June 1, 2022 Illinois Baptist

Illinois Baptist

Nate Adams

Leaders lament abuse investigation findings

Nashville, Tenn. | SBC Executive Committee chair Rolland Slade led committee members in a prayer of lament at the opening of a special-called meeting covering the 288-page report on the EC’s handling of sexual abuse claims in the denomination. “We are still processing,” the California pastor said. “We are lamenting, listening, and learning.”

What we’re learning is the history of abuse claims that were documented but not made public and the refusal of top EC leaders to engage with survivors of abuse. There were also new reports of abuse that resulted in the resignation of popular evangelist Johnny Hunt as vice president of the North American Mission Board. Hunt denies the 2010 encounter. (See related story on page 5.)

“We are sorry to the survivors for all we have done to cause pain,” Interim EC President and CEO Willie McLaurin said. “On behalf of all Southern Baptists, I want to issue a formal apology to all survivors.”

The report was the result of a seven-month investigation of EC actions relating to abuse from 2000 to 2021. Prompted by an expose published in the Houston Chronicle in 2019 that documented cases of abuse where the offenders were allowed to move to new ministries in other SBC churches,

messengers at the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville ordered a third-party investigation.

Messengers also ordered incoming SBC President Ed Litton to appoint a Sexual Abuse Task Force. An investigating firm, Guidepost Solutions, produced the report from more than 300 interviews with victims, witnesses, clergy, and EC staff and leaders at a cost of $2.7 million.

The document released May 22 produced findings called by secular media “bombshell” and by Southern Baptists as “grievous.” More than 400 claims were documented, a few involving famous names in Southern Baptist life. It said previous EC CEOs Ronnie Floyd, Frank Page, and Morris Chapman failed to report abuse claims in order to protect the denomination from lawsuits such as those that have bankrupted many Catholic dioceses.

“They had no problem providing creative ideas on ways to reduce legal liability,” the report said. “Overall, the legal advice focused on liability created a chilling effect on the ability of the EC to be compassionate towards survivors of abuse.”

Floyd and his aide Greg Addison were criticized by investigators in 23 different examples and EC attorney August Boto in 33 examples, according to the Tennessean. Boto led a 2008 effort to stop

creation of an abusers database.

One of the more surprising revelations was the existence of a secret file of abuse claims and convictions of SBC clergy held by EC leaders who publicly said such a database was impossible because of Baptist polity protecting the autonomy of local churches. The list was compiled by EC staff from news reports and calls from victims starting in 2007 when Chapman was CEO. There are 703 names on the list.

In their 95-minute meeting, McLaurin said the list will be released to the public once the names of survivors and witnesses are redacted. According to the Chronicle, nine clergy on the list are still active in SBC churches.

“At this moment phones are ringing in the SBC with more survivors calling to report,” EC Interim

“A great wrong has taken place… A world is watching.”

– SBC President Ed Litton

The Illinois Baptist staff

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The BIG Baptist family album

Our Illinois mission field

Tom Schmidt and his family are planting Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville. They were sent out from Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles in 2016. Schmidt says he prays that the gospel would bear much fruit in the affluent western suburbs of Chicago.

Pray the news: Anaheim convention

Seek a winsome witness and prayerful deliberations as messengers gather in metro LA for the first West Coast Southern Baptist Convention in 40 years.

Cooperative Program @ work

IMB missionaries Eric and Anissa Haney use music to connect with the people of Stockholm, Sweden. Their project “Stories of Hope” set seven New Testament stories to music. The songs were performed last fall at a jazz festival and released on an album that includes a narrative reading of each story.

Giving by IBSA churches as of 05/17/22 $2,006,949

Budget Goal: $2,384,620

Received to date in 2021: $2,261,122

2022Goal: $6.2 Million

NATE ADAMS

A really big deal

Recently I had the privilege of seeing two of my nephews baptized. Similar to our own three sons, brothers Joe and Elijah received Jesus as their Savior at different times, but then were ready to be baptized on the same day.

The church their family attends is fairly large, and its current building was once a sizeable retail store. So the baptistry was not front and center or behind the stage. It was a portable tank down front and off to one side. And the baptisms occurred during one of the worship songs.

But don’t let the location of the tank or the timing of the ordinance give you the idea that this baptism was a minor part of the service. In his opening welcome, the pastor beamed that “baptism is a big deal around here.” He then invested several minutes explaining immersion as a biblical picture of salvation and life transformation. He shared pictures of Joe and Elijah on the screen, along with statements of testimony from each of them. He encouraged everyone to join in and celebrate with these two young men and their families, and also to engage the baptisms as their own act of worship.

As the next song began, Joe’s and Elijah’s family and friends were invited to gather around the tank. As each of the boys entered the water, the pastor spoke quietly with them. A live video feed on the big screen allowed the entire congregation to witness the baptism and sing the words of the song. Then, as the pastor immersed each young man and helped lift him out of the water, the worship center erupted into prolonged cheering and applause by the hundreds who were present. It was a big deal!

The brothers embraced, the family gathered around them with smiles and hugs, and the congregation continued to cheer them on. In that very public, yet very personal moment, a powerful witness was delivered to anyone present who had not yet experienced baptism—or salvation. An invitation to learn more about what had just happened was offered, complete with an online registration option.

much more often.

Though our cups were already pretty full, the morning was not over. Following the singing, the pastor delivered a thoughtful, biblical message on what it means, as a believer in Jesus, both to receive and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a convicting challenge to those who had just been baptized, and to those of us baptized a long time ago, that believers are “raised to walk in newness of life.”

No matter how or where it is observed, baptism needs to be a big deal in every one of our churches. It deserves preparation, and explanation, and celebration. Maybe most of all it deserves invitation, not just to be baptized, but also for long-baptized believers to surrender afresh to the Lord and to be filled daily with the life-changing power of God the Holy Spirit.

Yes, baptism needs to be a big deal, and far more frequent, in every one of our churches. It celebrates the spiritual transformation of those being baptized. And it can also inspire new, spiritual motivation, even to those who don’t get wet.

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

Baptism deserves preparation, explanation, and celebration—

HLGU to remain open this fall

Big advancement reported, another $1 million needed soon

Hannibal, Mo. | Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) will remain open for the fall 2022 semester, Transitional President Rodney Harrison told faculty, staff, and students in early May.

Gifts have surpassed $1 million, including a record $227,815 from HLGU’s 2022 Day of Giving, but the total is still short of the $2.2 million HLGU leadership said was needed.

“On March 3 of this year, the financial forecast was dire,” Harrison said during a meeting with faculty and staff. “In just 27 days, the university was on pace to exhaust a $1 million line of credit, while having outstanding bills of $900,000.”

Harrison cited a recommendation he received from acting CFO Jeff Eubank on his fist day on the job: “You do know that I say this with great heartache. But I encourage you to seriously consider closing HLGU this semester. The university is in desperate times,” Harrison quoted.

“How desperate?” Harrison said. “To open in the fall, we would need at least a movement of $3.2 million. That was a nofluff number. It was a down-to-the-bones minimum that factored in zero margin, massive cuts, and using every penny of our $1 million line of credit to be able to keep the university open for the fall.

“To achieve this data-line number, the university had to cut expenses,” he added. “We achieved it by reducing our expenditure in the last month of the academic year by $1 million.”

HLGU leadership also labored to increase the school’s cashflow, Harrison said. In addition to the donations and pledges

totaling $1.15 million, HLGU has sold some property, negotiated with vendors to write off some debt, and cut expenses. The school is seeking to raise another $1 million by the end of July.

“Robust giving, combined with reduced payroll achieved, the suspension of retirement benefits, significant administrative cuts, and a renewed commitment to God-honoring stewardship means we will be open this fall and the mission of Hannibal-LaGrange University will endure,” Harrison said. “To God be the glory!”

Ray Carty, HLGU’s vice president for institutional advancement, said, “In the last two months, God has used people to bless Hannibal-LaGrange University. People are responding to the work God has yet to do at HLGU. We’re still looking for support through August, but we are encouraged that people see God’s work being done at Hannibal-LaGrange.”

– adapted from The Missouri Pathway

IBSA leadership nominations sought

Springfield | The Nominations Committee will soon draft a slate of candidates for at least 30 elected positions in IBSA leadership. Organizers emphasize the important role committee members play in IBSA. In addition to IBSA’s six committees, the Nominating Committee will recommend people to

serve on the Association’s three boards: IBSA, the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI), and Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS). Please pray about those you would recommend for service. The deadline to receive nominations is August 6, 2022. Nominating instructions are posted online at IBSA.org/nominations.

Pastor still on the roof

Brooks plans to stay til goal is met

Chicago | Corey Brooks has been on the roof of the replica of the community center he’s raising funds to build since Nov. 22. While only coming down a few times, the Southside Chicago pastor has been joined on the rooftop by clergy, politicians, CEOs, community leaders, and heads of various non-profits all trying to help him raise $35 million to build the center.

The initial plan was for Brooks to come off the roof Feb. 28 and to break ground on the new center this spring. But the goal wasn’t met, and Brooks said he sensed God was telling him “to stay up on the roof until the fundraising for the project was complete.”

A family crisis caused him to leave the rooftop on Day 121 (March 21), when he went to his mother’s bedside as she lay dying of cancer.

Project H.O.O.D. reported Brooks’ mother told him, “Corey, I am so proud of you. Make sure you finish what you started. People need that center. When you were young, I knew you were safe because you stayed at that center.” By that time he had raised over $10 million.

Brooks preached his mother’s funeral April 15, which was Good Friday, and delivered the Easter message at New Beginnings Church where he serves as pastor on Sunday, and returned to the rooftop the next day.

From his rooftop campsite, Brooks said his mother “always knew I was safe because we had a community center. The kids in our neighborhood need one too, and that’s why I am doing this—for safe spaces, skills training, and community building.”

According to Brooks’ sponsoring organization, Project H.O.O.D., more than $11 million has been raised and Phase 1 of construction will begin. Phase 1 includes “demolition of the existing structure on the far north end of the future site and completing plans with the city of Chicago.”

– with additional info from FOX News and Brooks’ social media

Follow

TENT CITY – Southside pastor Corey Brooks has turned his vigil into witnessing opportunities with frequent local and national media appearances. Photo from WFLD Chicago

the briefing

Baptists aid as Buffalo grieves

“I am currently trying to organize churches to deliver food in this geographical area that is a food desert,” said Mike Flannery, a Baptist associational missionary in New York state. Flannery serves churches in Buffalo, rocked May 14 by a mass shooting at a supermarket that left 10 dead and three more wounded. “The Tops store will be shut down probably several weeks because of federal investigations. I’m working with another organization…that wants us to work with them to deliver food.”

From the front: reactions to sex abuse report

Continued from page 1

Counsel Gene Besen said. A hotline was established within 24 hours as a joint effort with Guidepost Solutions.

A joint statement from McLaurin, Guidepost Solutions, and the Sexual Abuise Task Force called the hotline “an important stopgap measure for survivors” until “messengers can pass even more meaningful reforms.” The report included 17 recommendations, which will be drafted as motions and presented to messengers at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

“We can’t come up with half-baked solutions,” Slade said. “We are not done, we have work to do.” Then he asserted, “Today is a change of direction.”

Reactions and more reactions

On Sunday afternoon, when the report was made public, Baptist social media went silent for about three hours. Everyone was devouring all 288 pages, one reporter surmised. Then the reactions began.

Moore said he knew “firsthand the rage of one who wonders…how many people were assaulted, how many screams were silenced, while we boasted that no one could reach the world for Jesus like we could.”

Moore now works as public theologian for Christianity Today, where he posted his response on May 22.

Moore left the ERLC in June 2021 after squaring off with Floyd over treatment of survivors. Moore brought abuse victims and their advocates to the platform at ERLC events, as the SBC’s public policy agency developed the Caring Well Initiative. Floyd opposed their presence and limited coverage by Baptist Press, which was under his jurisdiction.

Floyd left as EC CEO in October 2021 after Annual Meeting messengers rejected his efforts at an internal probe of abuse claims. Then he faced off with the Sexual Abuse Task Force over which entity would contract and manage the investigation.

North Buffalo Community Church Pastor William Smith appreciates Southern Baptists’ compassionate response, with prayer and supplies.

“This shooting has added to the negative mental health of African Americans wondering who’s going to shoot next,” he said. “It’s a painful thing for us, for little kids, because you never know when this is going to happen again. That’s why we need the Body of Christ.” Smith cited widespread support from Southern Baptists across New York. He expressed gratitude “for our partnership, because it’s made a major difference…to know that we’ve got people behind us, supporting us.

“I’m glad to be a Southern Baptist.”

Pro-life centers vandalized after Roe draft leak

Five Catholic churches, two crisis pregnancy centers, and three pro-life headquarters were vandalized in the week after a draft of the U.S. Supreme Court decision possibly overturning the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion was leaked to the press, according to a report by the Christian Post. The acts of vandalism, mostly spray painting and broken windows, were reported in six states. The national headquarters for Concerned Women of America in Arlington, Virginia, was attacked. In the Midwest, a Catholic church in Armada, Michigan, was marked with graffiti, and the Wisconsin Family Action office in Madison was damaged by small firebombs.

Mattoon grooming arrest

Keith D. Green, a substitute teacher from Ashmore, was arrested May 17 by Mattoon Police on a charge of grooming. Green briefly served as pastor at two Illinois churches more than four years ago.

Mattoon Community School District #2 notified police of the allegation that Green had contacted a female under age 17 using an electronic device to solicit sexual encounters. Green was employed by the school district as a substitute teacher, according to published reports. He was jailed in Coles County on one count of a Class 3 Felony.

Green was employed as pastor at West Union Baptist Church for six months, ending in April 2015, and at Clarksville Baptist Church for 13 months, ending in January 2018, according to IBSA records. The charge against him was for a 2022 incident not involving either church.

– excerpted from Christian Post, Baptist Press, WICS

The report “is one very small step, and so much more is needed,” said Christa Brown, a survivor who has fought for SBC reforms for years. The Chronicle said SBC leaders “repeatedly mocked, insulted and sought to silence her.” “I hope that this may be the start of a new era in how the (Executive Committee) relates to SBC clergy sex abuse survivors,” Brown said.

“We need to be gentle with survivors,” interim EC counsel Scarlett Nokes told trustees when asked by Litton for guidance on response to inquiries. “And we need to be gentle with one another.”

EC trustees approved a statement that said, in part, “The SBC Executive Committee seeks to make clear that it views engaging with survivors as a critical step towards healing our Convention from the scourge of sexual abuse and working to avoid its continued impact on our loved ones, their families, and our network of churches.”

One survivor, Hannah Kate Williams, filed a lawsuit against the SBC, Southern Seminary, and Lifeway May 20. The 27-year-old alleges the organizations failed to protect her as a child from the abuse of her father who was an employee of the seminary’s run day camp and Lifeway campus bookstore. Williams says she reported the abuse, but no action was taken.

More lawsuits appeared possible.

Two of three probable candidates for SBC president issued statements expressing lament. Florida pastor Tom Ascol called sexual abuse “horrific” and failure to act reason for sorrow and repentance. He urged prayer for vicims, “known and unknown.”

Missions professor Robin Hadaway called for appointment of an Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force by the incoming SBC president, with instructions to bring recommendations over a threeyear period.

Texas pastor Bart Barber spoke briefly as a guest on a podcast, but declined to issue a statement until after handling pastoral responsibilities over several days, including a funeral.

Former head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Russell Moore appeared to feel vindicated by the report.

After several contentious meetings, EC trustees took Guidepost Solutions’ advice to waive attorney-client privilege in the investigation, a move Floyd and the EC legal representatives of 56 years, Guenther, Jordan & Price, opposed. The lawyers also quit. So did 15 of 86 EC trustees.

Litton, who will preside over the Anaheim meeting continued to urge transparency in reporting the SBC’s failures.

“Why are you being so transparent?”

Litton said he was asked by a reporter this week.

He replied, “Because a great wrong has taken place.” Litton told EC trustees, “A world is watching; they don’t need to see business as usual.”

While Litton and the current SBC leaders ready to face messengers in Anaheim, grassroots Southern Baptists continue scouring the 288-page report on the actions of top level leaders across the past two decades. They are expressing anger, sorrow, disappointment, and disbelief.

As one pastor from Georgia tweeted, “One thing seems certain: the SBC will never be the same again.”

IBSA statement from Executive Director Nate Adams

Along with many others, I am grieved over the information released May 22 by the SBC’s Sex Abuse Task Force, including the detailed findings in the Guidepost Solutions report. I’m grateful for the Task Force’s concisely stated recommendations, which I’m sure will receive sober and serious considerations by messengers to next month’s Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim.

While the focus of the Task Force’s work has been at the national SBC level, any network of churches, including our association of churches here in Illinois, should carefully examine its own practices in responding to victims of abuse, as well as assisting churches in prevention. IBSA is doing so and remains committed to continuing transparent and proactive processes to assist churches in protecting the vulnerable and ministering to those who have experienced abuse.

Litton’s issue sidelined

Will pursue racial reconciliation after presidency

Ed Litton will preside over his one and only Annual Meeting as SBC President with what appeared to be his chosen platform issue taking a backseat to the new Guidepost Solutions report on sexual abuse.

After a year described as “tumultuous” and “chaotic” by SBC leaders, Litton announced his decision not to pursue a second one-year term, meaning his opportunity to bring action on racial reconciliation would not likely happen before he leaves office in June.

As recently as January, Litton was talking about “the stain” on SBC history, specifically racism. The phrase became plural as he included sexual abuse and top SBC leaders’ failure to confront it. Litton was charged by messengers at the 2021 Annual Meeting with appointing a task force to lead an investigation. Ultimately, Executive Committee CEO Ronnie Floyd resigned, as did the EC’s longtime legal counsel, and Litton found himself working with two African American leaders, EC chair Rolland Slade and an interim EC CEO Willie McLaurin

Litton has worked across racial barriers in his town of Mobile, Alabama and two other Southern cities to bring reconciliation. He spoke of “the stain,” citing the title of a book on racism, at the Midwest Leadership Summit in Springfield in January.

Litton expressed support for a 1995 SBC resolution on racism, but he said it wasn’t enough. “We must repent and seek to confront and remove every stain of racism that remains and seek with all our strength to be the kind of churches of which Jesus would be proud—the kind of churches that will look like the Marriage Supper of the Lamb,” Litton told the EC in February.

“Dealing with our stains will be a powerful testimony to a watching world,” he said. At the time, Litton was consulting with Dallas pastor Tony Evans and the SBC’s first African American President, Fred Luter, about plan to guide churches through a reconciliation process.

But when Litton announced he would not run for SBC President again, he also said he would pursue reconciliation from his role as pastor and outside elected office.

McLaurin, meanwhile, has spent five months rebuilding relationships and promoting Cooperative Program giving, which was flagging at the height of the pandemic.

“If I can model strong, competent, courageous leadership and just reassure our larger convention that we’re here to serve, and we’re here to keep a laser-sharp focus on the Great Commission,” he said, “and provide what I call a non-anxious presence, then I really think that’s what our convention needs right now.

McLaurin has been Vice President of the Executive Committee for two years, and previously served 15 years in staff leadership with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. His service, albeit temporary while a search team looks for a permanent replacement for Floyd, is significant. (Illinois’ own Adron Robinson of suburban Chicago is chair of the search team.)

“We are a convention that, for the 177 years of its history, was started out of slavery, if you would,” McLaurin told Baptist Press in May. “So now, to have a descendant of a slave to lead in the convention, and to see just the openness and receptivity of all kinds of people has just been absolutely humbling.”

Task Force to present motions in Anaheim

The Sexual Abuse Task Force, chaired by North Carolina pastor Bruce Frank, has proposed five recommendations to be considered by Southern Baptist messengers attending the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim. They will be rephrased into official motions and the wording of those motions will be shared prior to the meeting.

The recommendations appeared in the summary statement leading into the Guidepost Solutions report released May 22.

1. We recommend that an Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force be appointed by the next SBC president to assist with the implementation of reform initiatives in our convention for a period of three years. This Task Force will evaluate all recommendations by Guidepost and bring a report at next year’s convention on recommended reforms.

This Task Force will also work with the Executive Committee to create and maintain a process that will work within our Baptist polity for alerting the community to the presence and activity of credibly accused offenders, including the establishment of a “ministry check” website.

Additionally, this Task Force will work with and resource the Credentials Committee to help them function more effectively, including formalizing and improving their processes, procedures, and standard principles of cooperation. The Task Force and Executive Committee will take steps to establish a relationship with an independent firm to assist the Credentials Committee in their work.

2. We recommend that the Executive Committee hire a subject matter expert(s) to receive calls, provide initial guidance for reports of sexual abuse, and work with state conventions for training and educational opportunities.

3. We recommend that all entity boards and standing committees have training regarding sexual abuse prevention and survivor care, as well as background checks as part of their orientation and selection.

4. We recommend that IMB, NAMB, and our six SBC seminaries require formal preparation for their denominational workers and students in regard to prevention, training, and survivor care.

5. We recommend that the Executive Committee set aside a budget and hire a salaried staff person for the Credentials Committee.

Hunt resigns from NAMB, but denies abuse allegations

Johnny Hunt resigned a week before the Guidepost Solutions report was made public on May 22. Hunt turned in his resignation to North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell on May 13, the day the SBC Executive Committee received the report. Hunt denies the allegations that he forcibly groped and kissed the wife of a pastor he had mentored.

“To put it bluntly: I vigorously deny the circumstances and characterizations set forth in the Guidepost report. I have never abused anybody,” Hunt said. The report said Hunt forced himself on the woman at a condo in Panama City, Florida, in 2010, then spent years trying to cover the incident. The report found credible the woman’s story that Hunt arranged for the condo for her, next to the one occupied by Hunt and his wife, to attend a conference featuring football coach Bobby Bowden.

The report said Hunt later arranged counseling for the couple, and both Hunt and the counselor urged the couple to keep the encounter secret. The counselor, Roy Blankenship, was on staff at Hunt’s church, First Baptist of Woodstock, Georgia. He confirmed to investigators that Hunt admitted the contact.

The couple told Guidepost investigators they have undergone counseling and experienced emotional and spiritual trauma, as well as financial struggles, as a result of the alleged incident.

Hunt is pastor emeritus of FBC Woodstock, Georgia, and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2008 to 2010. The incident is alleged to have occurred a month after

Hunt concluded his SBC presidency. He went to work for NAMB in 2019.

“Prior to May 13, I was not aware of any alleged misconduct on the part of Johnny Hunt,” Ezell said in a statement. “I learned the details of the report today (May 22) along with the rest of our Southern Baptist family.”

Hunt denies all the claims. “I want to be clear: my heart breaks for all victims of abuse. I support the rights of abuse victims to be heard and respected and made whole. I also support transparency and accountability for abusers. But transparency and accountability must be founded on truth and accuracy,” Hunt stated.

“I have never abused anybody,” Hunt said. “Southern Baptists navigating this challenging season must remember, ‘It is the truth that will set us free.’”

LITTON

HUNT

FRANK

McLAURIN

Out of the ordinary

These SBC presidential candidates are not the usual slate

When the pastor of a church in Florida withdrew his name from nomination for SBC president, the race shifted in an unexpected way. A three-man race emerged, and while the names may be somewhat familiar, none of the candidates were widely known pastors of megachurches.

Tom Ascol pastors Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida. The church averages around 300 in attendance. Ascol is executive director of Founders Ministries, previously known as The Southern Baptist Founders Conference, a Reformed group he created in 1982. He speaks frequently on conservative social and theological issues, including Critical Race Theory and the role of women in the church.

Ascol was called to ministry at age 16. “I was raised by a godly mother and a father who had a lot of problems” he told Baptist Press. “Our home would’ve been called a dysfunctional home, you know, today, but she was a praying mom. I’m the youngest of six kids and we grew up in a rather difficult and hard environment. She had a very hard life. What she lived through, most women wouldn’t put up with, and my parents had multiple reasons to divorce, but they stayed married 63 years by God’s grace.”

Ascol points to spiritual reformation and reevaluation of the SBC trustee system as two concerns.

“I think we’ve assumed the Gospel. We’ve talked about it a lot. We put it on our banners, but what is the Gospel?... We need to be crystal clear on it. And again, we ask that question of everybody who seeks membership in this church, and I’ve had answers all over the map, and it doesn’t mean they’re not saved. They’re just not Gospel literate.”

Bart Barber has been on the platform of the SBC as a member of the Resolutions Committee (he will chair it this year) and served a variety of other leadership positions, but the church he pastors in Farmerville, Texas is not really Texas-sized. The church averages 350 in worship. Baptist Press asked Barber if serving a “normative size” church would be an advantage to him as SBC President.

“I think there’s some benefit to it because I think if you pastor a large church, it’s easy to get into a situation in which without many obstacles you’re able to implement whatever it is that you think is the right thing to do. When you’re at a church the size of my church, you know that you have to persuade people and bring them on board in order to accomplish and move forward with anything, more coalition-building. We’re a congregationally governed church.

“To be president of the SBC in a church, like [mine], and it’s not just about size, it’s

about being really committed to Baptist polity.”

Barber said he doesn’t come with an extensive plan for change, but he takes seriously the charge that the president should do as the messengers direct. “The president of the SBC has, I think, in some ways, the same cluster of responsibilities that the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention has. I would think all of it can be fit under three headings: to protect the rights of the messengers, to answer the messengers’ questions, and to execute the messengers’ instructions.”

Robin Hadaway is a missions professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a position he accepted after serving 18 years with the International Mission Board. He is calling for 500 new churches in North America and 2,000 church plants overseas.

SBC stats rebound slightly in new report

Nashville, Tenn. | Southern Baptist congregations saw a rebound in the number of baptisms and an increase of $304 million in overall giving in 2021, both hopeful signs congregations are recovering from the Covid pandemic.

SBC churches baptized 154,701 in 2021, a 26% increase from 2020, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by Lifeway Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions. While baptisms and giving rose, other key metrics declined, including membership, average weekly worship attendance, and total number of congregations.

The number of SBC churches increased by 22 to 47,614, while the number of church-type missions dropped 9.5% to 2,809, bringing the total number of congregations to 50,423. This is the fourth consecutive year of decline in total number of congregations after a peak of 51,920 in 2017. Multisite congregations reported 575 campuses where additional local church ministry takes place.

Membership in Southern Baptist congregations continued its long-term decline with a 3% drop.

Two years after Covid caused shutdowns and delayed reopening of church activities, Southern Baptists are finally seeing the full impact of the pandemic on in-person attendance. Average weekly in-person worship attendance declined 18.75%, while Sunday school attendance and small groups declined 22.15%.

When he was a child, Hadaway’s family tried a number of denominations, including Christian Science, until they landed at a Southern Baptist Church when he was 12. He became a Christian in college at Memphis State. Hadaway served in a number of ministry positions, including youth ministry in King Salmon, Alaska. His wedding was performed by W.A. Criswell and his ordination by Adrian Rogers, Hadaway said in a Baptist Press profile.

“Well, being a senior professor of missions, I think I’ve got time for this position, even though it has no pay and no power. Somebody who pastors a church, their time is grounded, limited.

“Having pastored churches, I understand the SBC, and that’s why I feel like I can pastor it...I just love pastoring pastors… I think I can remind Southern Baptists how bad things were and that things aren’t as bad as sometimes we think they are.”

Hadaway doesn’t come with a multipoint plan. “My agenda is just to focus on missions, not saying others haven’t done that because I know the heart of the last three presidents…. They certainly focused on missions, but I think the convention is a bit tired right now. They need some refreshment and joy. And so I hope to bring that.”

The Baptist Press interviews with the candidates are linked at IllinoisBaptist. org.

“We suspected the statistics from the 2020 ACP did not show the full impact of Covid-19 on attendance,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.

Membership drops 3%

Baptisms up 26% after first Covid year

“It’s not fun to document difficult seasons of ministry, but we know God is as faithful today as he has ever been. These statistics continue to show the faithfulness and sacrifice of congregations during trying times.”

Total church receipts reported through the ACP increased 2.6% to $11.8 billion. Undesignated church receipts increased 2.6% to nearly $9.8 billion.

Congregations reported total mission expenditures of $1.1 billion and Great Commission Giving of $516 million.

ASCOL BARBER HADAWAY

MISSION

Transformers

‘Priority’ calls women to experience God’s life-changing grace

ILLINOIS BAPTIST TEAM REPORT

Springfield | “We must repair our place and heart for worship,” Kimberly Sowell told those attending the annual Priority Women’s Conference. Author and teacher Sowell was one of three main speakers at the event that drew 572 to the Bank of Springfield Center April 29-30. In addition, women in 28 churches attended online streaming of the general sessions.

Sowell drew from the biblical account of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal to encourage the women to ignite their own hearts in worship. “If they’re thinking with their eyes, it might seem to them that God’s not winning anymore,” she said, describing the Elijah’s willingness to offer sacrifice to God against overwhelming odds.

“If we think with our eyes, it might seem to us that God’s not winning anymore.”

But, he is, as speaker after speaker assured those who made time to be at the conference.

Life transformation through God’s grace was the theme.

“There’s a wonderful spirit from the women who are here,” said lead organizer Carmen Halsey. “I’m hearing their excitement about

being here, about the workshops, and about the opportunities for equipping for ministry and discipleship when they get home.”

Halsey is one of IBSA’s Leadership Development Directors. She developed the multisite approach to the annual women’s conference during the pandemic. This year, there were 59 workshops in 12 tracks, including a first-time track for writers.

The keynote speakers were Sowell, spiritual leadership expert Richard Blackaby, and leadership coach Kim Hardy. The worship team from First Baptist Church of O’Fallon led praise.

Much of the buzz on the first day was in the exhibit hall, anchored by a Lifeway pop-up store and almost three dozen ministry exhibitors and partners. The room smelled of salted caramel popcorn. And women representing churches from Chicago to Carmi chatted in small groups between breakout conferences.

“I definitely have found my tribe,” said Ruth Billings of Net Church in Staunton. “I learned of Priority through my church, but I saw the info on the writer’s workshop only last night. God called me here.”

PHOTOS FROM TWO UPLIFTING DAYS

1. The lobby of BOS Center in Springfield was a busy place as Priority attenders visited, signed in, and collected their goodie bags.

2. Carmen Halsey made the rounds, including the exhibit hall.

3. 32 ministries and partners filled the exhibit hall, including The WellHouse in Birmingham, a restoration ministry for victims of human trafficking.

4. Members of Resurrection House in Dolton enjoyed a chat break.

5. The Lifeway pop-up store was a popular destination.

6. The worship team from First Baptist O’Fallon exalted the Lord and energized the crowd.

7. Carmen Halsey (far right) led a panel discussion on strategically influencing our communities with Shannon Ford (IBSA), Sherry Pumpelly (IMB), Lindsey Jones (Western Oaks Church, Springfield), and Cassie Hammett (SEND Relief).

8. The large-group sessions from the arena were shared with 28 churches online.

9. Blogger Ginger Newingham (left) was a featured speaker at the writers’ conference hosted by Meredith Flynn

10. In one of 59 breakout sessions, Barb Troeger encouraged effective event planning.

11. Kim and Dexter Hardy of Marriage Talk in Atlanta, Ga. taught on healthy relationships.

12. Amy Richards shared about her new ministry (and enjoyed the free popcorn).

13. Jeff and Kathy Deasy (IBSA) told about their missionary service at the IMB booth.

7

insighT from prioriTy speakers

joy let it be joy. Let’s always follow Ezekiel’s example: let’s point to hope.

– Ginger Newingham, Writer, Delta Church, Springfield

Tracy Muñoz attended with women from a friend’s church, First Baptist Church of Royalton. “I came last year for the first time. I loved it and wanted to come again.”

What’s first place?

Creating a desire for women to cultivate discipling relationships upon their return home was one of Halsey’s main goals this year. A number of sessions spoke to the issue directly.

“We are to be like mothers nurturing and raising up their children,” Terri Stovall said. “Do we do that for our spiritual children we are raising up?” Stovall is professor of Women’s Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In the panel discussion led by Illinois Baptist Women president Lindsay Wineinger, pastor’s wife Alyssa Caudill focused on the pass-along nature of following Christ. “True discipleship is passing on what God as given you to others.”

When the busy homeschooling mom found herself teaching women’s Bible studies, she quickly felt the weight of the task. “I did not want to teach people ‘Alyssa Theology.’ I wanted to teach them the Bible.

“One of the most important keys is a firm foundation,” she said, to know the biblical ‘why’ behind making disciples. “The ‘why’ leads a believer to persevere in the face of discouragement or spiritual warfare.”

Many speakers emphasized the challenging aspects of living like Jesus. No one said it’s easy. “Discipleship has a cost,” Stovall said. “It is real and we have to count that cost— and be willing to give that cost.”

In one of her breakout sessions, Melody Westbrook was candid about the cost of being a pastor’s wife, ministry leader, and disciple. She encouraged women to open up and share their struggles. “I was taught that any issue you have, you

Discipleship has a cost. It is real and we have to count that cost—and be willing to give that cost.

walk into that church building and leave that in the car,” Westbook said. But that’s wrong.

“If you are leading another woman and you are authentic, you become a magnet to her, because she will know exactly where she needs to go in the difficult things of life, because you were honest in the struggles of your own life.” Westbrook and her husband, Paul, served Metro Church in Edwardsville for 31 years until he recently joined the staff of IBSA.

“Share from the overflow of your life,” advised blogger Ginger Newingham of Springfield. “If that’s sadness, let it be sad. If that’s joy let it be joy. (But) let’s always follow Ezekiel’s example: let’s point to hope.”

DeWanna Oliver, wife of recently retired pastor and suburban Chicago associational missionary Joe Oliver, offered a real-life example. “My neighbors know that every Tuesday they get prayed for. My neighbor knows I love her and I care for her, and I’m willing to get ‘down and dirty’ for her. Discipleship is time, energy, effort, tears.”

Halsey pointed to the need for focus and simplicity in discipleship. “Could it be that there are good things in your life God is saying you need to lay down?” Being overwhelmed by responsibility was a theme acknowledged in the conference, but the speakers did not surrender gospel opportunity to the busyness of their lives.

The healthy Christian woman, Caudill from First Baptist of Carmi said, “knows who she is in Christ, knows her virtues and lives them out. This keeps her from getting caught up in whatever is going on in her world.”

Priority is produced each spring by the Illinois Baptist State Association. Next year’s conference is scheduled to take place April 28-29.

Wineinger charged the departing audience to make the most of every gospel opportunity. “What a privilege we have, ladies. It’s time to bring good news!” the cheerful mother of three, feed store owner, and restauranteur from Princeville said.

“Let’s do this!”

If we think with our eyes, it might seem to us that God’s not winning anymore.

– Kimberly Sowell, Kingdom Heart Ministries

Share from the overflow of your life. If that’s sadness, let it be sad. If that’s

– Terri Stovall, Southwestern Seminary

Kim Hardy on grace after failure

When Kim Hardy received an invitation to her 10-year class reunion, she realized her life hadn’t gone according to the script she’d written. As a result, she soon started her own business, but within a few years her business started to fail, she ran up credit card debt, and even owed a large sum to a check cashing business. It all came to a head when the church bookkeeper called her husband, the pastor, to tell him his tithe check had bounced.

“He was an accountant before he became a pastor,” Hardy said. “I’ve never seen my husband so broken.”

“They were going to take me to jail because I couldn’t pay back $5,000 to check cashing places,” she recalled. “I’m thinking what pastor’s wife does this?” Her husband took a job delivering phone books to earn extra money to keep her from going to jail.

Richard Blackaby on amazing witness

Blackaby, author and presi dent of Blackaby Ministries, taught on the seasons of life. Far from occurring just once in our lives, he said “the seasons come and go.” Referencing Ecclesiastes 3:1, Blackaby said we must learn to live our lives “where you embrace your life as seasons come.”

He told the story of a 66-year-old woman who had never shared Christ with anyone. Left unable to walk after a car accident and soon widowed, Nell sensed God saying he wanted to “start something new in her life.” She began attending evangelistic witnessing classes taught by her pastor. The first person she shared Christ with was a 15-year-old girl.

Nell told Blackaby she was so nervous that she left some things out and shared some of the Bible verses out of order. But it didn’t matter, God honored what she shared, and the teen accepted Christ! When Blackaby visited Nell 14 years later, she showed him the journal where she recorded the names of the people she witnessed to who accepted Christ. There were 3,147 names in Nell’s journal. “Spring comes in the life of seniors,” Blackaby said.

No matter your age he told the ladies gathered, “You may be wondering if God’s got anything more for you. He always does. Handle this season well to prepare for the next season.”

At that point Hardy said she was depressed and “so far from God that I was going to end it.” She told God her life was ruined. “I can’t do anything for you,” she prayed. Then God reminded her of his promise in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ.”

Hardy said God told her, “I’m going to do something with your life because I can…. (The journey’s) not going to be easy, but I’m going to be with you.”

She held out hope that God might somehow salvage her business, but while she was driving down the interstate, her business van caught fire. As she sat by the side of the road crying, someone asked, “You’ve got insurance don’t you?”

“Certain things in your life are going to have to burn up,” she said, “before God can do what he wants to do.”

In time, God “restored my marriage, he restored my credit, he restored my sense of identity” through his transforming grace.

Kimberly Sowell on the worship test

The head of Kingdom Heart Ministries, Kimberly Sowell asked those gathered to “revisit when you knew you were in love with Jesus” based on 1 Kings 18:20-40.

Elijah has called on the people to choose if the Lord is God or if it is Baal. “It is beautiful, strategic, and purposeful that this test of ‘Who is God?’ is a test of worship,” said Sowell. “If God receives this worship, we can know he is still God.”

There were 450 prophets of Baal and just one Elijah. “We are outnumbered but are we out-powered?” she asked.

For a long while, it appeared that the zealous pagans were besting God’s one prophet. If the onlookers are “thinking with their eyes, it might seem to them that God’s not winning anymore,” she said. Likewise, “if we think with our eyes, it might seem to us that God’s not winning anymore.”

The prophets of Baal were unable to call down fire to set the wood aflame. But even after soaking the wood with water four times, God sent fire down to set the wood ablaze.

After witnessing that miracle, the people abandoned their false gods to run to Yahweh, the true God. “If you’ve met God, you know who he is and you know he’s faithful,” Sowell said. “They have revisited their first love and God is real to them once again.”

What

Let’s do this.

– Lindsay Wineinger, President, Illinois Baptist Women

Sometimes it’s not sin that you need to lay down. Could it be that there are good things in your life God is saying you need to lay down?

– Carmen Halsey, IBSA Leadership Director

a privilege we have, ladies. It’s time to bring good news!

Mission team aids Ukrainian refugees

Medical ministry is part of global engagement for Metropolis church

BY ERIC REED

When Randy Oliver saw news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the doctor from Southern Illinois knew he would be going to the region again. And when he received notice from the International Mission Board that Ukrainian refugees were flooding into nearby countries, the family physician quickly joined a five-person medical mission team that included himself and Tam Foster who serves as their pharmacy tech.

Oliver and Foster are both members of First Baptist Church of Metropolis. Like many from the church, they are globetrotting missions volunteers.

“When IMB said their missionaries would be relocating, Send Relief sent emails calling together medical personnel to help refugees,” Oliver said.

The doctor knows the area well. Oliver has served on teams in Ukraine, focusing on the Donbas region in the eastern third of the nation. “The church was alive and well in the Donbas,” he said, before the invasion.

Donbas has been a major target for the Russian army. A large portion of the 14 million people who have been displaced come from there. Over 6 million have left the country and flooded into nearby Poland, Romania, and Moldova.

“We were at a children’s camp where the refugees were housed,” Foster said of their trip to Moldova in April. “We heard a lot of sad stories, of course, of leaving home and family members who didn’t want to leave.

“It was heartbreaking, what the churches, pastors, and missionaries that we knew are going through,” Foster said.

Most of the medical care for refugees was supplying medications and tending to emotional

distress. “We were able to share the gospel and try to offer some assurance,” she said.

Sharing the gospel is the reason for their medical trips, Foster said. “Dr. Oliver says anybody can go help people physically, but we have to help them spiritually. He says if we can’t share the gospel, he won’t go.”

Oliver remembers an elderly woman from Odessa who had a shrapnel wound. “She and her husband were working in their garden when the mortar round came in.”

She dragged her husband to their house, then transported him to the hospital. After two operations, he died on the third day. “She lost her husband of 47 years, her home, and was afraid to stay in the town where she lived her whole life,” Oliver said. She cried much of her time with the team, he said.

“I can treat your wound and give you medication and talk about your anxiety,” he said to the woman, “But I can tell you that when bad things happen, God is there. He loves you, so much so that he gave his Son for you.

“I could tell her about the gospel,” Oliver said, “and I did.”

Both Oliver and Foster credit Pastor Joe Buchanan and Associate Pastor Cliff Easter for the missions movement that began at FBC Metropolis church more than a decade ago. And Nelda Smothers, a retired teacher, is a fixture on mission trips and encouraging missions. The list of places where the church has served reads like a geography category on Jeopardy! Foster names Czech Republic, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Niger, and Uganda off the top of her head.

The student ministry has sent teams to Chicago, three teams to Italy, and other locations to lead sports camps, hold Vacation Bible Schools, and assist church planters.

“Covid shut us down that one summer, and everybody was about to have a fit because we couldn’t go!” Foster said.

A student group will head to Spain this summer to help church planters make contacts with residents in Madrid. The students will also participate in GO Chicago in July, returning to the city to work with IBSA and church planters.

The medical team will travel to the Yucatan in Mexico in early June for a trip combining medical missions, construction, and ministry to children. They’re definitely on the go.

ON THE RUN – 14 million people have fled their homes in war-torn Ukraine, and 6.5 million of them have left for neighboring countries. The lucky ones might land in Moldova, where local citizens took the sheets from their own beds to create sleeping spaces at places such as this arena (above).

HELP IS COMING – Waiting for their flight at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Dr. Randy Oliver (left) and Tam Foster (right) met up with nurse practioners from Georgia and Iowa and a nurse from Missouri who completed their team. In Moldova, the team provided medicines and check-ups for refugees.

At-a-glance

Opinions on abortion

Of likely U.S. voters, 48% would approve of the Roe v. Wade ruling being overturned by the Supreme Court according to a new Rasmussen poll. However, 59% say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to Pew Research.

“Abortion should mostly be illegal”

Pew Research polled U.S. adults in March: 84% of white Evangelicals agreed with this statement, compared to 42% of Catholics, 37% of white Protestants, 28% of Black Protestants and 15% of the religiously unaffiliated (the “nones”).

Reasons for abortion

96.5% of abortions are performed for social or economic reasons, rather than rape, incest, health of the mother, or birth defects, according to Human Life International.

IN FOCUS New destination

A 2004 Guttmacher Institute study puts the number at 93%.

Changing availability

The number of abortion facilities in the U.S. has dropped from more than 2,700 to 785 since 1978, reports the New York Times. There are 2,600 crisis pregnancy clinics (CPC) in the U.S. providing pro-life alternatives to abortion. Pro-life clinics now outnumber abortion facilities 3-to-1. If Roe is overturned, the number of abortion facilities would drop to fewer than 600. CPCs would outnumber abortion facilities 4-to-1

Pro-life advances

Over 16 million women of reproductive age in the U.S. currently live closer to a pro-life crisis pregnancy center than to an abortion facility. In a post-Roe America, that number would more than double.

– from Rasmussen, Pew, Guttmacher Institute, New York Times

BY LISA MISNER

ro-life is a stance; pro-love is an action,” Elizabeth Jeffers Ledbetter said. “We want to be known more for what we’re about, than what we’re against.” Ledbetter is ready to share that message with women, especially those facing an unplanned pregnancy. And especially as the legal landscape over abortion is shifting.

The Steelville resident is one of many Christians (and Illinois Baptists in particular) planning for new realities in their pro-life work after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, the Mississippi lawsuit that is predicted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion throughout the United States. Even before that ruling, many states are moving to restrict abortion by limiting the time frame during which terminating a pregnancy is allowed.

While waiting for a ruling on the Mississippi case, analysts are predicting abortion would be banned in at least 26 states. Illinois is not one of those states.

Anticipating the court’s ruling, proabortion lawmakers and other advocates have worked to make Illinois what they call the abortion “oasis” of the Midwest.

An island state

Planned Parenthood built a new abortion facility in Fairview Heights that has capacity three times its current use. The facility was initially a response to successful efforts in Missouri to shut down its three abortion clinics. Illinois has 25, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

On May 9, the Chicago Department of Public Health pledged $500,000 to provide people from neighboring states access to abortions. A few days later, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the state would give $5.4 million in federal and $5.8 million in state tax funds to family planning clinics. And “choice” advocates are working the phones, planning potential clients’ trips to Illinois for the procedure.

Ledbetter has been watching these events for months. “Illinois is the central hub with [pro-life states] around us moving in a different direction,” she said. In this environment, Ledbetter and the ministry she represents “want to be that light that gives pregnant women hope.”

In 2020, 46,243 abortions were performed in Illinois, with 36,174 of them on Illinois residents. The number recorded for out-of-state residents was 9,686 (383

In a post Roe world, can Illinois be a life-saving oasis?

were unknown), an increase of 29% over 2019. A recent study by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute predicts the percentage of women whose nearest abortion provider would be in Illinois would increase by over 8,000%.

Guttmacher suggests women would drive from across the Midwest (Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin) and the Deep South (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee) to reach an Illinois abortion clinic.

While the possibility of overturning Roe and returning those legislative decisions back to the states is “great news,” according to Debbie Shultz, “we understand that abortion will not end because of this great news.”

An Illinois resident until recently, Shultz is founder of two ministries that assist pregnant women and those who are suffering after their decision to abort a baby. “We keep praying that hearts are changed, because that’s when abortion will ultimately end—when hearts are changed,” she said.

“There is always hope, but there’s a lot of work to do, especially through pro-life organizations increasing awareness of the devastating effects of abortion,” Shultz said. She pointed to recent research showing 50% of abortions are performed on women who have had at least one abortion previously, so reaching those women is crucial.

Shultz started First Steps, a pregnancy resource ministry in Springfield. Later she started Embracing Grace after Abortion, a ministry to women who had an abortion. Shultz said she herself was hurting for 15 years after having an abortion, not knowing that was the cause.

“If we can help them heal after their first abortion, then we can help end the demand for abortion.”

Embracing grace

Ledbetter also understands the fear some women experience because she’s been there— single and pregnant. And she wants them to know the answer to an unplanned pregnancy isn’t having an abortion.

Ledbetter, along with Dacia Foote, leads the Embrace Grace group at Steeleville Baptist Church. Over 12 weeks, “we talk about everything, including the fears that go along with

an unplanned pregnancy,” Ledbetter said. There is also a testimonial night where participants hear from other women who’ve raised their children and some who’ve given theirs up for adoption.

The support group also gives the pregnant women a peek inside church and church life. “Church can be a very hard place to go to when you feel like you’re being judged,” Ledbetter said. “We don’t want to be the last place a girl goes to for help—we want to be the first.”

Embrace Grace offers a Bible study, which teaches women about their value to God. It includes a “Princess Day” where they have their hair and makeup done. “We celebrate how they are the daughter of the King,” Ledbetter said with excitement.

The entire church commits to participating in Embrace Grace. Individuals and families sign up ahead of time to “adopt” women who join the group. That includes sitting with them at church services, inviting them to church events, and making them feel welcome and loved.

“I went to church my whole entire life. My father was deacon, and it was hard to go back (to church),” she explained. Ledbetter has raised her daughter in church because “I wanted my daughter to know Jesus like I know Jesus.”

At the end of the 12 weeks, each group member is given a baby shower funded by the church. “If you have a baby, you’ve given birth in the last few months, or if you’ve chosen adoption, we’ll throw a ‘Celebration of Life Shower’ too.”

Ledbetter says she wishes there had been a group like Embrace Grace when she was pregnant. “I was 21 and living a worldly life when I found out I was pregnant,” she sighed. “If I could have found a place, people like this, I would have joined it.”

For scared, uncertain pregnant women, Illinois can become a different kind of ‘oasis.’ “We need to be the hope for these women,” Ledbetter urged, when pregnant women are asking “What’s next?”

“The church should be what’s next; we want to be beside you when you choose life.”

To learn more about how your church can get involved, visit EmbraceGrace.com.

Discussing abortion with pro-choice friends

Abortion is a difficult subject to discuss with a friend or family member who is pro-choice, when as a pro-life Christian you perceive that choice as ending the life of another. Here are a few strategies for having a productive conversation:

Pray. Ask God to give you wisdom as you speak. Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39).

Stay calm. Fear and anger often surround discussion that includes abortion. As Christians we know God does not bring fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Don’t allow yourself to be swept into those feelings. Meet strong emotions with love. You may not change anyone’s mind, but you may clear up some misconceptions.

Be tactful. One Lifeway study found 4-in-10 women were regular church attenders when they had abortion. Just 7% felt comfortable enough speaking with anyone in the church about it at the time. Many women are still dealing with the emotional and even physical effects years later. A woman tearfully confessed to our Sunday school class she’d had an abortion as a teen. She still carried that hurt and grief with her.

Remember the men. Abortion is a woman’s issue, but it’s more than a woman’s issue. Another Lifeway Research study found half of men whose partners had an abortion were church attenders when it took place. Have consideration for their feelings as well.

Stay on topic. If someone tries to divert the discussion, tell them they have a good point and you’re willing to discuss it later, but continue as you were. The issue isn’t if the Court will next overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges decision on same-sex marriage as some contend. Justice Alito stated in the leaked Dobbs opinion that no other cases were included in the reasoning behind the purported decision.

Emphasize all life is important. Pro-choice people often express the belief that the “other side” only cares about abortion and nothing about the child who is abandoned or neglected. If you’re pro-life then you care about all life—from newborns to the elderly. That means helping women and children in need whether it be through crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, food ministries, or other outreach. It also means caring for the elderly or those with health issues.

Our society thrives on keeping people afraid of what is going to happen next. But we can’t witness based on fearful speculation.

For all the branding and sloganeering, love does win. The love of Christ.

Lisa Misner is Social Media and Public Policy Manager for IBSA.

26 states will likely ban abortion if Roe is overturned. Most are located in the South and the Midwest, making Illinois the nearest state with available abortion facilities.

LARGE CROWDS – Abortion advocates staged demonstrations in major U.S. cities including Chicago on May 14.

GROWING

Learning curve recommendaTions

Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole

Eric

Mason

This study highlights the crisis manhood faces in a broken society. The author emphasizes the hope we receive from the gospel and how through the power of Jesus Christ, God’s design for manhood can be restored.

table talk

What can we say about Uvalde?

If Greg Zanis hadn’t died in 2020, he would be headed to Uvalde, Texas right now. Or Buffalo, New York. Or Laguna Woods, California.

The Aurora, Illinois carpenter built crosses to place at the sites of mass shootings, each with a red heart and the name of a victim on it. I first noticed 15 crosses outside Columbine High School in 1999. There were 27 crosses at First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas in 2017, and at so many places in between.

– Ben Towell Pastor, FBC Morton

Seamless

Angie

Smith

I did this Lifeway study with a group a few years ago, and I’m currently doing the study as discipleship for women again. It taught me the major events of the Bible in a simple way and gave me lots of foundation in my walk with Christ.

– Luz del Rios Women’s Ministry Leader Starting Point Church, Chicago

Gentle and Lowly

Dane

Ortlund

This book has been a tremendous blessing for both me and my wife. We read it together. Slowly. Taking time after each chapter to think, talk, dwell, and pray. This is a clear example of divine sovereign appointment. It has pressed us into God’s deepest heart for his own—his mercy, gentleness, and steadfast, unswerving, holding, keeping love for us.

– David Higgs Worship Pastor Dorrisville Church, Harrisburg

Zanis delivered 27,000 crosses. That’s how many people died in mass shootings since Zanis started setting up shrines in 1996. He called his work Crosses for Losses. We needed Greg Zanis in May.

Perhaps prompted by the shootings at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Church or Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the church where I’m a member enjoyed a police presence on Sundays for a while. We hired an offduty deputy to park his squad car out front and to sit just inside the front door. It was comforting to find him already there when I arrived. And we thought it served several worthy purposes: to deter attackers, reassure worshippers, and expose a member of law enforcement to the gospel through the lobby speaker system once a week.

Covid shut that down. And since we all returned, we’ve fallen to the same delusion that blinds everyone else: It can’t happen here.

I noticed a graduate of the

police academy in our congregation a couple of weeks ago. He had a baby in one arm and a telltale bulge under the other. The sight nudged me to bring up the security question at the next elders’ meeting.

About the time I was noticing that voluntary protection in our own service, a pastor in California was wielding a chair as a weapon. He took down a gunman who had stopped to reload after killing one church member and wounding five others. Two men tackled the assailant and held him down until police arrived.

This was one day after 11 people were killed in a Buffalo supermarket in a racially motivated shooting spree.

Yes. It has come to this. In our churches, stores, clubs, theaters, streets, and schools. Once again, in our schools.

What shall we say about 19 elementary children and two staff murdered in Uvalde, Texas?

People on television groping for answers will use the same expressions we’ve all heard before. It’s senseless. It’s inexplicable. It’s pure evil. Surely there’s something else to be said.

After the mass killing of 20 first graders and six teachers in Sandy Hook, Connecticut in 2012, I wrote about a laser tag battle that a friend of mine took his teenage son to play regularly. It’s an electronic version of paint ball where kids in combat gear practice shooting each other. “He’s a good kid,” my friend said. “He deserves an outlet.”

“They’re learning to kill people,” I objected, a little too loudly.

“It’s just game,” he responded.

But ten years later, I still don’t think it’s a game because mass shootings, often by dejected young men, keep happening. We’ve allowed an entire generation to grow desensitized to the innate worth of people made in God’s image. With violent video games, gory movies, and war news on all our screens all the time, there’s no escaping the elevation of death or the devaluing of human life.

So, what can we do?

For the church, we obviously have responsibility to protect people in our care. That means improved security measures, renewed safety training, and all those things we were doing preCovid. But is it time to teach again the value of human life?

God breathed his own breath into Adam (Gen. 2:7). He made life sacred from conception to eternity and every point in between, but the lonely, the hopeless, the angry don’t feel their own lives are worth anything, much less anyone around them. Salvation is more than a plan for the hereafter; it’s a plan for the here and now. To paraphrase from Paul, how will they hear it if they don’t hear it from us.

There’s a line in the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” that says, “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” The song called Civil War soldiers to their ultimate sacrifice. A later version amended the verse, “…let us live to make men free.”

That’s a reason to live, for all of us.

Eric Reed is editor of Illinois Baptist media.

A generation has grown desensitized to the worth of people made in God’s image.

BFI scholarships top $100,000

Scholarship recipients from as far south as Anna, up to Hoffman Estates, and communities in-between gathered in Springfield for the first Baptist Foundation of Illinois Scholarship Dinner. BFI awarded a record $101,750 to 49 college and seminary scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year.

Reagan Webb, a member of Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, who plans to major in pre-med at Liberty University and become a neonatologist, was one of the recipients.

She made the decision to go into medicine while her mother was in treatment for breast cancer in 2017. “She’d tell me; ‘You would make a great doctor,’” Webb said. Scholarship amounts awarded per degree per semester were Associates $1,000, Bachelors $2,000, and Seminary $2,625. The gifts broke a record of $75,000 set last year. These annual gifts come from endowed funds to further Christian higher education in Illinois Baptist life.

Webb expressed her appreciation for the scholarship. She said it “helps our finances because we’re still paying a lot of medical bills. It’s cool that it’s from a

Baptist organization. That makes it special.”

Her father, Chris, said Reagan graduated as co-valedictorian of her class. He shared his thankfulness for the scholarship and the ways “God has provided financially to move her along the path he has for her.”

The dinner held May 20 was attended by 24 scholarship recipients and their families along with 11 of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. (Webb is pictured with BFI Board chair David Grove at the dinner.)

The next BFI Scholarship application period will be January 1-31, 2023. For more information about the scholarship program, visit baptistfoundationil.org.

BEST WEEK ALL SUMMER!

June 13-17 Streator Baptist Camp • Grades 3-12

June 19-23 Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp • Grades 3-6

June 20-24 Streator • Grades 3-12

June 27-July 1 Lake Sallateeska • Grades 3-6

July 5-9 Lake Sallateeska • Grades 6-12

July 18-22 Lake Sallateeska • Grades 7-12

July 18-22 Streator • Grades 3-12

* Last grade completed

Seminary

Kyle Bailey | Ashburn BC, Orland Park

Wanda Barbour | Meadowridge BC, Zion

Josiah Blan | Families of Faith, Channahon

Leandro Gomez Der Kevorkian | Armitage, Chicago

Clayce Fletcher | Immanuel BC, Benton

Greg Gomez | Bethel, Troy

Kwangsop Andrew Kim | Korean BC of Schaumburg

Austin Lee | FBC O’Fallon

Jack Lucas | Western Oaks BC, Springfield

Josh Ratliff | Westview BC, Swansea

Matthew Scheibel | Mosaic, Highland

David Siere | FBC Brookport

Logan Staley | Heartland BC, Alton

Cooper Thompson | FBC Harrisburg

Bachelors

Morgan Ahle | FBC Carlyle

Macy Alexander | Tabernacle BC, Decatur

Ryan Boulds | McKinley Avenue BC, Harrisburg

Chase Boushard | FBC Maryville

Cameryn Brown | Dow Southern BC

Cassidy Buescher | New Hope BC, Effingham

Rachelle Cox | Joppa MBC

Rhett Ellis | Logan Street BC, Mt Vernon

Arielle Fisher | Eastview BC, Springfield

Tyler Gallion | FBC Petersburg

Breeyn Garrett | FBC Waterloo

Jaylyn Geist | Redeemer, Waterloo

Haleigh Harpole | Logan Street BC, Mt Vernon

Katie Heath | Faith BC, Carrollton

William Jones | Western Oaks BC, Springfield

Kiersten Kennedy | Pleasant Hill BC, Mt Vernon

Kayla Lockhart | FBC Coal City

Sean Londrigan| FBC Petersburg

Wade Luce | Delta, Springfield

Ella Mendenhall | Smith Grove BC, Greenville

Elizabeth Pennington | Chicagoland Community

Avery Seidel | Northside MBC, Grayville

Alivia Taylor | Net Community Church, Staunton

Sara Timm | Pleasant Grove MBC, Iuka

Reagan Webb | Logan Street BC, Mt Vernon

Owen Westbrooks | FBC Metropolis

Kimberly Williams | Anna Heights BC, Anna

Isaac Winkleman | FBC Harrisburg

Samuel Winkleman | FBC Harrisburg

Sophia Winkleman | FBC Harrisburg

Abigail Yi | Elmwood Park Community

Associates

Chandler Braddock | W. 22nd BC, Granite City

Irina Yeakley | Harristown BC

Have fun through high energy games and programs. Learn what it means to follow Christ through Bible studies, worship, and devotions.

RA Congress revives boys’ mission focus

(Editor’s note: Tabernacle Baptist Church hosted a gathering for Royal Ambassadors April 30. The RA Congress featured the customary racecar derby, plus teaching for elementary-age boys on Southern Baptist missions. Tabernacle’s pastor Carlton Binkley advocates the education ministry to build interest in global missions among kids.)

God took Ezekiel down to the valley and had him look out over an army of corpses. He asked the question, “Can these dry bones live?”

Ezekiel answered, “God, only you know.”

For the majority of Southern Baptists, Royal Ambassadors is a program that has become such a valley. The once heralded ministry that trained boys in both manhood and missions has been overlooked as many churches search for ways to disciple their young male students.

Today, concerning Royal Ambassadors, I ask the same question that God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Yes, they can! Here are six reasons our church restarted Royal Ambassadors.

1. In a world of gender dysphoria, we believe that godly men should teach and model biblical manhood for boys. Royal Ambassadors encourages men in our churches to be directly involved in the lives of our male students.

2. Most boys are kinetic learners. They benefit greatly when engaged with hands-on, outdoor, and adventure-based training. RAs meets this need through camp-craft skills and outdoor activities.

3. There is an epidemic of fatherlessness in our society. Boys may have biological fathers, but they need fathers in the faith. RAs creates an environment where men can become spiritual fathers to those boys without male spiritual influence.

4. We can’t expect a new generation to fall in love with missions if we never expose them to the joy and adventure of serving God. RAs encourages every week to be actively involved in

spreading the gospel to the nations.

5. Many of our current, middle-age churchmen have a strong affinity for RAs, understand the program, and are literally plug-and-play volunteers for this ministry. This is because RAs has a rich legacy that spans at least four previous generations of SBC life.

6. RAs builds loyalty as boys are taught and experience how Southern Baptist churches cooperate with each other through RA Congress, SBC missions, and the Cooperative Program. No other ministry has the potential to build such loyalty to our tribe. It is found in Royal Ambassadors.

When considering how your church is going to impact boys for the future of the Kingdom of God, I would encourage you to consider this ministry. Ask the question, “God, can these dry bones live?” You might be surprised to hear back from the valley a faint chant, “As a Royal Ambassador, I will do my best…”

Jacksonville church to host Storytelling Conference

neTworking

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

Calvary Baptist Church in Hillsboro seeks pastor Send resumé to Calvary Search2022@gmail.com or 1001 Rountree Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049. For more information, contact Mike Whitten at (217)273-4803.

Grace Baptist Church in Palmyra seeks bivocational pastor. Send resumé to jallen@frontier.com or Jim Allen, 1309 Chesterfield Blacktop Road, Rockbridge IL 62081.

Steven Miller is the new pastor of FBC Edinburg. He has served as pulpit supply in various contexts and worked in Christian radio, computer repair, and technical writing prior to his recent call. Miller has a Master of Theology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Florida. A widower for nine years, he and his new bride, Elaine, were married April 9.

CLASSIFIED AD

Grandview Baptist in Anchorage, Alaska seeks fulltime pastor. This SBC church seeks a pastor with a strong personal relationship with the Lord, committed to speaking truth in love. Candidates may submit resumé to gbc-pastor-search-committee@googlegroups.com or 1300 Columbine Street, Anchorage, AK 99508, Attn: Pastor Search Committee. Applications will be received until June 30.

The 15th annual Christian Storytelling Conference (CSC) will come to Lincoln Avenue Baptist church in Jacksonville June 23-25. CSC teaches people to share God’s word with refugees, children, and others in their lives through stories. “The organizers want to help the regular lay person verbally connect biblical concepts with people near you, and to be able to do it succinctly without memorization,” said LABC member Anita Kerr

Jennifer Smith of Illinois is serving as a local organizer and conference speaker. She volunteers with Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief and Samaritan’s Purse. Her military training and numerous international mission trips have given her the expertise to speak on storytelling as a gospel-sharing tool.

A free Storytelling Concert will be held Friday at 7 p.m. Akin to an open mic night, Mike Anderson of Jacksonville will emcee for tellers to share pre-submitted stories. For more information visit ChristianStorytelling.com.

Highland Avenue Baptist Church seeks Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries. Send resumé to habcoffice@frontier.com or 400 W Highland Avenue, Robinson, IL 62454.

New Life Baptist Church of Waverly seeks bivocational pastor. Submit resumé to 341 East Elm, Waverly, IL 62692. Contact Gloria Henning for info at (217) 414-5849.

Rome Baptist Church, Chillicothe seeks bivocational pastor. Send resumé to Pastor Search Committee, 5104 Stevenson Drive, Chillicothe, IL 16523 or email lsgoody53@gmail.com.

Summit Avenue Baptist Church of Decatur seeks bivocational senior pastor for a small, loving church. Compensation is $25,600 and includes parsonage. Send resumé to Chris at office@cbadecatur.com.

Whitelaw Avenue Baptist Church in Wood River seeks a pastor. Send resumé to Search Committee, 800 Whitelaw Avenue, Wood River, IL 62095, or email WABCjob@yahoo.com. Call Brad Gaines at (618) 5316634 for info. whitelawbaptist.com.

AND THEY’RE OFF! – The Pinewood Derby is a popular part of the RA Congress, racing handmade cars on a track “Hot Wheels” style. For competitors new to the event, Tabernacle Church provided the race cars.

BRIGHTER DAY

Fuel for the second half

Tracker

Trends from nearby and around the world.

June 4

EVENTS

Camps Opening Day

What: IBSA camps open to serve churches for the summer!

F

or the first time since we became parents, we navigated Easter morning without tears. There was no fussing over pinchy shoes. Our pre-church Easter basket treats caused no sugar crashes. Porch pictures were taken with gladness. All was well.

Fifteen minutes later, it began. “I need a drink of water,” my daughter whispered to me as we sang a Resurrection hymn. “We’ll wait a little while,” I whispered back. “No, I need one now,” came her louder reply. “We can’t walk out now,” I insisted in my own more urgent tone. “It’s Easter.”

Culture: Grace is free

The self-help industry is expected to be a $14 billion business by 2025, but Christians are not as likely to shop that section as unbelievers.

What really matters is how people think about God,

said Keisha Cutright, co-author of a Duke University study. “When people think about God as a loving, forgiving entity, that’s when they are not as interested in self-improvement products.”

Where: Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp

Info: IBSA.org/Lake-Sallateeska-Baptist-Camp.org

Contact: BrockVandever@IBSA.org

Where: Streator Baptist Camp

Info: IBSA.org/Streator-Baptist-Camp

Contact: JacobKimbrough@IBSA.org

June 6

Giving: Values in conflict

Grey Matter Research reports while 84% of Evangelicals said they would rather support Christian organizations than non-Christian ones, only 46% of Evangelical donors actually named a faith-based organization as their favorite to support.

What: With these online courses, receive a certificate in as little as 12 months in Christian, deacon, pastoral, or women’s ministries.

Cost: $25 per class

Info: IBSA.org/Equip

Contact: LindaDarden@IBSA.org

June & July

Kids and Students Camps

Info: IBSA.org/2022Camps

MEREDITH FLYNN

In hindsight, it really is the most appropriate day to recognize one’s thirst. But I didn’t think about that then. What I felt instead was the weight of expectations that have become familiar over the last few Easters. This should be a joyous morning. We are celebrating a risen Lord, after all. But every year, what I feel more keenly is the depth of my need. To get through this morning peacefully. To celebrate with true gladness. To glimpse even a hazy version of the victory won on that first Easter.

When our pastor started his message a few minutes later, he called it the “pivot point” of humanity. Everything turned on that day. The massive shift desperately needed for so long happened then and there.

“That’s what I need!” I thought. A pivot from my own earthly expectations of this day and this life to something more glorious. My brain took off with the concept. It’s even a good time of year for an Easter pivot. We’re heading into outreach season in church and family life. Warmer weather will bring more opportunities to engage with our neighbors.

In fact, it’s a good time of my whole life for an Easter pivot! I’m right in the middle of my middle years. This kind of shift should fuel my second half. Trademark it, make it a thing! #EasterPivotTM

I was apparently navigating my own sugar crash. But what has ensued in the weeks since Easter is a quieter understanding of the concept: I need an Easter pivot every day. It’s important that I recognize the “almost, but not yet” quality of even our best days, that they’re just a fraction the joy and glory and peace to come.

That’s good fuel for this afternoon, this week, this year, and all the other second halves.

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

Five charities were supported by one-third of Evangelicals:

St. Jude’s Hospital

The Salvation Army American Red Cross Samaritan’s Purse UNICEF

Social media: Parents worry as use increases

Children under 13 using social media nearly doubled during the first year of the pandemic. 21% of young kids now use Tik Tok, 10% use Snapchat.

51% 41%

of parents say kids spend too much time playing video games. say too much time on a smartphone.

– Pew Research comparing 2020 to 2021

Faith: I love to tell the story

Your personal story is a good place to start a gospel conversation. 5-in-10 Americans of non-Christian religions say they’re very open to hearing the life story of someone new, even if that story includes faith. Slightly more than 2-in-10 of the “nones” (religiously unaffiliated) would be open to personal faith stories, especially from a friend.

– Lifeway Research

Contact: JackLucas@IBSA.org

(See page 14.)

June 12-13

SBC Pastors’ Conference

Where: Anaheim, CA

Info: sbcpc.net

June 14-15

SBC Annual Meeting

Where: Anaheim, CA

Info: sbcannualmeeting.net

July 9

What: Pastor plus one church leader develop a practical plan for disciple-making in their church.

Where: Williamson Baptist Association, Marion

Cost: $50 per church

Contact: FranTrascritti@IBSA.org

July 22-23

Rise-Up Retreat for Men & Boys

What: A fun, worshipful overnight retreat for boys and a father, grandfather, or father figure.

Where: Streator Camp

Cost: $40 per camper

Info: www.IBSA.org/Growth

Contact: LindaDarden@IBSA.org

July 25-29

GO Chicago

What: Youth mission trip for first-hand church planting experience. Includes neighborhood outreach, nightly speakers and more.

Cost: $250 per student (includes food, lodging)

Contact: KevinJones@IBSA.org

– from Christian Post