Illinois Baptist

SBC Presidency Landslide win for Barber

2-1 margin says much about future direction

New Orleans | Before the convention started, few people were making predictions about the outcome of the presidential election. Certainly the word “landslide” was not in the ether, because so many things about the annual gathering were uncertain— starting with the presidency.

Incumbent Bart Barber was being challenged after serving only the first year of a customary two terms in office, a rare move. “He is not owed a second term, but he has more than earned it,” Barber’s nominator said in his short speech before the election. Pastor Jarrett Stevens of Houston listed a string of recent SBC accomplishments including aggressive confrontation of sexual abuse, and Barber’s noteworthy 60 Minutes interview in his first term.

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

Comm. Coordinator - Nic Cook

Team Leader - Ben Jones

The general telephone number for IBSA is (217) 786-2600. For questions about subscriptions, articles, or upcoming events, contact the Illinois Baptist at (217) 391-3127 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

The Illinois Baptist is seeking news from IBSA churches. E-mail us at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org to tell us about special events and new ministry staff.

POSTMASTER: The Illinois Baptist is owned and published every month by the Illinois Baptist State Association, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703-4440. Subscriptions are free to Illinois Baptists. Subscribe online at IBSA.org.

The BIG Baptist family album

Our Illinois mission field

Redeemer South in Rockford launched in April and is already reaching 70 children every week. The new church will be meeting in a facility just donated to them in the central part of the city, which is their target area. Planter Matt Joiner is a Channahon native. He and his wife, Erin, have two daughters. Matt has an M.Div. from Southern Seminary and is working on a doctorate in Biblical Counseling. He asks for wisdom adapting the facility and reaching the unreached of Rockford.

Pray the news: EC President Search

The new search committee charged with nominating a candidate for SBC Executive Committee President and CEO was elected May 1. The group began meeting right away. The nominee presented by the previous committee was turned down by the trustees, so the EC has had interim leadership since October 2021.

Your CP Offerings at work

Serve Tour Chicago is Aug. 4-5. Churches from all over will pay their own expenses, but Cooperative Program supports the work of missionaries and church planters organizing the event. The group pictured here served through community events in Montgomery, Ala. in March.

Total giving by IBSA churches as of 5/31/23 $2,269,803

2023 Budget Goal to date: $2,365,769

2023 Goal: $6 Million

NATE ADAMS