Week of Prayer: September 8 - 15
There are millions of Illinoisans who do not have a relationship with Jesus. Without the gospel they will die separated from God.
Pray for IBSA’s Scott Harris as he leads evangelism consultations that provide existing churches with encouragement, trainings, and a spark to help them share Jesus with their lost friends and neighbors.
With over 9.6 million people and immigrants from dozens of nations, the city of Chicago and its suburbs is an enormous mission field.
Pray that the lost would respond to the work of IBSA’s 150+ cooperating churches in Chicagoland, and that more partners would develop a passion to reach this metropolis.
Each of Illinois’ nearly 900 Southern Baptist congregations represents a people and place consecrated for God’s glory. Nearly 100 of these are actively in an IBSA revitalization process.
Pray for Scott Foshie as he leads IBSA’s church revitalization efforts to help churches across Illinois find renewed hope and a new future.
Disaster Relief ministries, food distributions, and service projects show the love of Christ in tangible ways and open doors for the gospel to people in need.
Pray for energy and opportunities to share about Jesus for church volunteers who respond to disaster and serve Illinois neighborhoods, and for IBSA Missions Director, Shannon Ford, and Disaster Relief Director, Arnold Ramage.
Half of pastors say the stresses of ministry are greater than they can handle. The effectiveness of a church’s mission to reach its community is directly tied to the health of its pastor.
Pray that God would work through IBSA’s For the Pastor initiative and Multiply Illinois Hubs to strengthen Illinois pastors and connect them to a strong network of support.
Almost 400,000 students study on Illinois university campuses. Living away from home for the first time and confronted with new ideas and freedoms can bring emotional, spiritual, and moral challenges.
Pray for the six IBSA supported campus ministers as they offer the hope of Jesus to students and disciple young believers during a critical life season.
Lake Sallateeska and Streator Baptist Camps provide places far from the distractions of a noisy world where children and teens trust in Jesus and grow in their faith, and where church leaders come for rest and renewal.
Pray for camp directors Brock Vandever and Jacob Kimbrough as they serve the thousands who come each year.
New churches are essential in reaching Illinois’ changing population. Every year, IBSA helps to plant 10-20 new churches across the state.
Pray for more churches in underreached locations and for IBSA Church Planting’s Kevin Jones and John Yi as they recruit, train, and support new churches and planters.