Wednesday, April 22, 2015

News from the Illinois Baptist

Church members comfort group trapped after tornado

Raymond Kramer and his wife, Betty, were driving home from Rockford, Ill., when it started to hail. As the icy stones got larger and came down harder, they started to look for shelter. Then, to his west, Kramer saw a funnel cloud on the ground. Learn what happened after they made it to shelter at IB2news.org.

How any church can be a great church -- regardless of size

Too many churches waste unnecessary time and energy trying to copy other great churches instead of doing what they're called to do. Learn how to feature what your church does well at ChurchLeaders.com.

New IBSA Children's Camp format

IBSA is offering more camp opportunities for kids this summer than ever before. Four weeks of missions-focused, co-ed children's camps are scheduled at IBSA's two camp facilities in June and July. This year's theme is, "Treasure Island: Discovering Truth and Our Mission to the World." Sign your kids up for camp now at IBSA.org.

5 freakish things a church must do

A church is a community of peculiar people, a gathering of the "called out ones." So church should be a bit strange. What a community of peculiar people believes and holds to will be a bit freakish to the world. Learn why your church should be seen as a bit odd, freakish, and otherworldly at EricGeiger.com

Choose from 6 Missions Spectacular sites

Pick a community to serve in - Decatur, East St. Louis, Elkville, Granite City, Metropolis, Streator - for this one-day, hands-on June 6 mission event. Find out more and get your group signed up at IBSA.org.

Same-sex marriage gap widens for evangelicals & culture

Americans who have gay or lesbian friends are twice as likely to say gay marriage should be legal as those who have none. And more than half of Americans say homosexuality is not sinful. Learn what LifeWay Research found out about our shifting culture and what it means at BPnews.net.

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.