Wednesday, October 15, 2014

IBSA Annual Meeting
Preparing our hearts for a concert of prayer begins with a season of prayer

Before we gather for the Mission Illinois: Concert of Prayer at the IBSA Annual Meeting, let us seek God in personal devotion. Here is a series of quiet time meditations that may be used in the days prior to the Annual Meeting. These devotions build on the prayers in Isaiah 6:1-8, which will also guide the Concert of Prayer. Follow the prophet's conversation with the Lord as you engaged in your own intimate season of prayer.

Find out more about the November 4-6 IBSA Annual Meeting and Pastors' Conference at IBSA.org/IBSA2014.

Seven reasons why leaders should practice fasting

"Fasting is a spiritual discipline that calls us to slow down, seek God, confess sin, deny self, and embrace weakness," says Chuck Lawless. Read his 7 reasons leaders should practice the discipline at ThomRainer.com.

News from the Illinois Baptist

Campers on Mission: A traveling band in search of ways to help

The three-year-old sleeping in Leroy Burnett's lap hardly stirred as he talked at a lunch table at Light of Christ Church. Burnett and his wife are in East St. Louis with their fellow Campers on Mission to work on a variety of projects in this hulking building on the corner of Cleveland Avenue and 16th Street. But during lunch, Pastor Barnicio Cureton's daughter, Chloe, has found a comfortable spot for a nap. Learn more about Illinois Campers on Mission at IB2news.org.

Gossip and prayer requests

Before you pass on a prayer request, says Pennsylvania pastor Matt Mitchell, "make sure to check your facts, your role, your audience, and your heart." Read his ways to avoid spreading gossip under the guise of prayer requests at ChristianityToday.com.

Kids Ministry Toolkit Conference Oct. 24-25

Jerry Wooley's, LifeWay's VBS Consultant, is the featured guest for IBSA's first Kids Ministry Toolkit Conference! Jerry will be speaking twice in the large group sessions and participants will choose from 40 breakouts in small group sessions. The conference is free and each participant gets a backpack full of Kids Ministry Resources! Register now at IBSA.org.

Ebola on both sides

Former missionary kid Evelyn Adamson writes that her experiences growing up in West Africa allow her to understand both sides of the Ebola epidemic: fear in the U.S., isolation and grief in the countries where the disease is raging. Read her story at CommissionStories.com.

IBSA eConnection is a weekly e-newsletter designed to provide Illinois Baptists with useful information and resources. We pray it enriches your ministry and helps your church to grow and minister.