Illinois Baptist
Summer reflections Unusual season still had its special moments P. 7
Arson
COVID-19 CASES INCREASE
Limits return
Churches adapt fall plans Illinois | Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced renewed restric tions in August for two regions due to a surge in cases of COVID-19. The Metro East region and Kankakee and Will Counties had three consecutive days of a testing positivity rate at or above 8%, triggering a return to stricter gathering limits and other mitigations. Under the new restrictions, gatherings are limited to 25 people or 25% of overall room capacity, whichever is lower. The rest of the state is currently operating under guidelines for Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois reopening plan, which allows gatherings of up to 50 people. At a press conference Aug. 17 in East St. Louis, Pritzker made no specific statements about churches. In late May, he relaxed restrictions on church gatherings and introduced
news
Church prays for suspect after blaze P. 3
P. 3
Related: A reset for small groups P. 12
IllinoisBaptist.org News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
IB
BCHFS auction online P. 5
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Mission Illinois Offering & Week of Prayer September 13-20, 2020
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
Vol. 114 No. 11
NATE ADAMS
Asking isn’t easy But it’s very important P. 2
CHURCH LEADERS
Fall ministry challenge Pandemic’s long term impact P. 11
SAMMY SIMMONS
Bring ‘one’ to Christ Table Talk P. 14
Picture state missions and you might see Sharon Carty, an Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer assisting flood victims at a pop-up ministry center in Granite City.
During our COVID-19 season, IBDR workers have delivered cleaning supplies and protective equipment across the state. And much of IBSA’s ministry has turned toward helping churches effectively face into new challenges. Illinois missions focuses on what’s needed now, as well as ministry for the future, such as church planting near the University of Chicago.
Read more inside. P. 8-9