IBSA eConnection

September 7, 2011

Welcome to IBSA eConnection, a weekly electronic newsletter designed to provide Illinois Baptists with relevant, useful information and resources. We pray it enriches your ministry and helps your church to grow and minister.

IL Baptist Disaster Relief Teams called to serve on east coast

Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief is recruiting chainsaw teams to clear storm damage caused by Hurricane Irene in Leonardtown, MD. Teams will leave for the area (about 60 miles southeast of Washington, D.C.) later this week. Mudout teams, assessors and chaplains are also needed. Trained Disaster Relief volunteers may contact State Disaster Relief Coordinators Jack Shelby at (217) 299-3412 or Rex Alexander at (217) 391-3134 if they are available to serve.

Churches of Strength Conference coming to Southern Illinois this Saturday

IBSA is hosting a Churches of Strength: Engage Conference this Saturday, September 10 at Marion Second Baptist Church. If your church needs training in Sunday School, music, missions, lay renewal, children's ministry and more - this conference is for you. Find out more and get additional conferences dates at IBSA.org.

Illinois Mission Offering helps church plant reach its mission field

The Illinois Mission Offering (IMO) helps new church plants like The Church in DeKalb reach their Acts 1:8 mission fields. Learn how The Church helped change Erica's (right) life three Bibles at time. Watch the "Erica and The Church in DeKalb" IMO video and three others now.

4 keys to closing the back door

Sometimes churches have a problem with "closing the back door," that is, losing members or attendees even while new people are coming in the front door. Learn how to close the back door at ChurchLeaders.com.

The believer at work

Pastor, author and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention Charles Stanley writes about the three ways believers should work for the Lord whether at home, their place of business or in the community. Read more at TheChristianPost.com.

Read the September 12 Illinois Baptist online Friday morning, September 9

The September 12 issue of the Illinois Baptist will feature information about the IBSA Annual Meeting "Churches Cooperating" in November, five tips for praying Kingdom prayers for Illinois missions, advice on how to make your church a generational mission lab and more. Available Friday morning at IBSA.org.