Wednesday, March 19, 2014

News from the Illinois Baptist

Kid missionaries 'make a splash' in nine Illinois cities
For the fourth consecutive year, kids and their leaders served across the state through Children's Ministry Day, a one-day missions experience that culminates with a celebration service at each project site. Created by national Woman's Missionary Union, the day of service for kids has taken on a life of its own in Illinois. Nearly 1,100 children, leaders and volunteers representing 75 churches served at nine locations around the state on March 15. Read more at iB2news.org.

Super Summer 2014 '10/40: Send me.'

Is the warmer weather making you eager for summer to arrive? You can start planning now to attend Super Summer or be part of its staff. Super Summer 2014 is June 24-28 at Greenville College. Learn more at ilstudentz.com.

Summer Worship University is just around the corner too! SWU is July 7-11 at Hannibal LaGrange University in Hannibal, MO. Find out how to register at IBSA.org.

Should pastors be excited about everything?

Pastors live with an unspoken expectation that they should minister in a perpetual state of excitement. Would members be surprised or disappointed to know that pastors are not equally excited about everything that is going on in their church? Get four practical ideas for staying excited about ministry without getting exhausted from it at PastorsToday.com.

4 powerful prayers for your church

Whether you are a church member or a pastor, a choir director or a Sunday school teacher, you know praying for your church is essential not only to its success but also to its health. But do you know how you should pray for your church? Learn how to follow the Apostle Paul's example when praying for your church at ChurchLeaders.com.

IBSA Women's Missions Celebration

Mark your calendars for the May 1-3 Women's Missions Celebration at First Baptist Church in Marion. Featured guests include Allison Allen, formerly of Women of Faith; Chaplain Kenneth DeWitt, Prison to Purpose Ministry; missionaries Scott Venable, Brock and Polly Vandever; and many others. Visit IBSA.org to learn more.

The Church's message in a 'Biblical marriage minority' culture

Albert Mohler shares what the Church's message must be in a rapidly arriving "Biblical marriage minority" culture. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president said, "We have to teach everything the Bible says about marriage and then show it too. Not only in terms of its Biblical rightness but in terms of how it leads to human flourishing and happiness too." Find out more at ERLC.com.

IBSA eConnection is a weekly e-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.