Illinois Baptist
Churches that shape us A thank you
Nate Adams P. 2
in focus
IBSA
Vision cast
Board adopts new statements, budget
Innovative outreach P. 10 SBC NOMINEES
More join contests Ahead of Nashville meeting P. 4
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Controversial legislation Focused on kids and teens P. 5
NEW REALITY
LGBTQ identity On the rise among Gen Z P. 15
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
Summer ready
Camps look toward comeback season
APRIL 1, 2021 Vol. 115 No. 4
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
Springfield | The Board of Directors of the Illinois Baptist State Association approved new mission and values statements for the organization during a virtual meeting March 30. The newly adopted statements resulted from a multi-year vision process that gives new direction and language to IBSA’s goals and strategies. The mission, values, strategies, and measures are parts of a “vision frame” developed with Will Mancini of Denominee, an organization IBSA is working with to craft long-term vision and strategies. IBSA also partnered with Rob Peters of Corpus for church revitalization ministry. “We believe that IBSA’s mission for the future is to deliver network value that inspires each church to thrive in health, growth, and mission,” Executive Director Nate Adams said in his report to the Board. Adams also introduced IBSA’s four value statements, each focused on churches: excellence for churches, helpfulness to churches, engagement with P. 3
PLUS: Meet IBSA’s new camp managers P. 7
Balancing act
mission
P. 11
DEPARTURE
Churches juggle COVID restrictions and missionary call
Reaction after Beth Moore says she’s ‘no longer Southern Baptist’ P. 6