Who we are

 
Our Purpose

Founded in 1907, the Illinois Baptist State State Association is an association of messengers from Illinois Southern Baptist churches cooperating to achieve common goals. The purpose of IBSA is to assist in establishing and developing effective churches in their context.

Today, nearly 1,000 churches and missions are affiliated with the IBSA.
Affiliate with IBSA

IBSAChurches seeking to affiliate with the Illinois Baptist State Association should contact Sandy Barnard at (217) 391-3107 or e-mail SandyBarnard@IBSA.org for more information and an affiliation form.
IBSA Vision Statement

We see Jesus as our Master, His Great Commission as our mandate, and healthy, multiplying churches as our primary means of making disciples throughout Illinois, our nation and world.

With compassion for spiritually lost people and anticipation of Jesus’ return, we will work cooperatively with local associations and other partners to:
- Strengthen existing churches in fulfilling their biblical purpose;
- Start healthy new churches designed to reach new groups of people;
- Send believers into local, state, national and world mission fields to proclaim the Gospel and serve others in the name of Christ; and
- Stimulate stewardship among churches so that God’s resources flow faithfully and generously through His people to His worldwide redemptive mission.
The Cooperative Program

Cooperative ProgramThe Cooperative Program (CP) was started in 1925 by the Southern Baptist Convention as a system of mission support. It is a financial partnership churches, the IBSA and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) that supports numerous ministries and mission efforts in Illinois and around the world.

The Illinois Baptist State Association sends 43.75 percent of CP gifts to the SBC, the sixth largest amount of all state Baptist conventions, and retains 56.25 percent to start and strengthen churches in Illinois.

For more information and resources e-mail LisaSergent@IBSA.org, call (217) 391-3119, or visit cpmissions.net.
The Illinois Missions Offering

Illinois Missions Offering2012 IMO materials will be sent to churches in August. The Illinois Missions Offering (IMO) is an annual emphasis to support nearly 100 missionaries across the state. Suggested dates for this year’s offering are Sept. 18-25, but churches are encouraged to plan a week of prayer and offering date that works best with their calendar.

The state-wide IMO goal is $430,000; last year, Illinois Baptists gave $390,229 to the IMO, $20,000 more than the previous year.

Gifts to this year’s offering will be spent next year to make it possible to do more missions including supporting nearly 100 Illinois missionaries, starting 25 Southern Baptist churches, training 20,000 church leaders, initiating more and supporting 30 existing campus ministries, providing support and partnering with 33 local associations. Learn more