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IBSA Calendar
          February 8, 2010   

February
12Women's Marketplace Mission Team, Chicago
13Women's Marketplace Mission Team, Chicago
14Racial Reconciliation Sunday
Women's Marketplace Mission Team, Chicago
15Focus on WMU Week
President's Day
Women's Marketplace Mission Team, Chicago
16Women's Marketplace Mission Team, Chicago
Focus on WMU Week
17Focus on WMU Week
18Focus on WMU Week
19Building Powerful Ministry Teams
Focus on WMU Week
20All-State Youth Choir Auditions
Tax Seminar
Focus on WMU Week
Building Powerful Ministry Teams
21Focus on WMU Week
27Churches of Strength Conference, Chatham


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ILLINOIS BAPTIST CURRENT ISSUE
Illinoisans with ties to Haiti: ‘God is still our refuge’
By Meredith Day, communication specialist
CHICAGO | The members of Gabaon Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side meet every Thursday evening to pray together. On January 14, two days after a massive earthquake rocked Haiti, their focus was on sharing information and helping each other as they waited for news from their families.
Southern Baptists assist in Haiti disaster relief effort
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Southern Baptists immediately sprang into action following the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti Jan. 12. A summary of Southern Baptist relief efforts follows.
Rescuing the perishing
By Nate Adams, executive director, IBSA
As soon as I realized the tremendous scope and tragedy of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, I knew I would soon be writing about it. When a disaster of that magnitude strikes, many of us respond by trying to do whatever we do best. Emergency workers search and rescue. Doctors treat and heal.  Leaders lead, and entertainers perform to raise funds.  Crooks look for ways to swindle, and the apathetic shrug.  And so yes, writers write, hoping they can help others think clearly and respond with understanding and compassion, in this case to an almost incomprehensible need.  
Southern Baptist Voices: What is God’s message to Haiti?
By R. Alber Mohler Jr.
The images from Haiti look like scenes from Dante’s Inferno. The scale of the calamity is unprecedented.
Free VBS Clinics to be held in six regional locations
By Lisa Sergent, associate editor
SPRINGFIELD | It’s time for church Vacation Bible School leaders to saddle-up and attend any of six free regional Illinois Baptist State Association VBS Training Clinics featuring LifeWay’s Saddle Ridge Ranch curriculum.  Last year, more than 960 Illinois Baptists took advantage of the free clinics to enhance their churches’ VBS experience.
Illinois Baptist Airman killed in Afghanistan
TROY, Ill. | United States Air Force Senior Airman Bradley R. Smith, 24, died of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations near Kandahar, Afghanistan Jan. 3.  Smith, a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Troy, Ill., was assigned to the 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Riley, Kan. as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller “JTAC.”
Youth Ministry Forum opportunities for Illinois Baptists abound in 2010

SPRINGFIELD | Early in his youth ministry Grant Medford fondly remembers attending an Illinois Baptist State Association Youth Ministry Forum.  The experience gave Medford, now the IBSA Student and Family Discipleship director, a way to connect and enjoy fellowship with other youth ministers around the state.

IBSA calendar
February
All-State Youth Choir Auditions: Youth (grades 9-12) must audition to be in the All-State Choir. Auditions begin at 9 a.m. February 6 - First Baptist, Marion; Bethel Baptist, Vandalia; Baptist Building, Springfield. February 20 - Logan Street Baptist, Mt. Vernon; Tabernacle Baptist, Decatur; Brainard Avenue Baptist, Countryside. Registration cost is $10. For more information contact Debbie Muller at (217) 391-3126 or e-mail debbiemuller@ IBSA.org.

Building Powerful Ministry Teams:  February 19-20, Island City, Wilmington.  Friday, 6:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Cost of $20/person includes workbook and three meals.  Facilitators will be Nate Adams and Jerry Day.  For more information, visit IBSA.org, or contact Cathy Waters, (217) 391-3124, cathywaters@IBSA.org.

Tax Seminar:  February 20, 8:30 a.m. to noon, IBSA Building, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield. Seminar, led by P.J. Patterson of Patterson Accounting, Decatur, is for all pastors, church treasurers and other interested church members. Cost is $20 per person which includes tax book to be used in the seminar.  Registration deadline is February 12.  For more information, contact Debbie Muller, (217) 391-3126 or debbiemuller@IBSA.org.

Churches of Strength - Super Saturday Seminar:  February 27, Chatham Baptist, 8:30 a.m.- noon.  For pastors, church ministry staff, and lay leaders.  Seminar begins with continental breakfast, followed by three hours of concentrated conference time.  For more information, visit IBSA.org, or contact Cathy Waters, (217) 391-3124, cathywaters@IBSA.org.
Ministry positions
Bivocational Pastor: Glasgow Baptist Church, Winchester.  Parsonage available.  Contact Dean Hester, 230 W Market St., Winchester, IL 62694 or (217) 742-3668.

Senior Pastor:  Living Faith Baptist Church, Sherman, seeks a full-time senior pastor. Send resumes by February 15 to Senior Pastor Search Committee, Living Faith Baptist Church, P.O. Box 185, Sherman, IL 62684 or pastorsearch@livingfaith baptist.org.  For more information about the church, visit livingfaithbaptist.org.