January 12, 2015 Illinois Baptist

By Meredith Flynn

Springfield | Rick Gage stood in front of nearly 1,000 students and leaders meeting at the Prairie Capital Convention Center for the Youth Encounter evangelism conference The room was much quieter than it had been just a few minutes earlier, when the Dec 2930 event kicked off with high-energy music, improv comedy from Team WordPlay, and a performance by illusionist Bryan Drake

When Gage took the stage, he spoke first to leaders who brought students to the annual event, thanking them for investing in young people’s lives

“We’re here to meet with God We’re here to do business with God

Columbia | Ask Pastor Jonathan Peters how long it took his church, First Baptist in Columbia, to build their new building, and he talks about the land purchase, the design, and the construction Then, he breaks it down like this: “Years, with a capital Y ”

The project, which st with the purchase of 47 came to fruition Dec when the congregation h first service in the building on Valmeyer Road The new facility includes an auditorium designed to seat 720 people, room for preschool and chil-

We’re God’ o meet here

with

And it’s our prayer it’s your prayer that God would use these next 24 hours to impact not just the teenagers’ lives, but all of our lives ”

A few minutes later, after preaching a message on what it means to have an authentic relationship with God, Gage called students to the front who felt led to make a decision for Christ They streamed down the aisles Almost 300 people crowded near the stage (above) as the evangelist prayed over them and instructed them to head backstage to meet with counselors

All told, 92 people made decisions to trust Christ at Youth Encounter, and 205 recommitted their faith During the two-day conference, 20 students also answered the call to ministry, and

dren’s ministries, and lots of space for fellowship The church’s student ministry is housed in a smaller building nearby

“We just saw God work through this in so many ways,” said Jack Turner, a member of the building committee “And so many things happened in His timing and His way, and it was just such a wonderful experience to be involved in

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world ” ke the off the first

33 committed to pray for lost friends or family members

“God has his hand on some guys and when they preach the gospel I can’t explain it I just watch it happen and shake my head, but when they preach, people respond to the gospel,” said IBSA’s Tim Sadler “There’s an anointing that’s on their lives, and it’s just a powerful thing ”

Gage knows how to “draw the net,” said state evangelism director Sadler, who also directs YE. The decision to invite Gage was strategic because of his experience as a youth evangelist, Sadler told the Illinois Baptist

“And I’d also add into that, I’ve heard several of our youth leaders, our local church youth leaders, talk about how they intentionally sought to bring

Continued on page 7

President Obama’s announcement Dec 17 that the U S will renew its relationship with Cuba had pundits talking about the political and economic implications Meanwhile, many Christian leaders focused on what the decision could mean for believers in Cuba.

Phil Nelson has traveled to Cuba 11 times since 2003, speaking openly about the gospel with college students and on one occasion, a university president

“Everybody we met with, we talked with about the gospel,” said Nelson, pastor of Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale The Cuban Christians he has worked with are “passionate about the gospel,

Graham: 1.6 million saved in 2014

Almost 9 5 million people heard the gospel through the Billy Graham Evangelistic ciation last year, and more than 1 6 mil those trusted Christ, The Christian P ported BGEA’s chief executive officer Franklin Graham (right) wrote about the numbers, “Our hearts overflow with gratitude to God for all He has done and is doing, and we are eager to keep pressing forward as He continues to open doors ”

Evangelism center planned for HBU

To combat increasing skepticism and the exos of young people from Christianity, auor Lee Strobel told The Christian Post that e and leaders at Houston Baptist University are creating a new Center for American Evangelism, to be directed by fellow author Mark Mittelberg (left) “The need is great, the opportunity is ripe and we’re confident that many more people can be reached as, together, we reprioritize the central mission of the Christian church,” Mittelberg said

‘Churchless’ America focus of report

If the United States’ churchless population was its own country, it would be the eighth most populous nation in the world, Barna reported in December Of the 114 million people in America who haven’t attended church in the past six months (barring a wedding or funeral), Barna found 54% are men, 20% live in Pacific Coast states, and 15% are Millennials born between 1984 and 2002.

Mars Hill says good-bye

“I’m proud of you,” Rick Warren told Mars Hill Church during their final service Dec 28 Church leaders announced Christmas Eve that Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Ca , would preach the last message members of the multi-site church heard before Mars Hill disbanded and several of the locations became independent congregations. The church’s pastor, Marc Driscoll, resigned in October amid charges of unbiblical leadership

“You know, anybody can follow Jesus when it’s a party,” Warren said “The real test of spiritual maturity is how you handle the storms of life, the difficulties, and even the changes that you didn’t ask for ”

Lin wants ‘more joy’ in 2015

The current basketball season has gone the opposite direction” L A Laker Jerem Lin anticipated, he posted on his website at the beginning of this year But despite his slump, Lin a known Christian said he wants to live with more joy in the coming year “Trust me, there have been many times this past season where I was filled with frustration, many situations where I felt overwhelmed and many nights where I couldn’t sleep much because I was thinking about the game

“But through it all, I’ve been learning how to surrender the results to God, how to walk by faith and not by sight, how to be renewed through times of prayer/Scripture and how to fight for a life of joy in the midst of trials.”

Building is ‘tool to reach Columbia and the nation’

Continued from page 1

started dreaming about a new facility, they went into a building program two days before Sept 11, 2001, Peters said Over the years, the flagging economy and a tightened banking industry made it difficult to move forward Peters said the church also was committed not to reduce their missions giving through the process, desired to pay off the land they had purchased, and wanted to “not get into something that was more than we could handle ”

In 2013, FBC Columbia entered into a feasibility study and fundraising campaign led by Doug Morrow of the Baptist Foundation of Illinois They also applied for and received a loan through the Oklahoma Baptist Foundation, which has a long history of supporting church construction projects

Throughout the actual building process, many of the church’s members were personally involved Peters cited lead custodian Mark Walter, who built every cabinet in the new building, saving thousands of

dollars And a dedicated group of volunteers did all of the clean-up after each day of construction, coming in four nights a week and on Saturday mornings for five months.

It was a rainy spring, and sometimes the group had to remove water or mud from the unfinished construction site The hard work ensured the church had “sweat in the game,”

Turner said

Since moving in, Peters has noticed poeple are more likely to get to church early, have a cup of coffee, and visit with one another They’re also meeting together in one worship service for the first time in a while This new building, he said, is a tool to reach Columbia and the nation for Christ, and to grow toward that vision

-field

S p r i n g f i e l d | The girls from Anna Heights Baptist Church were pretty quiet after AWSOM, said their leader, Judy Halter

“Whenever you’re raising the bar like that, I think the girls are going to get quiet ” Halter and two fellow leaders brought 14 girls to the annual conference for young women.

(AWSOM stands for “Amazing Women

Serving Our Maker ”)

“I think it’s all about discipleship,” she said “It really is, and that was a great missions and discipleship conference ”

With a deep theme for 2014

The most recent AWSOM focused on “the battle for your mind” and found its biblical basis in 2 Corinthians 10:5, a verse that calls Christians to “take every thought captive to obey Christ ”

“The more I study about biblical womanhood and research current world issues impacting women, the root cause always begins in a person’s thoughts,” said Carmen Halsey, IBSA’s director of women’s ministry and missions. “This year ’s theme was intended to be a proactive stance in educating our young women and their leaders about the power of our thoughts, and the need to discover the Word and plant it deep inside, so that the Holy Spirit is armed and ready to do war ”

Planting the Word was main speaker Courtney Veasey’s (left) role at AWSOM The director of women’s academic programs at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary taught on the conference theme passage and others from the Bible, urging the girls toward victory in the battle, and a deeper dependence on God’s Word AWSOM attendees also sat in on a variety of breakout sessions:

• Dr Olivia Johnson, a former police officer with a doctorate in criminal justice, talked the girls through a series of potentially dangerous situations they could face in the real world, training them on how to think through each situation and make smart choices

• Mother/daughter pair Amy and Amanda Neibel educated the students on human trafficking prevention The Neibels are part of a leadership team established to raise awareness among Illinois women and churches about human trafficking

• Brenda Sommer, a licensed clinical professional counselor, taught on the role of Christian counseling and how girls can speak truth into the lives of friends who are struggling

• Halter cited Renee Smith’s session on CrossFit as one moment when things weren’t so quiet Smith, a pastor ’s wife from Mt Zion, demonstrated easy exercises and gave tips for developing a healthy selfimage

This year ’s AWSOM conference is scheduled for November 6-7 in Springfield For more information about upcoming opportunities for women and girls, go to www IBSA org/womens missions, or contact Carmen Halsey@IBSA.org.

MEET & GREET – People chat in the atrium after FBC Columbia’s inaugural service in their new building

Teens learn to navigate the mind

IN THE WORD – Students at AWSOM listen to Bible study leader Courtney Veasey

The BIG Picture Taking the gospel to the farthest corners

As a successful businessman chasing the American dream, Mitch Englehart* was first introduced to South Asians in Texas He was able to connect with them in a way he couldn’t with his American friends especially when it came to sharing the Gospel

With Americans, “it was like I was pushing a boulder up a hill,” Englehart explains “But when I sat with South Asian friends , it was like chasing that boulder down a hill it was that easy ”

Englehart and his wife Nellie* have spent the last nine years training church leaders in South Asia For Englehart, 47, that means travel and lots of it On average, he spends 10 to 12 nights a month away from his family as he disciples national believers But he says the sacrifice is worthwhile; it’s part of the commitment the couple made when God called them as full-time Christian workers with the International Mission Board

Englehart’s team is busy developing a new wave of church planters focused on the area’s least-reached districts many less than 0 1% Christian Progress can sometimes seem painfully slow, but he knows that’s a small price to pay compared with that of the South Asian believers he’s training

He’s awed by the sacrifices many are willing to make like walking nine miles in sweltering heat to attend a training event “Who wouldn’t want to be around a leader like that? It’s from those guys I’ve learned how to give my life for the Gospel,” he says “I’ve seen these guys suffer and the joy they have in doing it ”

*Names changed

– Adapted from IMB org

MIDWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY exists for the Church.

From start to nish, Midwestern Seminary strives to dramatically transform students by renewing their minds with biblical truth, igniting their hearts with ministry passion, and enriching their souls with deepened Christ-likeness. We are growing the future leaders of the church who are whole-heartedly dedicated to ful lling the Great Commission as they go forth into all the world.

THE WORD – This photo of Mitch Englehart* (left) and one of his main church-planting partners, Manoj, was one of the IMB’s pictures of the year for 2014 See the rest at www IMB org IMB photo by Paul W Lee

t’s January, and another “polar vortex” appears to be descending upon our heartland homes Just a few days ago the temperature outside was flirting with 50 degrees But then yesterday was barely above freezing, and as I write now it’s 16 degrees, heading for a low of 6 tonight, with wind chill temperatures that will require those dreadful minus signs in front of them

So instead I’m choosing to think about next summer, and I encourage you to do so too Now, in the dead of winter, is a perfect time to start planning a summer missions experience

Your church may already have a plan for sending one or more groups on mission trips outside your own community this year Many churches in Illinois have adopted an Acts 1:8 strategy, and are seeking to send mission groups to serve nearby in their local association, as well as elsewhere in Illinois, North America and internationally modern day equivalents

“Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and of the Earth” mission fields t spoke of in His last words on ea

If your church doesn’t yet ha sion trip planned for this sum and especially if you have teenagers in your church, let me suggest one option where most of the planning has al-

The Chicago vortex

ready been done for you It’s called ChicaGO 2015, and it will be hosted July 26-31 on the campus of Judson University in Elgin You can find more detailed information on the IBSA website, or by calling or e-mailing Rachel Carter (217-391-3101 or Rachel Carter@IBSA org) Even if you only have two or three who can go, they will be quickly welcomed into the larger group

During ChicaGO 2015, your group will be housed on the Judson campus there in Elgin, but during the days you will explore one or more of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods or diverse suburbs Morning training sessions and evening worship experiences will allow you to meet some of the dynamic church planting missionaries that are seeking to advance the gospel in our nation’s third largest mission field And during the day you will work right alongside them, and alongside other students and adults from Illinois ches that share your heart for advancing the pel there herever you live in Illinois, ChicaGO 2015 is rel-

atively nearby, and affordable Planning and preparations for the week, such as meals and work projects, will have been done by IBSA before you get there Participants can be both students and adults, and the environment is one that’s safe, and yet that will open your group’s eyes to the vast and diverse lostness that is Chicago

You see, Chicago itself is a vortex, and not just in the winter A vortex is defined either as a “whirling mass,” or simply as “something overwhelming ” That’s why, when the frigid air from the Arctic Circle whirls its way down into Illinois, we feel the overwhelming brutality of its icy grip But there is also a whirling mass of people in Chicago that are in the icy grip of lostness Many have never heard the true gospel in a way they can understand, or from people that care enough to meet them where they are

That’s why now, this winter, right in the middle of our polar vortex, is an ideal time to plan a summer mission trip Perhaps you will join our church planters and me in the Chicago vortex next July Or perhaps your church has identified a different vortex of lostness or two to enter Last year more than 26,000 Illinois Baptists did It warms my heart just to think about it

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

Christians who read Kurt Eichenwald’s Dec 23 cover story might have been reminded of a well-known line from a comic strip:

“We have met the enemy, and he is us ”

The words, written by Pogo cartoonist Walt Kelly, weren’t about Bible-believers coming face to face with an article claiming to debunk some really famous stories But read through the Newsweek article, paying close to the pictures, and it might be difficult not to squirm in your seat or look over your shoulder

We have met the enemy or at least, we know who Newsweek thinks it is It’s us

As Southern Seminary President Al Mohler and others pointed out, the first few paragraphs of the article read like an attack “They wave their Bibles at passersby, screaming their condemnations of homosexuals,” Eichenwald writes “They fall on their knees, worshipping at the base of granite monuments to the Ten Commandments while demanding prayer in school ”

And those are just the first two sentences What follows is mostly about the Bible, but tinged with the same hostility toward Christians, which also has been pointed out by numerous leaders and scholars Mohler called it “one of the most irresponsible articles ever to appear in a journalistic guise ” Michael Kruger, president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, said Newsweek should give Eichenwald a “slap on the journalistic wrist ”

But even for those who can’t counter every one of the anti-Bible

arguments in the article or don’t care to debate its journalistic merits, if you can get past Eichenwald’s angry words, his piece can bring some valuable introspection Because as soon as you realize you’re his enemy, you scroll past a photo of a protest by members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church. Or controversial TV preacher Pat Robertson Eichenwald lumps all Christians together, like it or not What else would you expect from a non-Christian, one might ask? The better question is, What is this nonChristian asking of us? Near the end of the article, Eichenwald puts forth two pleas:

Christians, know the Bible, he writes (His stinging criticism suggests many of us “seem to read John Grisham novels with greater care” than God’s Word ) That’s good advice, even from a source that proved less than empathetic in his previous 8,500 words

“And embrace what modern Bible experts know to be the true sections of the New Testament,” Eichenwald writes “Jesus said, Don’t judge He condemned those who pointed out the faults of others while ignoring their own And he proclaimed, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself There is none other commandment greater than these ’”

To the Scriptures, we would say Amen, and we’re glad Eichenwald acknowledges some biblical teaching is worthy of embrace But there are plenty of modern scholars who believe the whole Bible is true He should talk to some of them next time

Countering Kurt Eichenwald

“ Eichenwald demonstrates absolutely no attempt to understand traditional Christian understandings of the Bible, nor ever to have spoken with the people he asserts ‘claim to revere [the Bible] but don’t read it ’ What follows is a reckless rant against the Bible and Christians who claim to base their faith upon its teachings ” –

Albert Mohler, president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky

“ Even more than just being factually wrong, Eichenwald seems completely unaware that he is engaging in his own moralistic diatribe the very thing he accuses Christians of doing Remember, he complains that Christians are like the ‘Pharisees’ always going around telling people they are wrong Yet now Eichenwald is doing exactly the same thing Why, then, is he not guilty of the very charge he levelled against Christians, namely ‘hate and condemnation’?

“Apparently only Christian moralizing is ‘hate’ whereas Eichenwald’s own moralizing is just fine ”

Michael Kruger, president, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, N C

“ Eichenwald might be surprised to learn that academically informed evangelicals agree with him on a number of issues Yes, the Bible needs to be read more and to be read better, even among the faithful, and yes, the Bible can be abused and misused The problem, they would humbly suggest, is that Eichenwald has not truly taken his own advice to heart His piece reads like someone trying to describe the landscape of North America after a firsttime visit to just one city ”

Justin Taylor, senior vice president and publisher for books, Crossway

Table Talk: Theology, ministry, and things that matter

Does Scripture address abortion?

The claim of some pro-choice groups that Scripture does not address abortion would have surprised both Jews and Christians living in the first century That’s because they were virtually unanimous that the Bible implicitly though clearly prohibited the killing of unborn children

Abortion advocates today tend either to deny this fact or remain gladly ignorant of it For example, Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, issued a “pastoral letter to patients” last spring stating, “Many people wrongly assume that all religious leaders disapprove of abortion The truth is that abortion is not even mentioned in the Scriptures Jewish or Christian and there are clergy and people of faith from all denominations who support women making this complex decision ”

that pregnant women over 40 should be required to have abortions

In contrast to pagan cultures, Judaism emphasized the value of unborn and pre-born life dating back at least to the time of Moses, when God’s people protected infant males from being slaughtered at birth as Pharaoh ordered (Exodus 1:15-21)

In fact, some scholars believe Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew boys “on the birthstool” (Exodus 1:16) was actually a command to commit partial birth abortion, with “birth stool” functioning as a Hebrew euphemism for “birth canal ”

child nor, again, commit infanticide ” Both of these documents were read aloud in some churches

When Spanish bishops convened a council in approximately 305 in the city of Elvira, they voted unanimously to decree eternal excommunication for women who had abortions a decision that reflected

dus 21:22-23, Calvin wrote, “The fetus, though enclosed in the womb of its mother, is already a human being, and it is almost a monstrous crime to rob it of the life which it has not yet begun to enjoy If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man’s house is his place of most secure refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a fetus in the womb before it has come to light ”

Of course, the Bible does not contain the direct commandment, “Thou shalt not have an abortion ” But based on passages like Psalm 139:1416, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Amos 1:13 and others, ancient Jews and Christians believed it was clear that God cared for the unborn and regarded abortion as a sin

Some may be surprised to learn that abortion existed more than 2,000 years ago, with surgical and chemical abortions performed in pagan cultures hundreds of years before Christ’s birth The Greeks were among the first Ancient Near Eastern people to permit abortion, with Plato arguing in “The Republic”

Either way, the Jewish culture of life was evident, and the Jews of Jesus’ time expressed their anti-abortion convictions The Jewish work Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides, written between 50 B C and A D 50, taught that “a woman should not destroy the unborn in her belly ” First Enoch, which was written in the first or second century B C , said it was evil to “smash the embryo in the womb ”

Josephus, a Jewish historian born in A.D. 37, summarized, “The Law orders all offspring to be brought up, and forbids women either to cause abortion or to make away with the fetus ”

Early Christians agreed The Didache, a first-century document that some church fathers argued should have been included in the New Testament, taught, “Thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born ” Another Christian writing considered for inclusion in the New Testament, the Epistle of Barnabas, said, “You shall not abort a

their just condemnation of the practice though it failed to reflect the biblical promise of forgiveness to post-abortive women who confess their sin and trust Christ as their Lord and Savior

“If a woman conceives in adultery and then has an abortion, she may not commune again…because she has sinned twice,” the council decreed

Among other early church leaders whose writings condemned abortion explicitly were Tertullian (c 150-c 229), Clement of Alexandria (c 153c 215), Basil of Caesarea (c 329379), Jerome (c 347-419) and John Chrysostom (c 349-407)

Perhaps one reason the New Testament writers did not address abortion was that they did not need to For the first 500 years of Christianity, there was a strong and practically unanimous consensus among believers that terminating a pregnancy violated Scripture’s doctrine of the sanctity of human life

A thousand years later, John Calvin demonstrated that the Christian tradition of opposing abortion was still alive and well Commenting on Exo-

In the strictest sense, abortion advocates are correct: The Bible does not speak explicitly to abortion But that should not leave believers in a state of moral confusion any more than the Bible’s failure to explicitly address money laundering or internet pornography. For more than 2,000 years, the Lord’s followers have extrapolated from biblical principles that some behaviors are obviously sinful The united witness of Jews and Christians regarding abortion is a case in point

Basil, Jerome, Chrysostom, Calvin and a host of other believers from every nation, tribe, people and tongue would scoff at the claim that Scripture is silent and that God’s people historically have been divided regarding abortion.

David Roach is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press; find them online at www BPNews net

David Roach

“For the first 500 years of Christianity, there was a strong and practically unanimous consensus among believers that terminating a pregnancy violated Scripture’s doctrine of the sanctity of human life ”

pray, repent to the Lord for our culture’s devaluation of human life in the womb, and for indifference or the lack of a prophetic voice from the Church Ask for leaders who will stand tall and speak truth in

Leaders question impact of Cuba diplomacy decision

Continued from page 1

unashamed about anything They had a boldness that we just don’t know anything about here in the United States ”

Still, there is the specter of oppression, said Kevin Carrothers, who traveled with Nelson to Cuba in 2006 He remembers noticing from Cuban people and visitors to the country that no one wanted to draw attention to themselves The stereotype most people apply to the Caribbean bright clothing, a festive, celebrative atmosphere didn’t hold water in Cuba, said the pastor of Rochester First Baptist Church

Their mission team saw people come to Christ, though, including one woman who stopped them by the side of the road to ask for a drink of water Nelson talked with her about the living water that Jesus offers; right there on the road, Carrothers said, she accepted Christ

After Obama’s announcement, leaders weighed in on whether the decision would help or hurt people in the coun-

try “This change is not going to help the Cuban people [under] a communist government in power for more than 50 years,” said Óscar J Fernández, a Tennessee minister who holds political asylum from Cuba “I will applaud if Cuba makes any concessions, but they are not [likely to do so],” he told Baptist Press

But David R. Lema, whose family left Cuba for Spain when he was 7, said “any normalization of political ties between Cuba and the U S , regardless of political implications or results, should prove beneficial for Christian work ”

“Travel for Americans going to Cuba would flow smoother and with less inconvenience anyone that has gone to Cuba knows what I am talking about here,” said Lema, director of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Center for the Americas in Miami “Churches and individuals will have more freedom to help the churches directly without having to worry about U S embargo violations ”

Carrothers said he didn’t know whether more mission teams will begin traveling to the Caribbean country “What I do know, and what I think the reality is, is that where the church has been oppressed, and the church has been persecuted, the gospel has flourished “And that certainly was the case in Cuba, the gospel was flourishing in the midst of oppression ”

FOLDED HANDS – Cuban children learn to pray during a weekly meeting held in the home of two ladies with a passion to evangelize children IMB photo

After a December 2013 trip to the island nation, former International Mission Board President Tom Elliff reported that Cuba is “home of one of the most remarkable chapters of God’s story anywhere on earth during the past few decades ”

“Adult believers can recall the day when fewer than 600 churches were scattered throughout the island nation,” he wrote in a column about the trip “Now, nearly 7,000 churches are tucked away in homes across the country and that’s in addition to more than 970 traditional churches There’s little doubt Cuban Baptists have been busy finding their place in God’s story, joining a global chorus of

Pastors support immigration reform

By Bob Smietana

Nashville, Tenn. | Many of the nation’s Protestant senior pastors want the U S government to mix justice with mercy when it comes to immigration reform, a LifeWay Research survey shows Most say it’s the government’s job to stop people from entering the country illegally They also support reform that includes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country And they believe Christians should help immigrants, no matter what their legal status

“This is one of many cases in which Christians can look at those around them and say, ‘I don’t agree with what got you to this place in life, but I will love you while you are here,’” said Scott McConnell, vice president of Nashville-based LifeWay Research

Of 1,000 Protestant senior pastors surveyed prior to the 2014 mid-term elections, 58% agree with the statement: “I am in favor of immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for those who are currently in the country illegally ” Among AfricanAmerican pastors, 80% agree, as do a 59% of white pastors

Also favoring a path to citizenship: 68% of mainline pastors and 54% of evangelical pastors Leaders of midsized churches are more likely to agree than those from small churches; 63% of pastors under age 45 favor a pathway, as do 55% of those ages 45-54

Help and responsibility

LifeWay Research also found pastors want to help their immigrant neighbors, no matter what their legal status Caring for immigrants can be “an opportunity to show people who Jesus is,” McConnell said.

Of Protestant senior pastors, 47% say their church currently helps immigrants

And 79% agree with the statement: “Christians have a responsibility to assist immigrants, even if they are in the country illegally ”

Pastors also want the government to do a better job preventing people from entering the country illegally: 87% agree that, “The U S government has the responsibility to stop illegal immigration ”

According to the survey, pastors in

the Midwest (38%) are less likely to agree than pastors in the South (89%) and West (90%) Pastors under age 45 are less likely to agree (82%)

“Justice, love, and mercy are all intrinsic to the Christian faith,” McConnell said “It appears pastors see

Christ-followers in one sacred effort to advance the Gospel among the nations ”

Nelson emphasized that only time will tell how Cuba’s new relationship with the United States will work out Things are still unstable for churches there, he said, “so let us not stop praying for the Lord to pour out his Spirit on the nation of Cuba ”

With reporting by Baptist Press

the need to end illegal immigration as an issue of justice They also want to show love and mercy while the legal problem is addressed ”

Bob Smietana is senior writer for LifeWay Christian Resources This article is excerpted from BPNews net

MESSENGER – Phil Nelson (left) shares Christ in a rural village in Cuba The pastor of Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale has visited the country 11 times

Youth Encounter decisions

Continued from page 1

unsaved kids to Youth Encounter this year,” said Chad Ozee, pastor of Journey Church in Bourbonnais and YE’s backstage manager

“And that’s the key If they just bring their core kids, then there aren’t people here that don’t know Christ, to hear that message, to have that net drawn ”

‘I’m changed now’

Jay Huddleston brought 19 students to Springfield, and all 19 made some kind of spiritual decision at Youth Encounter The pastor of Herrick Baptist Church said the group’s Bible study after the Monday evening session got so intense, the students didn’t even finish the pizza they’d ordered

Huddleston knows personally how Youth Encounter can change lives He answered God’s call to preach shortly after attending the event as a leader in 1996 He’d actually realized God was calling him years earlier, but still hadn’t responded But when some young women from his group came back from YE ready to surrender

session Mey went to YE last year, so he was more used to the event this year, he said What drew him to respond was what Gage said about only having so much time to respond to God

When asked if there are things he’ll do differently after his decision, Mey said, “I feel like I’m changed now ”

Arrested my soul

During his message in the first session, Gage told the story of how his own life changed when he was a football coach in his 20’s In the same vein as the Apostle Paul, Gage listed his religious qualifications:

“I was raised up in a Christian home I was raised up in Bible-believing churches My father, Freddie Gage, who preached the gospel for more than 50 years around the world, saw more than a million people come to know Christ I had a very godly mother I’ve been surrounded by great men of God all my life

“I mean, if anybody should have been a champion for God, it should have been me ”

But he wasn’t Gage told students how he had walked the aisle as a child, but repentance hadn’t taken root in his heart “For nearly 18 years of my life, I professed to be a Christian because of what I did when I was eight years of age And on top of that, my father ’s Freddie Gage And I did OK for a while, until I learned how to do bad ”

The only thing that set him apart from his classmates and teammates, Gage said, was his presence at church on Sunday until he went away to college Drifting farther from God, he finally found himself at a church service where a family friend preached on repentance

“And God used that service and that message that night to reveal to my heart and my mind that I had never truly repented of my sin,” Gage told students “And when the invitation time was given there that night the Holy Spirit of God that night arrested my soul ”

In their own words

Memorable lyrics from YE’s musical guests

“The only way to shine like a star is to realize whose you are ” – Singer V.Rose, “Not So Average”

their lives to God’s purposes, he knew he had to make a decision of his own

“The girls were standing up there talking about how they were going to make a commitment and give their life to Christ, and I’m running.” He pastored two churches before coming to Herrick Baptist, where he has been for nine years

One of the students he brought this year was 15-year-old Michael Mey, who made a decision to trust Christ during that Monday evening

At Youth Encounter 2014, hundreds heard a similar message and responded Standing near the stage on the conference’s last day, one young man asked if the group going backstage after the invitation was going for the same reason he had the day before, to repent With confidence, he said, “I did that yesterday ”

In 2015, Youth Encounter moves to three regional events, each held on Columbus Day Weekend, October 11-12 For more information, watch www IBSA org/students

Disciples Leaders Groups

February 20-21

IBSA Building, Springfield

For youth ministry leaders, church staff, and students who are leaders

“We were made for such a time as this, when every knee will bow and tongue confess Jesus Christ for who He really is ” – Band The Neverclaim, “Revival”

Kids event launches new training strategy

S p r i n g f i e l d | IBSA’s Kids Ministry Resource Conference kicked off a series of events designed to train church leaders in specific ministry areas

Over the next few months, the newly formed Church Resources team will host conferences on worship, student ministry, evangelism and women’s ministry

The Oct 24-25 conference on kids’ ministry was representative of how Mark Emerson, associate executive director for Church Resources, and his team are focusing on specific, in-depth training for ministry affinity groups In large-group sessions and 17 breakouts, kids ministry experts shared their best practices, suggested resources and up-

coming events, and talked about how to minister to children who are in their spiritual formative years

The Kids Ministry conference also served as a kick-off for several kidfocused opportunities, including a series of webinars designed to help leaders put in place their children’s ministry plan for 2015 For more information about the webinars and other upcoming opportunities, go to www IBSA org/kids

More Resource events are scheduled for January and February For more on the Jan 31 Church Technology Conference, go to www IBSA org/worship For information on the IBSA Student Resource Conference, Feb 20-21, see the ad at left or go to www IBSA org/ students.

PRAYER CIRCLE – Students met with counselors after each session to talk about spiritual decisions they felt led to make

“I’m never going to run, I am truly convinced, that Your ways are better, I’m not on the fence ” – Rapper FLAME, “Surrender”

Photos by Meredith Flynn and Brooke Kicklighter

CHILDREN’S CHOIR – FBC Petersburg leads in worship

PEOPLE & CHURCHES

In Memory

Retired pastor William Roan, 76, of Hidalgo, died December 22 During his ministry, he pastored Prairie Grove and Prior Grove Baptist Churches, as well as First Baptist in Bogota and in Toledo Roan is survived by his wife of 53 years, Evelyn; daughters Lori and Lisa; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter Bob Whittington, 79, of Olney, died December 13 An agriculture teacher for 27 years, Whittington also served 12 years as a missionary with the International Mission Board in several locations, including Africa, Guatemala and Mexico He and his wife, Carol, who preceded him in death in 2011, were charter members of Illinois Campers on Mission

Resources

Hymnals: 18 Baptist Hymnals, 1991 ed , cream, very good condition Call (217) 273-3904

IBSA’s

zone strategy adds three new consultants

S p r i n g f i e l d | A pastor, worship and discipleship minister, and a long-time director of missions are the newest zone consultants working with local associations in Illinois Jack Lucas, Larry Rhodes, and Joe Gardner joined the IBSA staff January 1 in part-time roles; each will work in regions where they have years of ministry experience

Lucas, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Mt Vernon, will serve Zone 9 in southern Illinois. “There is a good diversity of churches in zone 9 that will allow for partnering not only between IBSA and the local church, but also partnering between the local churches themselves,” he said

“I am excited to be a part of helping to facilitate church strengthening and growth as well as church planting right in my own home area ”

Rhodes also will serve in a familiar zone after completing 22 years of service at First Baptist Church in Bethalto His Zone 8 includes Gateway and Metro East Associations

“I’m excited about the opportunity to develop relationships with the pastors, staff members, and churches, be

Illinois Baptist Reader Survey

We value you and want to know how we can continue to provide content that is helpful for your church and personal ministry Please complete this survey and mail it back to us at Illinois Baptist State Association, Attn: IB Reader Survey, P O Box 19247, Springfield, IL 62794-9247; or fill this survey out online at www.IBSA.org/IllinoisBaptist.

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an ambassador for IBSA, and assist and serve the churches of Zone 8 as together we strive to share the gospel and make and mature disciples for the Lord,” Rhodes said

In Zone 5, Gardner will work with churches in a region where he has served both as a pastor and as director of missions for the Metro Peoria Baptist Association

“I am grateful for the opportunity

The Lord has given me to help strengthen churches and build His Kingdom in Illinois,” said Gardner, who pastored churches in Ashmore and Washington before becoming DOM in 1997

IBSA’s zone consultants are led by Pat Pajak, associate executive director for the new Church Consulting team Contact him at PatPajak@IBSA org

Which of the following do you read:

Rarely Sometimes Often

Nate Adams’ column

Reporter’s Notebook

Voices column

Table Talk column

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B-101: Basics for Baptists

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IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams (left) presented Don Pease with the state association’s 2014 Bivocational Pastor of the Year Award on Dec 21 Pease, pictured here with his wife, Sally, pastors Hopewell Baptist Church just south of Pana

Don Pease is bivo pastor of the year

Gardner

Rhodes

h o

A s e r i e s f r o m t h e I l l i n o i s B a p t i s t • V o l

M i s s i o n a r i e s s e e G o d w o r k a m o n g u n c h u r c h e d

b l o g g e d

t r a d i t i o n , ”

t h e a t t e n t i o n o f a n I l l i n o i s c o u p l e w h o v i s i t e d I t a l y o n t h e i r w e d d i n g a n n i v e r s a r y . C h a r l e s a n d C a n d i C a m p b e l l a s s e m b l e a s m a l l g r o u p e v e r y m o n t h t o p r a y f o r t h e c o u nt r y a n d l e a r n a b o u t h o w t h e y c a n s e r v e t h e m i s s i o n a r i e s t h e r e . I t a l y “ o b v i o u s l y h a s a r i c h a n d l o n g r el i g i o u s

C h a r l e s , a n I B S A c h u r c h p l a n t i n g d i r e c t o r a n d m e m b e r o f D e l t a C h u r c h i n S p r i n g f i e l d , “ b u t s o m ew h e r e a l o n g t h e w a y t h a t r i c h h e ri t a g e h a s t u r n e d i n t o s o m e t h i n g t h a t l o o k s v e r y d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h a t i s i n t h e B i b l e ”

A t b e s t , r e l i g i o n “ i s s i m p l y p a r t o f t h e i r c u l t u r e a n d t h e a v e r a g e I t a l i a n d o e s n ’ t h a v e a n u n d e rs t a n d i n g o f w h a t a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h J e s u s C h r i s t l o o k s l i k e . K n o w i n g t h i s h a s b u r d e n e d o u r h e a r t s f o r t h e p e o p l e o f t h i s b e a u t i f u l l a n d ” G o d i s a t w o r k i n E u r o p e , F o r d t o l d a r e c e n t g a t he r i n g o f I l l i n o i s B a p t i s t s w h i l e a t h o m e o n s t a t e s i d e a s s i g n m e n t . T h e w e e k h e a r r i v e d i n S p a i n , h e m e t a c o u p l e w h o w o u l d b e c o m e v e r y c l o s e w i t h h i s f a m i l y O n e y e a r l a t e r, t h e c o u p l e c a m e t o k n o w C h r i s t . T w o y e a r s l a t e r, t h e y ’ r e n o w w o r s h i p l e a d e r s “ G o d i s f a i t h f u l t o g i v e u s b e s t f r i e n d s i n a n e w a r e a , t o s a v e t h e m , a n d t o c a l l t h e m i n t o m i n i s t r y , ” F o r d s a i d . “ W e s e r v e a g o o d G o d , d o w e n o t ? ”

A t a t y p i c a l B i b l e s t u d y i n I l l i n o i s , s a i d R u s t y F o r d , y o u g e t e x c i t e d i f y o u h a v e t h e o pp o r t u n i t y t o s h a r e t h e g o s p e l w i t h o n e p e r s o n w h o d o e s n ’ t y e t k n o w C h r i s t I n S p a i n , t h e a u d i e n c e i s d i ff e r e n t F o r d , a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l M i s s i o n B o a r d m i s s i o n a r y , s a i d a t a B i b l e s t u d y m e e t i n g i n S e v i l l e , t h e g r o u p i n c l u d e d a t h e i s t s , p e o p l e f r o m a C a t h o l i c b a c k g r o u n d , t w o w o m e n i n a s a m es e x r e l a t i o ns h i p , a n d a m a n w h o h a d j u s t t h e w e e k b e f o r e c o m m i t t e d a d u l t e r y . “ H o w i n t h e w o r l d d o y o u g e t a g r o u p l i k e t h a t t o s t u d y t h e B i b l e ? ” F o r d a s k e d “ I d o n ’ t . G o d d o e s . ” F o r d w a s a s s o c i a t e p a s t o r o f P o n t o o n B a p t i s t C h u r c h i n G r a n i t e C i t y b e f o r e h e a n d h i s f a m i l y r e l oc a t e d t o S p a i n . T h e F o r d s s e r v e i n a c o u n t r y w h e r e l e s s t h a n o n e p e r c e n t o f p e o p l e a r e e v a n g e l i c a l C h r i st i a n s , a n d t h e r e a r e 9 , 0 0 0 c i t i e s w i t h o u t a n e v a n g e l i c a l c h u r c h T h a t p i c t u r e i s r e f l e c t e d a c r o s s E u r o p e , w h e r e r e l ig i o n i s a h i s t o r i c a l c o r n e r s t o n e , b u t a v e r y s m a l l p e rc e n t a g e o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n h a s a p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h C h r i s t T h e I M B e s t i m a t e s n e a r l y 9 9 % o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n i n E u r o p e d o e s n o t k n o w H i m . A f e w y e a r s a g o , E u r o p e ’s s p i r i t u a l p l i g h t c a u g h t

T h i s i s a 2 0p a r t s t u d y o n t h e b a s i c b e l e f s a n d m i s s i o n s o f o u r d e n o m in a t i o n I t i s d e s i g n e d f o r n e w b e i e ve r s , n e w B a p t s t s , a n d t h o s e w h o w a n t a r e f r e s h e r C i p i t o u t o f t h e n e w s p a p e r, f o d i n t o a f o u rp a g e e a f e t , a n d s h a r e w i t h t h e p e o p l e w h o w o u d b e n e f i t f r o m t h e n f o r m at o n Y o u m i g h t e v e n l e a d a s t u d y

W e s e r v e i n

“ I t ’ s t i m e f o r t h e o f f e r i n g , ” t h e p a s t o r o f a c h u r c h i n P i t t s b u r g h t o d t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n , a n d t h e y u m p e d t o t h e i r f e e t a n d b e g a n a p p l a u d i n g a n d c h e e r i n g “ W e d o n ’ t g i v e u n t i i t h u r t s , ” h e e x p a n e d l a t e r, “ w e g i v e u n t i i t f e e s g o o d ” T h e p e p r a l y a t m o s p h e r e a s t h e o f f e r n g b u c k e t s w e r e p a s s e d w o u l d a t t e s t t h a t ’ s t r u e . I n t h a t c h u r c h , t h e p a s t o r m a d e m u c h o f P a u l ’ s a d m o n i t i o n t o t h e C o r i n t h i a n s t o g i v e “ c h e e r f u l y . ” T h e w o r d c o m e s f r o m t h e s a m e r o o t a s o u r E n g l i s h w o r d “ h l a r i o u s ” L a u g h t e r a s a r e s p o n s e t o g i v n g s t a n d s i n s t a r k c o n t r a s t t o t h e f a c e s n m o s t s e r v i c e s a s t h e p a t e g o e s b y A n d c o n s d e r t h e t i t h e , 1 0 % o f o n e s i n c o m e , c o m p a r e d t o t h e a c t u a l c h u r c h o f f e r n g s b y A m e r i c a n e v a n g e i c a l s o f 3 % o f t h e i r n c o m e S o u t h e r n B a p t i s t s s t l l t a l k a b o u t t h e t t h e , b u t i s i t j u s t t a l k ?

C l ip an d Sha re B10 1 w i t h Pasto r s Chu r c h s ta f f Discip les hip leade r s Miss ions leade r s New me m be r s L o o k f o r B1 0 1 i n e v e r y i s s u e !

B1 0 1 c a n b e u s e d f o r : • N e w m e m b e r s c l a s s e s • S t u d y o n m i s s i o n s i n I l l i n o i s a n d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d • E x p l o r a t i o n o f d o c t r i n e s i n T h e B a p t i s t F a i t h & M e s s a g e M a k e a s m a n y p h o t o c o p i e s a s y o u n e e d f o r s t u d y g r o u p s , c h u r c h m e m b e r s , a n d w o r s h i p a t t e n d e r s O r d o w n o a d t h e P D F s a t w w w . I B S A . o r g / B 1 0 1 . P r o d u c e d b y h e e d t o r s o f t h e l i n o s B a p t s t : E r c R e e d , M e r e d t h F l y n n L i s a S e r g e n t D e s i g n e d b y K r s K e l

E u r o p e R u s t y a n d J e n n i f e r F o r d ( w i t h t h e i r c h i l d r e n L e v i , H u d s o n a n d S c a r l e t t ) a r e w o r k i n g t o e s t a b l s h a n e w c h u r c h i n a S p a n s h c i t y t h a t h a s n o e v a n g e l c a c o n g r e g a t i o n W h a t a r e y o u d o i n g o n W e d n e s d a y n i g h t s ?

T h s i s t h e 1 5 t h i n o u r 2 0p a r t s e r e s . T h a t m e a n s m o r e t h a n h a l f t h e e s s a y s o n T h e B a p t s t F a t h & M e s s a g e a r e r e a d y f o r u s e i n a n e w m e m b e r s c a s s , s m a l g r o u p , o r d o ct r i n e s t u d y L o o k o n l n e a n d d o w nl o a d t h e s e t W e ’ v e b u n d l e d t h e m f o r e a s y p r n t i n g a n d d s t r i b u t i o n B y t h e w a y : I f y o u n e e d c o p i e s o f T h e B F & M ( 2 0 0 0 ) , t h e y c a n b e d o w n l o a d e d t o o , o r I B S A w l l p r o v i d e t h e m f o r y o u r n e w s t u d y g r o u p . L i s a S e r g e n t @ I B S A o r g

F o u n d a t i o n h e l p s B a p t i s t s i n v e s t i n t h e f u t u r e

S t e w a r d s h i p N a v i g a t o r, h e e n c o u ra g e s B a p t i s t s i n I l l i n o i s t o w a r d

C h r i s t i a n e s t a t e p l a n n i n g , s o t h a t t h e y ’ r e p l a n n i n g f o r g o o d s t e w a r ds h i p n o w a n d i n t h e f u t u r e .

A l o n g w i t h t h e b o n d p r o g r a m a n d e s t a t e p l a n n i n g , B F I a s s i s t s w i t h c h u r c h a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l i nv e s t i n g . M o r r o w a l s o h a s w a l k e d a l o n g s i d e s e v e r a l I l l i n o i s c h u r c h e s t h r o u g h c a p i t a l s t e w a r d s h i p c a mp a i g n s , i n c l u d i n g o n e r e c e n t l y c o m p l e t e d a t F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h i n C o l u m b i a B F I a l s o h e l p s I l l i n o i s B a p t i s t s i n v e s t i n t h e n e x t g e n e r a t i o n o f l e a d e r s t h r o u g h a n n u a l e d u c a t i o n a l s c h o l a r s h i p s . T h e a w a r d s a r e c r ea t e d w h e n a d o n o r g i v e s t o a n e xi s t i n g s c h o l a r s h i p e n d o w m e n t , o r e s t a b l i s h e s a n e w o n e L a s t y e a r, t h e F o u n d a t i o n a w a r d e d m o r e t h a n $ 7 6 , 0 0 0 t o 3 9 c o l l e g e a n d s e m in a r y s t u d e n t s . T h a t ’s m o n e y w e l l s p e n t , a n d p l a n s w e l l m a d e . F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e B a p t i s t F o u n d a t i o n o f I l l i n o i s , g o t o b a p t i s t f o u n d a t i o n i l o r g o r c a l l ( 2 1 7 ) 3 9 13 1 1 6 .

O I S I N S I G H T W h e n D e n n i s N o r t o n ’s c h u r c h n e e d e d a l o a n t o m a k e m u c hn e e d e d u p d a t e s t o t h e i r b u i l d i n g , h e t u r n e d t o t h e B a p t i s t F o u n d a t i o n o f I l l i n o i s , i n s t e a d o f a l o c a l b a n k . T h r o u g h B F I ’s b o n d p r o g r a m , F i r s t

B a p t i s t C h u r c h i n G i b s o n C i t y w a s a b l e t o q u i c k l y f u n d t h e i m p r o v em e n t s . I n f a c t , t h e c h u r c h ’s n e w p a r k i n g l o t w a s p o u r e d j u s t i n t i m e f o r w i n t e r w e a t h e r. “ P e o p l e c a n b e m i s s i o n a l t h r o u g h t h e B a p t i s t F o u n d a t i o n , p u r c h a s i n g t h e s e b o n d s , ” N o r t o n s a i d . “ A n d r a t h e r t h a n g i v i n g m y i n t e r e s t m o n e y t o a s e c u l a r e n t i t y , I w a n t e d i t t o s t a y f o c u s e d o n t h e

K i n g d o m p u r p o s e . ”

M a n y B a p t i s t s t a t e c o n v e n t i o n s , l i k e I B S A , h a v e a F o u n d a t i o n t h a t d o e s j u s t t h a t h e l p i n g p e o p l e s t a y f o c u s e d o n h o w G o d w o u l d h a v e t h e m s t e w a r d t h e i r r e s o u r c e s B F I ’s

b o n d p r o g r a m , w h i c h s t a r t e d i n

2 0 1 3 , i s “ B a p t i s t s h e l p i n g B a pt i s t s ” b u i l d n e w c h u r c h b u i l d i n g s o r m a k e s u b s t a n t i a l i m p r o v e m e n t s o n e x i s t i n g f a c i l i t i e s , s a i d B F I E xe c u t i v e D i r e c t o r D o u g M o r r o w

T h e b o n d p r o g r a m i s o n l y o n e w a y B F I e n c o u r a g e s b i b l i c a l m a na g e m e n t o f r e s o u r c e s . I n h i s r o l e ,

M o r r o w s p e a k s i n c h u r c h e s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e a b o u t p r i n c i p l e s o f w h a t h e c a l l s “ l i f e s t e w a r d s h i p ” “ I f w e ’ r e g o i n g t o b e c o n s i s t e n t a s C h r i s t i a n s , a n d h a v e a C h r i s t i a n w o r l d v i e w, w e ’ v e g o t t o h a v e s o m e e t h i c a l c o n s i s t e n c y b e t w e e n w h a t w e d o i n o u r l i f e t i m e , a n d w h a t w e d o a f t e r d e a t h , ” M o r r o w h a s s a i d .

T h r o u g h a t o o l c a l l e d t h e L i f e

P r a y : F o r e x i s t i n g c h u r c h e s t o p a r t n e r t o p l a n t m o r e c h u r c h e s i n t h s h g h l y p o p u l a t e d a r e a . m i s s i o n i l l i n o i s P r a y f o r a n e w c h u r c h

L o c a t i o n : C h a t h a m F o c u s : U r b a n c o m m u t e r f a m i l i e s

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s : C h a t h a m i s a c o m m u n i t y o f m o r e t h a n 3 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e , l o c a t e d u s t s o u t h o f S p r i n g f e l d

–F r o m t h e I B S A C h u r c h P a n n g T e a m

From the first “Let’s take a mission trip,” comment to the welcome-home exhaustion, you’ll be in awe at God’s powerful work through your church members Your church will never be the same! Here are 12 simple tips for planning a mission trip in 2015:

1. Partner. Send your mission team to help missionaries your SBC church already supports There are 10,000+ of them, and they need you! Whether you help a NAMB church planter in a Send City in North America or an IMB international missionary across the globe, they know the culture and the people, and they will follow up on your work after you’re gone.

2. Get started. You’ll find everything to set the trip in motion and guide you through the entire process at www NAMB net (for North America) or www IMB org (for international ) They’ll strategically partner you with a missionary Find more resources at your state convention office (or at www IBSA org), and www.wmu.org.

3. Include the church. For example, the women’s ministry might prepare a gift for the missionary, deacons could make witness bracelets, a third

January 24: All State Youth Choir

Auditions for students in grades 9-12

Where: Dorrisville, Harrisburg; Emmanuel, Lemont; Rochester, Springfield; auditions also may be submitted in MP3, CD, or video format

Web: Go to www.IBSA.org/Worship for audition instructions

January 31: Church Technology Conference

For staff and volunteer leaders

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield

When: 9 a m -2 p m

Cost: $10 per person, includes lunch

Contact: CathyWaters@IBSA org

February 20-21: Student Resource

Conference for paid and volunteer student ministry leaders, and students who are leaders

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield

Contact: CathyWaters@IBSA org

February 23, 24: Tax and Retirement Planning Seminar

Free seminar for pastors and church financial leaders; led by Rick Wells, GuideStone Financial Resources

Where: Feb 23 IBSA Building, Springfield; Feb 24 Emmanuel, Lemont

When: 9 a m to noon

Contact: AlexisDumire@IBSA org

February 28, March 6, 7, 28: VBS Clinics

Training in multiple ages and areas

Where: Feb 28 IBSA Building, Springfield; March 6 FBC Marion; March 7 Pleasant Hill, Mt Vernon; March 28 Uptown, Chicago

grade class could collect candies for kids there, the choir might record music for a project Share the blessing!

4. Prepare like crazy. A missionary friend once said, “There is no such thing as an over-prepared mission team ” The team meets regularly for serious preparations, team assignments, training, prayer, rehearsals, etc

5 Share research Assign team members a research topic related to the trip Schedule a couple of the brief reports at each planning meeting Encourage handouts Topics may include info about the missionary, community statistics, evangelistic needs, packing tips, city history, customs, families, schools, religions, weather, etc

6 Pray Never underestimate the power of prayer Create a prayer team to encourage the mission team Each person prays for a specific team member before and during the trip

7. Send them off well. Pray for the team during Sunday worship before they depart If driving, load vehicles the previous evening, and plan a brief prayer time with friends, family and prayer partners If flying, some prayer team members might wait at the airline check-in counter with a snack and

a hug for the team

8. Video check-in. If possible, allow the team to do a two-minute live feed, FaceTime or Skype with a small group or the church family Consider doing a daily web update

9 Welcome them home Assign a few folks to wait at the baggage claim with a welcome sign and balloons

10 Share a slideshow of photos in the church foyer for folks to enjoy afterward

11 Mission team debrief Gather as a team a week after return Reminisce Evaluate Share testimonies and photos Present funny awards Pray God’s continued blessings for that mission field

12 Start planning the next trip

Help share Jesus with our world in 2015 There’s nothing like a mission trip to reignite personal evangelism and Christian commitment Your church will never be the same!

“The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2)

© 2015 Diana Davis www dianadavis org

Help him stay on track

Q: My brother and I recently received an i n h e r i t a n c e a f t e r o u r m o m d i e d H e ’ s n e v e r b e e n v e ry g o o d wi t h m o n e y , s o I was proud of him when he used his portion to pay off his debts But then he went out and financed a van that I know he still c a n ’ t a f f o r d I ’ m a f r a i d h e ’ s f a l l i n g r i g h t back into the same old money problems, but I don’t know how to talk to him about it

A: I’ve learned, after years of writing books, doing a radio show and trying to educate folks about their finances, you can’t make people listen to you Even with what I do for a living, I don’t throw my opinion around unless someone asks I think you’re smart for realizing there are some boundaries here But there’s no reason you can’t create a situation where he can ask your opinion You might begin by talking about some of the mistakes you’ve made in the past This could help him connect with you, and feel more comfortable opening up about his own situation.

Once he realizes you haven’t repeated the same mistakes, and have a better life for it, he might just ask how you did it Then, the door is open!

When: Times vary; go to www IBSA org/kids for details

Contact: CathyWaters@IBSA org

March 9, 10, 16: Children’s Evangelism Conferences

Training for children’s workers and parents; locations TBA

Contact: TimSadler@IBSA org

March 20-21: Disaster Relief Training

Classes in chainsaw, food prep, mudout, childcare, chaplaincy, and more

Where: Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville Web: www IBSA org/DR

March 20-21: Rekindling the Call

A free retreat for IBSA pastors

Where: Lake Sallateeska Camp Web: www IBSA org/church health

March 20-21: Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat

“Dress for Success: It’s not about fashion; it’s about faith”

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield

Contact: CarmenHalsey@IBSA org

But you can’t become preachy every time someone does something dumb That will only hurt their feelings and cause them to tune you out completely

Reward her good choices

March 14: Children’s Ministry Day

Hands-on ministry projects for kids in grades 1-6

Where: Locations around the state; registration opens Jan 12 Web: www IBSA org/kids

March 27-28: Evangelism Resource Conference

Renew, refresh, and regenerate your pulpit ministry

Where: Tabernacle, Decatur Web: www IBSA org/Evangelism

Q: Our daughter wasn’t very responsible w i t h m o n e y u n t i l s h e r e a d y o u r b o o k s Now, she has really started turning her life around Recently, she learned she needs t o h a v e s o m e e x p e n s i v e d e n t a l w o r k d o n e S i n c e s h e j u s t s t a r t e d t r y i n g t o m a n a g e h e r m o n e y w e l l , s h e d o e s n ’ t have enough saved up for the procedure o r d e n t a l i n s u r a n c e r i g h t n o w D o y o u think we should help by loaning her the money?

A: I like what you’ve told me about your daughter She doesn’t need to worry about dental insurance though You almost never get back what you put into those policies It’s the kind of stuff a good emergency fund will cover If she has invested her time and money into what I teach, I’d say she’s pretty serious about getting her finances in order

If it were me, I’d make the money for dental work a gift, not a loan, for turning her financial life around In your description you never mentioned anything about your daughter being lazy or unwilling to work You talked about a young lady who’s just starting to build her life, and you’re rewarding smart choices I think that’s a great idea and will have a major positive impact!

Dave Ramsey is a prolific author and radio host

More ministr y ideas online www.Pinterest.com/IllinoisBaptist

Social Media Moms Trending

1/2

he number increases to

of moms feel pressure to create the image of a perfect life on social media

63%

53% have considered taking a social media break for their mental health

And it all starts very early:

of babies of Millennial moms (ages 18-34) have a social media account before they turn 1 37%

Potluck Blogger

Everybody gets their own!

Planning a Super Bowl party for your church or small group? Avoid messes by serving dips in single- serving, clear plastic cups Try it with this recipe for Layered Taco Dip:

Ingredients

Sour cream Guacamole (optional)

Salsa

Shredded cheese Black olives (optional)

To prepare: Layer beans, sour cream, guacamole (if using) and salsa in individual cups Top with shredded cheese and olives, if desired Refrigerate until serving with your favorite chips

– The-girl-who-ate-everything com, Dec 2011 Send your favorite recipes to MeredithFlynn@IBSA org

It’s

Prayer

RESOLUTION, OR REVOLUTION?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

– 2 Cor 5:17

Have you broken your New Year ’s resolution yet? Most of us probably did within the first week of 2015 A recent study of resolutions found that while 49% of Americans made them, only 8% were succeeding at keeping them for the whole year

But that dismal success rate doesn’t mean change isn’t needed As one year turns into another, it’s helpful to assess our current situation and consider new courses of action I need to see change in my life The church where I serve needs to see change Reaching the vast sea of spiritually lost people across our state requires change

As a follower of Christ, the power of God is available to me Therefore, I can do better than make resolutions seeking to change the external details of my life I need to seek a revolution in my life I need a transformation that begins within my heart and is unmistakable to those around me God is ready and able for this transformation Are we?

PRAYER PROMPT: Lord, help me to be more fully surrendered to the transforming power of your Holy Spirit

Odis Weaver is pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Plainfield and is currently serving as president of IBSA Pastors are invited to join the online “IBSA Pastors’ Prayer Room” by e-mailing oweaver7307@gmail com

Plan ahead for Super Bowl Outreach

If you can’t beat ‘em, feed ‘em Host a Super Bowl party and men’s chili cook-off Ask the guys to do the cooking, and give out prizes for the best chili and desserts At halftime, show an evangelistic video, like the “Heaven” video available at www.MyHopeWithBillyGraham.org.

For more ideas, check out the Spring 2015 issue of Resource magazine at http://resource IBSA org To subscribe, e-mail Communications@IBSA org

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE

Clip and save in a prayer journal, your Bible, or stick on the fridge

Missionaries: Kip & Barb Troeger

Planting: Village of Jerome Bible study, Springfield

Focusing on: Unchurched or “dechurched” families and individuals

Pray: For favor in the neighborhood, and effective ways to communicate God’s love with this new work

or far too long, we e seen what we can it is time for us to e what God can do is can only happen when we pray ”

President Ronnie Floyd