"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house" (Matt. 5:14, 15).

The lights are high on the candlesticks in Illinois as members share their faith where they live and work. Members have prepared to share their light through personal Bible study, prayer, daily readings of the Spirit of Prophecy, regular church and Sabbath school attendance, as well as active participation in evangelism.

Sharing the Light in our Churches

Through the work of the local church, more than 2,200 new members were added to church membership through baptism and profession of faith, and net membership increased from 11,659 to 12,645 in this quinquennium.

For one new member, Kristina Jones, married to an Adventist, Randy Jones, the journey toward church membership took some time. The couple decided their children needed a Christian upbringing. They chose the Adventist faith and over ten years ago she began taking their six children to Sabbath school at the Downers Grove Church. More recently the family began attending church in Delavan, Wisconsin.

"When my husband and Pastor Goia began conversations about starting a church in McHenry County, my interest in spiritual things was rekindled and I began serious Bible study. Through the years he never pushed me, although he always answered my questions," Kristina said. Her family and friends stood by her side as she was baptized by the pastor in the Nippersink Creek at the home of Gerald and Jacque Weiland in Spring Grove, Illinois.

In addition to Crystal Lake, new congregations were started in Caledonia, Naperville, Bensenville, Berwyn, Rochelle, Rockford, West Chicago, Palatine, Peoria, and Fairfield, some of which are Spanish-speaking congregations.

Many members now worship in new facilities: the Chicago Central Korean, Chicago Fil-Am, Salem, Woodson, Melrose Park Romanian (now Addison Romanian), Little Village Hispanic, Elgin Agape Hispanic Church, and the Southwest Church (merged South Suburban and West Park, with newly purchased property in West Frankfort). Princeton Church members raised in excess of $175,000 to replace their more than 100-year-old facility in Spring 2006. The Lake Union Chapter of Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries is supporting this project.

Sharing the Light Through Education

Students at Broadview Academy (BVA) are involved in a new approach to learning, being watched by educators all over North America. The new BVA experience can best be remembered by "BVA CARES." Students are offered education to help them become "Centered in Christ, Active and Healthy, Ready for Life, Engaged in Learning, and Socially Responsible." Interestingly, many BVA students are not Adventists. During the past two years, more than ten students were baptized.

Students in the secondary program at Hinsdale Adventist Academy and North Shore Junior Academy, as well as those in the elementary program, continue to receive quality Christian education. More than 130 students were baptized through the teaching ministry of Illinois schools in this quinquennium.

Financing Christian education continues to be a priority. Several options are being explored and will be implemented next year.

Sharing the Light Through Youth

Since the last Lake Union constituency meeting, a brand new camp was designed and built for our youth, also serving the entire constituency. The camp, a former Boy Scouts facility, was named Camp Akita. Set in the heart of Illinois, along the Spoon River, Camp Akita offers facilities nestled in a quiet and peaceful setting. Akita is an Indian name meaning "discovery."

The camp is located on 612 beautiful acres, with several ponds and a lake for water activities. The Lakeview Lodge, equipped with state-of-the-art media equipment and a commercial kitchen, accommodates groups as large as 300. There are nine guest rooms in the lodge, each with private bathroom facilities. The rooms are heated and air conditioned, as are the Oak and Cedar cabins, which are actually three cabins in one. Each floor of the cabin has bunk beds for ten campers and two bathrooms. There are also separate rooms for adult sponsors.

Camp Akita has a 38-space, full-hookup recreational vehicle park to accommodate just about any size vehicle. And, of course, there is plenty of space for tent camping. Activities for individuals and groups visiting Camp Akita include: canoeing, climbing tower, horseback riding, swimming, mountain biking, walking/hiking, and winter activites—sledding and cross-country skiing.

Although groups have roughed it at the camp since its purchase, Camp Akita officially opened in June 2004 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and camp meeting. Each year attendance has steadily increased at the week-long camp meeting. There was a 32 percent increase in the number of young people blessed by the summer ministry at Camp Akita the second year of operation in the new buildings. In addition, there were dramatic increases in other camp programs, such as Senior's Retreat. Plans are in place to extend the camp program and build new cabins to accommodate more children in the summer camp program and those attending events and retreats.

Sharing the Light Through Sound Financial Management

On the financial front, for the first time in several years, the Illinois Conference operated under a balanced budget in 2005.

Tithe increased from $9,116,523 in 2000, to $10,571,791 in 2005, a 15.97 percent increase. In 2005, despite two Illinois offerings allocated to aid tsunami and Hurricane Katrina victims, donations for Illinois ministries increased over the previous year. Illinois members are "Sharing the Light" through their faithfulness in returning tithe and offerings.

"Sharing God’s Grace with Our World Through Teaching, Preaching, and Healing" continues to guide the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in everything done to reach the more than 12.7 million people in Illinois. Yes, lights are on, sitting high on candlesticks, giving light to everyone in Illinois—in every possible way!

Kenneth Denslow is the Illinois Conference president.