Illinois Baptist THE Effect

Advice for Dads: Let go!

Table Talk with Michael Nave

Summer of Love

Churches plan for August mission in Chicagoland

Chicago | Several churches are hosting block parties to meet their neighbors. One church is partnering with a city alderman to clean and paint a viaduct in an area that needs a facelift. Other groups will reach out to homeless people and refugees in the city, host a free medical clinic, and serve tacos in the park. And, of course, there’s lots of paint up and fix up for church facilities and meeting spaces for church plants.

The big ministry weekend is August 4-5, as the North American Mission Board (NAMB) brings the multi-city Serve Tour to Chicago, in partnership with IBSA, Chicagoland Baptists, and NAMB’s Send team in the metro area. The Chicago partners have coordinated the project list.

Whichever project they choose, the work comes with opportunity to share Christ in Chicagoland this summer. And multiple churches in Illinois and across the U.S. are signing up.

“I’m encouraged to see the number of churches across Illinois and the SBC who are expressing interest in partnering together to serve the most vulnerable and

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

Maurice Gaiter is planting Empowerment Community Church in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Motivated by the compassion of Jesus in Matt. 9:36, the pastor said, “We have been called to labor and recruit laborers where crime is rampant, mindsets need to be renewed, families long for a present hope, and the gospel needs to be on display.” Gaiter and his wife, Coretta, have seven adult children.

Pray the news: Intercession in N.O.

The SBC will be bathed in prayer with multiple prayer meetings for messengers and others to join in New Orleans. Join them in spirit with intercession for the Convention meetings and the missions work of the denomination. Pray for unity and direction for the SBC.

Cooperative Program at work

Good Community Church in Torrance, California is an Asian American congregation that builds relationships with IMB missionaries. The church takes 20 mission trips each year, often holding Vacation Bible School in north African and Asian countries (above). “The IMB is very effective, biblical, and systematic in its approach and strategy to reach the lost around the world,” Pastor David Kim said. “We definitely want to partner together for the effectiveness of our ministry.”

Total giving by IBSA churches as of 4/30/23

$1,897,709

2023 Budget Goal to date: $1,895,567

2023 Goal: $6 Million

NATE ADAMS