Illinois Baptist
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Your church’s support helps carry the gospel into every corner of our state
It’s OUR Mission Reaching Illinois starts with us
A
ll across the state are stories waiting to be told. The mother praying for that wayward son in inner-city Chicago. The rural pastor longing to see empty pews filled with worshiping families again. The college freshman, walking across campus and wondering, Is God is real? – Does he have a purpose for my life? In cities and small towns, dotting the office buildings and campuses and cul-de-sacs, walk men and women, boys and girls, who need the hope and purpose only Jesus can bring. “Who’s taking Christ to that community? The answer really is very few,” IBSA Evangelism Director Scott Harris said. “We have to begin to see all of our folks in every community leveraging the influence that God has given them with relationships to be burdened for (the lost), to love them enough, to invite them to church,” Harris said. “But also, so they can have opportunities to share the gospel with them personally.” God’s plan to reach the people of Illinois is through the followers of Jesus who already live here. It is for home-grown, hometown missionaries to carry the gospel into the neighborhoods out their front doors. Best estimates still say that more than 8 million people in our state do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. The best people to reach them are those who share the same zip codes, who can relate to their struggles, who they encounter in their weekly rhythms. This is why the Mission Illinois Offering exists – to provide resources needed to help Illinois churches and church members reach their com-
munities. When you and your church give gifts to Mission Illinois, 100% of those gifts further ministry and missions right here at home. Mission Illinois invests in churches and leaders throughout our state, equipping them to meet needs and become missionaries to their communities. Churches are planted, leaders are trained, summer camps are provided that serve more than 1,000 teens and kids, discouraged congregations are revitalized, gospel workers reaching university students are supported, and relief is provided to those experiencing disaster. You can help reach Illinois with your prayers, your giving, and your serving. A new addition in 2025 to the September state missions emphasis is Mission Illinois Day. Churches are encouraged to participate in one-day local outreach projects on Saturday, September 13. Projects will be centered around three hubs: Chicago, Peoria, and Mt. Vernon. Each hub will host several planned projects within the surrounding area. There is no cost to register, and families are encouraged to participate together since all work will be suitable for any age. Mission Illinois has set a statewide offering goal of $350,000 for 2025, and a goal of 500 participants in Mission Illinois Day.
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 964
What’s inside Stories of impact
Read four stories of Illinoisans on mission.
Eight ways to pray
Lift up missions and ministry work making a difference across the state.
More online
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
AUGUST 1, 2025 Vol. 117 No. 8
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
Watch video stories, see how MIO is at work year round, and find downloadable content and graphics at MissionIllinois.org.