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Illinois |
‘A sinking ship’: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School alumni react as it leaves Chicagoland for Canada
Alumni of the Illinois-based Trinity Evangelical Divinity School say they are saddened but not necessarily surprised by the announcement earlier this month that the seminary will leave the Chicago area and move over 2,000 miles away to Western Canada amid years of declining enrollment and financial concerns. With historic roots in the northern Chicago suburbs, TEDS entered into a commitment to become the seminary of Trinity Western University in British Columbia, one of the largest Christian universities in Canada, also aligned with the Evangelical Free Church of America. Leaving the campus of Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, the divinity school plans to hold its first classes in Canada in the fall of 2026. American students still enrolled at that point can complete their degrees online. (Christian Post 4/26/25) READ MORE>>>>>
Alumni of the Illinois-based Trinity Evangelical Divinity School say they are saddened but not necessarily surprised by the announcement earlier this month that the seminary will leave the Chicago area and move over 2,000 miles away to Western Canada amid years of declining enrollment and financial concerns. With historic roots in the northern Chicago suburbs, TEDS entered into a commitment to become the seminary of Trinity Western University in British Columbia, one of the largest Christian universities in Canada, also aligned with the Evangelical Free Church of America. Leaving the campus of Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, the divinity school plans to hold its first classes in Canada in the fall of 2026. American students still enrolled at that point can complete their degrees online. (Christian Post 4/26/25) READ MORE>>>>>
ABC Chicago adopts resolution calling for Gaza cease-fire
American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago unanimously adopted a resolution May 18 calling for an end to genocide in Gaza, the end of Israeli occupation of Palestine and an immediate cease-fire and rebuilding of Gaza. The Chicago group is the first regional body of the American Baptist Churches USA to adopt such a resolution, its news release said. (Baptist News Global 5/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>
American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago unanimously adopted a resolution May 18 calling for an end to genocide in Gaza, the end of Israeli occupation of Palestine and an immediate cease-fire and rebuilding of Gaza. The Chicago group is the first regional body of the American Baptist Churches USA to adopt such a resolution, its news release said. (Baptist News Global 5/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Editorial: Moody Bible case tests whether religious doctrine is a defense against workplace discrimination
As the Christian faithful gather to celebrate Easter this Sunday, a lawsuit over religious beliefs is getting new life in Chicago’s federal courts. In a March 18 decision, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a teacher who claims Moody Bible Institute fired her because of sex discrimination. The private evangelical Christian college had sought to dismiss the complaint, saying in part that it’s forbidden based on the U.S. Constitution’s protection of religious freedom. At the heart of the dispute is a tough call about whether religious doctrine was merely a cover for illegal discrimination in the workplace. Moody has claimed that it fired Janay Garrick because she challenged the church’s teaching that only men can become clergy. Garrick has said that Moody knew her views on the topic when it hired her and that the school treated her badly because she was an outspoken woman, not because she thinks qualified people should be considered for clergy roles regardless of their gender. (Chicago Tribune 3/29/24) READ MORE>>>>>
As the Christian faithful gather to celebrate Easter this Sunday, a lawsuit over religious beliefs is getting new life in Chicago’s federal courts. In a March 18 decision, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a teacher who claims Moody Bible Institute fired her because of sex discrimination. The private evangelical Christian college had sought to dismiss the complaint, saying in part that it’s forbidden based on the U.S. Constitution’s protection of religious freedom. At the heart of the dispute is a tough call about whether religious doctrine was merely a cover for illegal discrimination in the workplace. Moody has claimed that it fired Janay Garrick because she challenged the church’s teaching that only men can become clergy. Garrick has said that Moody knew her views on the topic when it hired her and that the school treated her badly because she was an outspoken woman, not because she thinks qualified people should be considered for clergy roles regardless of their gender. (Chicago Tribune 3/29/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Analysis: Which Christians Are Abandoning The Evangelical Label?
It may be the most toxic word in American religion — evangelical. It’s almost used as an epithet now.
I am fascinated by that, by the way, because I grew up evangelical — literally as evangelical as you can get, in a nearly 100% White Southern Baptist Church in a small town in Southern Illinois in the 1990s. That’s the epitome of evangelical.
(Ryan Burge/Roys Report 11/21/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
It may be the most toxic word in American religion — evangelical. It’s almost used as an epithet now.
I am fascinated by that, by the way, because I grew up evangelical — literally as evangelical as you can get, in a nearly 100% White Southern Baptist Church in a small town in Southern Illinois in the 1990s. That’s the epitome of evangelical.
(Ryan Burge/Roys Report 11/21/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Thousands of Christians Call to Expel Pastor Indicted With Trump
Thousands of Christians have signed a petition for a Lutheran pastor indicted on criminal charges concerning the 2020 presidential election in Georgia to be expelled from his denomination. Illinois pastor Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a former police chaplain, was among 18 co-defendants indicted alongside former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, last week. Lee, accused of participating in a plot to coerce election worker Ruby Freeman into falsely confessing election fraud, is facing felony charges that include racketeering, influencing a witness and conspiracy to solicit false statements and writings. (Aila Slisco/Newsweek 8/21/23)
Read More >>>>>
Thousands of Christians have signed a petition for a Lutheran pastor indicted on criminal charges concerning the 2020 presidential election in Georgia to be expelled from his denomination. Illinois pastor Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a former police chaplain, was among 18 co-defendants indicted alongside former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, last week. Lee, accused of participating in a plot to coerce election worker Ruby Freeman into falsely confessing election fraud, is facing felony charges that include racketeering, influencing a witness and conspiracy to solicit false statements and writings. (Aila Slisco/Newsweek 8/21/23)
Read More >>>>>
May 11, 2023: WANDTV: Illinois students could soon celebrate cultural, religious identity during graduation
The Illinois House could pass a plan next week making changes to attire allowed for public school graduation. Senate Bill 1446 would requires schools to allow students to celebrate their cultural, ethnic, or religious identity during graduation ceremonies.
The Illinois House could pass a plan next week making changes to attire allowed for public school graduation. Senate Bill 1446 would requires schools to allow students to celebrate their cultural, ethnic, or religious identity during graduation ceremonies.
March 24, 2023: Christian Post: Docs show churches paid up to $100K to be part of Hillsong Family, an alleged honorarium scheme
Among the churches stateside that have paid or are currently paying since 2014 to be a part of the Hillsong Family are: The Judah Smith-led Churchome in Washington state; City of Life Church in Kissimmee, Florida; Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida; The Cause Community in Kansas City; Chicago City Church in Illinois; Calvary Church in Miami, Florida; City of Grace in Arizona; Capital City Church in Washington, D.C.; El Lugar De Su Presencia in Arizona; Citizen Heights in Washington, D.C., Christian Faith Center in Seattle, Washington; Colonial Church in St. Augustine, Florida; and Motor City Church in Detroit, Michigan
Among the churches stateside that have paid or are currently paying since 2014 to be a part of the Hillsong Family are: The Judah Smith-led Churchome in Washington state; City of Life Church in Kissimmee, Florida; Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida; The Cause Community in Kansas City; Chicago City Church in Illinois; Calvary Church in Miami, Florida; City of Grace in Arizona; Capital City Church in Washington, D.C.; El Lugar De Su Presencia in Arizona; Citizen Heights in Washington, D.C., Christian Faith Center in Seattle, Washington; Colonial Church in St. Augustine, Florida; and Motor City Church in Detroit, Michigan
Mar 13, 2023: Julie Roys: IL Megachurch Launches ‘Trauma-Informed’ Inquiry into Alleged Sexual Misconduct & Cover-up
A downstate Illinois megachurch, rocked by allegations its former pastor covered up his son’s sexual misconduct, has hired a lawyer to conduct an independent, “trauma-informed” investigation into what happened.
But the lawyer hired by Eastview Christian Church (ECC) in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois, was employed at Willow Creek Community Church before, during, and after the 2018 scandal involving former senior pastor Bill Hybels. This has prompted a social media influencer from Normal to question the lawyer and her law firm’s fitness for the investigative role.
A downstate Illinois megachurch, rocked by allegations its former pastor covered up his son’s sexual misconduct, has hired a lawyer to conduct an independent, “trauma-informed” investigation into what happened.
But the lawyer hired by Eastview Christian Church (ECC) in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois, was employed at Willow Creek Community Church before, during, and after the 2018 scandal involving former senior pastor Bill Hybels. This has prompted a social media influencer from Normal to question the lawyer and her law firm’s fitness for the investigative role.
Mar 7, 2023: Christian Post: Eastview Christian Church hires law firm to conduct investigation after pastor resigns
Eastview Christian Church in Illinois announced Sunday that they have hired an attorney from the law firm Wagenmaker & Oberly to conduct an investigation after Mike Baker, the church’s longtime senior pastor, recently resigned over allegations that he covered up sexual misconduct by his son, Caleb Baker, while he was an employee at the church.
Eastview Christian Church in Illinois announced Sunday that they have hired an attorney from the law firm Wagenmaker & Oberly to conduct an investigation after Mike Baker, the church’s longtime senior pastor, recently resigned over allegations that he covered up sexual misconduct by his son, Caleb Baker, while he was an employee at the church.
March 3, 2023: Christian Post: Eastview Christian Church pastor resigns after son is fired from Central Christian Church for adultery
Mike Baker, the longtime senior pastor of Eastview Christian Church in Illinois, has resigned from the megachurch weeks after his son, Caleb Baker, was fired from his job as a pastor at Central Christian Church after he was caught in an extramarital affair with another church staffer.
“Caleb Baker, our lead student pastor and associate preaching pastor has been involved in an extramarital relationship for the past six months. And it involved a woman on our staff,” Cal Jernigan, lead pastor of Central Christian Church in Phoenix, Arizona, told his congregation near the end of his sermon at the megachurch on Feb. 19.
Mike Baker, the longtime senior pastor of Eastview Christian Church in Illinois, has resigned from the megachurch weeks after his son, Caleb Baker, was fired from his job as a pastor at Central Christian Church after he was caught in an extramarital affair with another church staffer.
“Caleb Baker, our lead student pastor and associate preaching pastor has been involved in an extramarital relationship for the past six months. And it involved a woman on our staff,” Cal Jernigan, lead pastor of Central Christian Church in Phoenix, Arizona, told his congregation near the end of his sermon at the megachurch on Feb. 19.
Feb 23, 2023: United Church of Christ: Illinois churches forgive almost $6 million in medical debt statewide
The United Church of Christ continues to assist people struggling to get out from under medical debt. The latest effort touched more than 6,500 families in Illinois. They recently have received letters learning that their medical debt has been abolished, courtesy of the churches of the Illinois Conference UCC.
The United Church of Christ continues to assist people struggling to get out from under medical debt. The latest effort touched more than 6,500 families in Illinois. They recently have received letters learning that their medical debt has been abolished, courtesy of the churches of the Illinois Conference UCC.
Feb 20, 2023: Christianity Today: TIU Announces Plans to Move Undergrad Program Online
When hundreds of college students at Trinity International University (TIU) pack up their dorm rooms at the end of the semester in May, they won’t be coming back to the suburban Chicago campus. Athletes won’t suit up in their white and blue Trojan uniforms anymore. Undergrads won’t get to study together in the library, share meals in the dining hall, or experience other rhythms of campus life.
When hundreds of college students at Trinity International University (TIU) pack up their dorm rooms at the end of the semester in May, they won’t be coming back to the suburban Chicago campus. Athletes won’t suit up in their white and blue Trojan uniforms anymore. Undergrads won’t get to study together in the library, share meals in the dining hall, or experience other rhythms of campus life.
Dec 15, 2022: Fox17: Satanic Temple display installed at Illinois Capitol next to Nativity scene, menorah
Christmas decorations are back in the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield, Illinois for the holiday season.
The Satanic Temple of Illinois showcased a satanic display at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.
It was set up next to a Christmas tree, Nativity scene, and a menorah.
Christmas decorations are back in the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield, Illinois for the holiday season.
The Satanic Temple of Illinois showcased a satanic display at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.
It was set up next to a Christmas tree, Nativity scene, and a menorah.
Dec 14, 2023: Fox News: Illinois teacher says critics of woke ed creating 'Christian nationalist theocracy' that will 'unlive people'
A teacher at Crete-Monee High School located in Chicago blasted "right-wing conspiracy theorist nut jobs" for opposing the woke indoctrination of children on a video on TikTok.
The self-described "liberal" teacher, Heather Marie Godbout, regularly posts about "anti-racist education." For example, the teacher does not traditionally grade her students for equity purposes.
A teacher at Crete-Monee High School located in Chicago blasted "right-wing conspiracy theorist nut jobs" for opposing the woke indoctrination of children on a video on TikTok.
The self-described "liberal" teacher, Heather Marie Godbout, regularly posts about "anti-racist education." For example, the teacher does not traditionally grade her students for equity purposes.
"All you right wing conspiracy theory nut jobs who seem to think the teachers are out here just indoctrinating children into some sort of woke agenda that you can't actually define, I'm just going to come clean. I am, in fact, indoctrinating your children......I'm indoctrinating children into understanding their own agency and learning how to think critically about the issues that impact their lives… I am indoctrinating children into wanting to be productive citizens of the world… So that's what I'm doing. I'm indoctrinating them. You're 100% right."
--self-described "liberal" teacher, Heather Marie Godbout on TikTok
--self-described "liberal" teacher, Heather Marie Godbout on TikTok