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2026 Book of Reports

gospel IBSA ANNUAL MEETING 2026

November 12 - 13 IBSA Annual Meeting Ashburn Baptist Church Metro Community, Edwardsville Orland Park November 3 - 4

The 2026 IBSA Annual Meeting is being livestreamed. Scan the QR code or visit ibsa.org/annual-meeting-home/watch/

Illinois Baptist State Association 120th Annual Session Theme: It’s All About The Gospel November 3-4, 2026 Metro Community Church, Edwardsville, IL 2026 IBSA Book of Reports Table of Contents Order of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Who’s Who on the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ministry Group Gatherings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Announcements and Prayer Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Illinois Baptist State Association Reports Officers of the Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 IBSA President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Committee on Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Committee on Order of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Constitution Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 IBSA Constitution - 2nd Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Bylaws of IBSA the Corporation - 2nd Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bylaws of Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services - 2nd Reading . . . . . . . . . 41 Bylaws of Baptist Foundation Illinois - 2nd Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Credentials Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Historical Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Nominating Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Resolutions and Christian Life Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 IBSA Board of Directors Reports Chairman of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBSA Board of Directors’ Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income and Expense Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2027 Proposed Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71 72 73 76 77

Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services Reports Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 2027 Proposed Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Baptist Foundation of Illinois Reports Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 2027 Proposed Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Illinois Members Serving on Other SBC Boards, Committees, and Agencies . . 90

Illinois Baptist State Association 2026 Annual Meeting November 3-4, 2026 Metro Community Church, Edwardsville Theme: It’s All About the Gospel Tuesday, November 3 Afternoon – Session 1 1:55 Worship 2:10 Welcome/Prayer 2:15 Call to Order/Announcements 2:20 Appointment of Parliamentarian 2:25 Credentials Committee Report 1 - Seating of Messengers - Churches Seeking Cooperation with IBSA - Seating Messengers of New Churches 2:30 Adoption of Program 2:35 Theme Interpretation 2:40 IBSA Report 2:55 BCHFS Report 3:10 BFI Report 3:25 Election of President 3:30 Election of Recording Secretary 3:35 Worship 3:40 Annual Sermon 4:10 Announcements/Closing Prayer

Metro Music Team Doug Munton/Seth Conerly Doug Munton Doug Munton Alex Melton

Ken Sharp Scott Foshie Scott Foshie/Paul Cooper Kevin Carrothers Doug Morrow/Pam White Doug Munton Doug Munton Metro Music Team Seth Conerly Doug Munton

Dinner Break Evening – Session 2 6:30 Worship 6:40 Welcome and Opening Prayer 6:45 Partnership Message – NAMB 6:55 Call to Order/Announcements 7:00 Credentials Committee Report 2 - Recommendation Regarding Non-Cooperating Churches - Recognition of New Churches 7:10 Offering (Ministers’ Relief Fund) 7:15 Installation of Scott Foshie 7:30 Worship 7:35 Theme interpretation 7:45 Keynote 8:15 Recognition/resolution 8:25 Announcements/Closing Prayer Dessert Reception Honoring Sandy Wisdom-Martin – Foyer

Metro Music Team Doug Munton Ryan Jones and Qusai Mahmud Doug Munton Alex Melton Scott Foshie and Mark Emerson Jeff Logsdon and Mark Emerson Metro Music Team Scott Foshie and Randy Davis Sandy Wisdom-Martin Jill McNicol Doug Munton

Wednesday, November 4 Morning – Breakout Sessions – See separate program for breakout schedule 8:45 Women’s Insider Exclusive with Breakout 9:00 Session 1 – 10 breakouts offered 10:15 Break 10:30 Session 2 – 10 breakouts offered Lunch Break Afternoon – Session 3 1:45 Pre-session Worship, opening song and opening prayer 2:05 Call to Order/Announcements 2:10 Partnership Message – SBC Executive Committee 2:25 Auditor Selection for Three IBSA Entities 2:30 Overview of IBSA Committee Reports 2:35 Resolutions Committee Report 2:45 Constitution Committee Report 2:55 Action on Remaining IBSA Committee Reports 3:00 Miscellaneous Business 3:10 ERLC Report 3:25 Worship 3:35 President’s Message 4:05 Closing Announcements and Prayer

Metro Music Team Doug Munton Dr. Jeff Iorg Jeff Logsdon Jeff Logsdon Jason Webb Jared French Jeff Logsdon Jeff Logsdon Dr. Evan Lenow Metro Music Team Doug Munton Doug Munton

Dinner Break Evening – Session 4 6:15 Worship and Prayer 6:30 Call to Order/Announcements 6:35 Election of Vice President 6:40 Election of Assistant Recording Secretary 6:45 Partnership Message – IMB 7:00 Keynote 7:30 Special Recognitions 7:35 Closing Words and Adjournment 7:45 Closing Song/Benediction

Metro Music Team Doug Munton Doug Munton Doug Munton IMB Missionaries Dr. Paul Chitwood Scott Foshie Doug Munton Metro Music Team

Who’s Who on the Program Kevin Carrothers, Executive Director of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS), Carmi Dr. Paul Chitwood, President of the International Mission Board (IMB) Seth Conerly, Pastor of Metro Community Church, Edwardsville Paul Cooper, IBSA Board Chair, Pastor of Marshall Baptist Church Randy Davis, Executive Director of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Bob Dyer, Parliamentarian, member of Bethel Baptist Church in Bourbonnais Mark Emerson, Associate Executive Director of IBSA, member of Western Oaks Baptist Church in Springfield Scott Foshie, Executive Director of IBSA, member of Chatham Baptist Church Jared French, Chair, Constitution Committee, member of The Journey Church in East Peoria Dr. Jeff Iorg, President of SBC Executive Committee Ryan Jones, Interim Send Network Director, Illinois Dr. Evan Lenow, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) Jeff Logsdon, IBSA Vice President, Pastor of Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington Qusai Mahmud, Send Relief Ministry Center Director, Chicago Alex Melton, Chair, Credentials Committee, Pastor of Heartland Baptist Church in Alton Doug Morrow, Executive Director of the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI), Springfield Doug Munton, IBSA President, Pastor of First Baptist Church in O’Fallon Steve Richard, Trustee of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services, member, First Baptist Church in Royalton Jorge Rodriguez, Director of Send Network Español Ken Sharp, Chair, Committee on Order of Business, member of First Baptist Church in Marion Jason Webb, Chair, Resolutions and Christian Life Committee and Pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon Pam White, Chair, Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI), member of The Ridge Church in Carbondale Sandy Wisdom-Martin, Executive Director-Treasurer for Woman’s Missionary Union

Committee and Ministry Group Gatherings Tuesday 10:00 a.m...... Credentials Committee Meeting – Room 8, Lower Level 11:30 p.m. ..... Order of Business Committee Meeting – Room 1, Upper Level 4:15 p.m........ Disaster Relief Dinner – Calvary Baptist Church, Edwardsville (pre-registration required) 4:45 p.m. ...... Evangelism Dinner (pre-registration required) – Rooms 1 & 2, Upper Level 8:30 p.m. ...... Dessert served in the Foyer in honor of Sandy Wisdom-Martin

Wednesday 7:30 a.m........ Associational Leader Breakfast (pre-registration required) – Room 7, Upper Level 8:45 a.m........ Women’s Insider Exclusive with Breakout – Room 1, Upper Level 11:45 a.m....... Hispanic Pastors and Leaders’ BBQ Lunch (pre-registration required) – Room 7, Upper Level 11:45 a.m....... Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Meeting – Room 1, Upper Level 4:15 p.m........ Executive Director Cooperative Program Dinner for New Churches and Guests (advance registration required) – Rooms 1 & 2, Upper Level Childcare provided by Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief during all sessions and Wednesday Breakouts.

Announcements and Prayer Prompts • •

Please silence your phone when in the meeting. Livestreaming and all meeting details are available at IBSAannualmeeting.org.

Resolutions •

Proposed resolutions may be submitted at the registration desk until the end of the Tuesday evening session, for review by the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee.

Nominations •

To nominate someone as an IBSA Officer, the IBSA Constitution reads, “All nominators, after obtaining prior consent of the nominee, in their nomination speech shall include but not be limited to (1) the name and role of the nominee, (2) nominee’s history of service to IBSA, and, (3) the history and participation in the Cooperative Program of the church and or nominee.”

Motions •

Messengers may make motions following reports and during periods of miscellaneous business. o A messenger may propose: “I move/propose that…” o Motions require a second messenger to agree to consider the motion by stating, “I second…” If no one seconds, the motion fails. o If the motion has been seconded, messengers will then have an opportunity to speak in favor or against the motion before a vote is taken.

Offerings •

Offerings during the Annual Meeting will go to the IBSA Minister’s Relief Fund. These gifts help IBSA ministers who love and serve the local church, and are experiencing hard times and unexpected transitions. You can give digitally at www.IBSA.org/ministersrelief or by scanning the QR code below.

Prayer Prompts • • • • •

As we gather and worship, ask the Holy Spirit to unify our hearts. As we make decisions, ask for “Spirit-guided” collective wisdom. As reports are made, give thanks, and ask for increase next year. When we are challenged to pursue health and hope, pray for courageous obedience. When we return home, challenge your church to “pray continually.” 6

Illinois Baptist State Association Officers and Committee Reports PRESIDENT Doug Munton O’Fallon, IL doug.munton@fbcofallon.org

VICE PRESIDENT Jeff Logsdon Wilmington, IL jlogsdon2462@gmail.com

RECORDING SECRETARY Matt Philbrick Ramsey, IL philby08@yahoo.com

ASSISTANT RECORDING SECRETARY Nate Mason Effingham, IL nate.mason@fbceffingham.com

IBSA President’s Report Doug Munton Dear IBSA Family, It has been my privilege to serve with you all this past year as president of IBSA - and what a year it has been! Last year at this time, we thanked our long-time Executive Director, Nate Adams, for his service to our state. It was a joy to thank him for leading and encouraging us for two decades. This year, we welcome our new Executive Director, Scott Foshie. Scott has brought a listening ear and an encouraging heart and he is off to a great start. We are thankful for him and for the great team he has assembled at IBSA! I look forward to his leadership with us in the next many years. Our theme for the 2026 annual meeting is “It’s all about the Gospel”. What a great truth! We want our churches to make it all about the gospel. We want to make our individual lives all about the gospel. And we want to make the gospel known in Illinois and beyond. I’m praying for a fresh wind of gospel centered living and evangelistic fervency. The gospel message is the need of our state, country and world. One of the greatest joys of my time as president of IBSA has been connecting with so many people. I love that we get to work together in this important work to which God has called us. I deeply appreciate the friendships that have started or deepened as a result. I am reminded often of how much we need each other and what a blessing it is for us to be connected together in our state convention. I love Illinois Baptists! Join me in praying for a great annual meeting this year. Meet some new people and renew some old acquaintances. Let’s honor the Lord and the great message of the gospel!

Committee on Order of Business Report The 2026 Committee on Order of Business met virtually after the 2025 Annual Meeting in Springfield to evaluate the 2025 Annual Meeting. They met on March 19 and September 3 to make decisions regarding 2026 meeting plans, to propose the 2029 meeting location, and to confirm and update information to report for the 2027 and 2028 meetings, which are being planned for First Baptist Church in Marion November 9-10, 2027, and Ashburn Baptist Church in Orland Park November 14-15, 2028. The Committee recommends that: 1. Chris Winkleman of First Baptist Church, Harrisburg bring the 2027 sermon, and that Paul Cooper of Marshall Baptist Church be the alternate speaker. 2. The 2029 IBSA Annual Meeting be held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield on November 6-7, 2029.

Respectfully submitted: Adam Anglin Will Bynum Glen Carty Ahron Cooney Matt Crain, Secretary Marvin Del Rios Debbie Giacomo Edwin Harris, Vice Chair Chris Hottensen Ken Sharp, Chair James Summerlin JC Vaca Diez 2027 Officers Ken Sharp, Chair Edwin Harris, Vice Chair Debbie Giacomo, Secretary

Credentials Committee Report The Credentials Committee first met on March 19 to review responsibilities and to preview the application and interview processes for considering new churches for IBSA cooperation. Throughout the year, the Credentials Committee received completed applications for cooperation with IBSA from 20 churches and conducted interviews with one or more leaders from each of the churches. The Credentials Committee met on September 22 to review applications. One church was deemed not ready at this time to move forward in the process for friendly cooperation, while eight were tabled until October 20 when the committee planned to meet virtually. Since the Book of Reports was published prior to the October 20 meeting, the committee will report verbally on the eight churches that were reviewed at this meeting. The committee recommends to messengers of the 2026 IBSA Annual Meeting the following churches, to be considered in friendly cooperation with the Illinois Baptist State Association: Agape International Ministries, Lynwood Bethel Romanian Baptist Church, Park Ridge Community Baptist Church, Montgomery Cornerstone Korean Church, Savoy Cross of Christ Fellowship, Naperville Exodus Church, Carbondale H2O, Terre Haute Harvest Worship Center Ministries, Chicago Japanese Christ Church, Schaumburg Living Water Christian Church, Franklin Grove Shepherd’s Gate, Peoria The Committee, by request of Executive Director Scott Foshie, recommend that no churches be deemed not to be in friendly cooperation this year, to give Scott the chance to build a relationship with them and reclaim them to cooperating status. Currently, reclamation attempts are done by IBSA staff through multiple letters each year, and through attempts at personal contact and reclamation by the IBSA staff and associational leadership. Respectfully submitted, 2027 Officers: Bob Burton Chair – Alex Melton Cliff Easter Vice Chair – Qusai Mahmud Terry Frank Secretary – Cliff Easter Ryne Fullerton, Secretary Isaac King Brian Lingle, Vice Chair Qusai Mahmud Alex Melton, Chair John Shelton Ryan Tackett Tommy Thompson

Historical Committee Report The Historical Committee met on March 10, 2026. Assigned tasks and responsibilities were reviewed. A new microfilm reader was purchased in May 2026, and the archives volunteers received training from the vendor. It has already proven to be very useful in answering requests for information. Articles from the Illinois Baptist microfilm can be “clipped” and saved to a USB flash drive for printing or emailing. In the past year, volunteers replied to at least seven requests for research, including locating items for the timeline/historical display, researching the founding of three churches, and finding information about former pastors and deacons. The Williamson Baptist Association contacted IBSA to find copies of their associational annuals that were missing from their own collection. Twenty-six associational annuals from the period 1896 to 1966 were scanned into PDFs and emailed to the association to be used as its 150-year history is written. This project benefited not only the Williamson Baptist Association but also IBSA. We now have these annuals—some of them extremely fragile—digitized, so the content is preserved even if the physical item crumbles beyond salvage. The associational annuals are a valuable collection in the IBSA archives. Please be sure to send the archives a copy of your association’s annual every year. If your church or association needs help starting its church history collection, planning an anniversary celebration, or writing its history, please contact IBSA. Several copies of the book A How-to Manual for Your Church’s History are available to guide you. Archives volunteers received several boxes of records from two closing churches that entered the Baptist Foundation of Illinois Legacy Church program. Those items are being sorted and processed for preservation in the archives. A new space at the IBSA building was recently transformed into a much-needed annex for the archives. It was emptied of all equipment, cleaned, and furnished with worktables, chairs, and bookshelves so that it can be used to sort and process incoming materials. Respectfully submitted: Mark Barber, Chair Deb Bier Jan Elliott Susan Full Paul Hahn Ben Hottel, Secretary Tim Orr Walter Philbrick, Vice-Chair Gary Showalter LeRoy Tucker David VanBebber 2027 Officers Ben Hottel, Chair David VanBebber, Vice-Chair Tim Orr, Secretary

Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Report The Committee met March 10 to discuss potential resolutions to be presented at the 2026 IBSA Annual Meeting and assigned topics to members. The Committee then reviewed drafted resolutions at its September 3 meeting. The Committee recommends the following resolutions for vote at the 2026 IBSA Annual Meeting. Any additional resolutions by messengers are to be submitted by 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. The Committee will meet to discuss any newly submitted resolutions, and either prepare those resolutions for presentation and vote at the afternoon session on Wednesday, November 4, or recommend that they be referred to the 2027 Resolutions and Christian Life Committee for further work and consideration.

Resolution on Appreciation for Metro Community Church of Edwardsville WHEREAS, Metro Community Church has clearly demonstrated the gift of biblical hospitality in hosting the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association; and WHEREAS, Pastor Seth Conerly along with the staff and members of Metro Community Church have reflected the cooperative spirit of the IBSA family by giving of their time, resources, and facilities; and WHEREAS, the church has worked so tirelessly in full cooperation with IBSA officers, staff, and leadership of this meeting to ensure a successful and profitable annual meeting; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the messengers of the 2026 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 3-4 at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, Ill., express our deepest appreciation and commit to pray for God’s continued blessing on his church as they seek to serve their community and the Lord, as He transforms lives through the power of the gospel.

Resolution of Appreciation for Sandy Wisdom-Martin on Her Retirement as Executive Director-Treasurer of WMU WHEREAS, Sandy Wisdom-Martin has served the Woman’s Missionary Union as its executive director-treasurer since October 2016, and announced her planned retirement beginning in January 2027; and WHEREAS, Sandy Wisdom-Martin is an Illinois native, born in southern Illinois, the daughter of a coal miner; raised in an Illinois Baptist church; and WHEREAS, in her teens she served as an Acteen and has referred to herself and some of her contemporaries as “Evelyn’s girls,” led by Evelyn Tully of Illinois WMU; often equipped for missions under her guidance at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp; and WHEREAS, she served on the state Acteens panel and several Acteens Activator mission teams and was the first recipient of the Darla Lovell Scholarship from Illinois WMU while studying at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.; and WHEREAS, after serving as the Cooperative Program Missionary with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention from 1991-2001, Wisdom-Martin returned to Illinois where she became IBSA Director of Women’s Missions and Ministries from 2001-2010; and served as president of Mississippi River Ministries and led the first international WMU Habitat for Humanity team, which traveled to Ghana to build houses; and

WHEREAS, she accepted a call south to Texas where she became executive director of Texas WMU in 2010 until beginning her tenure at national WMU in 2016; and WHEREAS, during her tenure she has helped raise more than $513.5 million for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and more than $1.4 billion for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering; and, WHEREAS, in 2020, knowing that church attendance and giving would be down during the COVID-19 pandemic, she engaged WMU leaders across the country to handwrite more than 18,000 letters asking churches to support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering; and WHEREAS, she tirelessly highlighted the importance of the Cooperative Program giving through articles and speaking engagements, using her story-telling and creativity to demonstrate cooperation and the life-changing impact of churches working together, even leading out in the building of a floating house out of craft stick panels collected from children’s missions groups and other volunteers across the country; and WHEREAS, she worked incredibly hard to ‘right-size’ WMU’s organization while also extending its reach, expanding the Pure Water, Pure Love grants program and reimagining leadership development opportunities through WMU’s Christian Women’s Leadership Center; and WHEREAS, her commitment to the Christian ministry has been embodied by Matthew 28:19-20 (CSB), which declares, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”; therefore, be it RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2026 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 3-4 at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, Ill., express gratitude to God for the faithful and committed service of Sandy Wisdom-Martin, given to our Lord and to Illinois Baptists, and that we assure her of the prayers, love and best wishes of this state association.

Resolution on Ending Chemical Abortions and Cherishing Human Life WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that all human life is sacred, created in the image of God from the moment of conception (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41), and that God’s people are called to protect the innocent and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9); and WHEREAS, Illinois Baptists have consistently affirmed the dignity and sanctity of preborn life and opposed all forms of abortion, including chemical abortion; and WHEREAS, we give thanks to God for the United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal guarantee of abortion access; and WHEREAS, despite this legal victory, abortion tragically persists due to the rising prevalence and promotion of chemical abortion, particularly through the drug regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol, commonly referred to as the abortion pill, which now accounts for approximately two-thirds of all abortions; and WHEREAS, mifepristone works by blocking the hormone progesterone, depriving the developing baby of necessary nourishment, followed by misoprostol, which induces contractions to expel the deceased child, resulting in both the death of the child and often significant physical, emotional, and spiritual harm to the mother; and

WHEREAS, women are often denied full, truthful, and compassionate information about chemical abortion, which is increasingly administered through impersonal and unsafe means like telehealth and mail-order services—methods that can easily be misused or abused—while shield laws in some states enable the mailing of these drugs into states with abortion restrictions, undermining both the rule of law and the protection of unborn life; and WHEREAS, a 2025 study by the Ethics and Public Policy Center1 found that serious adverse events such as hemorrhaging, sepsis, infection, and emergency surgery occurred in a significantly higher percentage of women who underwent mifepristone abortions than the rates previously reported by the Food and Drug Administration, revealing that the actual risks far exceed what is stated on the drug’s label; and WHEREAS, these outcomes have been exacerbated by the weakening of the Food and Drug Administration’s safeguards, including the removal of in-person physician oversight and mandatory adverse event reporting, endangering women and reducing public accountability; and WHEREAS, the original approval process for mifepristone wrongly labeled pregnancy as a “serious or life-threatening illness,” thus treating a natural and healthy condition as a pathology and undermining the dignity of both mother and child; and WHEREAS, HB 4834, also known informally as the “prescription privacy law,” removes mifepristone and misoprostol from the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program, making the prescription and consumption of such drugs easier; and WHEREAS, Christ calls his church to defend both mother and child and to advocate for a culture of life marked by truth, compassion, and care; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the messengers to the 2026 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 3-4 at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, Ill. reaffirm the immeasurable value of every human life, both born and preborn; and be it further RESOLVED, that we grieve the continued destruction of preborn lives through chemical abortion and condemn the exploitation of women by an abortion industry increasingly reliant on dangerous drugs and deceptive practices; and be it further RESOLVED, that we call upon the Food and Drug Administration to immediately revoke its approval of mifepristone for use in abortions, restore all previously removed safety protocols, and reevaluate chemical abortion drugs using real-world data; and be it further RESOLVED, that we urge the Illinois legislature to pass laws banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of chemical abortion drugs, to enforce the Comstock Act prohibiting the mailing of abortion pills, and to hold accountable pharmaceutical companies and medical providers complicit in these harms; and be it further RESOLVED, that we encourage pastors, churches, and ministries to speak the truth about abortion, to equip their congregations to care for women in crisis with compassion and practical support, and to proclaim the healing hope of the gospel; and be it further RESOLVED, that we call on those considering chemical abortion to pursue alternative solutions which protect and promote life; and be it further 1

Hall, J. B., & Anderson, R. T. (2025, April 28). The abortion pill harms women: Insurance data reveals one in ten patients experiences a serious adverse

event. Ethics and Public Policy Center. https://eppc.org/publication/insurance-data-reveals-one-in-ten-patients-experiences-a-serious-adverse-event/

RESOLVED, that we commit ourselves to fostering a culture of life through the tangible support of pregnancy resource centers, adoption efforts, maternal health care, and compassionate ministry to post-abortive women; and be it finally RESOLVED, that we commit to pray and labor for the end of all forms of abortion by guaranteeing preborn human beings their constitutional right to life and liberty, and to seek the establishment of a society that cherishes and defends every human life from conception to natural death.

Resolution Calling for a Renewal of Our Original Commitments WHEREAS, the first meetings that would lead to the founding of the Illinois Baptist State Association took place in Pinckneyville, Ill., December 6, 1906, 120 years ago; and WHEREAS, the mission of these founding churches was “the planting and supporting of Baptist churches” in both the rural communities and urban centers of Illinois; and WHEREAS, the state of Illinois has grown exponentially since the founding of the Illinois Baptist State Association; and WHEREAS, Illinois is a state where an estimated 9 million people, or 75% of the population, do not know Jesus as their personal savior; and WHEREAS, Illinois Baptists have faced major changes to our state and our culture during our 119 years as an incorporated organization of churches; and WHEREAS, Illinois Baptists have had consistent reliable leadership for the past 20 years; and WHEREAS, during these past 20 years Illinois Baptists have embraced “The Acts 1:8 Challenge” under the previous administration’s leadership and guidance; and WHEREAS, the messengers to the 2026 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 3-4 at Metro Community Church, Edwardsville, Ill., recognize Illinois Baptists are looking to new leadership for continued stability as well as renewed commitment to our original purposes; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists remember the original and founding purposes of the Illinois Baptist State Association; to unite local churches, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and establish new churches and ministries throughout Illinois; and be it further RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists engage in the “Acts 1:8 Challenge” all the more as we continue to face lostness in our state; and be it further RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists look to the new leadership for their direction in cooperative mission moving forward, trusting their God given calling to these new positions; and be it further RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists embrace the message of John 15:5, that Christ is the vine and we are the branches. This interconnected vision for Illinois Baptists serves us well in our pursuit of healthy, fruitful discipleship in our churches; and be it finally RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists focus on the lostness surrounding us in the state of Illinois and allow this to reignite in our hearts a passion for the lost and a renewed commitment to the gospel.

Respectfully submitted: Frank Forthman Jr. Raymond Gregory Blake Harding John Howard, Vice Chair Barbara Lee James Shannon Barry Sink Nancy Starr John Truax, Secretary Jason Webb, Chair 2027 Officers: John Truax, Chair Raymond Gregory, Vice Chair Barbara Lee, Secretary

IBSA Board of Directors’ Report Chairman of the Board of Directors’ Report Paul Cooper It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Illinois Baptist State Association Board of Directors during this past year. As I reflect on the work of our Board and the ministry of IBSA, one word continues to come to mind: faithfulness. God has been faithful to His church, and I am grateful to serve alongside Illinois Baptists who are committed to being faithful to the mission God has entrusted to us. This has been a significant year of transition for IBSA. After 20 years of faithful service as Executive Director, Nate Adams retired from his role and passed the baton of leadership to Scott Foshie. It is difficult to overstate the impact Nate has had on Illinois Baptists over these two decades. His leadership, wisdom, and love for the churches have helped shape IBSA into the ministry it is today. We are deeply grateful for his service and rejoice in the ways God will continue to use him in the years ahead. I’ve personally been part of IBSA for 19 of those years, served as a Board officer for the last four years, and have seen Nate up close. I can tell you: he is the real deal. At the same time, we are excited about the leadership Scott is bringing to this next season. Scott is already proving to be an exceptional leader with his own unique gifts and talents. From the beginning, he has emphasized a pastoral posture, relational connection with our churches, and a desire for IBSA to be increasingly FOR the pastor and FOR the local church. He has traveled thousands of miles across Illinois to listen, encourage, and build relationships with pastors and churches. The Board is grateful for his leadership and for the intentionality with which he has approached this transition. I am amazed at both his work ethic and his deep care and love for people. I was on the search team that nominated Scott, and I know we simply confirmed the man God was calling for such a time as this. The Board has also spent significant time looking toward the future. Scott has invited us to be active participants in working with him to discern the future direction of IBSA. We have worked on refreshing the IBSA Vision Frame, establishing goals and measures for the coming years, and considering how we can better leverage the people and resources God has given Illinois Baptists. We continue to believe that our greatest strength is not found simply in an organization headquartered in Springfield, but in nearly 900 churches cooperating together to fulfill the Great Commission. Our Cooperative Program and Mission Illinois Offering are tangible expressions of that cooperation, allowing Illinois Baptists to accomplish together what no single church could accomplish alone. There are encouraging signs throughout our state. Baptisms increased in 2025, and we continue to hear stories of churches experiencing renewed evangelistic fruitfulness. Worship attendance is up, and we are even seeing a slight uptick in Cooperative Program giving this year. At the same time, we recognize that there is much work to be done. Hundreds of our churches reported no baptisms, worship attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, and millions of people in Illinois still need to hear and respond to the gospel. These realities should not discourage us from our mission; they should remind us of how urgently our mission is needed.

I am particularly thankful for an IBSA Board that takes seriously its responsibility to provide prayerful, wise, and faithful oversight. Board members serve from every part of Illinois, giving their time and often traveling significant distances because they love their churches, their state convention, and most importantly, the mission of Christ. The State of Illinois is diverse, and you see that diversity represented on our Board. I have been encouraged by the spirit of cooperation around the table and by the willingness of Board members to ask difficult questions, listen carefully, pray together, and seek what is best for Illinois Baptists and the Kingdom of God. I am also deeply grateful for the IBSA staff. Scott has led them well through this transition, and there is a sense of community and expectation among the staff members I have talked with. I am thankful for the entire IBSA team, and for the many ways they serve our churches throughout the state. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but it is making a difference in communities across Illinois. I am very enthused about the partnerships the Board is seeking with others, including the IMB, NAMB, Tennessee Baptists, and others. We are stronger when we work together for the Kingdom of God. And as a pastor who recently helped plant a church on a college campus, I couldn’t be more excited about IBSA’s focus on reaching the next generation. There is tremendous opportunity in front of us to reach students and young adults with the gospel and to raise up the next generation of pastors, leaders, and missionaries. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Board Chairman. It is an honor to serve alongside these men and women and to partner with churches across Illinois. Please continue to pray for Scott Foshie, the IBSA staff, our Board of Directors, and the churches of the Illinois Baptist State Association as we enter this next season. May God give us wisdom to steward what has been entrusted to us, courage to embrace what He has placed before us, and faithfulness to keep the main thing the main thing: helping Illinois Baptists work together to make disciples and advance the gospel for the glory of God.

Kirk Kay, Chair Chris Marsh, Vice Chair Jim Wilson, Secretary

2027 IBSA Board Officers

IBSA Board of Directors’ Recommendations

The IBSA Board of Directors moves that the proposed 2027 budget, salary, structure, and Cooperative Program ratio be approved as printed, based on a Cooperative Program Goal* of $5,500,000 and a Cooperative Program ratio of 56.5%/43.5%, excluding shared expenses not to exceed 10% of the Cooperative Program Goal. *Coooperative Program income projection

Executive Director’s Report Dr. Scott Foshie As we begin a new season of Illinois Baptist life together, I am optimistic as I look across our mission field. With over 12.7 million souls and an estimated over 8 million souls in need of a relationship with Jesus, our state abounds with opportunities to reach people with the Gospel. IBSA’s nearly 900 churches and plants are missionaries to our state, and God has called us to impact lostness with the light of the Gospel together. Thank You to Nate Adams and Search Committee A special thanks is due to Nate Adams, who served Illinois Baptists faithfully as Executive Director for twenty years. His selfless, diligent leadership set the stage for an effective, seamless transition. I was blessed to serve as a staff member on his team for nearly nine years, and personally witnessed his integrity, care, and concern for the churches. The search team and Nate ensured that we had the first quarter of 2026 for intentional apprenticeship and learning, and for that I am deeply grateful. I am also thankful for the Executive Director Search Committee and Chairman Jeff Logsdon, who served with a focus on intentional prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Each member of the team fervently prayed for Illinois Baptists and for my family as we began a new season of ministry. If you haven’t already, please take time to thank a Search Committee member for their service. Initial Priorities As God called me to serve you, He burdened me with three initial areas of focus. This has been the foundation of my ministry in this initial season, and it will continue to undergird IBSA’s service to the churches in the days to come. Pastoral Posture God has given your IBSA team a heart to serve Illinois Baptist pastors and churches with the heart of a shepherd. Jesus is the Great Shepherd, and He calls us to love His people with sacrificial love. Through numerous pastoral care visits and gatherings, opportunities like the For the Pastor and Wife Retreat in East Peoria in September, and opportunities for pastors and their families to refresh at IBSA’s two camps, we are committed to provide faithful spiritual care for pastors and their families. In addition, IBSA stands ready to provide meaningful consultation to churches as they seek to provide for their pastors well as they serve and lead. Relational Depth This has been a year of deepening relationships. Illinois currently has 32 active local associations, and we have worked to make meaningful connections with all of them. We were blessed to have 28 associations represented at our Associational Leader Roundtable in August, and we received excellent feedback about the event. I have personally led listening sessions in two-thirds of our associations so far this year, with the goal of reaching even more by the end of 2026. These meetings have been fruitful times of hearing the hearts of leaders and praying for God to revive us and use us in new, exciting ways. I am also working to ensure that every Illinois Baptist pastor and church, regardless of its size or location, knows how they can reach us and that we want to have a meaningful, life-giving relationship with them. The “Friday with Foshie” video series is texted weekly on Fridays to every Illinois Baptist pastor, and it is also made available to every Illinois Baptist through social media.

Diligent Executive Leadership I began serving Illinois Baptists as we have emerged from a challenging pandemic season depending on God and optimistic about a new season of Spirit-filled ministry. Your IBSA Board of Directors has been deeply involved in helping right-size IBSA’s budget to reflect post-pandemic realities while also charting a course to challenge our churches to increase their Acts 1:8 giving. The 2027 IBSA Budget reflects a $5.5 million Cooperative Program income projection (reduced from the $6 million we projected for 2026), but we are already encouraged by modest increases in CP giving as we approach the end of the year. Illinois Baptists are passionate about reaching the next generation! As we listened to the Lord and our churches, the board unanimously approved using 100% of the Mission Illinois Offering received in 2026 to fund ministry focused on the next generation in 2027. We are encouraged by the feedback we have received from churches and pastors about this new emphasis, and we will report back to you on the results of our offering and how God uses your generosity. Strategic Partnerships Your IBSA Board authorized me to execute three strategic partnership agreements in its meeting on September 15. We are hopeful that these partnerships will be used by God to multiply our Gospel impact. Please consider how your church will be involved in these Kingdom opportunities. International Mission Board As of this report’s writing, we know of 75 International Mission Board missionaries with significant Illinois Baptist connections. The new partnership agreement we are signing with IMB will ensure that we are able to connect deeply with these missionaries to provide them with much-needed support and encouragement. We will also work to connect IMB staff with your church to understand how you can be more involved in Acts 1:8 missions and ministry, how you can reach the people groups God has put in your community, and how He could be calling you to take advantage of short-term mission opportunities. In addition, IMB can help you as you issue invitations for missionaries to be raised up through your church that may serve in different seasons of life, from young adults to senior saints. North American Mission Board Through Send Illinois, NAMB is committing to help us in efforts to raise up new planters through Illinois Baptist churches. We currently have just under 900 Illinois Baptist churches, but I believe if the Lord tarries, He wants us to have well over 1,000 in the days to come. This will require men who answer a call to serve as pastors and church planters. NAMB is ready to provide encouragement, assessment, and support alongside IBSA and your local association as new churches are planted across our state. It is our fervent prayer that God will use our partnership to grow our church planting rate from 10 churches per year to at least 30 churches per year. This cannot be produced through human effort; it is an act of the Holy Spirit as He revives our churches and calls people to reach new mission fields. Please pray with me that God will use our partnership with NAMB to see this vision become a reality. In addition to Send Illinois, NAMB has also committed to providing support to Illinois Baptist churches through their NAMB Evangelism, NAMB Replant and Renew, and Send Network Español teams.

Tennessee Baptists As a native of Tennessee, I reached out in February to Dr. Randy Davis, Tennessee Baptists’ Executive Director, about a possible partnership. Dr. Davis was enthusiastic about Tennessee Volunteers serving alongside Illinois Baptists with an intentional Acts 1:8 effort. In September, both of our boards of directors affirmed this partnership, and as of this report, Tennessee Baptists have already provided significant support in the areas of Disaster Relief Ministry and support for pro-life ministry through the ERLC’s Psalm 139 project. In addition to having Tennessee Baptist mission teams serve Illinois Baptist churches, Tennessee Baptist churches would love to have Illinois Baptist churches come serve on mission in the Volunteer State. I encourage you to go spend time with the Tennessee Baptist staff in our exhibit hall and pray about how God might be calling your church to be on mission with a Tennessee Baptist congregation. New Strategic Direction After listening to God through hundreds of hours with Illinois Baptists and working in-depth with your IBSA Board’s Strategic Planning Committee, we revised our Mission Statement to be: “Inspiring churches to thrive as we help people follow Jesus.” This reflects the fact that your IBSA team doesn’t direct your ministry. Every church is the headquarters of Illinois Baptist life. Instead, we are asking God to use us as His servants, and that as we serve you, He will inspire you and your church to hear His invitation to join Him in His work, and that you will say an enthusiastic “yes,” as you answer. Our new IBSA Mission Statement also reflects the need for each team member to lead by example through helping people know Jesus through their personal lives and ministries. If we will abide closely with Jesus as He calls for in John 15:5, we will bear much Acts 1:8 fruit for His glory. Let’s each ask God to help us abide with Him closely, ask Him to give us a pure heart, and ask Him to help us hear and answer His call to join Him in His work. It is a blessing to serve you as our journey with God continues. Motion Referred to IBSA Board of Directors Regarding Resolutions Process One motion was referred to the IBSA Board of Directors from the 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting regarding procedures relating to submission and publication of proposed resolutions. The IBSA Board, at its meeting on March 24, 2026, voted to refer the matter to the IBSA Constitution Committee. The Constitution Committee took up the matter at its meeting on March 26, 2026, and concluded that there is a need to protect unity in how resolutions are submitted and presented. The Constitution Committee will consider how to optimize the resolutions process as they continue working to submit proposed revisions to IBSA’s governing documents in 2027.

Illinois Baptist State Association

2027 Budget Approved by Board September 15, 2026 2027

SUPPORT AND REVENUE Cooperative Program Church Planter Funding - NAMB Evangelism Funding - NAMB Investment Income IBSA Building Lease Revenue Cost Recovery Revenue Revenue from Restricted Gifts - BFI Other Total Support and Revenue

5,500,000 650,000 240,000 198,000 165,342 322,100 36,000 62,000 7,173,442

Appropriated Net Assets Previous Year Mission Illinois Offering Budgeted Allocation from Reserves (as Needed) Total Appropriated Net Assets

330,000 400,000 730,000

Support and Revenue plus Appropriated Net Assets

7,903,442

2,131,500

EXPENSES Cooperative Program to SBC Illinois Missions: Executive Team Discipleship Team Missions Team Operations Team Communications Team Total Illinois Missions

2,294,867 521,000 1,041,500 1,710,375 204,200 5,771,942

Total Expenses

7,903,442

Cooperative Program Goal $5,500,000 Distribution: 10% Shared Costs then 56.5% IBSA, 43.5% SBC 2027 Salary Structure Pay Grade 1. Part-Time Assistant 2. Part-Time Professional 3. Part-Time Consultant 4. Assistant 5. Coordinator 6. Manager 7. Part-Time Regional Consultant 1 8. Part-Time Regional Consultant 2 9. Director 10. Administrative Director 11. Associate Executive Director

Base 18.00 27.00 10,000 33,000 40,000 52,000 18,000 50,000 65,000 78,000 95,400

Midpoint 21.60 32.40 12,000 39,600 48,000 62,400 21,600 60,000 78,000 93,600 114,480

Maximum 25.20 37.80 14,000 46,200 56,000 72,800 25,200 70,000 91,000 109,200 133,560

Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services Executive Director’s Report Kevin Carrothers For more than a century, Illinois Baptists have faithfully partnered with Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services to bring the hope of Christ to children, mothers, families, and individuals facing difficult seasons of life. That faithful history gives us reason to be grateful, but it also calls us forward. As we look toward the future, the theme of “A Legacy of Hope, A Future of New Beginnings” reminds us that God has been faithful through the years and continues to open doors for ministry today. This year, BCHFS has been developing a long-range strategic plan designed to strengthen that legacy and prepare our ministries for the opportunities ahead. Six major areas are guiding this work. 1. Mission Fidelity: Our mission to strengthen families across Illinois by sharing hope in Christ remains foundational. As ministries and opportunities change, our commitment to defending the life of the unborn, protecting the vulnerable, healing the wounded, and restoring the broken will continue to remain firmly aligned with our biblical identity and Christian mission. 2. Financial Stewardship: Every resource entrusted to BCHFS is ultimately a gift from God. Our strategic planning focuses on strengthening long-term financial sustainability, developing ministry revenue, growing charitable support, and carefully stewarding the resources entrusted to us so ministry can continue for generations to come. 3. Increased Awareness Among Illinois Baptists: We will tell the BCHFS story more effectively throughout our state. We want churches and individuals to understand what we do, why we do it, and how they can join us through prayer, giving, referrals, advocacy, and service. 4. Organizational Staff Support: Healthy ministry requires healthy servants. We are committed to strengthening our organizational culture, supporting our employees, and creating an environment where gifted, mission-aligned people can serve effectively and faithfully. 5. Strategic Partnerships: Churches, associations, community organizations, donors, and other ministry partners provide relationships that can increase referrals, expand resources, and help BCHFS reach vulnerable individuals and families throughout Illinois. 6. Ministry Impact and Growth: We want to pursue growth where God provides opportunity while continually evaluating effectiveness and faithfully sharing Christ through every area of service. Through the first half of 2026, BCHFS served 516 individuals and families, including adolescents and families through Baptist Children’s Home, mothers and children through Angels’ Cove, adoptive couples and birth mothers through Faith Adoption, counseling clients through Pathways, and individuals through GraceHaven. For the first six months of the year, BCHFS provided 2,087 ministry engagements and services, including counseling and case-management sessions, educational opportunities, adoption services, pregnancy tests, and 71 sonograms. Yet our deepest desire is that people encounter more than a service; they encounter the hope of Christ. We recorded 2,482 spiritual contacts during the first half of the year, including prayer, devotions, Scripture, church participation, and gospel conversations. Illinois Baptists, thank you. Your prayers, generosity, partnership, and confidence have helped build this legacy of hope. As we enter a future of new beginnings, we do so, trusting the same faithful God who has sustained this ministry in the past to lead us forward, so we can continue strengthening families across Illinois by sharing hope in Christ. 81

2027 BFI Board Officers: Pam White, Chair Brent Cloyd, Vice Chair Newlin Wollaston, Secretary 87

Illinois Members Serving on Southern Baptist Convention Boards, Committees, and Agencies COMMITTEE NAME TERM Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Scott Nichols, West Chicago 2026 SBC Committee on Nominations Jeff Logsdon, Wilmington 2026 SBC Committee on Nominations *Jennifer Smith, Jacksonville 2026 Gateway Seminary Kevin Carrothers, Mt. Vernon 2027 LifeWay Christian Resources *Tigelique C. Woods, Bolingbrook 2027 GuideStone Financial Resources Michael Allen, Chicago 2028 North American Mission Board David Seaton, Collinsville 2028 Executive Committee *William Ballard, Freeburg 2029 Executive Committee Bennie Tomberlin, Fairfield 2029 International Mission Board Chris Winkleman, Harrisburg 2029 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary *Dana L. Keating, Harrisburg 2029 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary *Sheila Fields, Plainfield 2030 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary *Andrea Powell, Aurora 2030 Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Bruce Kirk, Alpha Missionary, Bolingbrook 2030 Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Mariano I. Sarabia, First, O’Fallon 2030 WMU Board-at-Large Carmen Halsey-Menghini, IL WMU leader WMU Executive Board *Jill McNicol, Patoka *Denotes non-church/denominational-related vocation

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… -Romans 1:16

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