Illinois Baptist SYLVAN KNOBLOCH
Merry Christmas from all of us at IBSA Celebrating the season P. 13
in focus
38 great years At retirement, memories and wisdom from four decades P. 10
God
NATE ADAMS
Prison visit Draws me to Bethlehem P. 2
ERIC REED
Jesus & women A Christian response to sexual harassment
& sinners
P. 14
RECONCILED
IB
HEAVEN CAME DOWN: Illinois family’s salvation shows how God reached down to man. P. 11
Online all the time IllinoisBaptist.org News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
DECEMBER 18, 2017 Vol. 111 No. 17
mission
Windows on a better way of life
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
P. 5
Baptist Camp celebrates 75 years of ministry P. 8
Legal challenge Pro-life groups sue to stop abortion bill
Springfield | Illinois officials are facing a lawsuit aimed at halting the planned Jan. 1 implementation of taxpayerfunded abortions in the state. The Thomas More Society, a Chicagobased law firm, filed suit in December on behalf of several legislators and prolife groups who oppose House Bill 40, which provides for coverage of abortions through Medicaid and state employees’ health insurance plans. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the bill into law in September after initially pledging to veto it. The lawsuit argues that the General Assembly has not set aside funds in the state’s budget to pay for the abortions and remain within the Balanced Budget P. 3