Illinois Baptist
Learning from my students
Heath Tibbetts has a new perspective P. 13
Splash SBC’s Olympic opportunity B-4 NATE ADAMS
Right here, right now Jesus’ words to Illinois P. 2
ERIC REED
Baptist proposes creed You gotta be kidding P. 6
SCOTT HARRIS
IBSA camps’ big impact for kids Photo essay begins P. 11
For the pastor Revive us, O Lord P. 16
PLUS: Blind student has best summertime experience. P 12
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
September 8–15 • missionillinois.org
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
AUGUST 1, 2024
Ethics & Religious liberty commission
Firing rescinded after CEO posts on Biden Trustee chair resigns after failed attempt to dismiss Leatherwood
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
Vol. 118 No. 8
Time to pray and give Mission Illinois Offering guide inside
Happy to serve P. 5
Nashville Tenn. | Brent Leatherwood appeared unemployed briefly on Monday, July 22. Then, in just few hours, the announcement of his firing was rescinded, and he was back in place as President and CEO of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission “with our support moving forward,” an ERLC Executive Committee statement said early Tuesday. And the man who tried to engineer the coup, Kevin Smith, was out as ERLC Trustee chair. The drama that stretched across three SMITH days started when Leatherwood posted a column praising the decision announced on Sunday by President Biden to withdraw as Democratic nominee for the post. He called the decision “correct” and “selfless.” That ignited a firestorm among Southern Baptists on social media. Leatherwood was sharply criticized for LEATHERWOOD P. 3