Illinois Baptist Succession xxx
on the horizon
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Scott Foshie will follow Nate Adams as IBSA Executive Director
Inside Pages 7-9 Meet the Foshies A heritage of faith Vision for the future
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IB
Springfield | With commitments to stronger relationships with pastors and churches and dedication to revival in Illinois, Dr. Scott Foshie accepted the unanimous call by the IBSA Board of Directors to serve as the 12th Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. His election came after an eight-month search that concluded December 9 in a special-called meeting. “We need a vision of impacting lostness with the light of the gospel—together,” he said in introductory remarks to the Board. Foshie will succeed Nate Adams, who will retire April 1 after 20 years’ service. Foshie will serve as Executive Director Elect until then, allowing for an extended period of training and onboarding by Adams. “I really do believe in the last few years the Lord has led us to this new mission,” Foshie said of IBSA’s focus on revitalization and processes for church change that he inherits from Adams. Foshie has served as Church Health Director under Adams, joining the IBSA staff in 2019.
“We are all burdened by our (state’s) need for revival,” Foshie said. “Our vision should not be to manage our state’s decline.” He outlined three areas of focus for his incoming administration: pastoral posture, relational depth, and diligent executive leadership. “I am a visionary shepherd,” Foshie said of his leadership style. “I will serve our pastors and churches from a pastoral position,” he said. Engagement with local associations is also high on his list of priorities. “We need to go beyond surface level relationships,” Foshie said. “I am committed to ever-deepening relationships and leading our IBSA team to do that.” And he encouraged the Board with his intent to collaborate on future direction. “We know that if God is going to bring revival, we must be intentional. We need to let God guide our planning, don’t we?” he said. “We need to employ diligent stewardship as we take Spirit-led risks.”
mission
Milliondollar Question
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
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JANUARY 1, 2026 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 964
Vol. 120 No. 1
Home field advantage P. 11
ILLINOIS PULPIT
New series begins Ryan Hall P. 14
WELCOME
A biblical response to Physician-assisted Suicide P. 13
New leader, new times Nate Adams P. 2
FAITH ADOPTION
Trey’s new family Valarie Veteto P. 5
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NATE ADAMS
The Illinois Baptist staff Editor - Eric Reed Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner Graphics & Production Manager - Nic Cook Team Leader - Ben Jones The general telephone number for IBSA is (217) 786-2600. For questions about subscriptions, articles, or upcoming events, contact the Illinois Baptist at (217) 391-3127 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org. The Illinois Baptist is seeking news from IBSA churches. E-mail us at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org to tell us about special events and new ministry staff. POSTMASTER: The Illinois Baptist is owned and published every month by the Illinois Baptist State Association, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62703-4440. Subscriptions are free to Illinois Baptists. Subscribe online at IBSA.org.
Total giving by IBSA churches as of 11/30/25
$4,658,716
2025 Budget Goal to date: $5,414,818
2025 Goal: $6 Million
WORD SEARCH: PRAYER
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3 requests
ast month the IBSA Board of Directors’ Executive Director Search Committee completed an eight-month process of considering the future needs of the IBSA organization, and screening and interviewing candidates to succeed me in the role of Executive Director. I’ve been praying for them throughout that time, as I’m sure many others have. On December 9, the full board then elected Dr. Scott Foshie, who has already been serving on our IBSA staff, and who has also served as a local associational leader and as pastor of Steeleville Baptist Church. While I would have celebrated and supported whomever the board elected, I’m especially pleased to have a close friend and brother stepping into this role, and one who is already well-acquainted with the organization’s mission, values, strategies, and challenges as he leads our network into its next chapter. Scott will serve as “Executive Director Elect” from January through March, and then fully assume the Executive Director role when I retire April 1, a date I chose in memory of my dad, Tom Adams, who went home to be with the Lord 20 years ago on that day. So, for the next three months, Scott and I will work together on orientation and onboarding, while also double-teaming multiple issues and decisions. I know we both would appreciate the prayers of Illinois Baptist pastors and church members. In addition, let me also ask you to consider supporting Scott in three specific ways as he begins. 1. Invite him. Invite him to your church, or out to lunch, or to the next meeting of pastors or leaders in your area. Scott is already well-known and well-traveled in Illinois, having moved here from Tennessee in 2015 and having now consulted with many churches and associations in revitalization. Still, after almost 20 years in the role, I continue to meet new pastors and leaders every month. It takes years to get to know hundreds of churches and thousands of church members, many of whom change over time. The ones Scott will know best are the ones who invite him for some personal, face-toface time. 2. Speak candidly with him. Tell him where your church is hurting, or where you are hurting personally. Share with him any questions or concerns you may have about the Southern Baptist Convention, or about our network of churches here in Illinois. Tell him what kind of assistance your church or its leaders need. Tell him how IBSA has helped you the most in the past. Tell him what it would take for your church to partner more strongly with other churches across the state. Tell him the truth, not as a complaint, or even just as a compliment, but as a first step toward stronger partnership in the gospel. 3. Please encourage him. Challenges and frustrations come with any leadership role, and especially in ministry leadership. I have often described our churches’ mission of sharing the gospel and a biblical worldview in a large, northern state like Illinois as an uphill climb. And sometimes, even within our family of churches, there are diverse perspectives and multiple opinions about how best to proceed. Scott will need your encouragement because he is not just his position, he is a person. Like all of us who have held this position before him, he is an imperfect person, doing the best he can to follow the Lord’s leadership amidst many competing needs and expectations. So please, pray for him. Invite him. Speak candidly with him. Then encourage him in the work of the gospel, knowing that you may be one of the few who has remembered to do so that week.
Here’s how you can help Scott
Answered Arrow Bow Closet Confess Consecrate Dedicate
Effective Fervent Group Intercede Kneel List Meeting
Model Popcorn Private Public Request Silent Unspoken
Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Respond at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org.
January 01, 2026
IBSA.org
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NEWS FROM THE FRONT: new era begins
WMU NEWS
Wisdom-Martin plans retirement Set for January 2027
Continued from page 1 Foshie commended Adam’s record of effectiveness in executive leadership, while expressing enthusiasm for moving the network of 900 Illinois Baptist churches forward. Adams expressed appreciation for Foshie’s election. “I’m especially pleased to have a close friend and brother stepping into this role, and one who is already well-acquainted with the organization’s mission, values, strategies, and challenges as he leads our network into its next chapter.” “Scott has a heart for Illinois Baptists,” said Jeff Logsdon of Island City Baptist Church. He chaired the search committee that brought Foshie’s nomination. Logsdon called Foshie “beloved in Illinois,” as he has traveled widely. “He has a heart for churches in Illinois. Following Nate’s vision, however, he has his own vision for how God has been leading.” Foshie comes to the position with wide ministry experience. He led refocus processes for 23 of IBSA’s 33 local associations. He developed a team of 50 coaches and pathfinders to work with local pastors. Foshie served as Nine Mile Baptist Association Mission Strategist, while also serving as pastor of Steeleville Baptist Church. He led the church through a period of rapid growth that resulted in a significant building project. Foshie’s Steeleville service beginning in 2015 was his first ministry in Illinois and his first lead pastorate. The Tennessee native served three churches in his home state as associate pastor in worship and education. He holds four degrees. Foshie is married to Audra, his wife of 24 years.
The Ticker Follow the latest Illinois Baptist news
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PRAYER BOND— The IBSA Board of Directors surrounded Executive Director Elect Scott Foshie and his wife, Audra, after they unanimously elected him to the position Dec. 9. They have three teenage children, Lydia, Levi, and Liz. The Foshies are active members of Chatham Baptist Church. (More in the profile on pages 7-9.) While no one can predict the future, Logsdon said, the committee was aware they could be setting up IBSA for another lengthy tenure. “We believe the Lord is leading us into the future with Scott’s election,” he said. “And we have set the state association in a good direction for the next decade, maybe two.” The vote by the full board was unanimous, as was the nomination. “In moving forward with candidates… we were united all the time,” Logsdon said. He described periods when the committee would stop for a week or two to pray, before making the next move. The search committee will meet with Foshie over the next year, offering encouragement and insight on “how his new ideas are being received.” Foshie’s tenure as IBSA Executive Director officially begins April 1. But as of January 1, he has a plan for his first 100 days. “In my apprenticeship season with Nate, which I am grateful for, I am also going to be in a deep listening season,” Foshie said. “I am committed to hearing from Illinois Baptists and connecting with them over their joys and understanding their burdens for the people God has called them to reach.”
IllinoisBaptist.org IBSA.org
─Eric Reed
Birmingham | Illinois’ Sandy Wisdom-Martin will step down as head of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) next year. She gave the National WMU Board a year’s notice to conduct a search for her successor as executive director-treasurer and plan the transition for the post she has held since 2016. “Faithfulness in this season calls me to be present with my family in a way that cannot be sustained by the obligations of my current ministry role,” Wisdom-Martin said. The Southern Illinois native first served as an IBSA staff member in a career that spanned 36 years, and led through state positions in Arkansas and Texas. She called herself one of “Tully’s kids,” referring often to the missions training of years in Acteens under IBSA’s Evelyn Tully. At National WMU, Wisdom-Martin has “rightsized” the organization and placed it on a firm financial footing, given the new realities of missions education in the internet age. She led WMU to help raise more than $513.5 million for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and more than $1.4 billion for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering since 2017. Both offerings had record high giving WISDOM-MARTIN in 2024. Knowing that church attendance and giving would be down during the pandemic, Wisdom-Martin engaged WMU leaders across the country in 2020 to handwrite more than 18,000 letters asking churches to support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, in the same way Armstrong first urged support for Miss Moon in China. In the past 10 years, Wisdom-Martin has led WMU to be fully focused on its mandate of making disciples of Jesus who live on mission. “We have church members who get married in the church and get buried in the church and live their entire life without once sharing their faith,” she said. “This is the greatest tragedy of our generation, that we would not personally take responsibility for the sacred task entrusted to each of us.” ─IB staff with WMU media
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Carole’s short retirement Springfield | After serving IBSA nearly 27 years, Administrative Coordinator Carole Doom retired on January 2, 2026. However, she won’t be missed for long. Doom will return in mid-January to serve with the Operations Team in a part-time role, three-days a week, as a ministry coordinator. During her tenure with IBSA, she’s been part of several staff restructurings and ministry reorganizations. Doom began in April 1999 with the New Work Department, now called Church Planting. She was secretary to the late Ed Handkins, a position later retitled ministry assistant. “Now we call it the ‘church facing’ side,” said Doom of her previous ministry area. A few years later, she shifted to the Business Team, now Operations Team, on what is called the
‘network facing’ ministry side. The Operations and Communications Teams are considered network facing ministries. “The network facing side is always in the background,” Doom said. “It’s not the visible side, but it’s the most important part to me. The church facing side (church health, missions, church planting) that’s their ministry and what they’re good at. Our network facing ministry is to support them in their ministry. We make sure they have what they need to get their jobs done well,” she said. A few of the ways Doom directly served churches were as IBSA’s bookkeeper and through the Annual Church Profile process.
Coming in January
Leaders summit in Springfield Laying hold of the vision and beginning to lead a church forward is challenging, but as Georgia pastor and church leadership guru Mike Linch has said, “Finishing it is the hard part.”
This understanding set the theme of the 2026 Illinois Leadership Summit—The Long Climb: Doing the hard work to reach the next generation. Attenders will hear from main session and breakout speakers who have overcome challenges to lead churches in reaching students and young adults. Ronnie Tabor, who led a revitalization that saw his Centralia church grow from 40 to more than 240 in seven years, says, “The next genera-
tion isn’t leaving the church. They haven’t shown up yet.” One of the challenges Tabor has overcome is using technology to reach digital natives. “They live on their phones. They live in app land. They live in a gaming console. For an older generation, we’ve got to be willing to dip our toes into that… But with recent changes in technology, it’s not that hard.” Tabor will lead one of 21 breakout sessions. Main session speakers are Andy Addis, who leads a multisite church with 13 locations across rural Kansas; Seth Conerly, senior pastor of Metro Community Church, one of the top baptizing IBSA churches year after year; Rayden Hollis, planting pastor of Red Hill Church that began on the campus of SIU-Edwardsville; and Nate Adams, IBSA Executive Director. The Summit, Jan. 20-21, is an annual two-day conference that brings more than 200 Illinois Baptist pastors and ministry leaders to Springfield each January, on a rotational basis with the larger Midwest Leadership Summit, held every third year. For more information visit IBSA.org/ Illinois-leadership-summit.
LIVING WATER— IT Director Drew Heironimus (left) and Operations Team Leader Jeff Deasy present Carole Doom with a supply of her favorite beverage, Splash water. At her retirement luncheon on December 3 at the IBSA Building, Jeff Deasy, Operations Team Leader, referred to Doom as his “rock.” “I don’t think IBSA truly understands what we are losing,” said Accountant Ashley Parsons. “She is the keeper of our history. We will never be able to replace her experience.” To her colleague, Parsons said, “I have no doubt that you have saved IBSA many times because of your attention to detail. I hope you never doubt how meaningful your life’s work has been.” Doom has two married daughters and several grandchildren who live locally. After a brief illness, her grandson Alex Doom, 12, died on December 27, 2024. She is the daughter-in-law of the late Jim Doom, who served several years as IBSA’s Stewardship Director.
Farewells
in Rehoboth, Louisville Rehoboth Baptist Association saw two of its top ministry leaders retire at the end of 2025, Director of Missions (DOM) Joe Lawson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Flowers. Both served over 25 years with Flowers joining the association in November 1999 and Lawson becoming DOM in May 2000. They retired on December 31. Lawson is also retiring as part-time DOM at Louisville Baptist Association, a position he’s held since April 2006. The two assoLAWSON ciations are adjacent to each other in south central Illinois. Rehoboth Association and Bethel Baptist Church in Vandalia hosted a retirement reception in their honor on December 7. Matt Philbrick, pastor of students at Ramsey First Baptist Church and IBSA Recording Secretary, is succeeding Lawson as DOM. Before serving at Ramsey, Philbrick pastored Charleston Baptist Church, formerly University Baptist Church.
Consultants work in 5 regions New statewide strategy for 2026
After fourteen years, IBSA’s zone strategy is receiving its first significant remodel. The move will map the state into 5 regions rather than 10 zones. Each geographic region (Northern, Central, Southern, Chicago, and Metro East) will still have a locally based consultant to serve as a nearby connection for churches and local associations. However, the new strategy provides for most consultants to be “in the field” more hours each week and sets a new target: identify and gather local leaders from multiple different areas of church ministry. The gatherings, held online and in-person several times per year, will help strengthen regional relationships between leaders and provide forums for encouragement, sharing of ideas, and equipping. “We’re excited about implementing the regional strategy statewide,” Associate Executive Director Mark Emerson said. “We’ve tested this strategy through the work of Bob Dickerson in southernmost Illinois over the past year and seen encouraging results.” IBSA first implemented the zone strategy in 2012 in response to changes in North American Mission Board funding which affected local associations. ─Ben Jones
January 01, 2026
IBSA.org
Illinois legalizes physician-assisted suicide Becomes 11th state approving final act for terminally ill Chicago | With just over two weeks remaining before Christmas and two days before the start of Hanukkah, there wasn’t a big announcement or splashy public signing. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker simply tweeted a few statements from his X account on December 12 explaining his reasoning for signing Senate Bill 1950, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. “Today, Illinois honors their strength and courage by enacting legislation that enables patients faced with debilitating terminal illnesses to make a decision, in consultation with a doctor, that helps them avoid unnecessary pain and suffering at the end of their lives,” Pritzker tweeted. Illinois joins 10 other states and D.C. in legalizing physician-assisted suicide─the first Midwest state. To qualify, patients must: • Be age 18 or older. • Have a terminal illness that two physicians say will result in death within six months. • Be informed by their physician of all end-of-life care options, including comfort and palliative care, hospice, and pain control. • Have the mental capacity, as confirmed by their physician, to make medical decisions. • Make written and oral requests to receive life-ending medication. Such requests may only be made by the patient, not by their guardian, health care proxy, or through an advance care directive. Melissa Ortiz, a disability policy expert and cancer survivor with spina bifida, told the Illinois Review that while undergoing chemotherapy in 2021, she was repeatedly directed toward assisted suicide against her wishes. During an extremely low period, after having been informed by doctors that her chances for survival
PRO-LIFE PROTEST— At a candlelight vigil outside Gov. Pritzker’s Chicago office on the night before he signed the bill, advocates for life objected to the measure saying it would normalize suicide in the culture. Photo by Damian Chlada. were slim, a nurse shared with her about a group that assisted terminally ill patients in dying. “I was offered death when I needed care,” Ortiz warned. “Pressure was brought to bear, albeit subtly, to choose the drugs so that I would not suffer unduly or be a burden.” The new law outlines processes and protections to be implemented by the Department of Public Health before going into effect in September 2026. Proponents say no physician, health care provider, or pharmacist will be forced to participate and the law makes it a felony to force anyone to cooperate. The bill passed the Illinois House in May 2025 by a 63-42 vote and narrowly cleared the Senate in the early morning hours of October 31 by 30-27 in the fall veto session. It was attached to a “food sanitation” bill. Pritzker said at the time it passed that he had not expected the bill to up come for a vote. ─Lisa Misner
Carbondale is ‘center of abortion access’ A small southern Illinois city was in the spotlight when a December 7 New York Times article placed Carbondale at the center of a “seismic shift in abortion access” in America. The article highlighted how the city, home to Southern Illinois University and with a population of just 21,000, has three abortion facilities. Abortion proponents have stated their desire to make the state an abortion haven. They have succeeded. Illinois is an “oasis” for abortion providers in the Midwest, surrounded by states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision in June 2022. Last year, the three centers reportedly provided 11,000 abortions. Most of those abortions were for women from out-of-state. Two-thirds of the clients were from 10 Midwestern and Southern states within driving distance, including Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Jennifer Pepper is Chief Executive of Choices which was the first abortion provider to move to Carbondale following Dobbs. Choices moved from Tennessee after that state banned most abortions. According to the Times, Pepper said, “We told people our vision was to be more than an abortion provider,” but that post-Dobbs, Southern Illinois “was going to be an important part of abortion access.” Phil Nelson pastors Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale. He has actively opposed the expansion of abortion in his community. Nelson told the
Illinois Baptist, “Our only hospital that delivers babies in Carbondale delivered 40 babies a week, while the abortion mills killed 140-150 babies a week.” But Nelson does not let the situation in Carbondale discourage him. “To quote C.T. Studd, ‘Some want to live within sound of the chapel bell, I want to run a rescue shop one yard from hell.’ I’m grateful that I have the best place to minister the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Pro-life advocates have not had the support needed to block enshrining abortion in Illinois law. Since passage of the Dobbs decision, the Illinois General Assembly has passed three significant state laws: • House Bill 4664, passed in 2023, protects providers from out-of-state legal actions relating to abortions performed in Illinois. • House Bill 3637, passed in 2025, ensures medication approved before 2025, including the abortion pill, would be accessible in the state even if the FDA were to withdraw support. • House Bill 3709, passed in 2025, requires public colleges and universities to provide access to contraception and abortion medication on campus. Other “abortion rights” bills are pending. For 2025, the Guttmacher Institute projects between 85,000 to 95,000 total abortions were performed in Illinois. ─Lisa Misner
sanctity of life
Trey’s new family
“I’m not religious.” She spoke the words as soon as I pulled a chair beside her hospital bed. “That’s okay,” I replied, unsure if anyone had ever been so direct. I whispered an arrow prayer to the Lord for wisdom: Please help me say the right thing, Lord—Your words, not mine. She reclined in the hospital bed, having just delivered a baby. The hospital had called me because she said she wouldn’t leave with him. “I didn’t name him,” she said. “That’s okay,” I repeated. We sat in silence that felt endless, though only a few minutes passed. She radiated anger—not toward me, but toward her situation. “I’m proud of you,” I said. My words broke the silence and dissolved some of the tension. She turned toward the window while I continued. “I heard you visited a clinic,” I said. Her eyes filled with tears. “I know, VETETO and I’m proud of you,” I said. Still gazing out the window, she listened as I gently explained that although she felt unable to parent, she had chosen to give her child life. She had allowed me—a social worker, and truly, a complete stranger—to sit with her in the most vulnerable days of her life. Over the next few hours, we talked. She recalled calling the baby’s father, hearing his harsh response, and receiving his offer to pay for the clinic visit. Her heart broke, and she felt completely alone. “The baby will need a father…boys need a father,” she whispered. Her reasoning for choosing adoption mirrored what many of our birthmothers express. She wanted her child to have the life she believed he deserved—a life she felt unable to provide. During the next few days, I came and went from the hospital. By the third day, we packed her belongings and said goodbye to the baby, who went from having no name to carrying a proud, three-generation family name. Three days earlier, the adoptive couple had rushed to the hospital after receiving the call that they were now parents to a newborn. The name they gave him carried a legacy larger than he was, but watching him grow into it would bring joy. The adoptive father proudly showed photos of his grandfather—the first to carry the family name—to everyone who paused to look. The adoptive mother embraced the baby’s birthmother tightly, then asked if they could pray together. Instinctively, I started to say no, remembering her firm words at the beginning. But to my surprise, she said yes. Tears filled every eye in the hospital hallway that afternoon. ─Valarie Veteto is program manager of Faith Adoption, a ministry of Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services.
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faith & values
Greater influence: Faith’s impact viewed as positive Washington | A growing and diverse share of U.S. adults believe religion is gaining influence in American life, Pew Research Center said in a new poll, although the share at 31% remains in the minority. At the same time, Pew reports an aging of Christianity that means even more young adults are identifying as “none” when it comes to religious affiliation. This is despite recent anecdotal reports that young men are returning to church.
Some of the time
Most of the time
Not at all
At odds
Pew asked, “Do your religious beliefs conflict with the culture?”
Among 262 million adults, Christianity claims about 162 million adherents, with 76 million people reporting no religious affiliation. Pew’s survey pictured the religious landscape as a “small town” of 100. In that scenario, Christians would still hold a clear majority, numbering 62 out of 100. The breakdown reveals familiar American Christian and Christian-identified traditions: 23 Evangelical Protestants, 19 Catholics, 11 mainline Protestants, and 5 individuals tied to historically Black Protestant denominations. In this hypothetical town, 4 would be Mormon or Jehovah’s Witnesses, and 7 would be a combination of Jewish (2); Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu (1 each); and a variety of beliefs from Bahai to Wiccan (totaling 2).
Perhaps most significantly, in this little town of 100 people, 29 would be “nones.” As for influence, the percentage of Jews feeling the growing impact of religion in postmodern America doubled in a year, from 21% to 44%. “In recent years, Americans across a variety of religious groups, in both political parties and in all age groups have become more likely to say religion is gaining influence, to express positive views about religion, and to feel that their religious beliefs are at least somewhat in conflict with the mainstream,” Pew researchers wrote. Their findings indicated “an overall shift toward more positive views about religion’s role in American life over the past five years or so.” ─from Baptist Press and Christian Post
Twelfth Annual
W or l d v i e w
C on fer en c e
B i b l i c a l T r a i n i n g f o r To d a y ’s C u l t u r e
JANUARY 20 - 21 IBSA BUILDING
The Long Climb Learn from leaders who are doing the hard work to reach the next generation. SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:
Pastor Ceasar LaFlore
Dr. George Barna
Dr. Mark Zumhagen, MD
Spirit of Liberty Church of God, Board Member & Field Director for IFI
Professor; Director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University
Co-founder of Fearfully & Wonderfully Made, Currently practices in Orland Park, IL
Saturday, March 7, 2026 Belmont Bible Church / 5430 Belmont Rd. Downers Grove, Illinois Morning & Afternoon Sessions: 10:00 AM —3:00 PM
More information: illinoisfamily.org
January 01, 2026
Dr. Scott Foshie
Executive Summary
IBSA.org
IN FOCUS
Elected as 12th IBSA Executive Director
by unanimous vote of the IBSA Board on December 9, 2025. Will serve as Executive Director Elect until April 1, when he will succeed Nate Adams.
Holds four degrees
Bachelor of Music Education from East Tennessee State University; Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies in Jacksonville, Florida; and most recently Master of Theological Studies in Leadership from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Family
Native of Greeneville, Tennessee. Married to Audra, his wife of 24 years. They have three teenage children, Lydia, Levi, and Liz.
Church life
The Foshies are active members of Chatham Baptist Church.
Previous service
IBSA Church Health Director, 2019-2025 Director of Mission, Nine Mile Association, 201819 Pastor, Steeleville Baptist Church, 2015-2019 Associate pastor roles in music and education in three Tennessee churches beginning in 2000.
A leader I admire is
Adrian Rogers. He led Southern Baptists to embrace and affirm Biblical inerrancy and our mission to reach our neighbors and the nations in a way that few SBC statesmen have been able to achieve. He also led with great optimism, hope, humor, and genuine love.
Welcome
A Christian author I appreciate is
Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ. His experience of discovering faith in Jesus is a powerful tool to strengthen believers and to lead those searching to find Christ. Billy Graham’s Peace with God was instrumental as I began to grow in my relationship with Jesus.
A book that changed my ministry is
How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life by Gregory Frizzell. This concise book helped me get my prayer life on track, and I return to it regularly.
My go-to psalm is
Psalm 67. He calls us to use everything he’s blessed us with so others can have the opportunity to know him and experience his love.
Artists with many songs on my playlist are
Zach Williams, MercyMe, Rich Mullins
The movie I could watch over and over is
any “Ernest” movie. My family has never lost our love for watching Ernest get himself into some kind of mess and find his way out of it.
At the start of a new administration, incoming Executive Director Scott Foshie invites some heartfelt conversations. BY ERIC REED
A
conversation with Scott Foshie will often lead home, to the faith of his forebears that led to his own. “Some of my earliest memories are my grandma Lois standing next to me in church with a hymnal, a shape-note hymnal,” Foshie recalled. “She sang the most beautiful low alto, and she could harmonize with the hymns.” That leads to a story about his salvation. “She developed breast cancer when I was in the third grade, and she said ‘Scott, I don’t know if I’m going to beat this cancer, but I know that I’m a winner either way, not because of what I’ve earned or anything I’ve done, but because Jesus forgave me of my sin.’” Then she told nine-year-old Scott, “I hope you know Jesus like I know Jesus.” A few weeks later, the young Foshie told his mother he was ready to receive Jesus and knelt next to his bed. “Do you want me to help you?” his mother asked. P. 8
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of generations ago whose iconic ministry in Los Angeles was seasoned with a strong Southern drawl. “My grandfather used to study the Bible with me verse by verse when I would spend time with him at his farm,” Foshie said. “You’ll often find me listening to Dr. McGee while I’m driving around Illinois, because it’s a continuation of my life-long journey through Scripture my grandpa started with me.” As Foshie listens to Illinois Baptists and for God’s direction for the statewide network of churches, we asked his thoughts on the challenges ahead of him—and all of us. Here is the conversation, edited for the available space.
AT HOME WITH THE FOSHIES— Audra, Levi, Scott, Liz, and Lydia. “God has blessed us with beautiful children,” their proud father said. “Lydia is 19, majoring in business at Southwest Baptist University. She’s also in the band, and so we’re really, excited about that. Levi is 17 and a junior in high school. He’s a percussionist and also plays in the jazz band. Liz is 14. She’s freshman and plays the flute.” continued from p. 7 “I told her no, Mrs. Lingo taught me what to do—Lorraine Lingo was my Sunday School teacher—and I prayed to receive Jesus.” Family will come up again. So will Jesus. A conversation with Scott Foshie always leads to Jesus. “I met Audra in college,” he said about his wife. “I was a computer science major starting at East Tennessee State University. I wanted to be a scientist, a meteorologist. Audra was a biology major, but we both loved singing and we both got choir scholarships. “We got put together in an a cappella vocal jazz ensemble.” That led to a few dates, and a key question. At an evangelism clinic in West Frankfort, Illinois, Foshie had learned the FAITH witnessing plan from Pastor Roger Teal. Back home he asked Audra if she understood what it takes for a person to go to heaven. “She said, ‘Well, I’ve never murdered anybody, and I’ve never robbed a bank. I grew up in church, but to be honest, I’m not sure I’m going to heaven.’” Foshie asked his date, “Would you like me to share with you how the Bible answers that question?” “To be honest, part of me wanted her to say no,” Foshie admits, afraid he would fumble the FAITH acrostic. But she said yes. Not many men have the privilege of leading their future wife to faith in Jesus. They were married in the same church where she was baptized, and began ministry service together that led through three Tennessee churches over 15 years, and eventually to Illinois. In the process, Foshie was growing as a pastor and as a leader. “I answered the call to ministry on Father’s Day in 1999. I drove the next morning to my grandpa’s farm to tell him.” Foshie’s grandparents on his mother’s side raised chickens—18,000 at a time. “I’ll never forget the image of my grandfather Jacob standing next to his tractor and saying, ‘Son, don’t ever forget to put John 3:16 in every message you share. Make sure people are invited to receive Jesus, because if you haven’t done that, you’ve not preached.’” With that grandfather, he studied Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God. “My grandfather was in the hospital
Q: How did your pastorate in Steeleville prepare you for this new position?
A: When we came to Steeleville, it
as he battled pancreatic cancer. We talked about what Blackaby articulated from Scripture, that God is always working. When we’re in love with him, we’re able to sense his invitation for us to join him in that work.” God’s invitation led to Steeleville Baptist Church in 2015, their first stop in Illinois. “Illinois has been good to my family,” he said, smiling and ruminating how parts of the state are similar to his native Appalachia.
“We have fallen in love with the land of Lincoln. When we moved to Illinois and saw our first wheat field blowing in the wind, I pulled the van over. We were taking pictures because we now saw what amber waves of grain looked like.” And to service as a trustee with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission in 2018, eventually becoming board chair in a tumultuous season with repeated turnover in leadership and convention-wide efforts to abolish the SBC’s troubled public voice twice. He personally sought peace for roiling relations. And to a staff position with the Illinois Baptist State Association in 2019, leading church revitalization. “From my first meeting with him some five years ago, I could clearly see evidences of God’s work in Scott’s heart and ministry,” said Rob Peters, founder of Corpus, Inc., a ministry that facilitates church revitalization processes. “God has cultivated in Scott a unique blend of godly passion, relationship capacity, and wise decision-making,” he said. Peters worked through a revitalization project with Nate Adams and senior IBSA staff, then helped shape
the process that Foshie and the Church Health Team have used in over 100 churches and 23 associations. “Scott’s work as a local church pastor and for IBSA in church revitalization have uniquely prepared him for the challenges of leading the state association,” Peters assessed. “As a pastor, Scott knows the everyday challenges pastors face. As director of church revitalization for Illinois, he saw a wide variety of church expressions while immersing himself deeply in the issues that challenge churches today,” he said. “Scott has a unique anointing from God that is like what was said of Joseph in Genesis 39: ‘The Lord was with Joseph…and blessed everything that Joseph did.’” Foshie’s relational skills drew the search committee to him. Member Jennifer Damotte, minister of worship and education at First Baptist Church of Morton, said, “I find Scott to be warm and engaging and energetic. He has a lot of plans that God has been working out with him, and I am very confident in his leadership as we go into the next few years.” That comment has been repeated by search committee and board members alike. “One of my coaches calls me a ‘visionary synergist,’” Foshie said. “I love to pursue God’s vision while also bringing and keeping everyone possible together as a spiritual family as we pursue him.” Foshie pledged to begin his service with a listening tour. He started even before his new tenure began—before Christmas. He met with pastors in the Quad Cities, where Southern Baptists are relatively few and churches feel remote. On the drive, you might have heard him listening to J. Vernon McGee, a verse-by-verse preacher from a couple
was a time of seeking God. I had been an associate pastor for 15 years in Tennessee, and the Lord gave me a very clear call to prepare to be a lead pastor. He also put in our hearts that he was probably going to require us to move. When the chairman of the Steeleville Baptist search committee called, I really sensed the Holy Spirit saying, “You need to take the next step with them.” As we drove around Randolph County, Illinois, we felt the Lord bonding us with those people. Those who have answered a call into ministry may understand when God speaks, he gives you a shepherd’s burden. It’s a loving burden. It’s a wonderful burden. It wasn’t easy, but it was a season of renewal and revival. As I see this new call, I’m just in awe of how God gives us the experiences we need because he knows the things that are in front of us. Getting to walk in those shoes—being a pastor in Southern Illinois—prepared me to be a servant to our pastors today.
Q: You fairly quickly got involved with your local association and with IBSA.
A: One of the reasons that I was
called at Steeleville and was the church is passionate about Vacation Bible School. I led VBS in my own churches, but I also led VBS training for Tennessee Baptists. It didn’t take long for Mark Emerson to find out and put me on the Illinois VBS team. I traveled the state on that team. I got to go to Broadview Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. I got to experience the beauty of the Illinois Baptist family in its totality for the first time. I remember going to my first IBSA Annual Meeting at First Baptist Marion, and I thought, Man, this place has a lot of love. I don’t know if there’s a place in Southern Baptist life with as much variety and cultural vibrance and hope and optimism as there is in the Illinois Baptist family.
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Q: How did your work with revitalization prepare you for this position?
A: While I was still pastoring at
Steeleville, God was stirring in me that I love encouraging churches, encouraging pastors, and helping them live out their vision to the full. We are called to impact lostness with the light of the gospel together. I think revitalization ministry is a huge part of that. But it was really an awakening process for me when people outside of my life in ministry— like Nate Adams and then Rob Peters who consulted with IBSA on the Refocus process—they said,“Scott, you are a revitalization leader.” I had never really put that label on myself before. I was just a guy that was saved from my sin and following Jesus and answering his call and leading. But God blessed our work in revitalization. And I have enjoyed it.
Q: How did your service as ERLC trustee and eventually Board chair prepare you for executive leadership?
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people, [Florida pastor] Willy Rice, who made the motion to abolish ERLC, later commended us for our work and let us know that he does not want the ERLC to be abolished. He was, in a sense, pulling a fire alarm to get the trustees’ attention. When dealing with areas where we disagree, I think we need to be mindful and just be discerning. Let’s make sure we’re loving and kind.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing IBSA and Illinois Baptist churches?
A: I’m an optimist, but I’m also a
realist. I think an alarm is a blessing when God sounds an alarm about the trajectory of our churches. Let’s face it, if we don’t have a change in our trajectory, Illinois Baptist Life is in for a crisis within about 10 years—a major crisis. Now, I don’t say that to try to scare us, but we need to be honest. However, we have hope: his name is Jesus, and we have got a lot of resources the Lord has blessed us with.
Nate was already focused on, but I want to double down on that. And I want to lead our team to really build those relationships. Deepening of relationships is priority number one for me.
Q: Speaking of priorities, what is the place of Chicago on your list?
A: With 8 milllion people in Chicago
and the Illinois counties around the city, the region represents our greatest mission opportunity. It’s also our most challenging mission endeavor. I think first, we need to spend time listening to the pastors and key lay people that the Lord has already placed in Chicagoland. I think it’s unwise for us to prescribe how to reach Chicagoland until we listen to those leaders because we need to partner with them. I also think there’s a need for us to show our Southern churches the opportunity that’s in Chicagoland. IBSA can give them powerful experiences where they can come
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A: I’m deeply encouraged by the
renewed focus on college ministry. Over this last year, our teams have put a lot of time into developing a new strategy. I believe that the right strategy is church-based. The way to do that is through partnering with thriving churches that have college students on their hearts and empowering those churches to accomplish the mission of the gospel together. We provide some catalytic funding and support for those churches. Our need to reach college students is all-hands-on-deck, that all Illinois Baptist churches can participate in somehow. It’s not a matter of if we participate in reaching college students for Christ—but how, and now.
Q: What are your goals for the first year— or five years?
A: I think reversing the trajectory of decline is what’s on all of our hearts that we hope to see in five years. We’re praying for a sustained
A: We had some real concerns that
needed to be addressed if the ERLC was going to thrive in the future. After Dr. Moore resigned, I was part of leading a work group to make sure that communication between the President and the Board was enhanced and improved. We also set certain milestones to ensure that the board was able to effectively oversee the ERLC staff in its mission, and also to encourage the staff. Following Dr. Moore, CEO Brent Leatherwood helped tremendously. He has stepped away now, and it’s created a moment for a new opportunity. Being on that board, and then when my peers asked me to serve as chairman, I think it’s given me deeper appreciation for our Baptist ecosystem of cooperation and partnership and Great Commission impact.
Q: How did you maintain a sense of hope
I’m an optimist, but I’m also a realist. I think an alarm is a blessing when God sounds an alarm about the trajectory of our churches. Thanks to Nate Adams and the Board and our Illinois Baptist leadership over the last 20 years, we’re in a strong financial position. We need to be realistic about the challenges we have, but depend on God and be filled with hope at the same time.
for the SBC when dealing with some deeply troubling situations and challenging personalities?
Q: You have spoken often about relation-
A: During the ERLC debate, there
A: We have more resources and tech-
were some mean-spirited actors in the midst of it—primarily those people I never interacted with directly because they didn’t want to interact directly. They wanted to fire shots on social media. When I talked to Southern Baptists in person or on the phone—and some of them who voted to abolish the ERLC—they were kind, they expressed their concerns very diplomatically, and we worked to address them. One of the most vocal concerned
ships. You’re traveling a lot at the outset of your tenure. What is your goal?
nology and helps than ever before. But what those things cannot provide is genuine relationship. We need to build up our brotherhood of pastors. We want to serve in relationship with our local associations. Local association life is just primed for a resurgence around our state. We have 32 local associations. (I’ve worked with 23 of them on revitalization processes.) IBSA is committed to partnering with local associations and building that ecosystem. Deepening relationships is something
and experience all that Jesus is doing. Just come on a mission trip to Uptown Baptist Church, and I guarantee that your group will return home challenged, encouraged about missions, and spiritually fed from leading people to Jesus. In the same way, there is also opportunity for our northern churches to come do missions in Central and Southern Illinois. We need to awaken a fresh vision among our Illinois Baptist churches. Are we going to be Jonah or Isaiah? God said go, and Jonah said no. Then God said Oh? But when God said go, Isaiah said, Here I am, send me. I think if we’re like Isaiah, tremendous blessing awaits us if we will have a vision and a heart.
Q: IBSA has outlined renewed vision for
reaching college campuses. What is your view of the revised strategy for collegiate ministry?
season of revival in Illinois life. That’s what we’re really praying for. So I would say in five years, I hope that we reverse the trajectory of churches that are closing, that more churches will be opening and be planted. I would love to see us back over a thousand churches in Illinois, with continued increases of baptisms. And we need to address Cooperative Program giving. I led Steeleville to give 15% to CP because I believe we’re better together when we put resources together and fund over 3,700 fulltime missionaries, when we have church planting happening all over North America, and when we field the IBSA team to build up churches and associations across Illinois. There’s no better way that I have found to impact lostness with the light of the gospel than to give cooperatively and serve together as part of the Illinois Baptist family.
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News stories in the new year that we’re watching for new developments
Signs of revival
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on the horizon SBC: Déjà vu, all over again? This is one of those years the denomination will see a lot of change at the top. New heads are expected at Lifeway Christian Resources and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which are being led by interim presidents, and at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Woman’s Missionary Union, where President Danny Akin and Executive Director Sandy Wisdom-Martin respectively have announced their retirements in 2026. (It’s also noteworthy that Illinois had two natives in leadership with Wisdom-Martin and Lifeway’s Ben Mandrell.) More likely to signal change is the election of a new SBC President to succeed Clint Pressley after two terms. Florida pastor Willy Rice, briefly a candidate in 2024, has announced plans to run. He supported the proposed Law Amendment which would have constitutionally forbidden women in cooperating churches to hold pastoral positions, and he supported abolishing the ERLC. Both motions failed. Other candidates are also being mentioned online, ahead of the usual February or March declarations.
The reports don’t agree. Evangelists and church leaders say there was a spiritual awakening among young men even before the death of Christian political activist Charlie Kirk. Starting with the Asbury College revival, and outdoor baptisms in California, awakening continues in conservative churches with a strong campus focus. But Pew Research says not so much. At least not verifiably. And definitely not among young women, who Pew says are leaving church in record numbers.
But don’t give up hope. Generation Alpha, now coming of age, is as open to spiritual issues as any generation in a long time. And pastors reaching them say these teens are serious. It’s not about pizza parties. It’s about Jesus. WATCH: Revival follows repentance, and is followed by a new generation of preachers reaching their peers. It’s been a long time since a young Billy Graham stepped up. Look for churches that call up the newly called.
WATCH: Will the 2026 SBC meeting in Orlando field candidates who want to debate again issues that seemed settled in multiple previous votes?
How long, O Lord?
The tome War and Peace is not finished, nor will it be until Christ returns. But we can pray for cessation of the current conflicts. At issue, will the Trump Administration-brokered agreement to end hostilities in Gaza hold? Will the governing body be established as planned and prevent renewed Hamas attacks. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee predicted a Middle East reset, but that remains a tall order. WATCH: Same story for Ukraine and Russia. Can peace be negotiated? As a former missionary said, Watch what happens in the church when refugees from the conflict return home. There may be gospel opportunities in a season of rebuilding.
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.” ─C.S. Lewis
Rising anti-Semitism With a Hanukkah beach party massacre in Australia as the latest example, the tide of attacks on Jews rises, and it’s not only among terrorist groups. “We saw this in the explosion on college campuses after Oct. 7 two years ago” among left-wing political activists, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told Baptist Press. “We have seen it now rise on the right just in social media posts and people promoting more antisemitic tropes. That is very concerning.” Anti-Jewish hate crimes increased 63% percent in the U.S. from 2023-2024, and one-third of American Jews report being targeted, the FBI said. “There seem to be waves of antisemitism throughout history,” ERLC Interim President Gary Hollingsworth said, “and unfortunately, we may be at a crest of one of those waves right now. How much of that is right-wing antisemitism versus left-wing antisemitism is impossible to tell. Regardless, Southern Baptists should oppose it—as they always have.” WATCH: Will SBC messengers address this issue before the base?
Chilling effect Large-scale ICE interdictions have moved on to Baltimore and New York. Reportedly New Orleans is next. In Chicago where operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement commanded the streets and headlines during the fall, churches seeking to reach ethnic groups talk about a residual effect. Most obvious is the reluctance of immigrants to attend ministry functions. While mainline clergy joined protests outside the Broadview ICE facility, Baptist leaders say they are continuing compassion ministry such as food banks in mostly Hispanic neighborhoods. WATCH: Look for any shift in church planting and gospel opportunities with ethnic groups in Chicagoland, which have often been among Baptists’ most fruitful fields.
January 01, 2026
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MISSION
Community Reborn A gospel transformation is underway in Chicago’s Garfield Park
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BY ERIN ROACH
verdose deaths, homicides, gang violence, prostitution and political corruption are rampant in Chicago’s Garfield Park, but God called Jamie Thompson to plant a church “right in the middle of the devil’s playground.” “It’s just been a miracle story of God’s grace,” said Thompson, pastor of Reborn Community Church. Thompson grew up in a poor, rough neighborhood of Chicago and was accustomed to the depravity, but God saved him in high school and set him on a track that included Moody Bible Institute. Though he thought he’d spend his life ministering to gang members through a sports ministry he founded, God called him to plant Reborn in 2012. Through the story of the Good Samaritan, God challenged Thompson to leave people in a better place than he finds them. “Ultimately, no one is in a better place if they don’t know Christ, so we’ve got to share the gospel of Christ with them,” Thompson said. Because meeting needs through love is a platform for the gospel, the congregation started Reborn Ministries, a nonprofit that serves as an evangelistic arm while the church focuses on discipleship. P. 12
‘Devil’s playground’ That’s what the pastor calls rampant illicit activity his neighborhood. What better place to set up a ministry base? Jamie Thompson moved his family to Garfield Park in 2013 and started a transformation. The church engages with its community in many ways, including (on page 1) at the local ballfield.
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ORA ET LABORA— “Pray and work” is an ancient phrase that describes Reborn Community Church. A skilled kitchen crew prepares meals, while volunteers set up tables on the sidewalk and pray for people in need. A handyman training school (far right) helps people transform their lives. All photos submitted. continued from p. 11 Reborn noticed that many students at a local school were not graduating, so they started a tutoring program and began to see higher numbers graduate. They noticed kids were not showing up to school, so Reborn began gathering them up and taking them to school. “If you ask any of our kids if they’ve had somebody killed through gun violence, everyone’s going to raise their hands, including all of my own kids who have known people that have died from being murdered or killed through gun violence,” Thompson, a father of four, said. “So there’s a lot of trauma, and you’re expecting these kids to succeed in school without dealing with trauma, so we started nurture groups to just work through the trauma.” Reborn hosts an afterschool program, too, with students hanging out at the church building, hearing the Gospel and being discipled. “We do a lot of trips and stuff, get them out of the city, open their minds to a different world and help them see the potential that they can pursue as adults,” Thompson said. “We’re seeing some of these kids now going off to college and doing things with their lives.” The church, through the nonprofit, started a mentoring program for youth that meets during the week. “We started realizing that a lot of the problems that create cycles of poverty were rooted in areas like anger from a lot of trauma, so we became certified anger management counselors,” Thompson said. He found it didn’t matter if he got someone a job if the person would lose control of emotions and “cuss the boss out,” ending the job opportunity. It also didn’t matter if he found employment and the person didn’t have a way to get to work, so the pastor initiated a finance class to prepare people for jobs. More recently, Reborn started a handyman training school. The idea came as the pastor, in a
side business over the years, had been renovating 25 foreclosed buildings to house more than 100 needy families. “I tried to hire people from the street, but they never had skills,” Thompson said. “I used them for demo, and I would be talking to gang members and they’d say, ‘If I had a chance, another career, I would make a change.’” Thompson knew he needed to help such men learn to work in the trades because “you don’t need much certification, but you can make really good money.” Reborn now trains in six competencies: plumbing, electric, carpentry, tiling, drywall and painting. “It takes about a year, 36 weeks, and we only can take 10 people at a time,” Thompson said of the training school. “We’re in our third year, so we’ve helped about 30 people. We have some guys working with contractors. We have people making $50 an hour as handymen, able to work fulltime. “We have people that through this have realized they really love electric, so they’ve gone on for further education in electrical school,” the pastor said. “We’re seeing a lot of people turning their lives around.” More importantly, many of the people being reached by Reborn Ministries now are following Jesus and involved in the church. It helps that the building where they have become accustomed to
receiving help is the same building where they are invited to worship God and study the Bible. “We’re seeing so much fruit just from these intentional efforts to love people.” Attendance at Reborn ranges from 80 to 100 people on Sundays, and Thompson noted that 100 people in a church in Chicago is comparable to 1,000 in a church in the South because “it’s really hard soil in Chicago.” He fears that if churches keep closing in Chicago at the current rate, which is higher than those that are opening, “there won’t be an evangelical presence in Chicago in the next 20 years.” Reborn is launching an urban training center to help urban churches engage people with the Gospel and make disciples. Also, with 160 people on a waiting list for the handyman training school, they aim to increase the number of students they can accommodate. Already, Reborn hosts groups from churches on mission trips to Chicago, and they are in need of more partners to help them financially as they identify needs, meet those needs in love and share the Gospel intentionally in a city where sin has a remarkable foothold. Erin Roach writes for Baptist Press. Photos submitted.
January 01, 2026
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INSIGHT MEET THE TEAM
A response to physician-assisted suicide The church has a duty in the current debate (Editor’s note: One week before the Illinois House stealthily passed a bill allowing physician-assisted suicide, the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission published a related column by Texas pastor Jeremy Bell. Here is an excerpt.)
Mindy Dilg
Social Media Manager Family 411: Married to Ed, Mom to 3, Nana to 2; we live in McLeansboro. How I got here: I began as a volunteer helping with the IBSA Leadership Development Team social media channels and support for IBSA event video. My verse: “Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (E ph. 3 : 2 0-2 1) Bible fave: Leah, for her quiet faithfulness in the face of heartbreak and rejection. She did not grow bitter. Instead, she chose to honor God, who brought redemption through her story. Illinois thoughts: This is such a diverse landscape, both geographically and in its people. There is great opportunity for kingdom work.
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Lifeway Research study found that half of Americans believe that it is morally acceptable for a person who is facing a terminal illness to ask a physician for assistance in ending his or her life. The theological, moral, and policy implications of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) require the Church to enter the conversation. As Christians, we uphold the value and sanctity of all human life while also desiring to show compassion for those who are suffering and experiencing the dying process. Many believers feel a tension between relieving suffering and honoring life. On its face, PAS alleviates pain and suffering, but this practice also stands in direct opposition to the Church’s core beliefs. The Church should be aware that PAS legislation affirms autonomy as a universal norm, but this is a cultural and biblical misconception. Humanity’s fallen condition makes people think they are in total control over their lives, but the Bible paints a different reality. God, in his sovereignty, has allowed human beings some autonomy, but only in submission to his rule and created order. Even American law limits some human freedoms for the flourishing and safety of society—e.g., speed limits, teen suicide prevention
programs, and the consumption of illegal narcotics. Culture requires its citizens to surrender their autonomy in situations that harm the fabric of society and order. Why is PAS legislation—and those who advocate for it—not held to the same standards? The Church should acknowledge the inconsistencies of such thinking and provide a better way forward. 1. The Church must remain compassionate and loving to those who are irretrievably dying, suffering, and in pain. We know from Genesis 3 that these are inevitable realities of living in a fallen world. So, we should weep for and with people and their families. The Church theologically affirms the immoral nature and practice of PAS, but ought to handle this topic with Christ-like compassion while holding firm to our convictions. 2. The Church historically has rightly acknowledged that every person from the moment of fertilization until death exists as an image-bearer (cf. Gen. 1:27). The Bible forbids murder, which includes practices of self-murder like PAS. The Word of God consistently portrays suicide negatively (cf. Judg. 9:52–54; 1 Sam. 31:3–5; 2 Sam. 17:23; 1 Kgs. 16:18–19; and Matt. 27:3–5). The Church should be aware that there is a difference between suicide and sacrifice. The former has selfish motives attached to it, while the latter exists as a selfless act. Compassion does not lead to affirmation of PAS, but rather causes us to love people made in God’s image by car-
Hobby: I have recently taken up watercolor painting. Ice cream: Chocolate almond Superhero of choice: The Flash. I need help (and speed) keeping up with my two-year-old grandson. My hat: Ball caps on bad hair days. Pets: Goldendoodles and mini-poodles named Sophie, Indy, Moose and Cleo.
ing for them well at the end of life. 3. Believers can walk through this phase of life knowing Jesus is walking alongside them. Jesus promised, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Jesus has firsthand experience with suffering because he went to a cross to pay for our sins. He knows what those at the end of life are experiencing. Yet, he grants us peace that surpasses all understanding and unspeakable joy at the end of life (Phil. 4:7, 13). 4. Human beings were created to enjoy community and not walk through the various seasons of life alone (Gen. 2:18). Physician-assisted suicide typically occurs in isolation. Think about the fear and anxiety one may experience as they prepare to ingest lethal amounts of prescribed medicine to kill themselves. God’s common grace allows people to walk through life with others. This time can be a strengthening moment for those who are irretrievably dying and those who will grieve their passing. Medical killing for hastening death denies people of opportune moments where reconciliation, hope, grief, and sharing the gospel can take place. 5. The Church must become more involved when people transition from cure to care. We must seek to improve and fund things like hospice care. We should consider broadening its scope by including things like counseling, community, gospel-centered outreach, and adequate pain management. [The Church] should offer viable solutions that hold to our unwavering scriptural convictions while showing Christ-like compassion within the biblical boundaries of upholding the worth and dignity of all human beings. God has placed his people in areas of influence to promote the sanctity of life ethic, which means our advocacy should include the moment of conception to natural death and all the life stages in between. The full column is posted at IllinoisBaptist.org and ERLC.org.
“Actually, it’s programmed to keep spitting out your dollar.”
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The Million Dollar Question Mark 8:22-30
all me what you will, but I like watching people lose big on gameshows. It is far more enjoyable than watching them leave with a free car! The biggest gameshow loss happened on NBC’s “The Wall.” A father-daughter team worked to amass an unknown bank of cash, but then the daughter was offered a $230,000 guaranteed payout, which she took. Then the father came on stage and gently informed her that, if she had rejected the deal, they would have left with $2.6 million dollars. They both collapsed in grief and regret—and I loved every minute of it. But when it comes to eternity, I don’t want anyone to feel the crushing realization that they lost heaven. Today I want you to know that your eternity depends on how you answer one question. Let’s call it the million-dollar question, though far more than money is at stake. The question is found in verse 27: Who is Jesus? How can we decide who Jesus is? The first thing we see in today’s text is, Jesus ID’d himself with miracles. I have some forms of ID with me to prove who I am. This is a driver’s license, here is a credit card, and this is my passport. My wife is also here, and I’ll ask her to give a thumbs up
if I am truly Ryan Hall. Look at that, I check out! What forms of ID did Jesus offer? His miracles were authoritative proof of his identity. So far in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cast out demons, healed many sick people, calmed the storm, raised Jairus’ daughter, fed the 5,000, walked on water, fed the 4,000 and in our text, he heals another blind man. These incredible signs offer us convincing proof of Jesus’ identity. What’s your answer to the milliondollar question? Who is Jesus? The second thing we see in the text is the variety of possible answers. Back then, some thought Jesus was John the Baptist, which must have been awkward, because John had already been beheaded. I’ve never been mistaken for a headless dead guy, but apparently, Jesus was dealing with that...headache... pun intended. Others guessed Jesus was Elijah, one of the first prophets in the OT. That made more sense, because it was prophesied that Elijah would return and restore things before the Messiah could come. Others guessed Jesus might be a different prophet from the past. These were, of course, all wrong answers to the million-dollar question. Jesus then personalized the question, and I want you to pretend that
Jesus is looking you in the eyes at this very moment and asking for your final answer. He said, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Today, some say, “He was a great moral teacher.” Others say, “He was a powerful religious leader.” And still others would actively reject or passively neglect Jesus as the Messiah. A man from my church was in the hospital and asked the nurse, “Do you know Jesus?” She replied, “I’m a Buddhist, and I don’t know anything about Jesus.” He spent the next few days telling her that Jesus is more than a famous religious teacher like Buddha. Often people say nice things about Jesus that are not true. Morgan Freeman said, “Did Jesus exist? I don’t know. I see him as a symbol more than a person.” And some people mock Christ. Christopher Hitchens said, “Jesus is Santa Claus for adults.” Who do you say he is? The third thing we see in the passage is the true identity of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Thankfully, Peter gave the right answer. In addition to Peter, others
witnessed about Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. John the Baptist, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and demons all went on record that Jesus was the Son of God and Messiah. What exactly does, “Messiah” or “Christ” mean? It means Jesus is the anointed ruler of heaven and earth, and the promised savior from the Old Testament. Isaiah 22:22 talks of God giving the Key of David to a leader. Revelation 3:7 says Jesus now holds the Key of David. And Matthew says Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter (and thus the church). Therefore, when you hear the gospel through the messengers of Christ, the door of heaven swings wide open before you; either you enter or you don’t, and whatever is decided here is final there. Because Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, he is the only one who can turn the key and grant you access to the Kingdom of God forever. So, what is your final answer to the million-dollar question? Who do you say Jesus is? Ryan Hall is senior pastor of Anchor Palos in the Chicago suburbs and founder of SermonMapping.com, online courses for better preaching.
ATTENTION STUDENTS
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January 01, 2026
IBSA.org
with the lord
Judith (Judy) Mielke Weedman, 86, died Nov. 17. She was the wife of the late Bill Weedman, who retired in October 2006 after 28 years service with IBSA. The high school sweethearts were married 62 years. She served alongside him as pastor’s wife at Westview Baptist Church in Belleville from 1972-1981 and prior to that at churches in Indiana and Kentucky. Judy supported him at IBSA when he began as director of the Missions Division in 1981, eventually rising to Senior Associate Executive Director. She was a breast cancer survivor and knitted hats that she gave to other women battling the disease. Known as the “Teddy Bear Lady,” she made and gave away 2,044 bears in her lifetime. Judy Weedman was preceded in death by daughter, Jennifer, and grandson, Lance. She is survived by a granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
EVENTS January 13
Tax Seminar
Where: Casey Avenue, Mt. Vernon When: 6 p.m. What: Valuable tax info for current and retired ministers, treasurers, and other leaders. Cost: Free Contact: TammyButler@IBSA.org
Dale Thompson was called to Pinckneyville First Baptist Church in November. A Pinckneyville native, he returned after being sent out in 2002 to pastor churches in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Wyoming. Thompson is married to Rebecca and they have three children. He holds a BA from Eastern Illinois University and an M. Div. from New Orleans Seminary.
Illinois Leadership Summit
Where: IBSA Building Springfield What: Focused training for church leaders Theme: The Long Climb: Doing the hard work to reach the next generation. Featured speakers: Nate Adams, IBSA; Andy Addis, CrossPoint Church, Multisite, Kansas; Seth Conerly, Metro Community Church, Edwardsville; and Rayden Hollis, Red Hill Church, Glen Carbon. Cost: Free Contact: TammyButler@IBSA.org
Kevin Carrothers, Doctor of Ministry
Barb Troeger, Master of Divinity
If you have a question about Hebrew, just ask Barb Troeger. IBSA’s Executive Office Manager tackled Greek and Hebrew to complete a Master of Divinity at Midwestern Theological Seminary in December. The photo is from her 2023 graduation when MBTS President Jason Allen awarded her a Master of Theology degree. Troeger serves IBSA as facilitator of Boards and committees, and as organizer of major events, including IBSA Annual Meeting and the Leadership Summits. After a year studying Hebrew online, she can enjoy a little shalom.
Networking
Send Networking items to IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org Big Creek Baptist Church in Anna is seeking a bi-vocational or fulltime pastor. Contact Gene Plott at (618) 697-5756 for more information.
The Executive Director of Baptist Children’s Home and Family services can add another title to his list. Kevin Carrothers was first an attorney (Esguire), then pastor of Rochester First Baptist Church (Reverend). Now he’s Dr. Carrothers, awarded a Doctor of Ministry by Gateway Baptist Theological Seminary in December. His doctoral project was a study of board procedures at BCHFS. Carrothers was honored with the William O. Crewes Presidential Leadership service award, named for a former seminary president.
First Baptist Church of Elk Grove Village is seeking an enthusiastic, Spirit-led bi-vocational pastor who is passionate about preaching the Word of God, building relationships, and shepherding a diverse congregation. The ideal candidate will be relatable to both older and younger members, bringing energy, compassion, and biblical wisdom to our church family. 590 Tonne Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 fbcegv590@gmail.com
February 28-March 6
IBW Mission Trip to Laredo
Where: Laredo, Texas What: By partnering with the Texas Baptist River Ministry, Send Relief’s ministry center in Laredo provides displaced families along the U.S. Mexico border with food, clothes, hygiene kits, and the hope of new life in the gospel. Limited spots available. Info: ibsa.org/events/laredo-trip/ Contact: Jillmac664@gmail.com
March 7
Priority Women’s Weekend Chicagoland January 20-21
Degrees awarded
people Randy Brown became pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Medora in October. A Louisiana native, he is a graduate of Louisiana Tech. He holds an M.Div. from New Orleans Seminary and a D.Min. from Gateway. He has a wife Kerri of 25 years, three sons and two daughters-in-law. Brown has served in vocational ministry since 1997, as a missionary with the International Mission Board and as pastor to churches in Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon.
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Where: Armitage Baptist Church, Chicago What: Chicago area women’s conference. Featured speakers include Nerissa Crowe of Armitage and Ji Kim of Uptown. Theme: Walking in Hope, based on Romans 15:13. Contact: MindyCobb@chicagolandbaptists. org
April 10-11
Student Discipleship Retreat Where: Streator Baptist Camp Cost: $25 IBSA Churches, $35 Non-IBSA Churches Contact: MichaelAwbrey@IBSA.org
March 1-8
Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer and Offering
What: This offering supports Southern Baptists missions in North America. 100% of gifts support more than 3,000 missionaries across the U.S. and Canada. Where: Your Church Info: anniearmstrong.com
3/10, Southern Region 3/19, Northern Region 3/24, Central Region 3/31, Chicago Region Where: Locations will be announced What: A tune-up for your core ministries. Pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers will receive training to lead a healthy, growing church. Cost: Free Info: IBSA.org/events Contact: TammyButler@IBSA.org
April 10-11
Disaster Relief Training
Where: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Carlinville What: Courses include childcare, chaplaincy, flood recovery, chainsaw, incident management. Cost: Current members are free. New members or those with expired badges cost $50. Info: IBSA.org/events Contact: JanetSheley@IBSA.org
Priority Women's Conference April 24-25
Where: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur What: IBSA’s premiere conference for women leaders Cost: $65 (includes Friday lunch), $95 (Friday lunch, Saturday breakfast, T-shirt) Pricing good only until Feb. 1 Contact: CarmenHalsey@IBSA.org
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Illinois Baptist
Mission ILLINOIS Elmwo od Park: Bread of Life
j-vi lle: College Popstart Strawberry Pop Tarts were the draw to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church’s table at the Illinois College Fair. Leaders met 350 students and gave away 200 packages with church info on them. They also encouraged registration for “Adopt a Student,” where the Jacksonville church families invite collegians for lunch each month. Pastor Richard Ulrich says they’re seeing new faces every week.
First, planters Sean and Lydia Stevenson started a food bank at Elmwood Park Community Church. Then they learned their Polish neighborhood was becoming Hispanic, so they started Spanish-language ministries. Now, God is blessing the serving church with new believers and baptisms, about 30 in 2025. “A high school senior who was saved and baptized last year recently invited a close friend to a Sunday service. That young lady… in turn invited her dad to come to church,” Stevenson said. “He has now become a professing Christian! I will have the honor of baptizing both of them!”
It is so promising to see new believers become spiritual parents and even grandparents so quickly! Amazing!
chatham: Hope floats
When the students don’t live on campus, you gotta get creative.
Ahron Cooney brought a Christian illusionist to tour Lincoln Land Community College. Pastor Cooney and Chatham Baptist Church focus on LLCC, a commuter school which is adjacent to University of Illinois Springfield, a four-year school with active dorm life. “There is a Christian group doing a great job at UIS, but it’s a different challenge at Lincoln Land,” he said. “By two o’clock, it’s a ghost town there.” Cooney partners with InterVarsity for three lunchtime Bible studies each week. Illusionist Bryan Drake performed sleight-of-hand and invited students to a gospel -oriented performance at the church. Cooney reported gospel conversations, one salvation, and a baptism.