Let’s pray for state missions
Illinois Baptist
Daily devotions for Sept. 12-19 at missionillinois.org
mission
Shrinking Illinois
TABLE TALK
New census data shows people leaving. What does it mean for ministry? P. 8
20 years later Still contemplating why P. 13
ILLINOIS VOICES
10 years later Helping my Afghan friend P. 14
BRIGHTER DAY
From the sidelines? Gen Z’s view of evangelism P. 16
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
SEPT. 1, 2021 Vol. 115 No. 9
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
Nate Adams P. 2
Free candy P. 9
AFTER DISASTERS
Baptists respond Aid extended for refugees, earthquake, flood victims
The World | Three tragedies in one week captured the attention of the world. Now Southern Baptists are responding with aid for refugees from the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti, and a deluge that virtually wiped out Waverly, Tennessee. The Southern Baptist Convention’s Send Relief compassion ministry and Disaster Relief are staging assistance for earthquake and flood victims. And in Illinois, IBSA is encouraging churches to pray for people fleeing Afghanistan, while working with World Relief in Chicago to prepare for the arrival of some of the thousands of refugees who may make their new homes in Illinois. IBSA Missions Director Brad Lovin was on military reserve duty when the imminent fall of the Afghan government after Afghanistan the withdrawal Haiti of U.S. troops Tennessee became clear. Lovin served a one-year tour of duty in that nation in 2011. He was immediately concerned about his friend, Ali*, who served as Lovin’s translator during his deployment. “Ali would die for me, and I would for him,” Lovin said. He shared Christ with Ali for the year they worked together and often in the decade since. As the news broke, Lovin was texting Ali in Afghanistan. Ali and his family were visiting relatives there this summer.
PLUS: Your county’s population shift
in focus
P. 3
IBSA Annual Meeting plans announced
Look who’s celebrating!
2021 theme: Thrive Big Baptist family to gather in Springfield Nov. 2-4
Illinois’ very own Sandy Wisdom-Martin P. 11
Details on Pastors Conference and Ministers’ Wives gathering inside P. 5