January 1, 2022 Illinois Baptist

Illinois Baptist

Pending

My personal winter of discontent

Overturning abortion seems possible this time

Pastors confront a season of violence

after tornadoes

Illinois aids Kentucky victims

Chaplains also respond quickly in Edwardsville

Midwest | On the December night 30 tornadoes raked across six states in the Midwest and South, a group of Illinois chaplains were among the first on scene at a felled warehouse in Edwardsville, where six people died. And barely a day later, Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers were at work in the worst hit areas in Kentucky that saw 77 people

perish around tiny, mostly obliterated Mayfield.

Over the next three weeks, more than 90 trained volunteers represented Illinois Baptists by working chainsaw crews, manning feeding stations, and providing spiritual care. “We’ll be there if we’re needed,” said IBDR state director Butch Porter. And they were needed.

Are you a tipping point person?

Here’s a better plan for college ministry

Heath Tibbetts P. 13

Meredith Flynn P. 16

Bryan Price & Nathan Carter P. 10

Nate Adams P. 2

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

Copy Editor - Leah Honnen

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) 391-3119 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

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The BIG Baptist family album

Illinois church planters

David Park and his wife, Catarina, are planting a new church, Gracepoint Chicago, and raising a young daughter. Pastor Park is eager to reach college age students for Christ.

Pray the news: Unborn and newborn

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers tighter abortion regulations in other states, Illinois continues to deregulate restrictions. Pray that God will move to prevent the expansion of abortion here, especially as women come from other states to terminate their pregnancies.

Cooperative Program offerings at work

Under new executive director Jeffrey Williams, Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis is expanding its ministry to children in the impoverished community with tutoring and activities to encourage educational development. IBSA is a partner with CAC.

Giving by IBSA churches as of 12/22/21 $5,481,040

Budget Goal: $5,961,550

Received to date in 2020: $5,153,831

2021Goal: $6.2 Million

NATE ADAMS

The middle group

Afew years ago, I served on a committee assessing the spiritual life dynamics among students at a particular Christian college. While our focus was on only one campus, many Christian colleges grapple with the question of what makes a college environment truly Christian, and how its leaders can best nurture and sustain a healthy spiritual environment alongside academic and extra-curricular priorities.

Some Christian colleges require a statement of faith as part of the application for admission, but the one my committee was assessing did not. So, one of the first questions we asked was simply, “What percentage of the students here are Christians?”

Surprisingly, we heard a variety of answers from different groups on campus. One group confidently said that an overwhelming majority of students were Christian. Another group used percentages like twothirds or three-fourths. But most of the students I spoke with said it was probably half and half. This made us wonder if there was a sort of “tugof-war” going on between the Christian and non-Christian students for the spiritual culture of the campus.

In discussing the question with the college staff who worked most directly with students, the chapel director offered an insight that I’ve not forgotten. He said it was probably more helpful to think of students’ level of spiritual commitment in three groups rather than two.

There certainly were students who had a vibrant, mature, life-directing Christian faith. There were also students who came to this Christian college without a faith commitment, primarily to play a sport or pursue a certain degree, or simply to appease their parents.

They’re the tipping point.

Those two groups, the chapel director said, could certainly be seen as different ends of a spectrum of spiritual life and commitment. But then, he said, “There’s this middle group. And they can make all the difference.”

His statement reminded me that I had been thinking of spiritual commitment in terms of the “sheep and goats” of Matthew 25 or the “wheat and chaff” of Luke 3. His analysis reminded me that there are also the “lukewarm” of Revelation 3.

I asked the chapel director what he meant by saying that the middle group made all the difference. He described them as “permission givers,” who either by their voice or their silence would determine which kinds of behaviors, words, or even attitudes were accepted, and which were not.

He also described the middle group as the “tipping point” of spiritual culture on campus. When they chose to live their Christian commitment, the overall culture tipped toward spiritual vibrancy and health. When they didn’t, it tipped toward spiritual regression or decline.

This experience is coming to mind for me as we begin a new year, because what was true for those college students is true for me too. I sometimes drift into the middle group.

When I allow my devotion to the Lord to fade, or when material or selfish priorities crowd ahead of my spiritual life, I not only hurt myself, but I also become the permission giver or the culture tipper for those around me. I become the one who hinders the spiritual life of whatever group I’m in, whether it’s my community, my workplace, my church, or even my family.

In the coming year, let’s recommit to being among the hot-hearted, freshly devoted, mature and sacrificial followers of Jesus. Let’s give others with that commitment permission to live their faith out loud with us. And let’s tip the culture of our families and our churches in that direction. In leaving the middle group, we can make all the difference.

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

From the front: tornadoes

Continued

In Edwardsville, trained chaplains arrived at the destroyed warehouse late Dec. 10, soon after the funnel cloud took out the middle section of Amazon’s fulfillment center while busy workers packed Christmas orders.

“We started getting contacts about needing counselors and helpers with family members who were waiting to find out whether their relatives were being evacuated from the Amazon building,” said Tracy Jaggers, Associational Mission Strategist at Gateway Association, himself a chaplain with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.

Pastor Chris Sedabres of Second Baptist Church in Granite City said the ministry team, which included pastors from Wood Ridge and five women from Granite City, responded immediately. They met with workers who were rescued from the collapsed structure and families of the workers who died there.

“Chaplains are there to offer the ministry of presence,” Sedabres said. “In that situation we need to listen and be led by the Spirit.” Their ministry that night was brief but important, concluding before dawn.

“Many people in this situation will have survivors’ remorse, wondering why others died but they escaped,” he said. Sedabres was away at the time of the tornado, but as a former Amazon employee at a facility across from the warehouse, he began calling former coworkers to ask about their wellbeing. Chaplains made plans for follow-up ministry to victims’ families during the holiday season.

Sedabres said the chaplains were trained by IBDR and were part of a First Responders support team that developed after the flood in Granite City in 2019. Some who ministered that night returned for a news conference on Dec. 13. Amazon managers and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker expressed gratitude for their service.

Meanwhile, IBDR volunteers were setting up in Benton Kentucky, near Mayfield. Chainsaw teams went to work clearing roadways and damaged property. Illinois workers also served at Incident Command, set up at Zion’s Cause Baptist Church.

The Illinois teams in Kentucky first were from Saline Association led by Joe Jackson and Dwight Pray, Franklin Association headed by Phillip Bullard, Williamson Association led by John Lindeman, and Ken Cummins from Sandwich.

Three IDBR units deployed from Kaskaskia Association led by Emil Nattier, Salem South Association with Roger Walker, and Greater Wabash Association under Harold Howell.

On the road again

Brent Cloyd, Associational Mission Strategist for Greater Wabash Association, made two trips to Kentucky.

“The churches of our association were generous in their efforts to help,” Cloyd told the Illinois Baptist. “I was able to deliver a pickup load of needed supplies and put several thousand dollars in gift cards into the hands of a fellow associational mission strategist that he and his pastors could distribute to those in need.”

After coming home to preach over the weekend, Cloyd returned to work as a chaplain and accessor. “I joined two others who were escorted by a county official to a location that had seen some of the severest damage,” he said. “What was once a beautiful subdivision on the lake was going to be bald knob by the water.”

Delivering aid sent by Baptists back in Illinois, Cloyd observed, “...our people understood ‘there but by the grace of God go I.’”

Southern Baptist Convention President Ed Litton and Send Relief President Bryant Wright with the North American Mission Board toured devastation in Bowling Green.

“The Gospel impact of relief is amazing because satisfying an immediate need helps to open the heart,” Litton told Baptist Press. “This is something we’re proud of as Southern Baptists, in the right sense, and we should be...This is our life together as Southern Baptists at its best,” Litton said. “Out here everyone knows we need each other from the associational, state level to the national level.”

Litton urged continued giving by Southern Baptists to support the volunteer relief ministry and storm victims. In Illinois, donations may be given through Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief. A link and explanation are on the state association website main page, IBSA.org.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is the third largest relief agency in the nation. IBDR has approximately 900 trained volunteers who specialize in storm and flood recovery, support for feeding and shower/laundry units, child care, and chaplaincy for spiritual and emotional support.

QUICK RESPONSE – Chaplains ministered to victims and families at the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville (left). Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined local officials later thanking all who assisted after the tornado.

HOPE – While several historic churches were destroyed, leaders hoped FBC Mayfield’s building could be salvaged.

Religion added to curriculum

Starting January 1, 286 new laws take effect in Illinois. One of them brings religious teaching to the classroom. Senate Bill 564 requires public schools to include in the American history curriculum teaching on contributions by adherents of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and other faith practices. Illinois is the first state in the nation to make such a requirement.

Photographer’s suit dismissed

A federal judge in New York threw out a lawsuit filed by a Christian wedding photographer who said the state’s non-discrimination laws forced her to serve same-sex couples. Emilee Carpenter sued the state for violating her First and 14th Amendment rights by requiring her to work “against her beliefs” or face numerous fines. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a nonprofit legal firm that defended Carpenter, condemned the ruling.

In a similar case in Colorado, ADF is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule whether photographer and website designer Lori Smith can be forced to accept clients whose positions she opposes. ADF is an IBSA ministry partner.

Rooftop stance against violence

Chicago | A downstate legislator joined pastor Corey Brooks (pictured above, right) in a rooftop tent as a stand against gun violence. During the night, gunfire broke out.

“We were camping out in a tent at the end of this platform last night,” said State Senator Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). “At two o’clock in the morning we heard gunshots. These gunshots were less than a hundred yards over. I’m laying there thinking, okay that surely was something else. About fifteen minutes later I heard a female voice screaming ‘He’s been shot.’”

Bailey, who is a candidate for governor, said gun violence is not limited to Chicago. “It’s taking place in Champaign, Decatur, all over the state,” Bailey said. He called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to work with local non-profit organizations such as Brooks’s Project H.O.O.D. to end the violence.

Brooks, pastor of IBSA-member New Beginnings Church, first camped on a rooftop to urge demolition of a dilapidated motel

Sheriff keeps Bible verse

A North Carolina sheriff has refused to remove a large Bible verse from his office wall despite objections from Wisconsin-based foundation Freedom from Religion that it is “an unconstitutional religious display.” The verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

“The verse is one of my favorite Bible verses,” said Sheriff Jody Greene, “and it seemed fitting for all the adversity I have had to endure.”

– WMAQ, USA Today, Christian Post

Get breaking news in The Briefing online, posted every Tuesday at www.ib2news.org.

that was a center of crime in the area.

Brooks climbed on the roof Nov. 20 for an anticipated 100-day stint. This time he wants to raise funds to establish a community center on “O block,” named by gang members for a young man who was shot and killed there. His name began with O.

“Now, here we are ten years later,” Brooks said. “We’re not trying to tear anything down, we’re trying to build something up, and we’re here on this rooftop because we’re trying to bring attention and awareness to violence, and we’re trying to invite everyone that we possibly can.”

– info from WHOI and Prairie State Wire

Churches exempt in city mandate

Chicago | A requirement that many public venues in Chicago check the vaccination status of patrons ages 5 and older started January 3, but it does not include churches. Airports and office buildings are also exempt, but many dining, entertainment, and recreation venues will require customers to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19. Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot cited the rising cases of Covid resulting from the Omicron variant. “The last thing

in the world that I want to do is...announce that we’re shutting our city back down. That would be devastating,” Lightfoot said. “But again, it really depends on the unvaccinated.”

Churches gathering for worship were excluded from the requirement. People with religious objections to vaccination will be required to show a negative Covid test instead of a vaccination card at the mandated public venues.

– info from Chicago Tribune

Former pastor pleads not guilty on four counts

Decatur | Former pastor Joseph M. Krol pled not guilty to a charge of grooming a minor. His plea, entered Dec. 2., came six weeks after his arrest at his home in Dawson. Krol was pastor of Rochester First Baptist Church at the time, but the charge was in connection with his ministry at Galilee Baptist Church in Macon County.

Krol was accused of encouraging a minor to engage in sex-related activities in a series of texts that began in July, about the time he left the Macon County church to accept the pastorate in Rochester.

Rochester First Baptist Church suspended Krol as pastor immediately after his arrest on Oct. 15. Then, within a week, the congregation voted to terminate his employment.

Krol also pleaded not guilty to three charges in addition to grooming, including obstruction of justice. His next court appearance is scheduled Jan. 7.

Krol’s wife is employed by the Illinois Baptist State Association.

IBSA has made resources available to both churches as they have sought to minister in light of the charges.

IBSA continues to urge all Illinois Baptist churches to screen potential volunteers and staff in accordance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services guidelines and the background check system offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In addition, IBSA informs churches about the Illinois mandatory reporting regulations through online resources and in-person training sessions. Messengers to the Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting made protection of vulnerable people a top priority in 2019, at the same time the Southern Baptist Convention adopted similar measures. Procedures for screening of church employees and volunteers that revealed previous convictions were already in place at the time.

The SBC added encouraging the sharing of information about credible accusations among its churches to its procedures, with a heightened emphasis on acknowledgement of victims and ministry to them.

– Photo from BlueRoomStream.com Twitter feed

– Photo from Facebook

Spring legislative session begins

Illinois Right-to-Life points out bills to follow

Springfield | As the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly opens, lawmakers will be filing many bills for consideration, sometimes up to 5,000. Illinois Right-to-Life points to three bills already filed that merit attention as the legislature considers action on them. The follow ing excerpt is from the IRL newsletter.

HB 4146 creates The Expanding Abortion Services Act. This is meant to play off the recent Texas law that allows civil suits to be filed by most persons against any person in violation of the Texas law, that prohibits abortions after a heartbeat of an unborn child. HB 4146 would allow persons to file civil suits against anyone who abets a sexual assault or domestic abuse or causes an unintended pregnancy, regardless of circumstances.

Half of the $10,000 award for winning the lawsuit would go to a fund to “pay the costs of abortions for pregnant persons who travel to Illinois from states that prohibit abortions for the purpose of obtaining access to abortions in Illinois.”

HB 4221 creates the Pregnancy Center Disclosure Act. Requires crisis pregnancy centers (women’s resource centers) to

state in any print and digital advertising materials, “This facility is not licensed as a medical facility by Illinois and has no licensed medical providers who provide or directly supervise the provision of services.”

Also requires that in any county where more than 10% of the overall population speaks a language other than English at home, the notice distributed on-site shall also be provided in such other language.

HB 4247 creates the Public Higher Education Act. The bill includes provisions requiring each public institution of higher education to make emergency contraception available for purchase through at least one vending machine located on each campus under its jurisdiction. (The bill) defines “emergency contraception” (and) sets forth minimum requirements concerning the packaging, storage, cost, and dispensing of the emergency contraception.

In addition to these bills, IRL reports Speaker of the House Chris Welch will allow bills introduced last year to go directly to committee, so additional legislation limiting pro-life positions maybe expected.

Betting expands to college sports

Temporary measure will last one year

Springfield | A bill signed by the governor in late December expands gambling in Illinois to include college sports, for at least a year. See other changes below in yellow highlights.. House Bill 3136 allows in-person betting on state college sports teams. Lawmakers who advocated its passage cited additional revenues as a way to shore up strained state budgets.

By the end of September 2021, Illinois had $6.4 billion in handle according to playusa.com. The term “in handle” references the total amount of money bet or wagered. This generated $508 million in revenue for the state.

“We know from past experience that gaming does not enhance a community; it hurts a community,” Rains, the pastor of Quincy First Southern Baptist Church, said. “It causes children to go hungry, it hurts husbands and wives, it bankrupts businesses.”

He cited two examples of local familyowned businesses in his western Illinois community that closed due gambling addictions. “Folks view gambling as harmless, but it is a harmful vice. That’s the reality of gambling,” Rains said.

Jones leads Communications

Illinois native Ben Jones was promoted to Team Leader for IBSA Communications in December. He has served two years as Leadership Development Director, and before that was an IBSA Zone Consultant.

Jones is a native of West Frankfort. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University, and both Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to IBSA, Jones taught Theology and Greek Grammar at Liberty. He pastored Summersville Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, and served as Pastor of Discipleship and Education at Ten Mile Baptist Church in McLeansboro.

“Serving Illinois Baptists as part of the IBSA team has been a joy,” Jones said. “I am excited to take on the challenge of this new role where I get to work with an amazing team to tell the stories of Christ at work in his churches!” Jones and his wife, Emily, have two sons, Will and Luke. They are members of Western Oaks Baptist Church in Springfield.

Pitman heads Send Network

Las Vegas pastor Vance Pitman will lead the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) church planting efforts as the new president of Send Network. “I’ve been part of Send Network since its inception, but I’ve been part of it on the field as a church planter, a pastor, and a Sending Church. Now I get to be part of it from a different vantage point,” Pitman said.

Pitman founded Hope Church in 2000. Under his leadership, Hope has played a part in planting more than 70 new churches and sent out more than 300 members to help.

“I want to take what the Lord has allowed us to be able to do at Hope Church and help be part of raising up the next generation church planters and pastors across North America,” Pitman said.

Pitman will begin March 1. He succeeds Dhati Lewis who left to start BLVD, a church planting project focusing on young leaders in the urban context.

– excerpted from Baptist Press

Compassion nets salvations

In the first nine months of 2021, the state generated $78,292,379 in taxes from sports betting alone. Gambling is big business in Illinois, and it’s about to get bigger. But not everyone is pleased with the expansion.

Illinois pastor and long-time gambling opponent Tom Rains said he “understands where the state and cities are coming from” by enacting new forms of gambling to fund their budgets. But “it’s not the right way to do it. Adding another piece of legislation allowing additional gambling will not help residents of Illinois, it will hurt them.”

When Rains and his family moved to the Quincy area 25 years ago, he likened it to Bedford Falls in the film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” “Since gaming has come in, we see it evolving into Pottersville,” Rains said. “It’s not only my sentiment, but when I talk to other pastors, they see it too.”

HB 3136 will allow in-person-only bets on the final score of Illinois college games. Bets cannot be based on an individual athlete’s performance. The bill is provisional, meaning it takes effect immediately and runs through July 1, 2023.

Rains said he doesn’t have an answer to the gambling problems in the state, but “I know nothing that’s positive on the subject and I view what it does on a regular basis.”

Former Illinois pastor and now Send Relief national project director Sammy Simmons posted a joyous message on Facebook as the New Year began:

“37,000 new lives in Christ! Send Relief saw 37,000+ people put their faith in Christ in 2021 as a result of compassion projects. Compassion ministry opens doors to the gospel & expands the kingdom. Amen!”

Send Relief is the compassion ministries arm of the North American Mission Board. It includes Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, which coordinates state conventions’ response to natural disasters. Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief is a partner.

VANCE PITMAN

BEN JONES

SAMMY SIMMONS

Choirs still sing despite music publishers’ finale

When its closure was announced last month, Brentwood Benson became the latest in a line of major church music publishing houses closing their doors. Last year saw the bankruptcy of Lorenz Corp., which had purchased choral giant Word Music in 2017. Then a few months ago, Lifeway released its last box of new choral offerings for churches.

Longtime worship leader Kirk Kirkland, who also has worked as an arranger and recording vocalist for both Lifeway and Brentwood Benson, said the closures are a blow for small churches. “For that to go away, I know, is going to impact the church. Where are they going to get what they need?”

A blow perhaps for churches that still have choirs. Fewer than half had choirs as of 2012. A decade later, the numbers are far smaller. And Covid sidelined most of those groups, at least for a season.

Yet, some churches still find a role for large groups of volunteers singing every Sunday, sometimes in addition to their smaller worship team.

Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur restarted their choir after several years using only a worship team. Incoming worship leader Chris Gregg took on the challenge “in response to understanding the DNA of our church and its people. Tabernacle has a rich history of using choir and orchestra in worship and many in the church were looking to serve in that capacity again.”

Gregg’s approach was to make the “large-group worship team,” as some churches are calling their choirs now, multigenerational.

“Many congregations need ‘permission’ to worship, to connect with someone from their peer group that is giving their hearts in song. When Tabernacle sees three generations of a family praising the Lord and singing, all our people–from kids and youth to senior adults–can now ease into being a part of something bigger than themselves,” Gregg said.

“The choir and orchestra allow us to avoid focusing on one specific person as we worship the One who deserves all the attention.”

As for resources, given the closure of major publishing houses, Gregg is not worried. Arrangers were moving to online delivery before the demise of “sheet music.” “Most of them knew that it was coming and have started to create other avenues for their music to get distributed,” Gregg said.

Daniel Semsen is one of a handful of smaller, independent publishers attempting to fill the void. He and his wife, Christy, created new products for Word Music until Word’s parent company filed for bankruptcy last year. Semsen,

worship leader at Village Church in Burbank, Calif., knew that churches would still need the products these companies offer, so he started Semsen Music, a digital-only publishing house, where churches can download and print their own copies.

“We need new music,” Semsen said. “We don’t want to just get it from Praisecharts or use old music. We want well-crafted music that fits a certain purpose.

“We love the choir so much” he said. “We don’t want it to go away.”

– By Baptist Press and Illinois Baptist staff

Sowell

IN FOCUS

Maybe this time

What will happen if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade?

BY LISA MISNER

“We cannot change what we’re not willing to confront. We have to do everything in love and have a gentle spirit.” That’s the only way Christians can end abortion according to Angela Michael, Executive Director of Small Victories Pregnancy Outreach. But Michael, like many prolife advocates, is waiting for a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that could overturn the key court case that legalized abortion almost 40 years ago.

The outcome of that case, and a couple of others, may also determine whether Illinois remains an abortion destination for women from other states that have effectively limited the procedure with what is sometimes called “heartbeat legislation,” like the Mississippi law under scrutiny.

Heights. The clinics are located across the river from St. Louis where some of the women she meets come from, along with other parts of Missouri, the Midwest, South, and states beyond. She’s been doing sidewalk counseling and providing ultrasounds for women considering abortion using a portable unit inside a small RV for almost 29 years.

The need for her life-saving work isn’t over, yet.

How we got here

ANGELA MICHAEL

Michael, who is also a retired obstetrical nurse and certified sonographer, is on the frontlines daily outside of Hope Abortion Clinic in Granite City and Planned Parenthood in Fairview

In 1973 the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in Roe v. Wade which made abortion legal in all 50 states and divided the nation into two camps—pro-life and pro-abortion. Since then, states with widely differing opinions have taken matters into their own hands, writing laws leading to cases brought from Texas and Mississippi that are now before the Court.

While Roe limited abortions to the first three months of pregnancy, the Court’s decision in

Abortion pros and cons

Protesters on both sides gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 2021, while inside justices took up the case of a Mississippi law forbidding abortion after 15 weeks. A ruling in this case may be the best opportunity to end widespread legalized abortion.

1992’s Casey v. Planned Parenthood linked the legality of abortion to the viability of the unborn child. The Court went further than Roe when it declared abortion to be a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment, limiting abortions only to the period when an unborn child’s life would not be viable outside the womb.

In the years since Casey, some states such as Illinois and New York have changed their laws to allow abortions up to the ninth month of pregnancy, while others have tried to eliminate abortion. Four states have just one abortion clinic each: North Dakota, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Missouri.

In December the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments against a Mississippi state law which limits abortions after the fifteenth week of pregnancy. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health put the question before the Court of whether all pre-viability bans on elective abortions are unconstitutional and has the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade

A live audio stream of the arguments was made available to the public. Many who heard it believe a majority of the judges are in favor of overturning Roe. And with the current conservative leaning of the bench, it seems more possible that ever.

But Michael, isn’t that certain. “It would be nice to see Roe go away, but I don’t see it,” she said. “We need to dig our heels in and fight even harder for these women and their babies.”

Michael believes it’s important that Christians “reach out to the women and love them too. It’s a little work, but we’re all supposed to be our brother’s keeper. If we just read the Bible, it’s all there.”

the state. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 37 other states still have some type of parental notice law in place.

Opponents of the bill said it would enable human traffickers and other sexual abusers by eliminating contact with parents or guardians.

who are unable to access a legal abortion would probably instead bear children.”

The remaining women would be expected to obtain the abortion pill or travel to obtain an abortion. That’s where Illinois comes into play in a big way.

The Guttmacher Institute predicts if the Court were to overturn Roe v Wade, in Illinois alone the increase in women ages 15-49 who may drive to the state to obtain an abortion could range from 100,000 to 8.9 million. They also predict an up to 8,651% increase in the number of women “who may drive to Illinois for abortion care.”

The numbers seem astronomical, but Illinois is one of the few states to “enshrine” abortion into law under the Roe v. Wade ruling even if the landmark case is limited or overturned. The state legislature in Vermont is preparing to do the same there, keeping abortion legal even if the high court eliminates the laws making it possible. If they can get away with it.

Another noteworthy action in late 2021: the Food and Drug Administration said it will eliminate the in-person medical visit required for dispensing pills that induce abortion. The requirement, lifted temporarily during the Covid pandemic, will be struck permanently. Two drugs that cause abortion may be dispensed online for women up to 10 weeks pregnant.

And, ironically, the Texas attorney who successfully argued the Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973, Sarah Weddington, died at the end of December, even as the Court considered limiting abortion in Texas to six weeks after conception.

The ban on abortions after 15 weeks is not as unusual as some abortion activists would portray. According to the Charlotte-Lozier Institute, 47 of 50 European nations and nation-states ban elective abortions or restrict them to 15 weeks or earlier. In fact, the United States is one of just seven countries that permits elective abortions after 20 weeks’ gestation.

The new Texas abortion law, heard by the Court this past November, limits abortions up to the seventh week of pregnancy. The Court allowed the law to remain in place, but did allow a narrow window for challenges, until it announces a decision in the case the spring.

The state of it all in Illinois

Over the last few years, lawmakers in Illinois have gutted any remaining pro-life laws in the state. The Reproductive Health Act went into effect in 2019. It requires private health insurance to offer abortion coverage even for religious employers who do not want to include it in their insurance benefits. An employer cannot offer pregnancy related care without offering abortion coverage: it’s all or nothing.

In the fall 2021 veto session, Illinois House Bill 370 (HB 370), called the Youth Health and Safety Act, was passed. It repealed the Parental Notification Act (PNA) which required women under the age of 18 to notify a parent, legal guardian, or grandparent at least 48 hours prior to an abortion. It didn’t require permission or approval be obtained before the minor received the abortion. PNA was the last remaining pro-life law left in

Amy Gehrke, spokesperson for Illinois Right to Life Action, expressed concern for the “rights of parents or the health and safety of minor girls” including those “at the mercy of human traffickers and sexual predators.”

“In Illinois, minor girls cannot get a body piercing, a tattoo, or even receive an aspirin without parental consent,” Gehrke said. “Enabling children to have abortions without their parents’ involvement is simply appalling.”

What churches can do

Should Roe be overturned, abortion proponents have begun trying to illicit fear in some women by claiming the indigent will go back to using coat hangers to induce abortions or seek “back alley” practitioners. But that isn’t realistic according to recent studies.

Legislatures in 22 states that already lean prolife are expected to move to ban or substantially restrict access to abortion if Roe were overturned or weakened. However, it’s anticipated some women would be able to travel out of state for the procedure.

The New York Times reported a study by Middlebury College, the University of California in San Francisco, and the Guttmacher Institute found without Roe “the number of legal abortions in the country would fall by at least 14%.” Research also suggested, “Roughly half of women

With spring rulings pending in two key abortion cases, and Illinois increasingly becoming a destination for women seeking abortion procedures, what can pro-life advocates do, especially churches? Prepare for new ministries.

Micheal suggests starting with the basics: “Ask for prayer. When you’ve got a group, God hears.”

She also recommends starting a sanctity of life group. “Don’t keep it in the building,” she said. “They need to be visible. Include women who regret their decision to have an abortion. Young ladies need to see them.”

A recent Lifeway survey revealed 43% of women who underwent an abortion said they were attending church monthly or more at the time. However, only 38% of women who’ve had an abortion said they consider the church a safe place to discuss pregnancy options such as “parenting, abortion, and adoption.”

Michael also said it’s important to “have on the spot answers for women. The abortion industry tells them Christians only care about their babies, that’s not true.” This would include information about where to find food, clothing, and shelter, along with where to receive mental health care and a myriad of other needs.

She also urged churches to support their local crisis pregnancy centers. “They need your encouragement.”

– from the Guttmacher Institute

Churches encouraged to ‘embrace grace’

Nationwide ministry assists single mothers and single fathers

BY DIANA CHANDLER

nmarried mother Lila DiBias was afraid and ashamed. She’d become pregnant just a month before the Covid-19 pandemic and hadn’t been able to attend church when she needed it most.

Her son, John, was 7 months old when she returned to Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. That’s when she learned of Embrace Grace, an international Christian ministry for single women facing unplanned motherhood and single men facing fatherhood.

DiBias found a friend in Fruit Cove’s Embrace Grace leader Windy Keene, a married mother who had been single and pregnant decades earlier at 17.

“She changed my life,” DiBias said of Keene, “and I truly wouldn’t be in the place that I’m in now if it weren’t for her, because she just showed me the grace of God, quite literally.

“The more she learned about me and my situation and my son, the more I learned about her and I realized how passionate she was about this group and helping the girls, and how big of a love for God that she had in wanting to tell us that he just wanted to love us with open arms, not just them and the leaders.”

Keene sees a responsibility for the church as a whole in responding to the needs of mothers as well as the unborn.

“As a church we are really great at being anti-abortion. Women are

abortion-minded because of life’s uncertainties or their situation. When they choose life, all of those fears and anxieties come to fruition,” Keene said. “As a church we have to make sure that we’re coming alongside them. We can’t just be pro-life; we have to be pro-love. And programs like Embrace Grace help the church to facilitate just that.”

Starting a pro-love movement

Embrace Grace cofounder and president Amy Ford understands the plight of unwed mothers. She has been married 23 years to her “high school sweetheart” Ryan, the father of the child the two considered aborting when Ford was 19.

At that time, abortion seemed a quick fix. She scheduled the abortion, went to the clinic and paid for the procedure. “When I went in and they were telling me how they were going to do the procedure, I ended up hyperventilating and passing out in the abortion room,” Ford said.

“One of the nurses said, ‘You’re too emotionally distraught to make this decision today. You can come back another day, but today you are not getting an abortion.’”

She and Ryan decided to keep their son, now 23-year-old Jess, and prepared for the disappointment they expected from their parents. “We decided to get married because we knew we wanted to get married someday, not necessarily in this

order, but we had decided to get married when I was 16 weeks pregnant.”

Ryan asked a pastor who earlier led him to the Lord to perform the ceremony, but the pastor refused, citing Ryan’s and Amy’s sin (He later apologized).

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh, we are such horrible people. We can’t even get married and be blessed.’” They found another pastor to perform the nuptials. Realizing the power of the church, Ford surmised how her experience might have been different had she consulted a church instead of an abortion clinic.

“But because no one ever really talked to me about this issue, plus with my own shame, it was the last place I wanted to go to.

“We want to change that, and we want the church to be one of the first places a girl runs to in that situation instead of the last, because of shame and guilt. So we (she and Ryan) started Embrace Grace.”

Ford calls Embrace Grace a “prolove movement.”

“We believe pro-life is a stance, it’s a belief system,” she said, “but pro-love is the action.... We have to be the church in this situation and welcome these girls in, and say we’re going to walk with you, and no single mom should have to walk alone.”

DiBias describes the unexpected open arms she experienced when she began attending Embrace Grace at Fruit Cove Baptist.

“The welcome arms I was received with was just overwhelming,” DiBias said. “I think more (pregnant girls) would be there if we didn’t feel so scared by the church...because you

can’t control what people are going to think or what they’re going to say.”

Women learn of Embrace Grace support groups through the Love Boxes the ministry leaves at pregnancy care centers for patients, and are sometimes referred through word-of-mouth. At least 454 pregnancy care centers have participated since Embrace Grace was founded, distributing the boxes featuring a letter of hope, a journal and such gifts as onesies and a motivational book featuring testimonies from other single mothers.

“It’s a really powerful curriculum. It’s not over their heads, but yet, we know that there’s healing that’s happening in their hearts... even their identity and their value and their worth in Jesus.”

How to start a group

Embrace Grace has 700 support groups in 49 states and 10 international countries. Embrace Legacy, the support group launched in March for men, has about 40 groups in the U.S.

To start a group, pastors sign an agreement form to conduct the ministry at church. Embrace Grace sends mentoring curriculum and digital training. The only costs to churches are printed materials and class accessories, with costs averaging $30 per participant in the average class size of five. If churches are unable to cover the costs, materials are provided at no charge.

Contact EmbraceGrace.org.

Diana Chandler is senior writer for Baptist Press.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER – When Amy Ford (second from right) was pregnant with her son Jess (left), she scheduled an abortion and even went to the appointment, but changed her mind. Jess is now 23, and here is the Ford family at his wedding rehearsal dinner.

GIFTS OF LIFE – Baby showers are one way Embrace Grace ministers to expectant mothers and their babies.

Sanctity of life extends to streets and sidewalks

Rising violence presents new challenges for pastors and preachers

(Editor’s note: With 797 murders in 2021, the homicide rate in Chicago is at its worst in more than 30 years. The violence including shootings and bystanders and children has created an atmosphere of fear.

We asked two Chicago-area pastors to take on this issue, and what the church can do in this troublesome environment. Nathan Carter is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church near downtown. Bryan Price is pastor of Love Fellowship Baptist Church in suburban Romeoville. Both men are IBSA Zone Consultants in Chicagoland.)

Nathan Carter: I remember visiting Cairo, Egypt, several years ago. Our hotel was guarded by men with machine guns. At a café I had a conversation with someone and told him I was from Chicago. He said he could never live there because it was too violent!

Church, doing enough to preserve the lives of people that God values?

I am certain what happened down the street from my church pales in comparison to what my brothers in the heart of the city deal with regularly. Still, whether one’s ministry is in the city or suburbs, the violence that pervades Chicagoland touches all of us. Based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:10, I believe the Church is called to share the burden of bringing some semblance of peace wherever violence persists.

What that looks like, I am not always sure.

Carter: I think a robust theology of the body that comes from doctrines like Creation, Incarnation, and Resurrection has to undergird all our pro-life positions and behavior. Our church tries to call people to faithful presence in a place—embodied embeddedness. Covid has not helped this. It’s easier to try to exist as disembodied souls in cyberspace, worked up about internet controversies, disengaged from real neighbors, and not rooted in one place.

Technology, if we’re not careful, can keep us from seeing other people as humans and this I think has to be a part of the uptick in inhumane violence in our city.

Price: I wholeheartedly agree that Covid has exacerbated personal disengagement, plunging us further into the depths of self-centeredness, self-absorption, and self-satisfaction. When one’s only concern is about oneself, how will that person see the God-given value in other people?

This is the core notion of the sanctity of human life, the understanding that every human being has intrinsic value in the eyes of God.

Whether a baby in the womb, the drug dealer on the corner, or the elderly person in the nursing home, God loves each one equally and calls us to do the same. And the church, as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” must champion this concept (1 Tim. 3:15).

in the living room of the parsonage surrounded by woods and a hunter’s slug came through the window.

Sadly, there really is no such thing as safety here. But because we have the hope of eternal life, we can lay down our lives to show that others’ lives matter.

Price: Though some places are safer than others, I agree, there is no such thing as complete safety. Whether one lives in the city, suburbs, or the sticks, as it were, the potential for violence is anywhere sinful human beings exist.

Sometimes I get the same reaction from friends and family who live in places like Cairo, Illinois. When I first moved to my current urban neighborhood over 16 years ago, I remember having the thought that I might be a martyr. And I have seen some crazy stuff over the years. But here I am, still living and ministering in this great city.

Br yan Price: Regarding the perception of Chicago, I have had similar experiences. And while Chicago is a world class city with so much good to offer, there is truth to what people hear.

This past summer a young man was shot and killed by another young man, both from the same suburban neighborhood. The incident took place just a short walk from the church where I pastor. We learned later that both boys, though not members of our church, had attended our Vacation Bible School consistently three years in a row while in their early teens.

I could not help but ask myself, and our church, what we could have done better to prevent such an awful occurrence? Are we, the

Carter: As we were writing this, a 71-year-old man was shot 22 times in the middle of the day in front of a school not too far from our church as he was walking to pick up a paper. Some of our members knew his family. He was the father-inlaw of a local pastor we know.

We prayed about this during our prayer meetings, and we make space in our services to do this every week. I bring realities like this into my sermons as they fit in my regular program of expository preaching (and they fit regularly!). But the main thing I do is encourage people to keep living here in order to be part of re-weaving the social fabric and try to model this kind of faithful presence.

I remind our people to keep loving their neighbors through their vocations and involvement in the neighborhood, and to keep being vocal with the gospel. I encourage them with the vision of the New City we’ve been promised (Zech. 8:4-5; Rev. 21-22). And I point them to God’s sovereignty.

One time one of our families was in their living room watching TV and a stray bullet came through the window and lodged in the back of the couch. That next week I was talking with another IBSA pastor who had previously served in a rural church. One night his family was sitting

And while a family with children—or an elderly couple–may move from one community to another in hopes of finding “safer” surroundings, to leave must not mean abandon.

Just because I do not live in a particular community or belong to a particular people group does not mean that I have no responsibility to care for that community or people group.

Our church takes this to heart by engaging in ministry both in our local community and in the city. In my preaching, I often remind God’s people that if we tout the sanctity of human life once a year, with a narrow view of a concept that covers a broad range of scenarios, then we have missed the mark.

I am glad to report that there are several IBSA churches north of Interstate 80, both in the city and suburbs, where the sanctity of human life is evident, not just by what they say, but by their actions.

Those churches feed hundreds of families each month because they believe in the sanctity of human life. They serve and support crisis pregnancy centers because they believe in the sanctity of human life. They collaborate with local police to end gun violence and human trafficking because they believe in the sanctity of human life.

I praise God for that.

I encourage people to keep living here to re-weave the social fabric and model faithful presence.

– Nathan Carter

I can’t help but ask if we, the Church, are doing enough to preserve the lives of people that God values.

– Bryan Price

Churches pursue vital campus partnerships

BY GRACE LILLPOP

would not be where I am today were it not for the people who discipled me when I was in college,” said Tyler Baggett, associate pastor at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, about the significance of college ministry when he was a student.

College students today need the support of other Christ-centered people now more than ever, he said.

“It is such a pivotal time in the lives of young people and you’re trying to figure out what your entire life will look like,” Baggett said, “As a Christian, you’re discerning God’s will in that process.” Baggett joined the Jacksonville church staff in 2019 and leads the college ministry. Since then, he has been learning the challenges and triumphs of mentoring young adults. “I think it is tough! Few students decide to join a church but are involved in a variety of ministries. It’s important that churches have a mindset of serving students no matter where or how they are involved.”

Ethan Williams is a student in the ministry Baggett leads. “One of the reasons I think many college students stop attending church is because they haven’t been properly instilled with the importance of being in a local church, so they put off finding one and it becomes a habit.”

Juggling a full-time sophomore-year schedule while maintaining good grades, friendships, and extra curriculars can feel overwhelming, Williams said. But a full schedule only increases the need for students to be involved in a community of believers.

“Attending a college ministry is a great way to meet people in your peer group who can become fast friends and fellow disciples, who, at the same time, are able to encourage you in your Christian walk,” Williams said.

Because students are only in college for a short period of time, that makes it difficult to strengthen those relationships long term. Baggett advises building on those connections

CAMPUS cont’d P. 12

MISSION

Great exchange

Grayville family uses extended student visits for the gospel

BY MONA L. WARRICK

(Editor’s note: This story is excerpted by permission from a southern Illinois publication, (618) Hometown Magazine. The Funkhousers serve in music ministry leadership at First Baptist Church of Grayville.)

Yellow school buses, sports uniforms, snow, and school lockers: What do these have in common? They top the list of things nearly every exchange student hopes to see (or experience) while studying in the United States.

“They don’t have these things in their home countries,” said Randy Funkhouser, who along with his wife, Belinda, has been hosting exchange students in their Grayville home for years.

“In our experience,” said Belinda, “they also love sweets, small schools, and being a part of such a big family.” In 2006, they hosted their first student, Gustavo. While they enjoyed the experience, the organization that placed

Gustavo failed to follow up with them. “We weren’t sure what to do,” said Belinda, “so, we didn’t pursue it.”

Years later, a chance meeting at the ballpark led to a renewed involvement with an exchange program. The couple’s granddaughter, Madi, struck up a conversation with an organizer for an exchange student program. Asked if she knew of anyone who might be interested in hosting an exchange student, Madi replied, “My Memaw and Poppy might.”

“I told (the organizer) we weren’t interested, but by the time we were finished talking with her, we had agreed to host two students,” said Belinda. Having raised three daughters of their own, the couple was excited to open their home, and their hearts, to more kids. Since 2012, they have shared their home with 27 exchange students.

“We’ve always had a special love for teenagers,” said Belinda. “From church youth groups to camp, we’ve always loved teens. This is a way for us to share

during those four years by focusing on topics that matter to the students.

“I think a lot of students are rightly concerned about and interested in justice and social issues,” he said. “Students want real answers and real assurance, not cliché phrases.” Navigating students through their own doubts and questions pertaining to their faith in the current culture is vital and necessary, Baggett said.

“We have a challenge to present absolute truth to a generation who doesn’t believe in absolute truth,” said Shelbie Kemnetz, campus multiplier for New City Church in Champaign. “However, when a student becomes convinced of the gospel, they will take it and run with it like never before.”

After a year’s experience in ministry with young adults, Kemnetz says she is a firm believer that students want a relationship with Jesus, even if they don’t know it yet. “They are trying to find their identity in temporary things that can be taken from them. When we present the gospel, we present to them a solid foundation in which they can find their identity.”

Finding a constant amidst the chaos in this fallen world is exactly what students are seeking, but often don’t know where to start. To this, Kemnetz suggests students give the church a chance to allow them to have a community to pour into them and help them grow in the way God has uniquely gifted them. And if that sounds like too much to start, she says the church should offer food. Students are often hungry.

our family and our love for Christ with these kids. We don’t force it on them, it’s just a way to plant the seed.”

“It’s very expensive for the students who come here,” said Randy. “We feed them and house them, but they pay for everything else.”

Students stay with their host families for either five or ten months, depending on the educational paths in their home countries.

Currently, the Funkhousers are hosting two girls. Giorgia is from Italy and will return home in January, and Paula from Spain will be here through the end of the school year. In December, they welcomed Niccolo from Italy for the second semester.

came and never left,” said Belinda.

“All of our students joke and ask us where they rank as far as being our favorites,” Randy said. “Cauê is quick to let them know he’s our number one favorite and everyone else ranks below him!”

At New City, she is witnessing the power of collegiate ministry and has seen that fruit multiply in just one year. “One student decided to follow Jesus in obedience through baptism and she is now going to be one of our key leaders on campus.” Kemnetz went on to share stories of gospel conversations happening in dorm rooms, and how students were so glad that they are a part of a church that is investing in them.

Covid put some of that ministry on hold. In Jacksonville, Baggett has worked despite some limitations. “We haven’t gotten the chance to have regular large group time with our students, but we have been able to have small group Bible studies, and those have been great.” He has been trying to make the experience for students as normal as possible. “We do a lot of partnering with Christian organizations on campus at Illinois College. We do our best to still support them and what they’re doing on campus.”

For the young adults he encounters, Baggett emphasizes the importance of joining a college ministry. “You were designed to be in community with other Christians who can encourage you and challenge you as you walk with the Lord. Get involved, be committed, and see how God will build on the work he has started in you.”

Grayce Lillpop, from Jacksonville, is a student at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. She recently interned with IBSA Communications.

Open doors for the gospel Church is very important to the Funkhousers. “If they share on their profile that they won’t attend church with us, we won’t even consider hosting them,” said Randy. “Half of the kids we’ve hosted had never set foot in a church until coming to stay with us. And about 80% have no background in religion whatsoever. We teach them that church isn’t about religion, it’s about a relationship with Jesus.”

The Funkhousers treat the students as family. “When they arrive, I tell the student, you are my daughter (or son) now,” said Randy. “And that’s how we treat them. They are our children while they are with us.”

One very special student, Cauê Ferreira, came to stay with the Funkhousers in 2013. After reading his profile and seeing his Facebook page, the Funkhousers were excited to welcome him. “He was the first student we took for 10 months,” said Randy. “We saw how active he was in his home church in Brazil. Once he arrived, we soon realized that he was one of a kind.”

After graduating from high school, Cauê returned to Brazil to apply for a visa which would allow him to return to Illinois for college,” said Randy. “He returned and stayed with us while attending Wabash Valley College.”

One day the Funkhouser’s granddaughter Madi mentioned to Belinda that she had a “crush” on Cauê. “I remember thinking that this could cause lots of problems if the crush wasn’t mutual,” said Belinda. It was mutual. Madi and Cauê married in 2017. “He’s the student who

Through their experiences, the Funkhousers have learned much about other countries and cultures. “We’ve learned that the Italian students are very familyoriented and are happy staying at home,” said Randy. “Japanese students are very thankful for everything and easily excited. It seems to take more to impress the Europeans.” Belinda added the Asian students are “very respectful of adults.” She said that all of the students, regardless of their home country, are “fascinated by how friendly people are here.”

The exchange students look forward to holidays. “Christmas in our home is very special,” said Belinda. “I’m known as ‘the keeper of the snowmen.’ Last year, our Italian student counted my collection of snowmen and found that I have more than 500!”

The Funkhousers keep in touch with many of their former students. “They love to be here, and we enjoy keeping in touch,” said Belinda. “We’ve also taken several trips to visit our kids in their home countries. It’s great to see where they live and visit with their families.”

Plans are in the works for a family reunion with their former students in November 2024, around the time the Funkhousers will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. “We’d like to think they want to come see us,” said Randy, “but this time frame coincides with the World Cup (soccer’s World Series) which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and St. Louis!”

“Our exchange students love being part of our big family,” said Belinda, “and we love sharing our family with them.” The Funkhousers say the main reason they host students is summed up in the words of their friend, Leon Talley. “Leon hit the nail on the head. You don’t go on the mission field, you bring the mission field to your home.”

– reprinted by permission. Photos supplied by (618) Hometown Magazine.

CAMPUS continued from page 11

EXCHANGE continued from page 11

27 AND COUNTING – The Funkhouser family of Grayville has welcomed 27 exchange students over the past decade, including the six on page 11.

GROWING

After graduating high school, I got promoted from the youth group to our college Sunday school class at church. It was called collegiate ministry, but really just felt like “youth group for young taxpayers.” The teaching didn’t deepen, there were no new opportunities, and I still felt like a kid.

Halfway through my freshman year in college I transitioned to a church focused on young adult ministry. It included both those in college and those who’d entered the workforce. The main leader engaged members of the class as assistant teachers. Various ministries plugged those young adults into ministries, and some even gave testimonies and preached in worship services. There I learned an important lesson for my future of serving young adults in ministry:

Young adult ministry is one that both ministers to young adults and allows them to minister. Most churches I’ve been around struggle to engage this demographic, so how do we build a young adult ministry?

1. Look at mirrors, not windows

Leadership guru Jim Collins writes in his book Good to Great that strong organizations spend more time looking at mirrors instead of windows. Collins shares that good organizations “look in the mirror to take responsibility when things are going poorly.” Bad organizations “look out the window for something or someone outside themselves to blame for poor results.”

Churches must take more time looking in the mirror.

Lifeway Research released a study in January 2019 on the loss of young adults in the church. They found two-thirds of graduated seniors dropped out of church for at least a year between ages 18 and 22, and only one-third

returned to stay.

Two particular factors stand out for our conversation: 24% said they missed due to work and 29% said they didn’t feel connected to their church. That means the majority of formerly attending students are still around, but not attending. They don’t see opportunities for work or connection in their church, and that’s on us.

If someone’s missing from the church, the church must examine its own efforts before judging the efforts of others. We must look at mirrors of introspection and not windows of blame.

2. Start where you are

While we should have a heart for unchurched young adults, it’s important to first build on the future young adults of our churches. How do we allow elementary and teenage students to feel part of the work and family of the church right now?

There are some simple opportunities to do this regardless of church size. Allow elementary student ministries such as Sunday school, missions teams, and AWANA regular opportunities to provide an element for worship services. We can encourage churchwide ministries to invite middle and high school students to serve as greeters, tech team, praise team, VBS assistant teachers, property and grounds, etc.

There will be bumpy moments as they learn, but if we wait until they’re “ready,” we miss opportu-

nities for the church of tomorrow to also be the church of today. We shouldn’t worry if there are only a couple of young adults at the beginning. When I began a young adult class at our current church, many weeks it was just myself and one guy. We studied the Bible together and kept the space alive for more to join, and they did over time–from both inside and outside of the church.

3. Create a large tent

For churches with a college and career ministry, perhaps it should be refined as young adult ministry. This means we’re not defining people by what they do, but by a season of life that is often still a time of discovery.

Changing terminology requires commitment. Don’t give up when people continue to use the old designators out of habit. Help them to understand we’re creating a bigger tent for the potential young adults inside and outside of the church. We want our ministry designations to be as simple and selfexplanatory as possible. I spent about two years praying that God would help us to do this well at our church before we saw real results. But stick to it. Your church will see results too.

Heath Tibbetts is pastor of First Baptist Church of Machesney Park. He is also serving as IBSA President.

Learning curve recommendaTions

Everyday Victory for Everyday People

First Place Bible Studies

This study may appear to only be about weight loss, but it is so much more. The spiritual impact is far beyond the difficulty level or the amount of time spent. I can’t recommend this program enough for a well-rounded Christian: body, mind, and soul.

MacArthur Bible Studies

John MacArthur

This series includes a study on each book of the Bible. While it provides historical context and goes deep into the interpretation of the text, it also provides reflection questions that focus on my personal walk with God. It even provides space to answer the questions and take other notes directly in the book.

My Utmost for His Highest Oswald Chambers

This daily devotion book has been used in our home for over 20 years and continues to challenge me in new ways. The compiled works of Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest is filled with simple, profound nuggets of wisdom while pointing the reader back to Scripture. A quote from the January 1 devotion sums it up well: “My determined purpose is to be my utmost for his highest–my best for his glory.”

– Ken Wilson IBSA Church Planting Catalyst

– Sam Dalton Youth/Young Adult Minister FBC Morton

– Melissa Pryor Bible study leader Ten Mile Baptist Church McLeansboro

Why we don’t call it ‘college ministry’

“God

does hear your prayers... He’s just not into curb-side pickup.”

3 reasons ‘young adult ministry’ is a much better approach.

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Seasons Meetings: churches use holiday for gospel outreach

Christmas proves perfect for sharing the best gift ever

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS – Planting

Pastor Jai Park and Peaceful Korean Baptist Church continued their outreach to Brownell Elementary School in Chicago. Park said, “We have been building up the relationship with the principal since 2016. We started with donating bicycles for a monthly prize for students with perfect attendance. Then, we sponsored a homeless kid, delivered 72 backpacks filled with school supplies and Bibles. More recently, we arranged a quartet concert for the students along with pizzas, beanies, and a short message about God’s love.”

POP-UP PARTNERSHIP – Sow Chicago Community Church opened a pop-up gift shop with 1,000 presents for children in Independence Park. They sold the gifts to parents at 90% off, and the funds raised went back into community ministry. Meadow Ridge Church in Lake County provided greeters and shopping assistants Planting Pastor Bryan Coble says they are looking forward to growth in 2022.

neTworking

Find more information on ministry positions at IBSA.org/connect. Send NetworkiNg items to IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

Dupo First Baptist seeks full-time pastor. Our current pastor is retiring. Resumés accepted through January 31, 2022. Send to FBC Dupo-Pastor Search Committee, 620 Godin, Dupo, IL 62239 or email to dupofbc@yahoo.com.

Grace Baptist Church in Palmyra seeks a bivocational pastor. The church was founded in 2000 in a community of 750, about 40 miles SW of Springfield. Send resumé to jallen@frontier.com or Jim Allen, 1309 Chesterfield Blacktop Road, Rockbridge IL 62081.

New Life Baptist Church of Waverly seeks a bi-vocational pastor. Submit resumè to 341 East Elm, Waverly, IL 62692. Contact Gloria Henning for more information at (217) 414-5849.

Vienna First Baptist seeks senior pastor. Minimum five years’ experience and seminary training preferred, not required. Send cover letter, picture, 3 references, and link of recent sermon to P.O. Box 727, Vienna, IL 62995 or vfbc301@gmail.com. Call 618-658-3741.

BIG RESPONSE – After an appearance on NBC Nightly News explaining that few toys had been donated compared to the previous year, Pastor Kenyatta Smith and Another Chance Church were overwhelmed with gifts for the kids. Hundreds gathered for “Operation Cover Chicago” just before Christmas.

with the lord

Charles Cooper, 87, died November 27. In Illinois, Cooper pastored First Baptist Ridgway, First Baptist Vienna, and Golf Road Baptist in Des Plaines. Before retiring he pastored Liverpool Baptist in Indiana. Prior to coming to Illinois, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s from Southwestern Seminary. Cooper was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Rene, and two daughters. He is survived by three children and two of their spouses.

Justin Reynolds, 48, pastor of Charity Baptist Church in Carlinville, died December 9. He was licensed to preach in 1994 and ordained in 1996. Reynolds received a bachelor’s degree from Mid-Continent Baptist University and a Master of Divinity plus Doctor of Pastoral Theology from Slidell Baptist Seminary. He pastored in several Illinois towns, including Brownfield Baptist Church in Golconda where he served twice, and two Kentucky churches. He is survived by his wife, Jacinda Forthman, three children and their families.

James Williford, 55, pastor of Lincoln Southern Baptist Church in Lincoln died November 21. He is survived by his wife Rachel. Services will be scheduled for a later date.

Kenneth Dean Hall, 88, died December 16. He was a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1951. Hall pastored several churches in Illinois including Mt. Tabor and Liberty Baptist in Bond County, Vera, Grayville, Mt. Erie, Cahokia, Carmi, Mulberry Grove, and St. Elmo. He served in ministry 64 years. Hall is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Roe, four sons and their families.

Carol Hipp Leach, 74, longtime IBSA ministry assistant, died December 19. She served at IBSA in the printshop and mailroom with former Illinois Baptist newspaper editors Ferrell Foster and Bill Webb. She is survived by her husband, Bill, three children and their families. Memorial contributions may be made to Chatham Baptist Church.

Velma Louise McAfee, 86, longtime IBSA ministry assistant, died December 15. In her 27 years at IBSA she served with Directors Rob Carr, Don Dillow, and others. McAfee last resided at The Maples in Springfield, Mo.

A welcome winter of discontent

Imoved to Illinois 12 years ago at the beginning of what was, to me, a very cold winter. A quick historical search reveals the temperature on my move-in day was around 50 degrees. That embarrasses me now. Back then though, fresh from three years in Southern California on a short-term missions assignment, the Illinois wind chilled me to the bone.

MEREDITH FLYNN

I had no proper coat, just a few sweatshirts I would layer on after work every day as I sat in a beanbag chair next to a small space heater I hauled out once I realized heating my apartment to 72 degrees would not fit my budget.

As I sat and settled in, so did a stillness that was actually unsettling. Without the bustle of all the things I’d left behind, life was quiet.

In that season, God spoke, revealing patterns of sin, blind spots, and areas of my life where I felt entitled to his grace rather than thankful for his faithfulness. I was overcome with my inability to do the good I wanted to do, as Paul wrote in Romans 7:15, and discouraged by how often I did things I hated. I was thankful for God’s grace and Jesus’ death on the cross, but all I could see was my sin.

My winter of discontent came to a head one evening as I wrestled once again with how I had failed to follow Christ in the past and certainly would again. In the muddle, a snippet of a worship song came to my mind, a reminder of God’s unfailing love. That was followed, one after another, by more lines from songs or Scripture. Each confirmed God’s love for me despite my sin and underscored my utter dependence on his grace for a rescue I could never deserve.

Winter gave way to spring—metaphorically at first—and eventually, the new life outside mirrored a deeper dependence on God’s love and grace.

I have thought of that winter every winter since. My blood must be thicker now, because the cold outside doesn’t bother me as much. But the warmth of God’s undeserved grace is still a close memory.

This time of year, as the calendar turns my thoughts to plans and goals for the next 12 months, that first Illinois winter compels me to sit still for a while. To consider again God’s great love and forgiveness.

Meredith Day Flynn is a wife and mother of two living in Springfield. She writes on the intersection of faith, family, and current culture.

January 13

Tax Seminar

What: Valuable tax info for current and retired ministers, treasurers, and other leaders

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield

Contact: FranTrascritti@IBSA.org

January 18-20

Midwest Leadership Summit

What: Focused equipping for leaders from Baptist state conventions across the Midwest

Where: Crowne Plaza, Springfield

Info: MWAdvance.org

January 20

Illinois Leadership Luncheon

What: Midwest Leadership Summit attenders will learn how IBSA can help their churches take its next step in ministry developent.

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield

Contact: Your local association

February 7

Edge Leadership Courses

What: Multi-week training, instructor led, online

Info: IBSA.org/ibsa-online-courses/ Contact: FranTrascritti@IBSA.org

Trends from nearby and around the world.

‘Nones’ rise

Culture

29% of U.S. adults claim no religious affiliation. That’s 3-in-10, up from 2-in-10 when reporting on the “nones” began just over decade ago.

63% self-identified as Christian in 2021, down from 78% in 2007, when Pew Research first asked the question.

february 26

VBS Training

What: Participate in our VBS Clinics to learn more about the LifeWay 2022 VBS theme “Spark Studios,” get great ideas, and be inspired.

Info: IBSA.org/kids

Contact: JackLucas@IBSA.org

march 12

What: A workshop designed for the church pastor plus one discipleship-oriented church leader (Sunday school director, minister of education, etc.)

Info: IBSA.org/disciplelab

Contact: TammyButler@IBSA.org

– Elizabeth Drescher, Santa Clara University, quoted by AP

adults claim no religion, compared to 77 million

14 million who identify as Southern Baptist.

self-identified as Christian in 2021, down from 78% in 2007, when Pew Research first asked the question.

24% said they were Protestant, but not evangelical or born-again.

16% of all adults say they pray daily, down from 58% in 2007.

45% say religion is important in their lives.

40%

If the unaffiliated were a religion, they’d be the largest religious group in the United States.