“Is America Racist?” (Illinois Family Spotlight #070)

Written by John Biver

In the Spotlight this week, Dave Smith once again sits down to talk to Rev. Ceasar LeFlore, the Founder and Executive Director of the Beloved Community Development Coalition and the Midwest Regional Director of the Life Education and Resource Network (LEARN). Pastor LeFlore is working towards a national pro-life prayer network, he is seeking to unite a million prayer intercessors to daily pray for the end of abortion.

They discuss racial tensions in America, from the NFL’s move to take a knee, to uniting the American church.… Continue Reading

“What Would the Founders Be Tweeting Today?” (Spotlight #069)

Last month, Illinois Family Institute teamed up with Restore Our Constitution to host a special event with historian David Barton in Decatur. Mr. Barton is the founder and president of Wall Builders, and an author of a number of best selling books.

David Barton touched on a number of topics in his presentation, including the push for a Convention of the States, the problem of rouge federal judges and the indoctrination centers known as colleges and universities — pointing out that only 27 percent of college graduates get a job related to their major.… Continue Reading

Pro-Life Politics with Pastor LeFlore (Spotlight #068)

In this week’s Spotlight podcast, Dave Smith sits down to talk to Rev. Ceasar LeFlore, the Founder and Executive Director of the Beloved Community Development Coalition and the Midwest Regional Director of the Life Education and Resource Network (LEARN). Pastor LeFlore is working towards a national pro-life prayer network, he is seeking to unite a million prayer intercessors to daily pray for the end of abortion.

Prayer, Pastor LeFlore said, “is required because an awakening is necessary for the darkness to be overcome.… Continue Reading

“A Great Awakening in Illinois” (Spotlight #067)

Joining Monte Larrick is Pat McManus, the Pastor of the Kingom Impact Center in Aurora. He is the main proponent of a movement to unite churches from several denominations in prayer for the state of Illinois.

They discuss how to awaken churches in Illinois, activate young people, and how to pray for leaders such as Governor Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Monte pointed out the reality of the many roadblocks that currently exist in Illinois, and Pat stressed that true change requires unity among Christians regarding prayer and participation in the political process.… Continue Reading

“A Life Without Labels” (Spotlight #066)

In the Spotlight this week is Stephen Black, the Excecutive Director of First Stone Ministries. Mr. Black is the author of “Freedom Realized: Finding Freedom From Homosexuality and Living Life Free From Labels.”

He joins Monte Larrick to discuss his testimony, child abuse role in homosexuality and transgenderism, the process of healing and freedom from homosexuality, and christian counseling for homosexuals and transgenders, including a new Illinois law that places a ban on reparative therapy for minors.… Continue Reading

BONUS: Fruits of the Spirit

Question: Have you ever bitten into a peach, plum or other fruit that wasn’t ripe and get a real sour or bitter taste?

Question: Have you ever bitten into an apple, apricot or some other fruit that looked good from the outside – bright and shiny – but then regret to learn that something has been eating it from the inside – or find it to be rotten at its core?

There are many factors that go into producing healthy, sweet fruit. … Continue Reading

“The Electoral College: Dump It or Keep It?”(Illinois Family Spotlight #065)

Written by John Biver

Illinois Family Institute recently teamed up with Restore Our Constitution to host a special event with historian David Barton in Decatur. Mr. Barton is the founder and president of Wall Builders, and an author of a number of best selling books.

David Barton touched on a number of topics in his presentation, including the Left’s efforts to abolish the Electoral College and elect a president by a national popular vote. Barton stressed the need to understand the intention of the Founding Fathers when they created the Electoral College.… Continue Reading

“Parenting in a World of Tech” (Illinois Family Spotlight #064)

In the Spotlight this week is Rob Rienow, the founder of Visionary Family Ministries, he also is the pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Glen Ellyn. Pastor Rienow shares the biblical message of family discipleship at national and international conferences for parents, couples, and church leaders. He partners and consults with numerous churches, encouraging them to accelerate evangelism and discipleship through families. Rob and his wife Amy have seven children and they reside in the western suburbs of Chicago.… Continue Reading

“The Value of the U.S. Constitution” (Illinois Family Spotlight #063)

Is the Declaration of Independence “perhaps one of the most important documents in the history of mankind”? Or are both the Declaration and U.S. Constitution to be disregarded because there were slave owners involved with drafting them?

David Shestokas is Monte Larrick’s guest on this week’s Illinois Spotlight. Shestokas is an expert on the American Founding documents, a former Cook County assistant state’s attorney, and an author of: Creating the Declaration of IndependenceConstitutional Sound Bites, and Capsulas Informativas Constitucionales, which “explains for Spanish language readers both the meaning and historical context of the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.”… Continue Reading

BONUS: HB 40 Backlash (Illinois Family Spotlight #062)

As most of you know, HB 40 was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner last week. Pro-life voters are deeply disturbed by the governor’s change of heart.

Joining Monte Larrick to talk about this ominous legislation is State Representative Peter Breen (R-Lombard), an Illinois House GOP floor leader and a pro-life leader in his own right.  Rep. Breen has been one of the most outspoken Republicans against HB 40.

Discussed in this bonus podcast: the implications of the bill, what we can do to mitigate its effects, the governors inability to outmaneuver House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), and the question many Illinois conservatives are asking: should Governor Rauner be challenged in the March 2018 Primary Election?… Continue Reading