Illinois Baptist
‘What do you do all day?’ A question that tests my priorities Nate Adams P. 2 capitol watch
Looking ahead to the Convention
SBC PREVIEW
June 11-12 ‘Gospel’ towers at Annual Meeting Women’s Leadership Network emerges WMU to spearhead 131 missions events
Above All
Pastor jailed in Turkey to speak It’s not just the tea that’s sweet P. 8
Online all the time IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
Do no harm Pot opponents prep for legalization push
Springfield | Illinois lawmakers returned from their spring break poised to introduce legislation to legalize marijuana use for adults. The legalization effort is supported by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who advocated it throughout his campaign and in his inaugural address. Pritzker and other legalization supporters say marijuana would bring beneficial revenue to the state, including up to $170 million in fiscal year 2020. But others say the costs—financial and otherwise—would be much greater. “Too many people are shrugging and saying, Will it really do any harm? Yes. Absolutely, it will,” wrote two Illinois law enforcement associations in a joint statement last year. The Illinois Chiefs of Police and Illinois Sheriffs’ Associations pointed to increased marijuana-related P. 3
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
MAY 06, 2019 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
Vol. 113 No. 07
GREAT GROWTH
Women’s conference Identifies spiritual ‘gaps’ and opportunities P. 4
DISASTER RELIEF
New floods callout
Birmingham’s Vulcan points skyward, while Baptists meeting there will point to the gospel SPECIAL SECTION P. 7-9
More teams head to Iowa P. 5
FRESH IDEAS
Pray for politicians And connect with locals P. 16