Spotlight

As we approach the midterm elections, it’s evident that many Christians are hesitant to engage in the political process.

David E. Smith is joined by Pastors Calvin Lindstrom and James Pittman Jr. to discuss this critical issue, emphasizing the responsibility of church leaders to guide their congregations toward informed voting that reflects biblical values.

For more insights from Pastors Lindstrom and Pittman, tune into their radio program, Here I Stand, where they continue to encourage faith-driven engagement in cultural and political matters.

Illinois Family Institute’s David Smith presents the state of Illinois at our annual fall banquet.… Continue Reading

On October 9, IFI held its annual banquet in Elk Grove Village. Our keynote speaker, Seth Gruber, delivered a powerful and passionate message about the sanctity of human life and the urgent need for the Church to wake from its slumber.

I also gave a “state of our ministry” update, connecting our theme, “Created for a Purpose,” drawn from Jeremiah 1:5, to this central message: Christians are created to glorify God and must carry their faith into family life, the church, and the public square with courage, truth, and love.… Continue Reading

Dr. Mark Zumhagen presented this talk at IFI’s 2026 annual worldview conference in Downers Grove.

Stay tuned for part two!… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, Pastor Caesar LeFlore takes center stage at IFI’s 2026 Worldview Conference and breaks down why the firm foundation in Scripture is essential.

Click here to attend our annual banquet on October 9th!… Continue Reading

Former Illinois state representative Tom Morrison explains why down-ballot elections matter more than you think – and how ordinary conservatives can actually win them.

Morrison, who won 6 for 6 in suburban Cook County and later served 12 years in the Illinois House, shares the practical playbook behind his new Candidate Master Class.

Candidate Master Class is a self-paced training built to help future candidates run smarter local and state campaigns without the overwhelm of generic political advice.… Continue Reading

Geno Young joins Dave Smith to reveal why he wrote Sex, Drugs and Illiteracy: The Death of Education in America and why he believes the crisis in government schools is not isolated, not accidental, and not just a Chicago problem.

Young, a South Side Chicago musician, educator, and social commentator, pulls back the curtain on what he witnessed while subbing in multiple Southland high schools, including Hillcrest, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Thornridge, Thornwood, and Thornton. He describes classrooms where discipline has collapsed, administrators look the other way, and students are exposed to behavior so extreme that it left him stunned.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, Jenna Smith, Alyssa Sonnenburg, and guest Stephanie Stapert discuss why so many women rushed to identify with Clancy, what those reactions reveal about modern culture, and how Christians should respond with both compassion and discernment.

Where is the line between mental illness, medication, and personal responsibility? Why are people increasingly interpreting tragedy through personal identification rather than truth? 

Resources Mentioned

Alex Clark’s Culture Apothecary Podcast: How the Internet Turned an Entire Generation of Girls into Products

Self Evident: How Can Christians Reach Leftist Women?… Continue Reading

Dr. Barna is a professor and director of research at Arizona Christian University, which has led him to write many books, including Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing your Child’s Heart, Mind & Soul.

In the first half of Dr. Barna’s lecture (which you can find here), titled Cultural Transformation through Biblical Discipleship, he broke down why our country is headed down the wrong track culturally. In this episode, he shares our role as Christians on transforming our culture through the means of biblical discipleship.… Continue Reading

At our recent Worldview Conference, Dr. George Barna delivered a powerful and sobering message on what it truly means to raise “spiritual champions.” His central point is one that every Christian—especially parents, pastors, and Christian leaders—needs to hear:

America does not primarily have a political problem… it has a worldview problem.

For decades, many of us have focused on the symptoms of secularization — abortion, crime, family breakdown, failing schools, sexual immorality and drug use. But as Dr.… Continue Reading