Illinois Baptist
Real ‘respect’ for marriage Michael Nave P. 13
‘Wonderfully made’
in focus
MEREDITH FLYNN
My new debate coach He’s nicer than you think P. 16
NATE ADAMS
Lost people Hidden in plain sight P. 2
Taking a gamble
Post-Roe means more work for pro-life advocates—and for churches P. 7
On Illinois’ ‘sure shot’
PLUS: Newsmakers interview with ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood. P. 10
ERIC REED
P. 6
SANDY WISDOM-MARTIN
Sallateeska baptism How God used multiple SBC connections
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Springfield, Illinois Permit No. 964
P. 15
Carrothers to head BCHFS
mission
Wide search leads to Illinoisan
Carmi | After a year-long search 1, 2023. He has served as Assofor a new leader for Baptist Chil- ciational Mission Strategist for dren’s Home and Family Services, Salem South Baptist Association the Board of Trustees elected a since 2017. Before that he served man with deep Illinois roots as pastor of Rochester First as Executive Director. Baptist Church (2009Kevin Carrothers is 2017) and Nine Mile well known to Illinois Baptist Church (1999Baptists as a pastor, 2009). Before his Associational Mission call to full-time minStrategist, and leader istry, Carrothers was in the state association. a lawyer practicing in He’s also a lawyer. Pinckneyville. “There are significant Carrothers succeeds cultural challenges facing CARROTHERS Denny Hydrick who conchildren and family ministries cluded five years with BCHFS in today,” Carrothers said. “If we November 2021. In the interim, seize this moment, we can bring Hydrick’s predecessor, Doug gospel light into spiritual dark- Devore, returned temporarily ness. The opportunity to serve Illi- as executive director. At the IBSA nois Baptists by leading BCHFS to Annual Meeting in early Novemcarry out the mission of providing ber, Devore described a challengChrist-centered care, hope, and ing year for BCHFS including services excites me.” a depressed economy that has Carrothers was elected in a affected giving, difficulty filling special meeting Nov. 28, and some staff positions, the search assumes the position January for a new executive director, and P. 3
Destination: Chicagoland P. 11
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
JANUARY 1, 2023 Vol. 117 No. 1
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB