Illinois Baptist
Three in One Rejoicing in the Trinity
Joshua Steely Table Talk P. 13
Named #1 Christian Newspaper by the Evangelical Press Association
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
in focus
Holding fast
LEADERS
God’s open door Gardner welcomes opportunity to lead as trustee chair P. 4
MISSION ILLINOIS
Three voicemails Nate Adams P. 2
BAPTIST FOUNDATION
Scholarships awarded
List of 2018 recipients P. 6
PEOPLE & CHURCHES
Chaplain honored Lovin receives award of excellence P. 14
Kids grapple with deeper faith at camp
PAT’S PLAYBOOK
Family matters Navigating conflict P. 16
Story and photos P. 7-10
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
AUGUST 06, 2018 Vol. 112 No. 10
IB Online all the time IllinoisBaptist.org
Protect the vulnerable
Greear forms sexual abuse study group Raleigh-Durham, N.C. | Newly elected Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear announced July 26 he will appoint a Sexual Abuse Presidential Study Group to advise him on issues related to sexual abuse and assault. The announcement followed months of discussion in the Southern Baptist Convention about how SBC entities and churches are handling allegations and instances of abuse. “How we as a convention of churches care for abuse victims and protect against vile predators says something about what we believe about the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham. “Our churches should be a refuge for the hurting and a safe haven for the oppressed.” Greear is partnering with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to create the study group, whose members will be announced at a later date, Baptist Press reported. The team will include outside experts, SBC leaders, and local church pastors, according to Greear’s office. “Over the next year, I look forward to hearing from this group and partnering with our P. 3
Second church Look for the promotion kit in your church mailbox later this month. Prayerwalking in Pingree Grove P. 11
damaged by fire P. 5