Illinois Baptist in focus
Better recruiting Connecting with volunteers Daniel Kim P. 13
Big Launch
Salvation & Grace P. 16 NATE ADAMS
4 key questions For future-ready leaders P. 2
ERIC REED
Church in space Reporter’s Notebook P. 6
CP GIVING
Report card
Cross-state replanting project produces new church. P 7
For your church Section B
PLUS: Two churches join forces in central Illinois P 10
IllinoisBaptist.org
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
MAY 1, 2025
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 964
Vol. 119 No. 5
IB illinois baptist women
Priority moves to Decatur Event relocated after hotel damage
Springfield | Significant vandalism to the elevators and sprinkler system forced the temporary closure of the Wyndham Springfield City Centre March 28, which was scheduled to host the IBSA annual women’s conference, Priority April 25-26. The Wyndham cancelled all its events for the month. IBSA Leadership Director Carmen Halsey-Menghini and her team shifted into high gear to find a new location. Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur agreed to house the event, and Priority moved ahead as planned. “God is having us deliver this year’s conference in a different wineskin, but the content hasn’t changed, and we’re excited to HALSEY-MENGHINI see what he is doing,” Halsey-Menghini said. Previously she had said how excited the planning group was to bring an all-Illinois teaching team to the platform this year, evidence of the growing discipleship and competence of the women leaders in our state. Tabernacle has hosted Priority before, and previous attenders will have fond memories of food trucks on the P. 3
3 years later:
Christians in Ukraine P. 11
Missionaries never retire P. B-4