From the Executive Director

Restructuring the SCBI for Sustainable Ministry to Churches
The SCBI started in 1958 with 111 churches and a budget of $122,000 with a purpose to “establish, strengthen and inspire the churches in missionary, educational and benevolent enterprises.” 65 years later, much has changed! Yet, our focus on our churches and the gospel of Christ remains. We are in a moment where change is needed. A revisioning process had

A Staggering But Hopeful Reality for Pastoral Wellness (What I Learned from a Recent Visit to Guidestone)
Guidestone, a helpful SBC entity, seeks to enhance financial security and resilience for those who serve the Lord. CEO Hance Dilbeck and Director of Pastoral Wellness, Mark Dance, invited state executive directors and certain state convention staff to attend a summit at the Guidestone building. I love Guidestone’s new
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Cooperative Program Giving Explained
Cooperative Program giving. Maybe you know of it, but don’t understand what it is or how it works. The Cooperative Program is the financial fuel to fund the mission and vision of reaching every person for Jesus Christ in every town, city, state, and

Partnering with SCBI Churches for Spiritual Health and Growth
It’s evident from these statistics that a growing number of churches today are struggling, and in need of revitalization… 300,000-360,000 of the 400,000 churches in the U.S. are plateaued or declining. 40,000 of 47,000+ Southern Baptist churches are plateaued or declining. After the COVID

East Central Baptist Association Partners Together for Missions!
On February 5th, a team of 9 women from four East Central Baptist Association (ECBA) churches left Indiana to serve “On Mission” at the Samaritan’s Purse Operational Christmas Child Shoebox Processing Center in Charlotte, NC. These women represented Kingston Ave Baptist Church (Anderson), Redeemer

Three congregations gather as one
St Joe Community Church, Bible Life Community Church and Lion of Judah Church gathered together for one worship service on Sunday, February 26, 2023. All three worship teams blended English and Spanish words as they sang. All three pastors preached on their unity in

Get to know your Next Step Connector: Jim Wright
I became a follower of Jesus Christ at the age of six at Southside Baptist Church in Anderson, Indiana. I have been married to my wife, Laura, for almost 33 years. We have one son who is a software engineer in Chicago. I attended

Get to know your Next Step Connector: Ben Beland
My name is Ben Beland. I grew up in a Christian family in Quebec, Canada. God, through the help of an IMB missionary, led me on a mission trip doing disaster relief after the devastating 2017 hurricane season. During this time, my wife, Katheryn,

John Horn Announces Retirement from the SCBI
John Horn, Team Leader for Church Health, announced his retirement from the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) effective March 30, 2023. He announced his retirement plan to the SCBI staff in a February staff meeting and to the executive board in the

NEXT STEP CONNECTORS
The SCBI partners with churches to help discover and fulfill their next step so that we can, together, connect for Kingdom Advancement. To see this vision fulfilled, the SCBI has trained and empowered six local pastors from around the state to be Next Steps

Yeah, it’s cold, but….SUMMER!
It’s February, it’s cold, time to be thinking about….SUMMER!! Specifically, start thinking about…CAMP!!! Yes, indeed, just the thought of Highland Lakes and Camp Cookies and the Giant Swing and running in the sun on the rec field and jumping into Brock Lake or the