU conventions, revivals, crusades, recordings, and SBC events.

Ellsworth is survived by her brother, two daughters and their husbands, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. A service will be held at FBC Fairview Heights August 6. Memorials may be made to The Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley Benevolent Fund, WMU Foundation, or FBC Fairview Heights.

Helen M. Greening, 86, retired IBSA administrative assistant from 1977 to 2001, died July 5 in Augusta, Ga. She served with the Illinois Baptist newspaper for over 23 years. At the time of her retirement, Greening said, “I’ve always enjoyed coming to work. You always hear about people who say they don’t like their jobs, but I’ve always loved mine.”

Greening was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon. She is survived by two sons, five grandchildren, and a sister. Memorial donations can be made to the Annie Armstrong Mission Fund of Curtis Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga.

Vivian B. Mosley, 94, widow of former IBSA Executive Director Earnest E. Mosely (1980-87), died April 15. Mosley supported her husband, who preceded her in death 2009, in ministry roles in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Hawaii, Tennessee, Illinois, and North Carolina.

In addition to teaching preschool and kindergarten, she was a private piano teacher from 1941-2011. She is survived by three daughters, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life was held May 1 in South Carolina. Memorial gifts may be made to a church, school, or organization that supports music education.

The whole story BRIGHTER DAY

“S

Tracker

Trends from nearby and around the world

EVENTS

Training Nights

o, Samson died too?”

The question hung in the air as we read a chapter in our new Bible storybook. “Well, yes,” I said, glad for the author’s intro that explained even heroes aren’t perfect. Flawed, foolish Samson died alongside his enemies. Earlier in the collection of stories told by Kevin DeYoung, the children of Israel made their own idol of gold to replace the one true God. Toward the middle, King David sinned grievously. Near the end, people desperately in need of a savior crucified the man who came to save them.

DeYoung doesn’t pull any punches or leave out the difficult stories. God’s people were and are far from perfect. Sharing their messiness is one of the trickier parts of reading Bible stories with my children. But that may be because I’ve been more focused on explaining their sin than extolling God’s power and willingness to save.

Church: What’s in a name?

said William Shakespeare, but would a Baptist? When it comes to specific denomination on the sign out front, the name makes a difference. Denominational names are a turn-off for nearly half of American adults.

Percentage saying “this church is not for me” when they see the denomination on the name:

What: Ministry skills training including a main session and two breakouts.

Where: Various associational locations in August, September, and October

When: August 9, Emmanuel, Carlinville August 16, Tabernacle, Decatur August 23, Wayne City

Info: IBSA.org/equip for additional dates and locations

Contact: TammyButler@IBSA.org

September

Ignite Evangelism Conference

What: Sunday evening worship service (6-8 p.m.) and Monday breakout sessions (8 a.m. to noon)

Where: Various associational locations

When: 9/11-12, Marion FBC; 9/18-19, Gospel Life, Carol Steam; 9/25-26, Tabernacle, Decatur;

Info: IBSA.org/resourcecenter/evangelism

Contact: LisaHarbaugh@IBSA.org

I recently attended a conference that featured seven Old Testament salvation stories. The teachers used these biblical examples of rescue to illustrate how God has always been in the saving business, even before the spiritual concept of salvation was physically realized in the person of Jesus Christ.

MEREDITH FLYNN

Who likes your church?

Young people have strong impressions of denominations, most of them negative. The percentage of 18-34 year olds with unfavorable impressions of these churches are:

• Catholic 39%

neTworking

Once I started thinking about God’s history of saving people, I couldn’t unsee it through Scripture. And it’s a helpful thread to pull when talking about the Bible with my daughters or reconsidering familiar stories for myself.

God rescued people who cried out to him and people who didn’t know they needed a savior; people who seem deserving and those who didn’t. And throughout a lifetime, don’t we all play each of those parts?

I have as many Samson moments as Ruth ones, some days more. God’s power to save is unchanged no matter which version of a person shows up—Moses, willing or defiant; Paul, murderous or jailed for the sake of the gospel.

DeYoung’s storybook is part of a recent movement to tell the whole story of Scripture, pointing to Christ throughout. (In fact, the collection is called “The Biggest Story Bible Storybook.”) At a time when Barna found 73% of American parents are concerned about their children’s spiritual development, it strikes me that telling the whole story, good and bad, with a focus on God’s rescue, is a step in the right direction toward a fully formed faith, for them and for me.

Meredith Day Flynn is a wife and mother of two living in Springfield. She writes on the intersection of faith, family, and current culture.

• So. Baptist 39%

• Lutheran 35%

• Methodist 33%

• Presbyterian 33%

In contrast, 23% of all U.S. adults reported unfavorable opinions of Baptist churches, while 18% said they were “not familiar” and 31% had favorable views.

Culture: The rush is over

87% of Protestant pastors say they have never been asked to perform a same-sex wedding, since the U.S. Supreme Court made it legal in 2015.

So, who has been asked to officiate a gay wedding?

20% of mainline pastors

7% of evangelical pastors

4% of Baptist pastors (of all denominations)

Very big bake sale

An Oregon baker sued in 2013 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple will open a new shop in Montana. “I had said I was never going to open a bakery again, but God has seemed to change my heart with this,” said Melissa Klein said she discriminated against the couple, but a 2022 ruling set aside the $135,000 penalty she had been ordered to pay them.

Klein is trying to raise $50,000 online for a down payment on a restaurant building. She’s selling cookies.

Send NetworkiNg items to IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

Charity Baptist Church in Carlinville seeks full-time pastor. Set in a rural community, Charity has a thriving and growing church family. Please send resumé to charitybcpastorsearch@gmail. com or 21964 Charity Church Road, Carlinville, IL.

Crossroads Community Church in Brighton seeks pastor. If you are prayerfully led by God to learn more about Crossroads, the community of Brighton, and this opportunity, email resumé to the Pastor Search Committee, vbates@ brightoncrossroads.org.

Freedom Baptist Church in Noble seeks bivocational pastor. Salary commensurate with employment hours. Send resumé to Tony Prosser, 2665 E. Calhoun Ln, Olney, IL 62450. Contact tkprosser88@gmail.com.

Rochester FBC seeks full-time senior

For more information and to submit resumé, go to www.rochesterfirstbaptist.org. The final date to apply is Aug. 15.

Zion Hill Baptist Church in Centralia bivocational pastor. Send resume to zionhillcentralia@gmail.com or to Candace Thomas, 2303 West Line Road, Centralia, IL 62801.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,