Across Illinois | “You bring the flame, God; we brought the sacrifice,” Carmen Halsey-Menghini prayed in the opening session of Priority 2026, IBSA’s annual women’s conference. She challenged women in churches across Illinois to step into people’s pain, see them as individuals, and use lived experience to bring hope where it is most needed. Speaking […]
Board games open doors for Gospel conversations in Slovenia
Daniel Bates couldn’t believe his eyes. But there it was, tucked between a pastel row of cafés and cobblestone alleys in downtown Ljubljana, Slovenia—a friendly local game store. The International Mission Board missionary grabbed his wife, Heather, and derailed their shopping trip. “If there’s a game shop, then there are gamers here,” Daniel said, energized […]
Priority ’26: Persevere through pain
Decatur | “If I reach down to my thigh, I can feel what feels like a bullet wound,” veteran missionary, Tina Boesch told women attending Priority 2026 on Friday (April 24). “And that would be a great story, wouldn’t it, if I actually had a bullet wound? I don’t.” The injury, caused by a metal radiator pipe […]
Priority ’26: Heal scars with compassion
Decatur | Carmen Halsey-Menghini opened Priority 2026 Friday (April 24) with a challenge to women in churches across Illinois: step into people’s pain, see them as individuals, and use lived experience to bring hope where it is most needed. Speaking to the more than 600 women gathered at multiple sites across the state, Halsey-Menghini framed […]
Students find shelter in storm
Streator | Severe weather wasn’t going to put a damper on Streator Baptist Camp’s D-Now weekend. More than 100 students from grades 6 through 12 and volunteer leaders were impacted when a strong storm threatened northern Illinois on Friday, April 17. The camp’s new manager, Anthony Heathcoat, had a severe weather plan in place that […]
SBC 2026 Preview: Orlando
The 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando may feel a lot like 2025. And 2024. While the official agenda hasn’t been released yet, the unofficial talking points on social media sound much like previous debates. Issues thought settled by similar failing votes in successive years may be brought to the floor again. Plus, […]
SBC Pastors’ Conference adds micro conferences to serve entire church staff
Orlando | The SBC Pastors’ Conference theme of “Together” will be evident through the addition of micro conferences for ministry areas, creating specific opportunities to serve those outside the role of lead pastor. The Pastors’ Conference has always been an event for all, regardless of ministry position, and President Aaron Burgner says he has always […]
Lenow elected ERLC President, Foshie concludes as chair
Nashville, Tenn. | Evan Lenow was elected President and CEO of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) April 13. The unanimous vote by the ERLC Board of Trustees culminates a years-long effort to secure leadership that may stabilize support for the denomination’s voice in the public square. “We are overjoyed that he has […]
News Stories
Send Network marks highest number of church plants since 2016
BOSTON – A barber’s chair became an avenue for life change when church planting missionary Jacob Ambrose embraced an unexpected opportunity to obey the calling on his life. “It was a really difficult time as we were getting settled into our house and the community,” said Ambrose, who moved from Louisiana to Boston to plant […]
Memorial cross placed for victims
Chatham | Signs in the village still declare “Chatham Strong” one year after the tragic deaths of four children and a teenage camp counselor at an afterschool program. Red ribbons that faded in the sunlight have been replaced by sign versions of the ribbon logo as the central Illinois community vows never to forget. Now […]
Missouri Baptist Children’s Home president dies from injuries
Bridgeton, Mo. | The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home announced this morning (April 23) that its president, Juston Gates, passed away last night due to injuries from a hunting accident that occurred a week ago. The MBCH released the following statement this morning: “It is with a heavy heart and great sense of loss that we […]
Lifeway trustees elect Ryan Blackwell as president and CEO
Nashville, Tenn. | Lifeway Christian Resources trustees elected Ryan Blackwell as the organization’s 11th president and CEO during a special-called meeting April 22 in Nashville. “I’m deeply humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity by the trustees. Lifeway has a long and faithful history of serving churches, and I’m honored to step into this […]
BF&M 2000
BF&M Article 18: In the beginning God created… family
At the apex of God’s creative workweek, we find him crafting a man, then a woman, and directing them to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28). It might surprise younger Baptists to know that Article 18 wasn’t included in the 1925 BF&M. Or the 1963 version. It was added […]
BF&M Articles 15, 16, 17: Our dual citizenship
Some nations allow dual citizenship. Citizens can enjoy all the rights and privileges of their nation while pledging allegiance to another nation as well, so long as they keep up their obligations (and pay taxes, I suppose). The United States does not prohibit dual citizenship, but if you want to enter the country, you must […]
BF&M Articles 13 & 14: What’s temporary vs. what’s lasting
Those unfamiliar with the biblical use of the word steward may find it helpful to substitute the word manager. The Bible teaches that God owns everything, and that Christians, God’s people, are temporary managers of all that he entrusts into their lives. Managers are not owners. They are caretakers, with delegated responsibility for the treasures […]
BF&M Articles 11 & 12: Let’s talk about Jesus
The first official SBC-sanctioned witnessing training I received was called “Lay Evangelism School.” A leader from the state convention came to our church and taught us how to use a “survey method” to share the gospel on a Saturday morning. Then we went out and did it. We knocked on doors in the neighborhood and […]
