This report includes contributions received by the Illinois Baptist State Association through the second quarter of 2026. For questions about this report, write to IBSA Operations Team, 3085 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL 62703, email AshleyParsons@IBSA.org, or call 217-391-3106.
I left Oklahoma City when I enlisted in the Army. In Germany we had East Bloc refugees coming into Western Europe. I helped with Bible studies, going to the refugee houses, spending time with them. That was my exposure and my sense that God wanted me in vocational ministry.
One month after I finished in the military, I was at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. My seminary education was eye-opening. Midwestern prepared me for ministry, the whole gambit—pastoral care, clinical pastoral orientation, theology, evangelism, missions.
We answered the call to go with the International Mission Board in response to a request in Ukraine to plant 2,000 new churches. Ukraine grew into what I’d call the Bible Belt of the former Soviet Union.
We got to see a whole generation come to faith in Jesus Christ, then grow more churches. We didn’t know war was coming, but God was preparing believers to serve through it all.
After 23 years there and in the Czech Republic, we answered a call to serve in missions in Illinois. O’Fallon
God called. I answered. You sent. Through Cooperative Program giving.
Giving jan. 1 - june. 30
With your church’s faithful, regular giving to missions through Southern Baptist’s Cooperative Program, Shannon Ford was trained at an SBC seminary for missions work that continues today as he leads the IBSA Mission Team. (Shannon is pictured here with his wife, Katie, on Serve Tour in Evansville). Because Illinois Baptists give over $5 million through CP each year, Shannon can help churches do missions all over Illinois and engage in global outreach. “Whenever we visited back home as IMB missionaries, we thanked churches who were obedient to the Lord. He said, ‘Give of your tithes and offerings, and see what I’ll do with it.’”
God called. Shannon answered.
Will you?
Top 100 Illinois churches in Cooperative Program support through second quarter 2026
Learn more about missions partnership through CP.
ANTIOCH
Brownfield, Golconda 326.55 8.83
Cave in Rock First, Cave in Rock 750.00 41.67
Elizabethtown First, Elizabethtown 200.00 5.56
Golconda First, Golconda 3,510.11 20.06
Homberg, Golconda 600.00 40.00
Mt Olivet, Golconda 0.00
Peter’s Creek, Elizabethtown 1,179.68 16.16
Rosiclare First, Rosiclare 754.77 4.17
Sulphur Springs, Golconda 56.04 5.09
SUBTOTAL 7,377.15 12.83
BAY CREEK
Calvary, Pittsfield 7,328.00 63.17
Nebo, Nebo 400.00 3.48
Payson Southern, Payson 884.00 126.29
Pleasant Hill First, Pleasant Hill 5,310.19 21.07
Quincy First Southern, Quincy 6,550.57 42.81
SUBTOTAL 20,472.76 31.84
BIG SALINE
Eddyville Missionary, Eddyville 0.00
Highview Missionary, Harrisburg 131.79 8.79
Macedonia Missionary, Carrier Mills 2,432.00 69.49
Saline Ridge Missionary, Harrisburg 4,194.50 116.51
Walnut Grove, Harrisburg 926.06 6.17
SUBTOTAL 7,684.35 29.22
CENTRAL
Argenta, Argenta 1,614.21 53.81
Arthur Southern, Arthur 6,978.00 30.34
Atwood First, Atwood 7,000.00 53.44
Deerfield, Decatur 0.00
Emmanuel, Decatur 2,156.69 154.05
Fellowship, Shelbyville 0.00
Findlay First Southern, Findlay 132.00 13.20 Forsyth, Forsyth 0.00
Hammond Missionary, Hammond 443.31 20.15
Heyworth First, Heyworth 1,316.40 43.88 Lincoln Southern, Lincoln 0.00 Lovington First, Lovington 1,750.00 175.00
Mt Zion First, Mt Zion 22,260.37 152.47 Oreana, Oreana 600.00 22.22 Sullivan Southern, Sullivan 2,577.00 14.56
CHICAGOLAND
Agape Bible Fellowship, Park Forest 2,946.00 45.32
Agape Korean, Northbrook 0.00
Alpha Missionary, Bolingbrook 2,700.00 12.98
Anchor Palos, Palos Heights 250.00 1.46
Anew Life Ministry Missionary, Gary 0.00
Another Chance, Chicago
Armitage, Chicago 500.00 2.10
Ashburn, Orland Park 0.00
Beacon Hill Missionary, Chi. Hts. 400.00 13.33
Bethel SBC, Des Plaines 0.00
Brainard Avenue, Countryside 416.65 8.33
Bread of Life, Chicago 0.00
Broadview Missionary, Broadview 1,500.00 0.77
Centennial Missionary, Chicago 0.00
Chi. Golden Light Chinese, Arl. Hts. 0.00
Chi. Japanese Mission, Arl. Hts. 400.00 20.00
Chicago West Bible, Chicago 0.00
Chicagoland Community, Chicago 0.00
Chinese NW Suburb, Rolling Mdws 0.00
Christ the King, Plainfield 542.34 12.61
Christ Transformed Lives, Yorkville 282.49 17.66
Cornelia Avenue, Chicago 0.00
Elmwood Park Community 0.00
Embassy, Palatine 1,000.00 10.53
Empowerment Comm. of Chicago 195.95 4.35
Evening Star Missionary, Chicago
Faith Tabernacle, Chicago 1,200.00 7.89
First New Bethlehem, Chicago 0.00
First New Mt Olive Missionary, Chi. 0.00
Gabaon, Chicago 200.00 0.98 Garden City, Chicago 430.65 14.36
Golf Road, Des Plaines 4,305.00 65.23
Good Hope Missionary, Chicago 50.00 1.43
Gospelife N. Wheaton, Crl Stream
Grace Creek, Streamwood
Grace Family, Chicago 0.00
Grace Missionary, Markham 0.00 Harmony Community, Chicago 0.00 Hillcrest, Cntry Clb Hls 4,000.00 15.38
Hinsdale Chinese Chr., Clar. Hills 0.00
Holy Bible Missionary, Harvey 0.00
Hope Korean Comm., Park Ridge 0.00
Hshld of Faith Chr. Assem., Mrkhm. 700.00 11.67
Iglesia Biblica, Chicago 200.00 4.08
Iglesia Ciudad de Gracia, Chicago 0.00
Igl. Crist. El Camino, Des Plaines 250.00 3.33
Iglesia El Mesias, Summit 50.00 4.17
Igl. Evangelica Filadelfia, Evanston 0.00
Igl. Misionera North Avenue, Chi. 0.00
Iglesia Nazaret, Berwyn 50.00 3.33
Iglesia Peniel, Chicago 200.00 8.00
Immanuel, Chicago 6,624.98 81.79
In the Upper Room Min., Lansing 0.00
International Fellow., Montgomery 20.00 1.05
Jesus is the Life, Matteson 0.00
Karen, Warrenville 625.60 18.96
Korean Bethel, Schaumburg
La Mision de Jesus, Summit 0.00
Love Fellowship, Romeoville 3,503.00 17.60
Metropolitan, Gary 0.00
Mission of Faith, Chicago 400.00 3.88
Mt Carmel Children of God, Chicago 300.00 6.38
New Beginnings of Chicago, Chi.
New Life Bilingual, West Chicago 0.00
New Lords Church, Mt Prospect 0.00
Northfield Korean, Northfield 0.00
Peaceful, Rolling Mdws 0.00
Peoples Community, Glen Ellyn 300.00 1.71
Pilgrim Rest Missionary, Chicago 0.00
Primera Iglesia de La Villita, Chi. 415.10 51.89
Real, Chicago 300.00 6.25
Reborn Community, Chicago 0.00
Redemption Hour Min., Romeoville 247.50 1.59
Rehoboth Evangelistic, Matteson 0.00
Resurrection House, Dolton 100.00 20.00
Schaumburg, Schaumburg 900.00 4.29
Soul Reviving Missionary, Chicago 282.75 20.20 Springbrook Community, Plainfield 5,709.00 40.49
St James Community of Broadview 0.00
St John Baptist Temple, Chicago 100.00 0.12
St Mark Missionary, Harvey 100.00 0.26
Starting Point Community, Chicago 145.35 11.18
The Lord’s Church, Naperville 500.00 16.67
Tinley Park First, Tinley Park 4,727.96 118.20
Tyrannus Korean, Arlington Heights 420.00 12.35
Universal, Harvey
Uptown, Chicago 0.00
Vietnamese of Chicago, Chicago 300.00 6.67
Blu, Park Ridge
Harvest Worship Center, The Connection Community, Chi.
Glenview First, Glenview 2,745.14
SUBTOTAL 56,510.46 5.51
CLEAR CREEK
Alto Pass First, Alto Pass 100.00 2.22
Anna First, Anna 3,796.50 12.66
Anna Heights, Anna 23,887.00 38.28
Beech Grove, Thebes 258.05 10.75
Bethany, Cypress 5,440.00 40.00
Bethel, Cobden 587.56 13.66
Big Creek, Anna 2,886.25 46.55
Caledonia Community, Olmsted 355.04 1.47
Dongola First, Dongola 492.97 1.17
Dutch Ridge Miss., Carbondale 0.00
East Cape, Mc Clure 638.13 17.25
Grand Tower First, Grand Tower 208.00 0.87 Harbor, Marion 1,106.08 22.12
Harvest Church of S. IL, Anna 400.00 4.82
Imm. Praise & Worship, Cobden 293.45 2.17
Jonesboro First, Jonesboro 4,221.80 28.72 Limestone, Cobden 0.00 Lockard Chapel, Jonesboro 100.00 3.57 Makanda, Makanda 300.00 20.00 Maple Grove, Ullin 500.00 4.39
Mill Creek, Mill Creek 0.00
Mound City First, Mound City 120.00 2.40 Mounds First, Mounds 405.14 33.76
Mt Olive, Dongola 1,677.50 139.79
Mt Pleasant, Pulaski 630.00 17.50
New Hope, Buncombe 1,426.10 13.98 Pleasant Ridge, Cobden 1,329.69 12.79
Reynoldsville, Jonesboro 535.00 14.86
S I Country, Makanda 600.00 20.00
Sandy Creek, Tamms 2,694.00 50.83
Shiloh, Villa Ridge 125.00 2.08
Tamms First, Tamms 855.00 10.82
Thebes First, Thebes 1,115.50 92.96
Ullin First, Ullin 9,000.00 37.97
United Missionary, Buncombe 4,919.72 25.36
SUBTOTAL 71,003.48 17.42
EAST CENTRAL
Bement, Bement 272.67 6.06
Bethel, Danville 1,635.00 10.03
Calvary, Monticello 44,232.61 223.40
Church of the Cross, Mahomet 9,031.75 376.32
College Avenue, Normal 0.00 Cornerstone, Savoy 8,802.00 97.80
Farmer City First, Farmer City 687.95 10.75
Gibson City First, Gibson City 3,336.50 59.58
Le Roy First, Le Roy 62.40 1.39 Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana 7,116.18 177.90 River of Life Church, Urbana 204.00 17.00 Salt, Normal 2,675.12 38.22 Temple, Champaign 188.02 7.23
Tolono First, Tolono 300.00 5.00
Weldon, Weldon 306.00 25.50 Cornerstone Korean, Savoy 250.00 19.23
Korean Church of Urbana 100.00
SUBTOTAL 79,200.20 85.25
FOX VALLEY
Bethel, Saint Charles 356.25 17.81
Calvary of Elgin, Elgin 6,790.27 67.90 Eden, Woodstock 250.00 Elk Grove Village First 666.69 22.22
Emmanuel of Elgin, Elgin 262.47 18.75 Families of Faith, Channahon 600.00 1.41
Gospel Life Bible, 323.00 17.94
Gospelife Carol Stream 1,500.00 13.51 Harvard First, Harvard 998.41 49.92
Iglesia Alfa y Omega, Elgin 200.00 28.57
Iglesia Betel, Berwyn 0.00
Iglesia Bethania, Elgin 500.00 7.14
Iglesia El Calvario, Elgin
Iglesia Emanuel, Aurora 749.97 3.00
Iglesia Piedra Angular, West Chi.
Iglesia Vida Nueva, Elgin 112.50 2.34
Mendota
FRANKLIN Caldwell, Benton
West Frankfort
Missionary, Christopher
Missionary, Mc Leansboro
Grace Fellowship, Benton
Immanuel, Benton
Ina Missionary, Ina
Jackson Grove, Benton
Liberty, Macedonia
New Hope Missionary, Benton
Rend, Benton
Royalton First, Royalton
Sesser First, Sesser
Steel City, Benton
Thompsonville First, Thompsonville
Whittington
Iglesia Maranatha, Collinsville
Alton, Alton
Pleasant Ridge, Collinsville
Reformed, Granite City
Alton
The Bridge, Alton
SUBTOTAL
GOSHEN TRAIL Antioch, Macedonia
Dahlgren, Dahlgren
Hopewell Miss., Mc Leansboro
Kingdom, Carmi
Macedonia, Norris City
Greenview First, Greenview 1,132.86 26.35
Havana Southern, Havana 0.00
Kincaid, Kincaid 0.00
Living Faith, Sherman 6,766.29 18.74
Meadowbrook, Auburn 500.00 3.23
Mt Zion Southern, Kilbourne 1,882.00 15.82
New Lebanon, Kilbourne 270.54 9.02
New Life, Waverly 107.56 5.98
New Life, Athens 0.00
Pasfield Southern, Springfield 2,822.54 68.84
Petersburg First, Petersburg 7,176.00 79.73
Riverton First, Riverton 929.24 29.98
Roanoke, Springfield 250.00 15.63
Rochester First, Rochester 14,774.57 95.94
Sandridge New Hope, Petersburg 750.00 62.50
Southtower Community, Dawson 6,237.50 39.23
Springfield First, Springfield 1,267.00 25.34
Tallula, Tallula 0.00
Taylorville Southern, Taylorville 0.00
Together on N. Grand, Springfield 16,565.38 74.28
Western Oaks, Springfield 15,517.00 86.69
Gospel Community, Athens
Iglesia Principe de Paz, Springfield 0.00
SUBTOTAL 135,926.33 54.63
KASKASKIA
Bethel, Odin 424.74 2.36
Calvary, Effingham 1,041.65 16.28
Carlyle First, Carlyle 5,981.59 23.01
Central City, Centralia 3,916.00 97.90
Crossroads of Centralia, Centralia 1,540.00 6.21
Diamond Springs, Shattuc 1,584.00 79.20
Emmanuel, Salem 1,707.00 113.80
Eternity, Centralia 0.00
Fairman, Sandoval 193.18 12.07
Faith, Breese 896.00 74.67
Flora First Southern, Flora 3,942.14 14.55
Iglesia Latina, Effingham 0.00
Marshall Creek, Odin 1,150.00 41.07
Mulberry Grove First 4,358.60 41.51
New Hope, Effingham 1,500.00 2.02
Odin, Odin 1,118.30 13.47
Patoka First, Patoka 4,461.90 57.95
Pocahontas First, Pocahontas 240.36 16.02
Salem First, Salem 23,614.71 104.95
Sandoval, Sandoval 224.33 10.20
Wamac Missionary, Centralia 639.36 6.15
West Gate, Trenton 2,000.00 10.58
Wisetown, Greenville 6,793.20 107.83
Zion Hill, Centralia 2,808.00 25.53
SUBTOTAL 70,135.06 23.00
LAKE COUNTY
Crossroads Comm., Port Barrington 800.00 16.00
Family Bible International, Gurnee 180.00 3.27
Igl. Gran Comision, Waukegan 2,440.20
Iglesia Renacer, North Chicago 0.00
Light and Grace, Waukegan 250.00 8.62
Lighthouse Church of Antioch 0.00
Meadowridge, Zion 5,441.00 62.54
Mundelein First, Mundelein 40.00 3.33
New Song Ministries, Zion 0.00
Pleasant Grove Miss., Waukegan 0.00
Sanctuary Messianic, Lindenhurst 150.00 6.82
The Gathering, Gurnee 518.00 64.75
Winthrop Harbor First 4,501.14 67.18
Iglesia El Camino, Round Lk Hts 0.00
Southwest, Chicago
SUBTOTAL 14,320.34 32.18
LOUISVILLE
Bloom Southern Missionary, Flora 745.75 23.30
Hickory Hill Miss., Mc Leansboro
Mc Leansboro First, Mc Leansboro
Living Word Chapel, Wood Dale McHenry First, McHenry 900.00 16.67 Meadowdale First, Carpentersville
Community Southern, Clay City 492.28 3.54
Farina First Southern, Farina 4,061.56 81.23
Iola Missionary, Iola 0.00
Jackson Township Comm., Altamont 0.00
Louisville, Louisville 3,829.83 79.79
Meacham, Kinmundy 160.00 2.91
Strong Tower, Flora 0.00 Wabash, Louisville 115.00 4.42
Watson, Watson 0.00
SUBTOTAL 9,404.42 21.57
MACOUPIN
Charity, Carlinville 10,587.34 78.42
Cross, Carlinville 6,491.99 15.17
Emmanuel, Carlinville 18,322.75 59.68 Gilead, Hettick 0.00
Grace Southern, Virden 8,300.00 125.76
Litchfield First, Litchfield 5,496.96 63.92 Litchfield Southern, Litchfield 583.05 12.96 Modesto, Modesto 147.72 2.95
Mt Olive First, Mount Olive 168.00 4.94
Mt Pleasant, Medora 6,105.61 43.93
Mt Zion, Piasa
Nokomis
Herrick, Herrick 0.00
Hopewell, Pana
2.57 Life Community, Hillsboro 2,682.00 20.32
Mt Carmel, Ramsey 101.32 7.79
Mt Moriah, Coffeen 272.08 11.83
Grove, Iuka 1,485.00 4.93
Hill, Mount Vernon 4,837.73 10.21
Side, Mount Vernon 120.00 0.93
Mount Vernon 356.25 2.74
Side Miss., Mount Vernon 300.00 1.60
First, Woodlawn 2,250.00 23.20 SUBTOTAL 117,844.74 29.65
Fork, Harrisburg 7,331.06 91.64
Mills First, Carrier Mills 5,562.00 35.20
Heights, Eldorado 967.70 33.37
Dorrisville, Harrisburg 54,115.96 110.22
Eldorado First, Eldorado 18,872.21 43.79
Galatia First, Galatia 3,168.00 28.29
Gaskins City Missionary, Harrisburg 0.00 Harco, Galatia 2,924.03 15.23 Harrisburg First, Harrisburg 42,027.61 43.78
Herod Springs, Herod 1,335.60 43.08
Junction First, Junction 0.00
Land Street Missionary, Harrisburg 190.00 15.83
Ledford, Harrisburg 1,802.00 15.81 Liberty, Harrisburg 6,024.60 35.23
Long Branch, Galatia 914.20 12.70
McKinley Avenue, Harrisburg 4,032.32 14.25
New Burnside, New Burnside 975.00 32.50
New Castle, Harrisburg 134.12 7.89 North America, Galatia 1,313.70 12.88
North Williford, Harrisburg 0.00 Ozark, Ozark
Pankeyville, Harrisburg 1,200.00 30.00 Raleigh, Raleigh 1,070.75 7.33
Ridgway First, Ridgway 2,070.83 15.69
Scott Street, Eldorado 2,918.00 66.32
Shawneetown First, Shawneetown 2,367.49 15.68
Stonefort Missionary, Stonefort 1,406.63 31.97
Union Grove, Eldorado 4,582.47 55.88
Wasson Missionary, Harrisburg 50.00 1.79
SUBTOTAL 167,356.28 41.05
SANDY CREEK
Athensville, Roodhouse 1,748.03 47.24
Beardstown First Southern 3,035.16 11.81
Bloomfield, Winchester 0.00
Bluffs, Bluffs 1,632.24 81.61
Calvary, Jacksonville 1,210.78 52.64
Calvary, White Hall 250.00 8.33
Charity Southern, Greenfield 2,588.03 12.09 Cornerstone, Winchester 2,360.00 11.80
THREE
Calvary, Morris
Calvary International, Romeoville Central, Olympia Fields
Clifton, Clifton
Emmanuel, Lemont
Erven Avenue, Streator
S Chicago Heights
Plainfield
Ground, Midlothian
Iglesia Camino Al Cielo, Joliet
Friendship,
Shepherd Reformed, Joliet
Somonauk, Somonauk
Immanuel, Metropolis
Joppa Missionary, Joppa
Karnak First, Karnak
SUBTOTAL
WILLIAMSON
Adams
Coal Bank Springs, Marion 0.00
Cornerstone, Marion 0.00
Creal Springs First, Creal Springs 300.00 13.64
Davis Prairie, Marion 817.36 23.35
Energy First, Energy 0.00
Fairview, Creal Springs 374.78 14.41
Goreville First, Goreville 3,473.21 10.13
Herrin First, Herrin 1,200.00 3.44
Herrin Second, Herrin 1,204.59 14.87
Hurricane Memorial, Herrin 0.00
Indian Camp, Stonefort 3,677.70 83.58
Lake Creek, Marion 400.30 3.31
LivingStone Community, Marion 0.00
Marion First, Marion 15,000.00 18.07
Marion Second, Marion 54,466.45 44.43
Marion Third, Marion 0.00
Redemption, Johnston City 0.00
Springhill, 652.18 36.23
The Cross Community, Marion 0.00
The Word in Marion, Marion 1,075.28 35.84
SUBTOTAL 106,124.91 20.49
MISCELLANEOUS
Akin Missionary, Akin 160.00 3.40
Anchor Berwyn, Berwyn 0.00
Bethany Road Bible, Dekalb 0.00
Charis Community, Bloomington 500.00 2.86
Chicago Chin, Chicago 500.00
City of Joy, Carpentersvle 99.00 1.38
CityLine Bible, Niles 3,000.00 7.54
Columbus Southern, Keyesport 250.00 8.93
Connexion, Mount Vernon 1,439.42 6.40
Cornerstone, Normal 600.00 13.95
Destiny, Hoffman Estates 0.00 Evanston, Evanston 0.00
Fellowship, Vienna 5,219.31 32.62
Freedom, Martinsville 99.06 1.40
Gateway, Mount Vernon 485.20 16.17
Grace Community, Yorkville 0.00
Greater Tabernacle Missionary, Chi.
Heights Community, Collinsville 0.00
Iglesia Buen Samaritano, Iglesia Cristiana Grace, Yorkville 0.00
Iglesia Luz Y Verdad, Crystal Lake 0.00
Iglesia Nuevo Pacto, Chi. 0.00
Journey, Living Word Bible, Lemont 0.00 Logos, Decatur 600.00 17.14
Metro. Tab. Comm., Lansing Ministerios
Smithboro, Smithboro 0.00
Sorento Southern, Sorento
Vandalia
Crosspoint of Fieldon, Fieldon 10.00 0.10 Emmanuel, Roodhouse 1,673.08 10.79 Faith, Carrollton 0.00 Franklin, Franklin 722.19 48.15 Grace, Palmyra 633.66 7.54 Grace, Winchester 0.00 Hillview, Hillview 1,715.65 13.20 Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville 60,089.13 215.37 Manchester, Manchester 479.76 7.27
WESTFIELD
Ashmore
How the Howards of Casey demonstrate cooperative partnership
Orlando | Why would an Illinois family of 10 make an almost 1,000-mile journey from their home in Casey to Central Florida (or some other distant location) every year? For the Howards of Casey, the reason is simple: to share the gospel.
This family has traveled every June since 2019 to take part in Crossover, the annual evangelism outreach near the host city for the Southern Baptist Convention. Their first outreach together was in Birmingham. This time, they served in Kissimmee just north of Orlando. It was 964 miles one way.
The Howards and people from 554 churches in 15 states joined forces from June 1-6. For this Southern Baptist family, the event coordinated by the North American Mission Board is only part of the attraction. Their children engaged with Acteens and Royal Ambassadors were active in additional service ministries.
“We talk about the Cooperative Program, helping others, and being unified, this is a part of that,” said Brent Howard, pastor of Casey First Baptist Church. “It’s a blessing to be a part of something bigger and give back to another community.”
The Howards assisted First Baptist Church of Kissimmee with a large community outreach. The church offered free haircuts, medical and dental checkups, diapers and food, and sports clinics for kids.
While Brent and his oldest son, Ben, were serving together at a community park, Brent’s wife, Holly, and seven of their eight children—Hope, Faith, Abbie, Danny, Thomas, and Mercy—served in other locations. Hope, who is learning Spanish, utilized her skill at the registration table because of the large Hispanic population. Mercy, the youngest at age 10, enjoyed passing out diapers.
Over the years, the Howards have learned block party type projects doinguring Crossover works best for the family because there’s a place for everyone to serve. The family keeps coming back because “it’s a good way to keep our focus on the gospel and mission of reaching people.”
The father and son were part of the group that went to the park for evangelism. Most people were open
to having gospel conversations, allowing them to ask three questions: Do you believe in God? Do you believe in heaven? And, if you were to die today, what would you tell God to get you into heaven?
The familiar trio of questions opened many fruitful conversations, including one with a young woman who gave her life to Christ. “She had a connection with a church earlier in her life but didn’t have a relationship with Jesus,” the Casey pastor said. “We had a deep conversation. She thought seriously and decided she wanted to have Jesus in her life.”
The Kissimmee church was given her contact information and planned to contact her to make sure she has a church home.
More than 1,000 people professed faith in Christ during Crossover, NAMB Vice President of Evangelism Tim Dowdy shared with messengers at the SBC Annual Meeting. “There’s something powerful that happens when Southern Baptists from all across North America get together and converge on a single city to share the gospel,” Dowdy said. “That’s what Crossover is all about.”
For the Howard family, attending the convention each summer is about sharing the gospel through Crossover, but there’s even more. Abbie was named an Acteens panelist this year. She assisted during the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) celebration.
“We’re thrilled to see Illinois represented nationally!” said IBSA Leadership Director Carmen Halsey-Menghini. “Through WMU, women of all ages are equipped for missions and leadership, whether they serve individually or as part of a group.”
“Being named a National Acteens Panelist means these young women are the cream of the crop,” said Heather Keller, ministry
consultant for Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU). “Their missions resumes reflect all areas of missions discipleship: learning about missions, praying for missions, supporting missions, doing missions, and telling others about Jesus,” Keller said.
Abbie said Acteens, the WMU’s missions education ministry for young women, has enabled her to live a missional life and has provided opportunities to serve in her church as well as on mission trips where she learned to share her faith.
One experience included helping a church plant in Ohio. The church was meeting in the planter’s home, so her team prayer walked the surrounding neighborhood that was primarily Turkish.
“God has commanded uis to take the gospel to all nations, but that does not always mean we have to go to another country to share Jesus,” Abbie said. “He is bringing the nations to us and placing them in our path here and now—so we can share with them. Acteens has shown me how, as believers, we need to look at the world through Jesus’ eyes. This way of viewing the world has led me most often to see people with compassion.”
Illinois Baptist readers may remember the photos of the Royal Ambassadors’ Pinewood Derby from last year. Abbie’s brother, Thomas, was a competitor in the exhibit hall at the Annual Meeting in Dallas.
This family takes SBC Missions seriously. Who else would discuss the Cooperative Program strategy during their cross-country car trip from Illinois to Florida.
As a pastor, Brent said it’s important that churches have a mission lifestyle, and that means coming alongside other churches. He encourages those interested in Crossover to keep an eye on the NAMB website in May as they start announcing projects that individuals and groups can sign up for. No matter someone’s strengths or interests, there’s something for everyone.
“The churches are always appreciative of those who come to serve,” he said. “If they can come a day or two early to convention, then we have thousands coming to volunteer. You can do a lot of good there.”
The Howards are already looking forward to the next two years when the events are closer to home. The 2027 convention will be held in Indianapolis, and the 2028 convention is scheduled for St. Louis. Brent noted it may be challenging for families to travel to far away conventions, but he hopes Illinois families will be able to participate in Crossover the next two years. The pastor said, “It’s something we’ll encourage for sure.”
Kayla Houchin, with Baptist Press and WMU
