Illinois Baptist
Bigger battles for smaller armies Nate Adams P. 2
Convergence
in focus
Church leaders from 12 states meet in Illinois P. 5
TEAM REPORT: Midwest Leadership Summit focuses on regional issues. Pages 5-9
IllinoisBaptist.org
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News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
IB
FEB. 1, 2022 Vol. 116 No. 2
June 2022 Convention
Litton eyes Anaheim
TABLE TALK
Reconciliation on SBC President’s agenda Springfield | Southern Baptist Convention President Ed Litton has his eyes on Anaheim and his mind on racial reconciliation. The southern California city is best known as the home of Disneyland, but it will also be the site of the SBC Annual Meeting June 12-15, 2022. Litton is planning to address what he called “the stains” on Southern Baptist life, briefly naming race and sex abuse in his talks with church leaders attending the Midwest Leadership Summit in Springfield in January. “My hope is for Southern Baptists to discover the power of crying out to God,” he said. “Even with ‘our stains,’ past stains and abuse—God is mov-
ing through Southern Baptists to address these stains. Let’s make sure first to deal with the source of the stain,” Litton urged in the opening plenary session at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. In another, smaller session, Litton said he is planning to roll out a strategy for racial reconciliation. And he is working with Dallas pastor and popular radio preacher Tony Evans on a plan that churches can use. “It always helps to have steps to follow,” he said. Litton referenced a book called “Removing the Stain from Southern Baptists.” “We better deal with the cause of the stain before we deal with anything else,” Litton said. P. 3
Are we welcoming immigrants? Let’s take this job seriously P. 9
SPORTS
Glue guys (and girls) These players hold things together P. 12
ROSE PARADE
Why she got 35! P. 10