Illinois Baptist Theo’s unlikely best seller P. 13
I’m listening Scott Foshie P. 3
Zeal
SBC PREVIEW
Orlando Convention Candidates and issues P. 6
PHOTO GALLERY
Final farewell For retiring leader P. 10
ILLINOIS PULPIT
Answering objections John Howard P. 14
Effective word of mouth P. 7
IN FOCUS
PLUS: Top 50 baptizing churches P. 8
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
IBSA NEWS
New era begins
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
Foshie’s first steps in spring meeting
APRIL 1, 2026
Vol. 120 No. 4
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 964
Encouraging evangelism P. 9
Tornado strikes church P. 4
Our Laredo journal P. 11
Springfield | “I believe a new season of cooperation and Great Commission fruit is about to be driven by our Lord. We can’t do it by ourselves,” Scott Foshie said. “It must be a ministry of the Holy Spirit through Illinois Baptists.” In his first address to the full IBSA Board March 24, incoming Executive Director Foshie honored his predecessor, described a mission field and mission force worthy of sacrifice, and spoke of encouraging happenings across the state, along with some “alarm clocks” that cannot be ignored. It was the final handoff between Foshie and retiring Executive Director Nate Adams. After a dinner in his honor the previous evening, Adams thanked the Board for 20 years of support and expressed his confidence in Foshie following three months preparing to pass the baton. Adams also expressed thanks for a few additional gifts given by Board members, including a “Cooperative Program Forever” T-shirt from Eric Brown, pastor of Brainard Avenue Church. Foshie took the handoff with a running start. “My odometer has already moved over 7,000 miles in three months P. 4