September 1, 2021 Illinois Baptist

Nate Adams

AFTER DISASTERS

Baptists respond

The World | Three tragedies in one week captured the attention of the world. Now Southern Baptists are responding with aid for refugees from the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti, and a deluge that virtually wiped out Waverly, Tennessee.

The Southern Baptist Convention’s Send Relief compassion ministry and Disaster Relief are staging assistance for earthquake and flood victims. And in Illinois, IBSA is encouraging churches to pray for people fleeing Afghanistan, while working with World Relief in Chicago to prepare for the arrival of some of the thousands of refugees who may make their new homes in Illinois.

IBSA Missions Director Brad Lovin was on military reserve duty when the imminent fall of the Afghan government after the withdrawal of U.S. troops became clear.

Lovin served a one-year tour of duty in that nation in 2011. He was immediately concerned about his friend, Ali*, who served as Lovin’s translator during his deployment.

“Ali would die for me, and I would for him,” Lovin said. He shared Christ with Ali for the year they worked together and often in the decade since. As the news broke, Lovin was texting Ali in Afghanistan. Ali and his family were visiting relatives there this summer.

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

Copy Editor - Leah Honnen

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The BIG Baptist family album

Illinoisans on the Mission Field

Church planter Josh Burks and his wife, Cara, are reaching out to their neighbors through Elevates Student Ministries in Chicago. He also serves as social media director and event coordinator at Ashburn Baptist Church.

Pray the news: After Afghanistan

IBSA Missions Director Brad Lovin served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan in 2011. That began a decade-long friendship with his Afghan interpreter. Brad reminds us to pray for those trying to leave there, and for the American vets and families struggling with the U.S. withdrawal.

Your Cooperative Program gifts at work

NATE ADAMS

Our home, our mission

Since April, the eyes of the world have been on Afghanistan, watching to see if the withdrawal of U.S. troops announced then would result in lingering stability, or in chaos and violence from a newly emboldened Taliban. And while things appeared stable for a while, as the September target for withdrawal approached, the Taliban quickly overran most of the country in just a few days proving what many had feared, that the elected government and even the well-equipped military were simply not prepared or willing to defend the freedoms and reforms secured over the past two decades.

Wherever one may land on the politics or international relations dynamics of the situation in Afghanistan, I think we may all agree on this observation, and perhaps even apply it to our own mission task here in Illinois: Even if there is help at the beginning, people eventually need to take responsibility for their own home and their own future.

The same is true here in Illinois. Years ago, pioneer pastors and church planting missionaries came to Illinois up the Mississippi River or overland through Kentucky to establish the first Baptist churches here. Eventually that network of churches was strengthened and expanded through the missionary efforts of churches and the coordination of the Home Mission Board.

Then in 1907, Baptist churches here formed their own network that we now call the Illinois Baptist State Association. And while we greatly appreciate and continue to benefit from the mission of others that brought the gospel and Baptist churches to Illinois, we are now responsible for our own home, and our own mission.

Events of the past decade or so have underscored this reality, that the mission of reaching Illinois with the gospel, and with the Baptist faith and message, belongs primarily to the mission-hearted churches here. Funding and support from national SBC entities has been reduced. National recessions, cultural decline and opposition, and most recently the Coronavirus pandemic had significant effects on both the health of Illinois churches and the impact of our statewide mission.

It is during challenging times like this that we must summon faith-filled courage and resolve to advance the mission of the gospel and not retreat in the face of opposition. That’s why we are challenging Illinois Baptist churches to support the Mission Illinois Offering with renewed strength this September.

In spite of the pandemic, Illinois Baptists planted 14 new churches last year, up from 11 the year before, and we welcomed 10 additional churches into affiliation with our Baptist family here. In spite of travel restrictions, 650 participants from 185 churches were mobilized through 57 IBSA-coordinated mission projects. And more than 4,700 church leaders received training through our network, while over 900 pastors participated in online events or cohorts for leadership development.

Some of the most significant work being done among churches as we emerge from the pandemic is in the area of church revitalization. Dozens of churches and local associations are now actively engaged through our IBSA network in a revitalization process. This is all part of the mission here in Illinois – strengthening leaders and churches so they can more effectively reach their own communities, and also go as missionaries and church planters to the unreached areas of our state and beyond.

Giving by IBSA churches as of 8/20/21 $3,667,611

Budget Goal: $3,934,623

Received to date in 2020: $3,466,896

2021Goal: $6.2 Million

I invite you to visit missionillinois.org and learn about our vital state mission here in Illinois. I invite you to give generously to the Mission Illinois Offering this year. Though we’ve had help from many beyond our borders over the years, and we are grateful, these challenging days call for us to step up to a new level of responsibility and sacrifice. It is our home, our mission. Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Respond at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org.

PASTOR TEACHERS – An IMB missionary teaches national partners to train a future generation of African Baptist pastors at Kenya Baptist Theological College in Limuru, Kenya. – IMB photo

From the front: baptist send aid

Continued from page 1

With Lovin’s assistance, the family immigrated to the U.S. in 2014, and are now U.S. citizens. They located in Louisville, Kentucky, while Brad was studying at Southern Seminary. Their two families became good friends.

But a second Afghan man, Ali’s brother-in-law James*, who had also served as Lovin’s translator, was still in Afghanistan last week. In his spare moments while on reserve duty, Lovin continued to press the State Department and Illinois congressional representatives for assistance. At press time, James had been in the crush of people trying to reach the military section of the Kabul airport. He escaped several explosions and planned to try again later. Lovin is praying and staying in contact. For him, the war-like situation is real and personal.

That may be one motivation for his missions involvement through IBSA and his ongoing concern for Islamic people.

The U.S. has evacuated 95,000 people through Kabul airport so far. It is not known how many were Afghan nationals. Many are in processing centers in middle eastern and European countries. Those who aided Americans during the 20-year

U.S. military operation in the nation are likely to come to the U.S. In July, Congress authorized 34,500 visas.

Humanitarian organization World Relief, with offices in Chicago, is preparing for the arrival of Afghan refugees in Illinois. They are teaming with Southern Baptists’ Send Relief.

“World Relief will help them get housing and jobs, and start making a life here,” Lovin said. Approximately 6,000 Afghanis live in Chicago presently, according to the IMB Diaspora Coalition. They will offer community for new arrivals. But for Lovin and Illinois Baptists, the new wave of immigrants expected in about one month presents gospel opportunity.

While World Relief arranges for rental housing and possibly contracts Air BnB units, there may also be chaplaincy needs. Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief is in discussions about supporting refugee operations at U.S. military bases.

And for local churches everywhere, there is prayer.

“We need to pray for the Afghan people as many are fleeing with nothing but the clothes they have on,” said Bryant Wright, president of Send Relief. “Any remaining Christians will be targeted. The women and girls who are left behind will lose the freedoms they’ve gained over the last 20 years. May the church minister to any refugees our government allows in who have supported American efforts or faced persecution there.”

Ali’s family braved transport out of Afghanistan on a military cargo plane. They have since flown into Dulles Airport and driven home to Louisville, Kentucky. The Lovin family is meeting them there for a reunion, while encouraging Baptists everywhere to take Afghan refugees to heart.

(*Names changed.)

Earthquake: many homeless

Send Relief is partnering with the Florida Baptist Convention and local Haitian churches to provide food, medical supplies, and shelter following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked the island nation destroying more than 50,000 houses.

Baptist Press reported parishioners sang hymns under beams of sunlight streaming through holes in their Bergaud neighborhood church building a week after the quake. Pastor Sevrain Marc Dix Jonas said Sunday’s service was special because it was the first time his church had been able to meet since the quake. “Today was a must,” he said, standing below a gaping opening high in his church’s façade, “to thank God. He protected us. We did not die.”

Flood: ‘biblical proportions’

Waverly First Baptist Church is serving as staging area for Tennessee Disaster Relief teams handling food distribution as well as a shelter and tetanus shot clinic. The Tennesean reports almost 1-in-15 area homes were damaged by overwhelming flooding Aug. 22.

“Churches are full of evacuees, but donations have been amazing with supplies coming in from everywhere and even churches outside of town beginning to receive supplies,” said the local association’s Disaster Relief director Bill Lowe

“It was a desperate situation, but with (DR) teams responding it’s settling down,” Randy Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, told the Baptist and Reflector. “Words like ‘devastation’ and ‘nightmare’ were common reactions when describing the situation... (but) these good people are not alone. We will assist in the recovery and the rebuilding efforts over the long haul.”

– IB staff, with info from NYT.com, CBS, Baptist Press

WAVERLY UNDERWATER – 19 people died and one is still missing after a deluge wiped out much of Waverly, Tenn. More than 17 inches of rain fell on Aug. 22. – BP photo

FLIGHT – Ali’s family escaped Afghanistan aboard a military cargo plane; so far, the U.S. has evacuated 95,000 people.

50,000+ – A 7.2 magnitude earthquake near Petit Troupe de Nippes, Haiti, killed 2,200 people and destroyed more than 50,000 homes on Aug. 14. Aftershocks continue and 1,600 landslides have been recorded.

– Send Relief photo Read a first-person account of Brad’s continued witness to his former translator on page 14.

Tour follows Route 66

Evangelist Franklin Graham launches his Route 66 preaching tour in Joliet Sept. 19. The tour will stop in St. Louis Sept. 21 and follow “mother road” to California. Each of eight stops will feature an invitation for “those who don’t know Christ to surrender their lives to him,” according to the website. The Newsboys, Marcos Witt, and Dennis Agajanian will lead worship and music.

“The most critical thing you can do is pray, pray, pray,” Graham urged in preparation for the event. “The intercession of God’s people is crucial if we are to see a return to the biblical faith of our fathers, the faith that has guided and sustained our country for so long.” Graham is the oldest son of the late evangelist Billy Graham and the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. For tour dates or to volunteer, visit godlovesyoutour. com.

Pending case could challenge Roe

U. S. Supreme Court will hear Mississippi abortion suit this fall

Washington | The United States Supreme Court prepares to take up a case this fall that could challenge Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized the practice in this country nearly 50 years ago.

In May, the Court agreed to revisit Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a ruling on the Gestational Age Act passed in 2018, that replaces Mississippi’s previous viability standard and limits abortions on healthy pregnancies after 15 weeks. It allows for exceptions in cases of medical emergencies or fetal abnormalities. Lower courts invalidated the state’s law.

Many believe the case is only being heard because of the recent appointments of two conservative justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. A political publication, “The Hill,” called it “a far more sympathetic Supreme Court bench than even just one year ago.”

Americans United for Life called the case “a generational opportunity to uphold lifesaving protections.” That would include giving states greater autonomy in regulating abortions and protecting maternal health. The AUL cited a 2004 study which found “the risk of maternal mortality increases considerably after 14 weeks.”

National Right to Life president Carol Tobias says the Court should acknowledge the “medical advances made in our knowledge of unborn children and their care and treatment” since the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973. “Today, the viability of an unborn child is dependent on how advanced our technology has become,” she said.

2022 SBC plans underway

SBC President Ed Litton and leaders of the Executive Committee met with 300 California pastors Aug. 17 in Anaheim. The city, also home to Disneyland, will be the site of the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention. Litton unveiled the theme, “Jesus: The center of it all.”

“In the SBC we are always on guard–and rightly so–about false theology,” he said. “But we also ought to be careful about false leadership. Jesus said of the Pharisees to do what they say, but do not follow them. In the same sense, we have a struggle between our orthodoxy and our orthopraxy.” Later, Litton (above) joined a ministry to migrants on the border.

– Baptist Press

Gov. signs sex education bill

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law August 20 the controversial sex education legislation, Senate Bill 818. After objections, the law does not mandate public schools teach sex education to students in kindergarten through grade 12, however, if local school boards approve sex education classes, they must use materials approved by the National Sex Education Standards by the Future of Sex Education, a non-governmental organization. That curriculum includes extensive information on alternate lifestyles and drawings of sexual positions that objectors likened to pornography. Planned Parenthood, which helped write the bill, and the ACLU applauded its signing. Parents may opt their children out of taking the classes. The law goes into effect in August 2022.

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

from obtaining an abortion. “They have proven hopelessly unworkable,” Fitch stated, “...and nothing but a full break from those cases can stem the harms they have caused.”

The State of Mississippi presented three questions to the Court, which agreed to hear just one. It will address whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional. The governors of 12 states have joined an amicus (friend of the court) brief supporting the state of Mississippi.

In her brief to the Court, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch challenged two previous cases in which the Court ruled against what it called “undue burdens” being placed on women to prohibit them

The United States is one of seven countries that permits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The remaining six are Canada, China, Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. In contrast, a July study by the Charlotte Lozier Institute found 47 of 50 European nations or states limit abortions to 15 weeks or less. While the case is expected to be heard by the High Court this fall, a decision isn’t expected to be handed down until the summer of 2022.

– Lisa Misner

Court favors transgender suit

Aurora Hobby Lobby loses restroom debate

Chicago | The Illinois Second District Appellate Court issued what some are calling a landmark ruling against Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., saying the corporation violated the state’s anti-bias law by denying a transgender employee access to the women’s bathroom. If the ruling is not appealed and allowed to stand, it could have far-reaching implications for businesses in the state and nation.

The three-person panel of judges unanimously ruled Hobby Lobby violated the Illinois Human Rights Act by denying Meggan Sommerville access to the women’s bathroom at the Hobby Lobby store in East Aurora, instead directing Sommerville to use the unisex bathroom. Sommerville, 51, has been a Hobby Lobby employee for 23 years, and transitioned from male to female at work in 2013. The legal case has been ongoing for 11 years.

Governor J.B. Pritkzer hailed the ruling as a victory for transgender rights. “I’m pleased to see the court recognize Hobby Lobby’s stance against its employee as what it is: discrimination based on genderidentity,” he tweeted August 15. “As we shape a safer Illinois, we’re on a mission to empower those who too often have been overlooked or forgotten.”

The Chicago-based law firm of Mauck & Baker LLC, which often handles religious freedom cases, represented Hobby Lobby. The firm has not commented on the ruling or their next steps.

The Second District also upheld a $220,00 judgment against Hobby Lobby for emotional distress and attorneys’ fees. Sommerville continues to be employed by Hobby Lobby.

– Lisa Misner, with additional reporting from Forbes and Bloomberg.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch

IBSA Annual Meeting plans announced

Baptist family to gather in Springfield Nov. 2-4

Springfield | After a year limited by Covid restrictions, an abbreviated business gathering, and no Pastors Conference in 2020, the IBSA Annual Meeting returns with hopes for a grand turnout and celebration of God’s work in Illinois. Special events are planned for 14 affinity groups and ministry interests, plus a Crossover missions projects prior to Annual Meeting time.

“I think all of us as Illinois Baptists are ready to be together again, in person, in worship, and in unity,” said Executive Director Nate Adams. “I hope this year’s Annual Meeting will be the largest and most encouraging in recent memory.”

The three-day slate of worship, business, ministry, missions, and vision casting will kick off with the IBSA Pastors Conference on Tuesday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Then the IBSA Annual Meeting will follow with sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and another session on Thursday starting at 8:30 a.m.

The Pastors Conference and the Annual Meeting will share the theme “Thrive.”

“Thrive is a central word in IBSA’s new statement of mission: ‘to deliver network value that inspires each church to thrive in health, growth, and mission,’” Adams said. “Churches of all sizes, styles, and locations can thrive, each in their own unique way. Our statewide network of churches exists to deliver value that helps each church to thrive.”

As part of the exhibit hall, church leaders may visit a section where they will meet with staff from IBSA’s Health, Growth, and Mission teams, assessing their churches’ next steps in ministry or revitalization. IBSA’s approach focuses on the processes needed for a church to grow, rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all ministry programs, because in our varied Illinois contexts, one size doesn’t fit all. Or even most.

Lifeway CEO Ben Mandrell, a native of Tampico, Illinois, will be the guest speaker. Pastor Jeremy Byrd of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville will preach the convention sermon. IBSA President Heath Tibbetts of First Baptist Church, Machesney Park will preside.

A unique feature of the 2021 meeting is bringing together people with similar interests. This happens informally at meals, receptions, and hallway conversations. But this year, the list of offerings is intentionally expanded.

“Our Baptist family in Illinois has many families of ministry passion, from disaster relief volunteers to women’s ministry leaders to bi-vocational pastors,” Adams said. “Gathering around those special passions and then coming together in worship with a unified passion for God’s Word and our Great Commission task will make this year’s Annual Meeting especially strong.”

Each of the following affinity groups will have dedicated meetings on their work:

• Associational leaders

• Church planters

• Disaster Relief team

• Evangelism coaches

• Hispanic leaders

• Illinois Baptist Women

• Ministers’ Wives

• New IBSA churches

• Second chair leaders

• Small church leaders

• Student ministry leaders

• Young leaders

Plus, IBSA will host a meet-andgreet for people interested in international missions, with IMB missionaries from Spain, Brazil and West Africa.

Affinity groups’ meeting places will be published online and in a special section of the Illinois Baptist next month. Online registration is urged.

To the streets

The IBSA Mission team will facilitate Crossover missions projects leading up to the Annual Meeting.

On November 1-2, two Springfield churches will partner with Annual Meeting participants to conduct surveys in their neighborhoods, collecting prayer requests and sharing their faith. Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief will partner with a church for a food distribution. And IBSA is in discussion with city leaders about other compassion ministries. Mission Team leader Scott Harris said, “We’re asking people to come one day early and share the gospel in Springfield.”

Seven churches, many churches

The Pastors Conference will exposit the Seven Churches in Revelation 1-3. The speakers have been assigned one of the churches, and the text will be handled sequentially in the sessions.

“I believe we are at a pivotal point for the church,” said conference president David Seaton, executive pastor of Heights Community Church in Collinsville. Seaton wanted a sharp focus on Scripture, and especially on the church, after a challenging year.

“When we come together as brothers and sisters in Christ from all types of churches from all over Illinois, we make a statement that God is not done with us, Covid did not stop us, and we will thrive as the church even in the face of adversity,” Seaton said.

Featured preacher will be author and pastor Tony Merida of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Heights’ worship pastor Jeff Nail will lead worship for the Pastors Conference, while David Higgs of Dorrisville Church is organizing the Illinois “all-stars” praise team to lead in the Annual Meeting.

The Ministers Wives will meet Wednesday at the IBSA Building starting at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with lunch. The speaker will be Tzigane Monda, wife of pastor Josh Monda of First Baptist Church of Washington. The theme is “My Cup Overflows” based on Psalm 23:5. Cost is $20, and participants may register online.

Six churches are being considered for affiliation with IBSA. They are

• Friendship Baptist, Caseyville

• First Christian Church, Wayne City

• Auburn Baptist Church, Orland Park

• Living Word Bible Church, Darien

• Chicago Golden Light Chinese Church, Wheeling

• Peaceful Baptist Church, Rolling Meadows

“Even during times of great challenge and stress, many believers, churches, and ministries are thriving,” Adams said. “Our family gathering of Baptist churches will give us opportunities to share stories of perseverance and hope, and look forward together in faith.”

JEREMY BYRD

DAVID HIGGS BEN MANDRELL TONY MERIDA

TZIGANE MONDA

JEFF NAIL HEATH TIBBETTS

Trends from nearby and around the world. Tracker

Culture: Church is shamed and silenced

“...I see the Church submitting to the culture...Will we interpret the culture through the lens of Scripture or through the lens of culture? The Church is being shamed into silence because we don’t know what to say. ”

Numbers: Does God Exist?

43%

of millennials say they don’t know or care. That’s larger than older generations such as Gen-X (31%), Baby Boomers (28%), and Builders (27%)

“Gen-X and Millennials have solidified dramatic changes in beliefs and lifestyles,” said researcher George Barna.

People: Christian tally stabilizing

A new survey shows the decline in self-identified Christians in America has stopped. The 2020 Census of American Religion says 7-in-10 adults overall (70%) identify as Christian including more than 4-in-10 who identify as white Christian and more than one-quarter who identify as Christians of color. Among African Americans, 72% identify as Christian, 35% also say they are evangelical.

- Arizona Christian University

Global: Oppression in pandemic

“The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the persecution of Christians. Kidnapping, forcible conversion and forced marriage of women and girls increased during the pandemic. The clear oppression suffered by Christians in 2020 must not be forgotten.”

- Open Doors reports 340 million Christians experienced persecution in 2020.

Social: Facebook tests prayer “like”

The social media giant is testing a prayer button prompted by the needs expressed by users during Covid social distancing. Administrators in select groups can allow members to post requests, then click on the button to let the poster know their request was prayed for.

- Info from RNS

Faith: Top Bible-reading cities

Barna Research asked U.S. adults if they read the Bible at least weekly. The national average was 32%. In Illinois, the Mt. Vernon-Harrisburg metro (along with Paducah, KY and Cape Girardeau, MO) registered 50%

- Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of Moody Church Chicago, quoted by Christian Post.

MISSION

Conference to spark evangelism

Decatur | “The church must reach men and millennials, if we are to effectively evangelize Illinois,” said Scott Harris as he prayed over a new emphasis for pastors and church leaders. The result is the Ignite Conference, set for September 26-27 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. Breakout sessions will be held at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, across from the church.

Fresh from a Georgia pastorate with a strong focus on sharing the gospel, Harris saw encouraging a gospel movement in Illinois as a main reason for accepting a new position as IBSA’s Mission team leader, which includes missionaries who aid mission mobilization, church planting, and his personal focus on evangelism. “We are praying for a move of the Holy Spirit that ignites a movement all across our state,” Harris said. We seek the Spirit to ignite a movement, he explained, and the pastor is key to firing up renewed evangelistic zeal in his own congregation.

“Pastors will receive training in an evangelism process that they can take home to implement in their church and equip their people to share the Gospel in their community,” Harris said. Each participant will receive James Merritt’s “Best News” Evangelism Training Kit for use in their church.

New partnership targets biblical literacy

Active storytelling lets students Walk Thru the Bible

Almost 9-in-10 Americans own a Bible, according to a survey by the American Bible Society, but 5-in-10 Americans say they have read “relatively little of the Bible,” according to Lifeway Research. Despite its ready accessibility through print, websites, and multiple free apps for use on cell phones, there is a lot of biblical illiteracy in the U.S.— and it’s growing.

Even among evangelical Christians, 49% say they only “read a little bit each day.” And 39% of Christians who say they attend church services at least once a month read only a bit every day. IBSA wants to help churches address the issue through a partnership with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries.

Leader of IBSA’s Church Growth team, Fran Trascritti, describes the partnership as a way to help leaders “guide their churches back to the Bible.” Leaders can learn how to share the Old or New Testaments. For followup, there are 40 days of Bible activities.

Keynote speakers are Fred Luter, New Orleans pastor and former SBC president, and JJ Washington of the Georgia Baptist Convention staff.

Enthusiastic preacher Luter is known for leading men to Christ. He advocates FRANgelism, reaching friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. Luter says “if you save the man, the man would save his family.” Washington leads evangelism for the Georgia convention.

In addition to two worship events, participants can choose two breakouts led by Illinois pastors and IBSA team members.

The cost is $25 per person. Additional information, including times and lodging, is on page 16. Register at IBSA.org/ignite.

Two previews were held for pastors and association leaders, one in Springfield July 15, and another August 19 at First Baptist Church of Marion with more than 60 in attendance. Tim Rhodus, pastor of Cross Church in Carlinville, led that preview. He showed the participants how to tell “God’s grand story” in the Old Testament using hand motions. “The event allowed church leaders to see the ministry in action,” Trascritti said, “so that they might be able to bring this exciting ministry to their own church.”

Lifeway’s Scott McConnell suggests churches find something more than a Bible reading plan for those who find reading a chore. “Scripture describes itself as ‘living and

effective,’ according to the book of Hebrews... Those who have a habit of reading through the Bible a little each day say they have experienced this helpful, life-changing quality. Those who approach the book differently tend to say the Bible is positive but much less personal.”

Through a discounted rate for IBSA churches, leaders can bring in approved Walk Thru the Bible speakers that can be affordable for a church or an association of churches. For information, call (217) 391-3142 or email FranTrascritti@IBSA.org.

– with reporting from Lifeway Research

SCOTT HARRIS

HANDY MNEMONICS – Simple motions make Bible memory easy. Cross Church, Carlinville Pastor Tim Rhodus (top) leads a WTB training session at First Marion. Pastor Ronnie Tabor of Crossroads Church in Centralia (above) signs “Tabernacle” while another student indicates “Law.”

Our incredible shrinking state

What the 2020 census data shows for each county—and your church

BY LISA MISNER

Illinois | Each year U-Haul releases a report showing state population growth and loss by the number of its trucks moving to or out of a state. Since 2015, the state of Illinois has been ranked either 49th or 50th in truck loss. So, it wasn’t surprising when the U.S. Census Bureau released its county-by-county count, which showed Illinois was one of three states that declined in population over the

last decade. The total population loss between 2010-2020 was 18,000 people and the majority it came out of the area south of Interstate 80.

The population loss was felt the most by the 87 downstate counties that lost 177,000 people. Fif teen mostly upstate counties, which include Cook and Chicagoland’s five collar counties, gained a population of 159,000 during that same timeframe. The state’s total population is now 12,822,739.

In the last decade the number of resident members in IBSA churches has declined along with the state’s population. In 2010, 148,546 resident members were reported in IBSA churches, but by 2020, the churches reported 123,569 resident members in their Annual Church Profiles. While IBSA plants between 15 and 20 new churches each year, the number of churches that close annually and the loss of active members to an aging population make it difficult to balance the declines.

Nationally, approximately 3,000 Protestant churches were started in the U.S., but 4,500 closed in 2019, according to estimates from Nashvillebased Lifeway Research. At the same time, declines in the birthrate and the increase in younger adults

IN THE RED – 87 of Illinois’ 102 counties list population since 2010. Only 15 counties grew, and most of that was in the Chicago area. Economic research organization Wirepoints created this map to show the shifts. An interactive version at their website includes additional information for each county. www.wirepoints.org/shrinking-illinois

who refuse to identify with any organized religious organization make the local church’s task even harder.

But maybe, just maybe, the shrinking population news isn’t all bad.

IBSA’s Church Health Director Scott Foshie acknowledged while the population decline might be “disheartening to see some in areas of the state, church leaders should take heart that the number of gospel opportunities remain abundant.” But ministry in these areas will likely require a shift in their approach.

Positive responses

A recent article by the economic advocacy group Wirepoints noted St. Clair, Winnebago, and Vermilion counties each lost between 7,000 to 12,000 of their residents. Near the southern-most part of the state, Alexander County lost 3,000 people, which is more than a third of its population. Each of these four counties are home to cities with areas of great poverty—East St. Louis, Rockford, Danville, and Cairo. It is in places like these that “church” must be redefined, but across all of the state as well.

Doug Morrow believes churches must understand “that the remaining residents in Illinois are less economically advantaged” and unable to contribute as previous generations have. Morrow

is executive director of the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI). He works with Christian estate planning, but also with church loans and investments. In addition, he is serving as bivocational pastor of Springfield Southern Baptist Church, leading the congregation to reach the population in its rapidly changing neighborhood.

With outreach ministries including food distributions and prayerwalking in the nearby area, the church is seeking to connect with people they’ve never met—and who hardly knew the church was there.

While their older, mostly white church members were distributing snow cones on a hot summer evening, Morrow told how a man driving by called out his car window, “Thank you for what you’re doing in the community!” The church recently voted to rename their 72-year-old congregation “Together Church on North Grand.”

In areas with demographic shifts or population decline, churches will not be able to “depend on the attractional model to bring in people that look like them culturally to grow the church,” Morrow said. Connecting with differing population groups necessitates churches become “intent on building

authentic relationships with others—many of whom are facing profound economic or social challenges.”

With his specialty of leading churches in renewal, Foshie said church leaders can take this opportunity to study the state’s changing demographics. “While our gospel message never changes,” he said, “the new census data points to our need to rethink and to refocus how we carry out the Great Commission.”

While Illinois lost 177,000 people downstate and 18,000 overall, the surrounding states posted increases of 140,000 to more than 300,000 people in the past decade.

He believes now is a great time for the local church “to consider how God is calling them to adjust their ministries to make meaningful connections with the people God has placed around them.”

Through IBSA’s ReFocus Ministry, Foshie helps churches ask themselves the right questions to meet the needs of the people in their communities and to develop new strategies. Start by asking simple questions such as, “Do the people in our worship services look like the people we see at our local grocery store, our local fast-food restaurants, or our local gas stations? How can we reach the people around our church and in the neighborhoods of our congregants?”

Effective ministry will involve planting new churches to meet people’s needs even though the population is declining. Foshie said, “Church leaders should prayerfully develop leaders that become our next church planters.”

First Baptist Church of Crystal Lake is in a rare growing area, but that also requires change. The north suburban church is taking part in Refocus using the new census data. “One of the things we noted was there were 80,000 people within a 10-mile drive,” he said. “Then, I added what was going to be growing in the future as people move into places like Crystal Lake where they can still work in Chicago.”

There are also opportunities for churches to get involved in short-term mission opportunities to partner with churches in the growing parts of our state, said Foshie.

Besides Illinois, only two other states showed declines in population—West Virginia and Mississippi. Illinois fell from the fifth most populous state to sixth, switching places with Pennsylvania.

Some experts were surprised by what they considered a lower loss in population than expected. Using estimates based on IRS data from 20102020, the Census Bureau had predicted the state would show a loss of around 250,000 people.

So, with new doors opening to new people groups, and mission opportunities in each county and every corner of Illinois, the news isn’t so disappointing after all. In fact, by God’s grace, it may encourage gospel growth no one ever imagined.

To learn more about ReFocus, contact ScottFoshie@IBSA.org. For information on BFI, write Doug. Morrow@BaptistFoundationIL.org.

It’s not too late to participate

Mission

Let’s pray for Illinois

For a while this summer, we were talking about “life after Covid.” It has become clear that for some time to come, we will still be thinking about “life during Covid,” and trying to do ministry in this challenging environment.

Recent reports show in some churches, as much as 40% of worship attendance has not rebounded since quarantine ended. In Illinois, Annual Church Profiles from 2020 showed that worship attendance declined by 9%, even after churches reopened. And among churches that post their ongoing Facebook and livestream worship services, it’s not uncommon for the online attendance to approach half the pre-Covid worship numbers.

On other words, the recovery continues. But there are good signs in IBSA churches across Illinois, because despite the challenges, we all remain committed to our Great Commission calling. And that includes state missions.

More than candy

When Sharon Carty was contacted by the organizers of a food distribution on Chicago’s south side in July, she promised to send candy for the children. “Candy!” the caller exclaimed. “No one ever gives candy.”

Carty assured her there would be plenty, “because that’s how we can share the love of God,” she said later. And a big stash of candy had just arrived at the new warehouse in Mt. Vernon.

The request from Chicago was a first for Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief. IBDR had supplied many semi-trailers of food to local churches in the city as

part of a distribution ministry born during the Covid pandemic. But now word was getting around that Illinois Baptists care about Chicagoland, and volunteer training coordinator Carty was excited by the opportunity. “Now they’re reaching out to us,” she said. When Carty’s husband Glen left Mt. Vernon with a load of food and all kinds of needed supplies, there was plenty of candy on board. And Illinois Baptists were credited in a presentation at the south side distribution. “They know we care,” she said.

In the past year, state missions have adapted to the need of the crisis situation. The work of Disaster Relief is a good example. When the usual methods of responding the floods and tornadoes were limited, a new ministry emerged. DR volunteers quickly adapted, and IBSA bolstered their new ministry with administrative support and communications. IBDR State Director Butch Porter and Missions Director Brad Lovin are IBSA employees. Their work is supported by the Cooperative Program, but also by the Mission Illinois Offering.

Gifts that change the future

In 2020, CP giving was down 12.3 percent. In most churches, faithful Illinois Baptists gave their tithes and offerings, even if they had to mail them to the church office. And many churches that moved to online giving now report that as their main method of “passing the plate.”

So far in 2021, missions giving through CP in Illinois has rebounded to within 9% percent of the budget goal. State leaders are still praying for missions giving of $6.2 million this year.

What isn’t known yet is the recovery of the Mission Illinois Offering.

A separate offering for state missions collected in September, MIO is especially for use in Illinois. That allows IBSA to support important regional missions that otherwise might be unfunded or under-funded. In this season, IBSA often highlights ministries that are blessed by generous MIO giving, including ministry to children and students at IBSA camp facilities, Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, and church planting ministries in Illinois locations where a gospel witness is scarce.

And in the pandemic, when pastors needed help ministering despite closed doors, IBSA was able to pivot its equipping and training to cover wor-

ship technology, religious freedoms, and spiritual needs, delivering aid through webinars and online services. Innovation is one of the hallmarks of state missions during crisis. State missionaries are close enough to understand the unique needs of churches and leaders in Illinois—and to adapt to pressing situations.

In 2020, giving through the Mission Illinois Offering declined 15.2%. As this offering supports state missions directly, the goal for 2021 remains at $375,000. The Mission Illinois Offering is needed this year especially. So many IBSA ministries depend on it.

In every season, the partnership between local churches and associations and IBSA is vital. That’s why many reports from member churches are so encouraging: 14 new church plants launched during Covid. 112 children and students saved at summer camps. Food distributions reaching new neighborhoods. And especially stories from churches whose outreach resulted in gospel conversations, and eventually salvations.

Forysth Baptist Church began food distribution using IBDR-provided goods last year. Their new pastor, Bruce Homontowski arrived at the same time as Covid. He began reaching out to the neighborhood despite the challenge. In the past year, 20 people have come to Christ, and the church baptized eight people this summer. That’s just one example of the state missions partnership that makes a difference—for all eternity.

When

your church supports the Mission Illinois Offering, you make a difference

PARTNERS – Pastor Bruce Homontowski delivers 45 backpacks to teachers at Maroa-Forsyth School. Forsyth Baptist Church members filled the bags, which were supplied by NAMB.

MARKET DAYS – Together Church on North Grand (recently renamed from Springfield Southern Baptist Church) distributes food delivered by Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief.

Fishing season

8 hooks for effective pastor search

BY MARK EMERSON

One outcome of the Covid season appears to be an increase in pastors changing churches, and churches starting pastor searches. Call it “pent-up demand.” In many fields, people waited during the closures forced by the pandemic before making major purchases, changing jobs, or relocating.

Even in the best of situations, churches will need to call a pastor at some time. Pastoral transition is not easy, but the steps taken during this time directly impact a church’s future success. Even though each church situation is unique, here are eight steps that are common for most churches in leading an effective search process.

1. Prayer. Regular, focused prayer must permeate the search process. Searching for a pastor is different from a company seeking a new CEO. The pastor search is a spiritual process that requires spiritual tools. Inviting God into the search process enables the church to recognize that they depend on God to bring the leader God has called, not the leader they prefer. It places the Holy Spirit in charge of the process and strengthens the church through a time of instability.

Make prayer the first step you take and allow prayer to be a part of every other step.

2. Slow down. A common mistake that churches make in the first few weeks of pastoral transition is they rush. The temptation is to quickly form a search team and begin the search process, when the most strategic decision would be to pause, pray, and move slowly.

It is wise to understand that a search process may take longer than you expect. Some experts share that it may take a month for every year the pastor has served to find his replacement. This is an important process. The church should take its time to get this right!

3. Seek help. Enlisting an outside voice such as your associational leader or an IBSA staff member is a wise decision. Many churches contact IBSA during the search process asking for the pastor search guidebook. Sometimes it may benefit a church even more to request someone to help guide them.

I have kept an e-mail in my office that I received this past year from a church during a search pro-

Finding the right stream

cess. The quick e-mail shared this message, “We have decided to go at this alone.” Please do not go at the search process alone.

In a survey completed last year which collected responses from eight search teams, each team shared the importance of the outside voice that spoke into their process or shared their regret for not enlisting outside help.

4. Train the search team. IBSA has developed a training process for search teams that they study individually online, work through with a facilitator, or study as a group. The training process helps the search team understand the key parts of the search process and how to apply the principles to their church’s context. An introduction to the training process can be found on IBSA’s Pastor Search webpage, www.IBSA.org/pastor-search.

5. Communicate. In a recent survey of IBSA pastors who have been serving their church for less than two years concerning their experiences with the search process, pastors were asked to identify key things they would change to make the process more effective: 8-in-10 suggestions for improvement pertained to communication.

Often search teams struggle to keep the church informed during the process which leads to tension and distrust. Search teams also struggle in their ongoing communication with candidates. Many candidates share that there is little or no communication with the search team after they send a resume. Communicating effectively with the church and with candidates is vitally important in an effective search process.

Where you drop your bait really matters

Churches that are prayerfully seeking the man that God has called to be their next pastor are finding good candidates by following these best practices. In my survey of churches about their search process, I found some common attributes among churches that connected well with possible pastoral candidates. With online applications, it’s possible to receive hundreds of poorly matched resumes. These strategies will produce a better candidate pool.

Communicate clear expectations

Churches that clearly communicate describe the type of candidate they seek and as many details as possible about the position, including expectations, salary and benefits, vision, and context. Deeper description of their situation and desires produce candidates interested in deeper conversation about their pastoral opening, and who are more likely to match the needs of the church.

Advertise appropriately Churches that create a positive, yet accurate ministry position description will advertise in several national sites such as SBC.net, ChurchStaffing.com, and others. Plus they can post their opening on the IBSA Website and in the Illinois Baptist. Southern Baptist seminaries also offer connections to students and alumni. It is possible to get overwhelmed by mildly interested candidates, but specific description of affiliations, theological interests, and experience requirements will generate interested and like-minded candidates.

Reach out for recommendations

Churches may receive the best candidates by asking for referrals from state and associational leaders who know of candidates seeking a new ministry. They also may also know the history of the church and its current needs. Reach out to these leaders for their matchmaking assistance.

6. Take an inside look. William Vanderbloemen, founder of a search firm serving churches, uses the analogy of an organ transplant to describe the importance of making a good match between candidates and churches. Successful organ transplants happen because both the new host and the organ have been tested. Monitoring continues after the transplant to help fight against organ rejection. A congregation needs to take a fresh look at itself as they begin a search process to rediscover the uniqueness of their church. A church’s culture, values, traditions, personality, and vision all help to determine what type of leader can be considered a good match. It is important to know the type of candidate a church should look for before they begin soliciting resumes.

7. Discover the right candidate. Search processes are cluttered with aspirational thinking. Churches tend to see themselves as who they once were or who they want to be, instead of who they currently are. This is also true with candidates. Candidates tend to put their best foot forward on a resume and seek to cover up weaknesses. This makes a good match difficult.

One church recently shared that “the candidate we interviewed wasn’t the candidate we received.” Most likely some candidates could share the same thing about the churches they interviewed. An effective interview process and extensive reference check can help the church to discover the “real” candidate and see if he is a good match for the church.

8. Onboard the new leader. Search teams are tempted to think that their job is complete after the church votes to affirm their recommendation of the new pastor. Working with the pastor in their transition and developing an onboarding process can greatly affect the success of the new leader. Beyond the outlining benefits package and giving access to the church directory, onboarding should cover all kinds of vital information about the church, how it operates, and its readiness for new vision and change.

Some search teams continue to operate for up to a year, meeting with the pastor, serving as his advocate with the church, and helping with settling in. The official celebration of a mission accomplished doesn’t come with a successful call and a positive vote, but many months later.

Associate Executive Director Mark Emerson recently completed a Doctor of Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His dissertation project focused on the pastor search process. He serves as lead contact for IBSA churches seeking help with their own pastor search.

IN FOCUS

Illinois’ Sandy Wisdom-Martin celebrates five years leading National WMU

Ahead of her five-year anniversary in October, Woman’s Missionary Union Executive Director Sandy Wisdom-Martin recently marked a milestone of 11,111 days involved in vocational ministry. Many of those days were here in Illinois. She said her primary ministry goal is “to live surrendered wholeheartedly to the will of God.”

WMU’s Trennis and Pam Henderson followed her around, hoping to find a “typical day” in the busy leader’s life. As it turns out, there isn’t one.

The Illinois native is sometimes in the office, sometimes on the road, sometimes on the platform at national events, or sharing Jesus on mission trips. Here, our own Sandy is as active on a single day at the Birmingham WMU headquarters as she was on the IBSA staff in Illinois.

In Sandy’s shoes

BY TRENNIS HENDERSON

As Sandy Wisdom-Martin approaches her fifth anniversary as executive director/ treasurer of national Woman’s Missionary Union, she seldom experiences a “typical” day.

With extensive travel, speaking engagements, strategy meetings, writing projects and a host of other responsibilities, she frequently finds herself balancing big picture goals and day-to-day details.

Those who work closely with WisdomMartin know that she takes it all in stride. How does she pull that off amid competing

projects, pressures and priorities?

“Who I am today is because of WMU women who’ve invested in me and poured their lives into mine,” she affirmed. “I think of my Acteens leader who taught me so much in my little country church in southern Illinois. I think of WMU mentors who spent years shaping me into the person that I am today. And I just feel such a responsibility to the heritage, to the legacy that I’ve been given to help nurture that in others.

“At WMU, our mandate is to make disciples of Jesus who live on mission. People

NOW – Sandy frequently begins her day in the WMU office in Birmingham, Alabama, with a time of devotions and prayer. “What God has for us is so much better than we can imagine on our own.”

THEN – Building a WMU Habitat for Humanity house – Illinois Baptist archives

Sandy finds herself balancing big picture goals and day-to-day details. “By far, the favorite thing about serving in my role is the people that I get to work with,” she noted. “We collaborate together and we look for solutions and together we will find the future that God has for us.”

did that for me, and I want to pass that along to others,” Wisdom-Martin explained. “I see my role as being the biggest cheerleader I can be to help raise up another generation of women who will be involved in the mission of God.”

Following God faithfully

Beyond that, she is deeply committed to her sense of call from God. “Why am I here today?” she reflected. “I’m the daughter of a foundry worker and a coal miner. I shouldn’t be in this place. And it’s not because of my skills or abilities. It’s because of what God did through others and what He asked me to do and it’s just following Him faithfully.”

In reality, she is uniquely qualified for the national ministry role God has entrusted to her. Prior to being elected national WMU executive di-

rector in 2016, she held similar WMU leadership positions on the state level in Texas and her home state of Illinois. She previously served several years in an associate role with Arkansas WMU.

And she hasn’t forgotten to focus on the basics. While “there really is no typical day in the life of an exec in WMU,” Wisdom-Martin said, “I like to come to the office and do my devotional time here before I start my work day. It usually involves multiple meetings with staff in various configurations. I do lots of emailing. I check the daily cash position because as treasurer, that’s one of my responsibilities.

“I love to do research in the library,” she added. “I have a staff member assigned to ask me, anytime I say I’m headed to the library, ‘Are you sure you have time for that now?’ because I just love to research in the library.”

Sharing ministry conversations

Wisdom-Martin noted that she also does “lots and lots and lots of writing” as well as “lots of interviews with people.”

“One of the most wonderful things that I get to do is hear the stories of others,” she shared, “so to write about their stories or to interview them in a podcast, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

In fact, her podcast, “On the Journey Conversations,” debuted as a positive ministry outlet amid the height of the pandemic. Featuring informal conversations with WMU leaders, missionaries, and other

faith leaders, podcast topics range from “build each other up” and “be a visionary leader” to “finding peace in the midst of chaos” and “a Christian response to racial reconciliation.”

The podcast series, available at wmu.com/podcast, is a testament to Wisdom-Martin’s commitment to creative, cutting-edge missions endeavors.

“When we talk about making disciples of Jesus who live on mission, while that is our big mandate, we all have to find our place in that mandate,” she emphasized. “That’s what I want for every Christ follower – to be able to take their place in God’s plan. What God has for us is so much better than we can imagine on our own.”

Citing WMU’s team approach to

pursuing God’s plan, Wisdom-Martin added, “By far, the favorite thing about serving in my role is the people that I get to work with–such a group of creative, committed Christ followers who show up every day and give it all they’ve got. We collaborate together and we look for solutions and together we will find the future that God has for us.

“Today, we’re looking at a day in my life, but we could be looking at a day in anyone’s life,” she concluded. “I think the goal is, no matter who you are, no matter what you do, to live surrendered wholeheartedly to the will of God.”

That’s typical in Sandy WisdomMartin’s life and leadership–every single day.

Sandy often records brief video greetings to WMU groups, especially amid the height of the pandemic. During a recent video session, she shared words of appreciation and encouragement for WMU gatherings in Alaska, Illinois, Tennessee, and the Philippines. Current photos provided by WMU.

“One of the most wonderful things that I get to do is hear the stories of others, so to write about their stories or to interview them in a podcast, it doesn’t get any better than that.” A recent podcast featured Morris and Derry Johnson, church planters at Integrity Baptist Church in Hueytown, Alabama.

THEN – Using puppets to share Jesus on a mission trip to a medical clinic in Peru. – Illinois Baptist archives

NOW – At the podium in Nashville during the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention.

GROWING

Do I dare declare judgment?

The recent collapse of a condo building near Miami and weeks of searching through 22 million pounds of rubble for 97 victims took me back. I couldn’t break away from the coverage. And it reminded me of a question I’ve been asked after several catastrophes.

In November 2001, I visited New York City. I was there with a colleague to interview pastors after 9/11. We wanted to hear how they ministered to grieving families after the terrorist attacks that felled the World Trade Center towers.

We talked with pastors about their ongoing care for a city still in shock. We asked chaplains about ministry to beleaguered first responders. A church planter described riding his bicycle through bedlam that day, trying to reach his son’s school still shrouded in concrete dust and jet fuel smoke. At the weekly prayer meeting at Brooklyn Tabernacle, I found myself listening for more than an hour to the sobs of a woman whose husband died in the collapse.

She was asking the unanswerable why.

“Some people said to me this is God’s judgment. Do you think it is?”

More sobs spared me from answering, but her question echoed the next day as I stood as close to Ground Zero as we were allowed to go. Eight weeks afterward, the air was still chalky. At a church three blocks away, one where George Washington had worshiped and rescuers recently slept on the pews between shifts, the wrought iron fence around its ancient cemetery was caked in white powder. Concrete and bone.

Was this a judgment from God?

Zoom ahead five years. After Hurricane Katrina, a member of the church I had pastored in New Orleans in the previous decade asked the same question. She told me the long story of trying to put her waterlogged life back together.

“Some preachers are saying the city deserved this, that the

flood is God’s judgment for sin.”

I thought the preachers might have a point. After all, New Orleans was founded as a wicked getaway for pirates. Not much had changed in 300 years, despite the rise of the middle class and the influx of Baptists. Would I have preached comfort or judgment if I still lived there after the flood?

I wanted to blame bad civil engineering and the faulty decision to build a city six feet below sea level. I wanted to quote Isaiah: Comfort, comfort ye my people. Her pointed question stopped my wondering. “Do you think this was a judgment from God?”

Her ache was deeply theological, and even more important than comfort in the eternal scheme of things. Was God angry? And if so, would he act on that anger?

I heard a preacher wrestle with this subject. After the worst of Covid-19, he sought to reassure people who might feel the messiness of life is evidence of God’s displeasure. God loves you, he said. Your troubles aren’t punishment from God.

I wondered, Can you promise that?

In my preaching schedule, I don’t usually camp out at the wrath of God. But terrorist attacks, repeated natural disasters, and pandemics do make me

wonder if God is aggravated. And the continual decline of our society only serves as justification for his possible righteous anger. American culture has gone from bad to worse, and just when we think it can’t get any worse, it does.

Make your own list of things that could tick God off. Is it long? If I were God, I would have lost patience a long time ago. The only thing that holds back his judgment is his mercy, giving the world just a little longer to repent and return before time runs out. But mercy doesn’t preclude God’s use of tragedy to get our attention. Churches were full in the weeks after 9/11, but the lesson was mostly lost by Christmas. Since then, faith and faithfulness continue to slide. It has been many decades since repentance produced revival that stuck. We need it now as never before.

I’m thinking of all this as the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 approaches. We will relive the crashes and collapses and the reading of names, but not many people will ask whether it was judgment. Whatever we may ponder as God’s anger, we can only hope it draws us—and our culture—back to our knees.

Eric Reed is editor of IBSA media.

The Learning curve reading & recommendaTions

HeartoftheArtist.org

Rory Noland

I begin my day with a brief online devotion.

It is simple Scripture designed to focus on God and his majesty. Less is actually more of the Lord.

“The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”

Christianity Today podcast

A deep dive into the disintegration of a church. Leaders were not holding other leaders accountable because the church was growing dramatically. Informative for those who see similar traits in their character, it is a modern day proverb to warn the next generation.

IDEA Method

I’ve been searching the Bible for the phrase “one another.” I’m using the IDEA method:

Identify a question about a specific topic.

Discover what the Bible has to say.

Establish an answer based on your research. Apply the answer to your own life.

This has been helpful for me to better engage God’s word.

– Bob Carruthers Associational Missionary, Sandy Creek Association

– Kevin Jones IBSA Church Planting Director

– Brooke Schomburg ministry leader Red Hill Church, Edwardsville

“Your answers point to a preaching career... mainly, because they all start with the same letter.”

illinois voices

Escaping Afghanistan

A missionary and veteran prays for his friend

I served in Afghanistan. I was there for a year in 2011, one of several deployments while I was in the U.S. Army. Watching the withdrawal of the U.S. forces and the almost immediate takeover by the Taliban has been emotional for me in many ways. The seizure of power by Taliban forces does not surprise me. But it is heartbreaking to have spent a year away from my family and to see soldiers lose their lives investing in a country only to have it shattered in a matter of weeks. I understand the anguish being expressed by many veterans of the 20-year attempt to bring peace to Afghanistan.

More critical to my story is my translator. Ali and I were together almost the entire time during my deployment. I shared the gospel with my Muslim friend many times. As I was leaving, he said that he had never met a Christian like me. I explained to him that, though some people may call themselves Christian, they may not have a real relationship with God. Ali wanted to leave Afghanistan. He was certain he would not get a visa, but I told him I would pray for him, so that we could continue our conversations.

In 2014, Ali and his family immigrated to Louisville, Kentucky, where I was living. I asked him if he remembered our discussion regarding me praying for him. He said that he had thought about it every day. I told him that God had brought him to the United States because he wants Ali to know him like I do. Over the next two years, our families were very close. We were brought into the Afghani

community as we played soccer, ate meals, and celebrated big events.

We stayed in touch, even after I took a position in another state. Since my family moved to Illinois as I joined IBSA, we have visited several times. The last time was in late May just before Ali and his family were to leave to visit relatives in Afghanistan. They had waited until they had their U.S. citizenship.

They were scheduled to fly out of Afghanistan on August 15. On their way to the airport, the Taliban entered Kabul. The situation became very chaotic with streets closed, shooting, and Taliban pouring into the city. Ali and his family had to walk to the airport only to find out their flight was cancelled.

Ali knew that if the Taliban discovered he was a

translator, they would kill him. His only hope was evacuation, but there was no certainty when the embassy would call.

He decided to try and make it to the U.S. military section of the Kabul airport on Monday morning. They had to divide their family, so they did not appear to be traveling together. Ali told me it was absolute chaos. The family was separated several times before they made it to the military checkpoint. Taliban were everywhere, but they managed to make it to the airport. After showing their U.S. passports, they were given refuge.

Ali sent me a picture late Tuesday from a C-130 military transport plane about to depart for Qatar. They managed to be evacuated to safety. They still must finish the final leg of the journey to make it back to the United States, but they are out of relative danger.

Through the whole process, I told him that I and others were praying for their safe return. I shared that God had given me peace about the situation and I was certain of that he would make it back. He shared that he thought we prayed to the same God. I told him that I didn’t think so, but we could have that discussion when he returned.

My family plans to go celebrate with them very soon.

Brad Lovin is IBSA’s Missions Director. Brad, his wife, and their children minister to international residents of their neighborhood in Springfield.

“My friend Bruce Kugler has prepared perhaps the best presentation of Spiritual Warfare I have seen in many years. It is not only theologically accurate but is very practical. I am enlisting Bruce to teach these truths to our pastors in India. I strongly encourage every pastor to invite Bruce to share this teaching in your church. We have a host of our people struggling with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and they urgently need help. These truths will set them free.”

– Dr. Ron Herrod, President R.H.E.M.A. International, Former First Vice President, Southern Baptist Convention

Begins: September 7th

Tuesday Evenings: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Length: 13 week class

$30

$50 (couple)

Training Manual Included

Ali* and Brad in Afghanistan, 2011.

The best VBS ever!

Each year we have our two Tennessee grandkids with us during Vacation Bible School. After a year off, we were looking forward to the time together with 7-year-old Amelia (“Mea”) and 11-year old Kyle. As it happened, this VBS would really be one to remember.

This week we had the chance to share about God’s love in various ways. Drawing on our music ministry background, my wife, Kathy, and I led the music for the preschool department during “Children’s Adventure Week.”

The kids were a joy to teach but reminded us that we are not getting any younger!

We also led an evangelistic presentation for the older children. The “paint talk” presentation was one we used as missionaries in Brazil and Kenya. We always found it to be an effective explanation of the gospel in a simple-to-understand form, using fluorescent paint and a black light. The children watched

and listened carefully as we told them becoming a part of God’s family is one of the most important things in life.

After the presentation the children went back to their classrooms. The teachers asked them if anyone would like to accept Christ. Our granddaughter shared she would like to. Of course, the word came back to us quickly that our Mea prayed to receive Christ. She later talked with our pastor, and he said she knew what decision she had made and understood it well.

What a blessing to be able to take part in this. There were at least 12 others who also accepted Jesus! Kathy and I have always enjoyed working and doing ministry together, but this time we can truly say this was the Best VBS Ever!

Jeff Deasy is IBSA’s Administrative Director of Operations. He and Kathy (pictured above) are members of Chatham Baptist Church.

112 saved at summer camps

After a busy, fun, and sometimes trying summer, IBSA reported a successful return to summer camps following their closure due to Covid-19 in 2020.

In seven weeks of IBSA camps, 691 children and students attended. That was down 33% from 2019, but overall, leaders considered it a strong return given the remaining challenges from Covid. One week of camp at Lake Sallateeska was relocated to Streator Baptist Camp in July, after an outbreak was reported.

In seven camp weeks led by IBSA and in partnership with local associations, 43 salvations were reported. Counting camps held by other local churches, 112 salvations in all were reported.

with the lord

Mary Lyn Nehring, 88, died August 1. She ministered for 20 years with her late husband Art, manager at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp. An LPN, Mary served as camp nurse. She also ran the family’s propane gas business. She volunteered with the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, IBSA, and healthcare organizations. A member of Concord Baptist Church in Rice, she also traveled to Africa and Mexico on mission trips. She is survived by two sons, three daughters, and 15 grandchildren. The family included Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp as a recipient of memorial donations.

Norma Uhles, 54, died August 4 after a battle with Covid. She is survived by her husband, Bill, pastor of Valier Second Baptist Church, where she was a member and served in the children’s ministry. Her husband wrote, “She was not only my wife, but my best friend.” She is also survived by two sons, one daughter, and 10 grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the church.

Leland Leslie Ganieany, 79, died July 20, 2021. He pastored for over 30 years, serving in Illinois Baptist churches including Moore’s Prairie, Long Prairie, Olive Branch, and as an interim pastor/ pulpit supply in East Salem. He owned and operated Ganieany Tire Service in Wayne City for 20 years, and Ganieany Sawmill near Bluford. He was a member of Olive Branch Baptist in Wayne City. He is survived by wife, Phyllis, two children and five grandchildren.

Kathleen Denby Claybrook, wife of the late Ed Claybrook, IBSA’s Director of Special Ministries from 1979 through 1990, died in July after a brief time in hospice care. She most recently lived with their son Gerry, a retired pastor, and his wife, Julie, in Alabama. Ed died in 2012 after 69 years of marriage. Kathleen was an interim pastor’s wife to the 32 churches he served, including an IBSA church in St. Charles. Their son David also served IBSA in student evangelism ministry.

CLASSIFIED AD

Church Security Training

October 22-23 • Friendship Baptist Church in Plainfield

80% of attacks start in the parking lot, and 25% of attacks are at Baptist churches. This means church greeters and security teams are our first responders. Learn how to protect your church in this two-day training taught by security experts from Strategos International.

Sponsored by Three Rivers Baptist Association. $159 for both days or $99 for one day. Group of three will have the fourth person admitted free. Register before October 7 for 10% discount.

Register at www.strategosintl.com or call 630-399-9144 for more information.

neTworking Find more information on ministry positions at IBSA.org/connect

Send NetworkiNg items to IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

Harvard Hills Baptist Church of Washington is seeking a bivocational pastor. Please send resumés to Steve Meyer at meyer_steve@att.net.

New Salem Missionary Baptist Church seeks a bivocational pastor with strong biblical knowledge. Please send resumés to 7341 Co Road 875E, McLeansboro, IL 62859 Attn: Pulpit Selection Committee or email resumés NewSalemMBChurch1@gmail.com.

Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield seeks a youth minister/director. This is a part time position, but we are also considering full-time. Please send resumés to opportunity@calvarypittsfield.com.

Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton is seeking a senior pastor. Details for the position and the submission of names or resumés are available at pastorsearch. ibsa.org/job/nrzw2g/senior-pastor/benton/il.

CUPS – Always a hit at camp.

September 14, 17, 18, 28 • October 12, 19

Equip Regional Training Events

What: Opportunities for church leaders to grow their skills through two practical breakout sessions.

Where: Sept. 14: Logan Street, Mt. Vernon

Sept. 17: Alpha Church, Chicago

Sept. 28: First Church, Effingham

Oct. 12: First Church, Morton

Oct. 19: First Church, Marion Info: www.IBSA.org/equiptraining TammyButler@IBSA.org

September 18

BCHFS Fall Festival

What: Games, free lunch, entertainment, quilt auction, and silent auction of crafts and specialty items to benefit the children and families in the care of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services.

Where: Residential Care Campus, Carmi Info: www.BCHFS.com (618) 382-4164

September 22

Leading Major Change

What: Conference with Dr. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary from 10 a.m.-2p.m. The seminar and luncheon are free, plus first 150 registrants receive a free copy of “Leading Major Change in Your Ministry.”

Where: Crossroads Church, Carol Stream Info: www.IBSA.org/leadingmajorchange

September 24-25

Women’s Ministry Essentials

What: Specialist and practitioners give advice and instruction on how to reach and disciple other women.

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield Info: www.IBSA.org/women CarmenHalsey@IBSA.org

October 1-31

Cooperative Program Month

What: Share with your church about where their CP missions giving goes. This is especially important for new members and new Baptists. Info: www.IBSA.org/CP

(217) 391-3119

October 15-16

Disaster Relief Training

What: Join the third largest disaster relief organization in the U.S. $15 training fee.

Where: Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp, Pinckneyville Info: www.IBSA.org/DR KimAyers@IBSA.org

October 22-23 & 29-30

Refocus Retreat for Men

What: An opportunity for men to rest, be encouraged, and deepen their knowledge of the Word of God.

Where: Oct. 22-23: Lake Sallateeska Camp; Oct. 29-30: Streator Camp Info: BenJones@IBSA.org

October 29-30

Illinois Kids Ministry Resource Conference

What: Find out how to make your children’s ministry more effective. Don’t have a children’s ministry? Learn how to start one. Get a sneak peek at VBS 2022 “Spark Studios.”

Where: IBSA Building Springfield

Info: TammyButler@IBSA.org

November 2-3 IBSA Pastors Conference

november 3-4 IBSA Annual Meeting

Info: IBSAannualmeeting.org

IBSA.org/ignite

Cost: $25 • Hotel: $99 a night

Meals: Sunday - dessert reception

Monday - breakfast and lunch

Sunday Sept. 26 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ignite conference worship service

Monday Sept. 27 • 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Ignite conference

BRIGHTER DAY

Actions vs. words

om, cheer for me, okay?” Sixyear-old Lucy pranced in front of me, asking for my encouragement as she attempted a new feat on the playground. She hesitated. “But not like out loud.” She darted away once I agreed to cheer for her “in my heart.”

For Lucy, it was the first in a long line of moments where she will prefer me to tamp down my enthusiasm. For me, a reminder that it’s often easier not to draw attention to ourselves for fear of rejection or ridicule or of bothering someone else.

While pondering these things (in my heart), I remembered the lifestyle evangelism training of my teenage years. As someone who found it difficult to share my faith out loud, I leaned on the knowledge that actions often speak louder than words, and that a life lived publicly for Christ would draw others to him.

I still believe that, but as the air around us becomes crowded with more voices and disparate opinions, the need for a verbal, concise declaration of truth is urgent. I was heartened by a recent study by Barna that found the next generation, known as Gen Z, has more positive feelings about sharing their faith than the Millennials before them.

A 2019 Barna study found 47% of my generation say it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. But the more recent research suggests Gen Z Christians think a variety of evangelism strategies can create positive experiences. They put “letting your actions speak” at the top of the list, but inviting friends to church and sharing a personal testimony aren’t far behind.

Perhaps most encouraging is that the majority of Gen Z-ers don’t seem deterred by the variety of worldviews around them. Most—81%—do not believe that disagreement equals judgment. (For comparison, when asked the same question two years ago, 40% of Millennials said it does.) Maybe that’s one benefit of social media, with its constant offering of unsolicited comments and opinions. For Gen Z, differing ideas are the norm.

A generation eager to share Christ amid a din of other voices is encouraging to those of us more comfortable on the sidelines. But they shouldn’t have to go it alone. Let’s walk with them, led by their courage and inspired by their example.

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

Fred Luter of New Orleans

Scott Harris IBSA Evangelism Director

JJ Washington Georgia Baptist Convention

MEREDITH FLYNN