Photos from Washington, Ill.

Meredith Flynn —  November 19, 2013

IBSA communications staff was in Washington, Ill., Monday, to hear about tornado recovery efforts by local churches and Disaster Relief volunteers. We talked to Pastor Joshua Monda of First Baptist in Washington, and also saw the Disaster Relief feeding unit operating out of Woodland Baptist in Peoria. Here, some photos from the day:

Joshua Monda listens to a voice mail while he waits Monday to get back into Washington, blocked off because of possible gas leaks.

Joshua Monda listens to a voice mail while he waits Monday to get back into Washington, blocked off because of possible gas leaks.

Power_lines_blog

Family and friends look for keepsakes in the pile of rubble that was a home on School Street. Tornadic winds lifted it from one side of the street and set it down on the other.

Family and friends look for keepsakes in the pile of rubble that was a home on School Street. Tornadic winds lifted it from one side of the street and set it down on the other.

Mary Boles' daughter and son-in-law had run to the store when the tornado hit School Street. Three of their children took cover in the basement. Morton and Pekin, nearby cities, have had storms like this. “We’ve usually been missed here,” Boles said. “This is our big hit.”

Mary Boles’ daughter and son-in-law had run to the store when the tornado hit School Street. Three of their children took cover in the basement.
Morton and Pekin, nearby cities, have had storms like this. “We’ve usually been missed here,” Boles said. “This is our big hit.”

Disaster Relief volunteers working at Woodland Baptist in Peoria prepare a chili dinner for storm responders and victims.

Disaster Relief volunteers working at Woodland Baptist in Peoria prepare a chili dinner for storm responders and victims.

The meals are loaded into red cambros and delivered to shelters and workers on scene by the Red Cross.

The meals are loaded into red cambros and delivered to shelters and workers on scene by the Red Cross.

Disaster Relief vehicles parked at Woodland Baptist Church, Peoria.

Disaster Relief vehicles parked at Woodland Baptist Church, Peoria.

Harold Booze, a Disaster Relief "blue cap" supervisor, visits the Red Cross command center to coordinate efforts between the two organizations.

Harold Booze, a Disaster Relief “blue cap” supervisor, visits the Red Cross command center to coordinate efforts between the two organizations.

In News , , , ,
permalink

Washington pastor ministers after the storm

Meredith Flynn —  November 18, 2013

Joshua Monda had just started his Sunday morning sermon when the sirens started blaring. He and his congregation had known their town of Washington was under a tornado watch, but the actual storm came with little warning.

Monda, who has been pastor of First Baptist in Washington since June, had just taught a Sunday School class about how humanitarian work without the Gospel is just good humanitarian work.

On Monday, he’s practicing what he preached Sunday. After a destructive tornado swept through Washington, killing one person and destroying homes and buildings, Monda posted his cell phone number on Facebook so anyone who needed help could call him.

Standing in a WalMart parking lot waiting to get into still blockaded Washington, Monda’s phone lights up with texts and voice mails. He’s already done two interviews today, and there’s an international media outlet waiting for his call back.

His primary focus is his church and their city. Four families in Monda’s church lost their homes, and one member went to the hospital with minor injuries. As people begin to move back into town, some not knowing what they’ll find, Monda wants to offer his church to help as a refuge center. FBC doesn’t have power yet, but once they do, Monda wants to help meet real needs: meal shelter, a listening ear- whatever people need.

Across the river, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are preparing an evening meal to be delivered by the Red Cross to Washington. Staging at Woodland Baptist in Peoria, they’ll prepare 1,000 chili dinners for tonight, and will continue serving for the next several days.

20131118-152855.jpg

In Uncategorized
permalink

Disaster Relief volunteers on alert after tornadoes destroy parts of central, southern Illinois

Meredith Flynn —  November 17, 2013
From video posted on Pastor Joshua Monda's Facebook page

From video posted on Pastor Joshua Monda’s Facebook page

UPDATE: WLS-TV in Chicago is reporting officials have confirmed six storm-related deaths: one in Washington, three in Massac County in extreme southern Illinois, and two in Washington County, located 50 miles southeast of St. Louis. The post below originally attributed the two fatalities in Washington County to Washington, Ill.

BREAKING NEWS | Tornadoes touched down Sunday in several central Illinois communities, including an especially destructive storm in Washington, 11 miles east of Peoria.

Joshua Monda, pastor of First Baptist Church in Washington, was meeting with his church for Sunday morning services when the tornado touched down. After the storm, Monda posted updates on his Facebook page. “Church, we have to come together to care for our community and our church people,” he wrote. He also posted video of the destruction near his church; at this time, there is no known damage to the church building.

Storms also damaged parts of East Peoria, Pekin, and Roanoke, as well as other communities in the Peoria area. Brookport, Ill., on the Illinois/Kentucky border, also experienced a destructive tornado Sunday. First Baptist Church there is serving as a triage center for those injured in the storm, reports The Paducah Sun newspaper.

Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are on alert for response this week, and leaders are currently assessing the damage. Pray for the communities affected by storms, for pastors and churches ministering to their neighbors, and for volunteers who will serve this week.

In News , ,
permalink

Messengers affirm five resolutions

Meredith Flynn —  November 14, 2013

IBSA ANNUAL MEETING | Messengers in Springfield approved five resolutions this morning without discussion, four of which are online at IBSA.org/meeting2013. The resolutions covered human exploitation, the preservation of marriage, appreciation for WMU’s 125 years, and gaming expansion in Illinois.

Wes Hahn, chairman of the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee, and committee member Bruce Kugler also recommended a fifth resolution on personal evangelism.

Committee chair Wes Hahn is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport

Committee chair Wes Hahn is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport

In IBSA Annual Meeting, IBSA Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting , ,
permalink

Photo Gallery: IBSA Pastors’ Conference and Annual Meeting

Meredith Flynn —  November 13, 2013

Chuck Kelley concluded the Pastors’ Conference Wednesday with a challenge about leading the next generation, followed by the first day of the IBSA Annual Meeting. The schedule of business and budgets and reports was interspersed with worship led by LifeWay’s Mike Harland and Gospel trio Sons of the Father. Wednesday evening’s worship service highlighted church planting, including a charge by NAMB’s Gary Frost to be bold for the sake of the Gospel.

Carmen Halsey, Tammie Emerson, and Andrea Cruse at the annual Ministers' Wives' Conference.

IBSA’s Carmen Halsey joined Tammie Emerson and Andrea Cruse, both from Living Faith Baptist in Sherman, at the annual Ministers’ Wives’ Conference.

DeAndre Williams from Eternity Baptist in Centralia reads along with Dr. Chuck Kelley during the final message of the IBSA Pastors' Conference.

DeAndre Williams from Eternity Baptist in Centralia reads along with Dr. Chuck Kelley during the final message of the IBSA Pastors’ Conference.

Outgoing Pastors' Conference president Chad Ozee (left) laughs with new president Michael Allen (right) and newly elected treasurer David Sutton.

Outgoing Pastors’ Conference president Chad Ozee (left) laughs with new president Michael Allen (right) and newly elected treasurer David Sutton.

East St. Louis church planter Barnicio Cureton prays during the opening session of the Annual Meeting.

East St. Louis church planter Barnicio Cureton prays during the opening session of the Annual Meeting.

Messengers approve the 2014 IBSA budget.

Messengers conduct the meeting’s first official vote.

Jonathan Peters, finishing his second year as IBSA President, preached on Jonah to end the Tuesday afternoon session.

Jonathan Peters, finishing his second year as IBSA President, preached on Jonah to end the Wednesday afternoon session.

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams presenting the board's report.

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams presenting the board’s report.

Les, Chris and Brent Snyder, or Sons of the Father, opened the Wednesday evening session with a worship concert.

Les, Chris and Brent Snyder, or Sons of the Father, opened the Wednesday evening session with a worship concert.

Churches affiliating with IBSA are presented to messengers.

Churches affiliating with IBSA are presented to messengers.

Gene Crume, president of Judson University, shared about a partnership between IBSA and the school that will bring students to the campus this summer for a "Go Week" focused on missions.

Gene Crume, president of Judson University, shared about a partnership between IBSA and the school that will bring Illinois students to the campus this summer for a “Go Week” focused on missions.

IBSA's Van Kicklighter (left) interviewed Alton church planter Steven Helfrich during the worship service focused on Mission Illinois: Churches Together Advancing the Gospel.

IBSA’s Van Kicklighter (left) interviewed Alton church planter Steven Helfrich during the worship service focused on Mission Illinois: Churches Together Advancing the Gospel.

Boldness manifests itself in confidence for a believer in Christ, Gary Frost said. But, "don't confuse confidence with arrogance," added the North American Mission Board's Midwest vice president.

Boldness manifests itself in confidence for a believer in Christ, Gary Frost said. But, “don’t confuse confidence with arrogance,” added the North American Mission Board’s Midwest vice president.

Meeting attenders committed to pray for church planters, partner with them in their work, or explore planting opportunities themselves.

Meeting attenders committed to pray for church planters, partner with them in their work, or explore planting opportunities themselves.

After the session, messengers visited with Illinois church planters at a dessert reception. (Pie was served in the lobby, but attenders had to visit a church planter in order to get a fork.)

After the session, messengers visited with Illinois church planters at a dessert reception. (Pie was served in the lobby, but attenders had to visit a church planter in order to get a fork.)

In IBSA Annual Meeting, IBSA Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting , , , ,
permalink

What makes a perfect minister’s wife?

Meredith Flynn —  November 13, 2013

Ministers_WivesMINISTERS’ WIVES’ CONFERENCE | Christina Batchelor of Bethel Baptist in Princeton, Ill., celebrates a win for her table during the annual gathering of ministry spouses coinciding with the IBSA Pastors’ Conference. The ladies answered questions to determine which table had the most perfect pastors’ wives: Who wore a dress to church last Sunday? How many of you have ever directed your church’s Vacation Bible School? Who has sung a solo in the past year?

Busting stereotypes and being real proved to be the theme of the morning, as speaker Lynda Locke encouraged women to embrace who God has made them to be, and to celebrate how His grace has made an imprint on their lives. Locke, a pastor’s wife from Jacksonville, Ill., also talked about responding to hard times.

“Instead of acting like the world in fear in the middle of a crisis, I can respond with peace in Christ, knowing that every day in my life is part of His perfect plan for me.”

In IBSA Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting , , ,
permalink

Do you really believe it?

Meredith Flynn —  November 13, 2013

IBSA ANNUAL MEETING | “Do you REALLY believe that God uses the preaching of the Gospel to save sinful men?” asked Jonathan Peters in his president’s message this afternoon on the prophet Jonah.

“To save sinners, to transform communities, to revive dead hearts and bring them back to life through the preaching of the Gospel? Jonah believed it—he just didn’t want to do it.”

Jonathan_Peters

In IBSA Annual Meeting , ,
permalink

IBSA Pastors’ Conference, Day 1: In photos

Meredith Flynn —  November 12, 2013

Day 1 of the conference has come to a close after seven sermons, two leadership panels, and a focused prayer time led by Illinois church planters. Check out these photos from the day, and come back tomorrow for more leadership-focused messages, and coverage of the IBSA Annual Meeting beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said of leading through disaster, "Trouble for the people of God is always a thruway and not a dead end."

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said of leading through disaster, “Trouble for the people of God is always a thruway and not a dead end.”

"You don’t just do church up here, you do Christianity up here." Bobby Broyles, a church planting strategist from Oklahoma, thanked Baptists in Illinois for their support and faithfulness.

“You don’t just do church up here, you do Christianity up here.” Bobby Boyles, a church planting strategist from Oklahoma, thanked Baptists in Illinois for their support and faithfulness.

The worship team from Journey Church in Bourbonnais led Pastors' Conference attenders in old and new hymns.

The worship team from Journey Church in Bourbonnais led Pastors’ Conference attenders in old and new hymns.

LifeWay Research's Micah Fries preached on leading in the current cultural context. "For far too long we have been trying to position ourselves as counter to society, but have have not been counter to society by the way we live, but by the strange music we listen to and the odd T-shirts we wear."

LifeWay Research’s Micah Fries preached on leading in the current cultural context. “For far too long we have been trying to position ourselves as counter to society, but have have not been counter to society by the way we live, but by the strange music we listen to and the odd T-shirts we wear.”

"We began to realize we had missed a key component of spiritual formation, we could not realize in an hour or two at the church what God intended to done at home - discipleship." Tennessee pastor Jay Strother focused his message on leading a family.

“We began to realize we had missed a key component of spiritual formation, we could not realize in an hour or two at the church what God intended to done at home – discipleship.” Tennessee pastor Jay Strother focused his message on leading a family.

Eric Mason, Micah Fries, Tim Cotler and Chuck Kelley discussed what Mason called the biggest issue pressing in on our culture - fatherlessness.

Eric Mason, Micah Fries, Tim Cotler and Chuck Kelley discussed what Mason called the biggest issue pressing in on our culture – fatherlessness.

Jerry Cain, president emeritus of Judson University, shared how people made clear God's call on his life, and encouraged his listeners to do the same for other young leaders. "There are people in your church that have been called to leadership and they don’t know it yet. It’s your job to hear that call."

Jerry Cain, president emeritus of Judson University, shared how people made clear God’s call on his life, and encouraged his listeners to do the same for other young leaders. “There are people in your church that have been called to leadership and they don’t know it yet. It’s your job to hear that call.”

Philadelphia pastor Eric Mason preached on biblical leadership. "Jesus says in John 1:51, 'You will see angels ascending and descending…' It's a picture of Jacob's ladder. Jesus was saying he is that ladder. 'If you stick with me, you will see broken things connected that were never connected. Don’t ever think my power cannot connect the unconnectable.'"

Philadelphia pastor Eric Mason preached on biblical leadership. “Jesus says in John 1:51, ‘You will see angels ascending and descending…’ It’s a picture of Jacob’s ladder. Jesus was saying he is that ladder. ‘If you stick with me, you will see broken things connected that were never connected. Don’t ever think my power cannot connect the unconnectable.'”

JourneyWorship's rendition of "Build Your Kingdom Here" featured a stumpf fiddle.

JourneyWorship’s rendition of “Build Your Kingdom Here” featured a stumpf fiddle.

In IBSA Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting , , , , , , , ,
permalink

‘Old’ is the new ‘new’

Meredith Flynn —  November 12, 2013

IBSA PASTORS’ CONFERENCE | The annual gathering for Illinois pastors and leaders kicked off this afternoon in Springfield, and beloved hymns have ruled the day so far, with a twist. JourneyWorship, the team from Journey Church in Bourbonnais, led the crowd in “Down at the Cross,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Victory in Jesus,” complete with thumping percussion and electric guitars.

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, brought the conference’s first message on “Leading through Disaster.” His voice breaking several times, Kelley shared how he led the seminary in the days and months following Hurricane Katrina. “In a disaster, you always tell the truth. You don’t act like it’s no big deal. You don’t act like it’s going to be easy,” he said.

“You get in touch with who God is, you get in touch with your mission, and you get to work. And with your heart breaking, and with every day a battle, you simply get after it.”

Follow the Pastors’ Conference and IBSA Annual Meeting here and at Facebook.com/IllinoisBaptist.

worship_1

In IBSA Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting , , , , , ,
permalink

Tuesday News Briefing: Typhoon response, a LifeWay apology, and ‘Son of God’ the movie

Meredith Flynn —  November 12, 2013

THE BRIEFING | Meredith Flynn

Joining Filipino Baptists at work, IMB representative Mark Moses handed out packs of rice, noodles, canned sardines and water to Typhoon Haiyan victims on Panay island Monday, Nov. 11. “We listened to their horrifying stories of pounding winds and walls of sea water sweeping away their earthly belongings,” Moses said. “We prayed and grieved with the people. We made assessments of priority needs.” (IMB Photo by Mark Moses)

Joining Filipino Baptists at work, IMB representative Mark Moses handed out food and water to Typhoon Haiyan victims on Panay island Monday, Nov. 11. “We prayed and grieved with the people,” Moses said. “We made assessments of priority needs.” IMB photo by Mark Moses; from IMB.org

As officials assess the damage from Typhoon Haiyan, Southern Baptist workers in the Philippines are distributing food and evaluating how best to meet immediate and long-term needs. Officials estimate 10,000 people could have died in the storm. International Mission Board representative Dottie Smith said, “Pray for strength for those who are still stranded, low on food and water and are feeling helpless.” Read more at IMB.org.

LifeWay apologizes for stereotypes in ‘Rickshaw Rally’

The Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing arm, LifeWay Christian Resources, apologized last week for the use of racial stereotypes in “Rickshaw Rally,” its 10-year-old Vacation Bible School curriculum.

“I agree with those who have helped us understand the offensive nature of that material,” LifeWay President Thom Rainer said in the video apology presented at the Mosaix conference in California. “And I agree evangelical church and ministry leaders — particularly those of us who are white — need to commit to assuring, as best we can, these offenses stop.”

Rainer became LifeWay’s president in 2006. Read more at BPNews.net.

Coming soon to a theater near you
The producers behind History Channel’s “The Bible” miniseries are repackaging the parts of the story that focus on Jesus for a new feature film. “Son of God” will be released February 28, 2014 by 20th Century Fox. “This is a big story. It deserves a big presentation,” Roma Downey told The Christian Post. The star of “Touched by an Angel” produced “The BIble” with her husband, Mark Burnett, and also starred as Mary, the mother of Jesus. “The stand-alone opportunity of two hours and 15 minutes to follow the birth, the life, the mission, the miracles, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, the Great Commission, the entire Jesus narrative.” Read more at ChristianPost.com.

IBSA Annual Meeting starts Nov. 13
Follow along here and at Facebook.com/IllinoisBaptist or Twitter.com/IllinoisBaptist. The IBSA Pastors’ Conference starts today, with panel discussions and messages by Bobby Boyles, Jerry Cain, Micah Fries, Chuck Kelley, Eric Mason and Jason Strother. For more information, go to IBSA.org/meeting2013.

Writer lists five phrases that are too ‘churchy’ for Millenials
Blogger and author Addie Zierman once left the church, and now she’s back. She shares on The Washington Post’s On Faith blog five church cliches that are “maddening and alienating” to Millenials like her. Read the list here and then tell us how you agree or disagree.

In Briefing , , , , , , , , ,
permalink