Spotlight

In this episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, David E. Smith sits down with Pastor Jim Scudder Jr. to discuss his new book, The Spiritual War Against Israel , and the growing cultural and spiritual battle over Israel and the Jewish people. Pastor Jim Scudder Jr. is the senior pastor of Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich, Illinois, and the president of Dayspring Bible College and Seminary....

Most Americans are unaware of the powerful role pastors and ministers played in securing our liberty during the American Revolution. In this episode of Spotlight, David Smith talks with Pastor Dan Fisher about the untold story of the Black Robe Regiment—patriot preachers who boldly preached biblical principles of governance and morality, often leading militias and sacrificing their safety for free...

Most mental health care for gender-identity issues is leaving patients uninformed or misled—Camille Kiefel’s eye-opening journey exposes the dangerous gaps in informed consent when it matters most.  After enduring a double mastectomy based on minimal guidance, Camille’s story reveals how medical and mental health professionals often prioritize affirmation over thorough exploration, ris...

In this episode, Spotlight host David Smith discuss how Pride Month has shifted over the past few years with Spotlight’s first Generation Z roundtable discussion. Alyssa Sonnenburg, Jenna Smith and IFI intern Noah Li breakdown how their generation sees the LGBTQ+ agenda and the identity crisis being met. References: Gallup Poll: U.S. Support for LGBTQ+ Remains Down from Peak The Good Word Pr...

Most culture wars are fought over the body — but what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong? Spotlight hosts David Smith and Alyssa Sonnenbrg listen as Professor Nancy Pearcy exposes the deep roots of the secular worldview that devalues the body, from transgenderism to abortion and environmentalism. In this eye-opening episode, you’ll discover how the secular ethic views the body as in...

Most Americans are drifting away from the very virtues that unify us—faith, family, and fidelity. In this episode of Spotlight, our host Alyssa Sonnenburg talks with Christopher Parr of Princeton University. Parr shares about the movement Fidelity Month , which aims to restore these timeless commitments at a critical cultural moment. … Continue Reading

Now is the time for us – the body of Christ –   to seek forgiveness and God’s wisdom and to chart a clear path forward in order that the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of God may once again shape and influence our government.” ~ Kathy Valente, IFI Director of Operations In this episode, we hear from a prayer gathering in Springfield. Pastors Stan Pratt, Bob Vandenbausch, and Ste...

In this episode, Rebecca Leland shares her mission of “un-singling” — creating intentional, Christ-centered spaces for Christian singles to meet, connect, and hopefully find their spouses. Join us as we explore how faith, community, and intentionality can transform the journey toward marriage. Apply for Unsingling by clicking here . To follow Unsingling on Instagram, click here . In th...

Most grassroots candidates overlook the power of faith and boldness—Stephanie Trussell refuses to hold back. Running for Illinois State Representative, she shares how divine calling, unwavering faith, and connecting with her community are fueling her fight to restore Illinois’ values. In a political landscape dominated by elitism and neglect, Stephanie reveals her heartfelt journey from a nominati...

In this conversation with our Investigation Specialist, Thomas Hampson, we dismantle the legislation pending in the IL General Assembly that aims to undermine your say as a parent when it comes to medicating your child’s “mental health” problems. To follow Thomas Hampson’s work, click here .… Continue Reading

Most women never realize how profoundly ultrasound images can sway their “no” to “yes” — but Elmie Patton reveals the life-changing moments that happen when women see their baby for the first time. From delicate heartbeat flickers to tiny gestational growth, she shares touching success stories that remind us: seeing is believing, and life is a miracle worth defending. Elmie Patton is the Executive...

As state legislatures push to expand government control over parenting and education, parents are waking up to a dangerous agenda rooted in indoctrination, financial greed, and the erosion of parental rights. Shannon Adcock, executive director of Awake Illinois, reveals how bills like Senate Bill 3138 threaten to turn schools into hubs for mental health screening, bypassing parental consent, and p...

In Illinois, the fight over legislation like House Bill 4966 — which aims to expand the Department of Children and Family Services and restrict counseling for youth with gender confusion — is fierce. Why does it matter? Because these laws impact vulnerable kids caught in broken systems. Here’s the thing: Bills like these expose the political tug-of-war over morality, safety, and parental rig...

Pastor Caesar LeFlore and Bishop Arthur Geis reveal how a unified, intentional move of prayer can activate divine power to break darkness and ignite revival across Illinois and beyond. You’ll learn how Project 2026 , a bold initiative to mobilize one million intercessors from Passover to Pentecost, aims to recalibrate our spiritual landscape. Get ready to see how our collective prayer can stir the...

Aynaz “Anni” Cyrus is an Iranian-American investigative author and national security voice focused on the ideological and psychological strategies of Islamism and political Islam in the West. Her work examines how movements, institutions, and state actors deploy religious doctrine, narrative warfare, and moral inversion to influence Western policy, culture, and security. In this episode she talks...

Katy Faust is founder of Them Before Us , a foundation with one goal in mind: to protect the right of a child to their mother and father. She joins Dave Smith and Alyssa Sonnenburg on Spotlight for this episode regarding her new campaign, titled Greater Than . This is an episode you do not want to miss. For decades, science shows children do better when raised by their married mom and dad — a safe...

“Every baby made in the image of God irritates the devil” This podcast features Elaine Demoulos and Angela from Alliance Family Services discussing their pro-life work, the importance of holistic care, and how community support can make a difference in saving lives. … Continue Reading

In this special edition of IFI, we turn the Spotlight on our longtime host, Monte Larrick. Monte Larrick was Illinois Family Institute’s Media Director for over a decade, informing our constituents on Illinois topics with clear, concise and unique angles. He shares some untold stories of his longtime career covering politics for Moody radio.… Continue Reading

When we have laws in the U.S. that promote a biblical worldview, we vote for them. . . the policies are an overflow of what the Bible says, whether they pass or not – the truth is still the truth. ~ Dr. Greg Gifford Alyssa Sonnenburg and Jenna Smith host today’s episode with a special guest on what should the Christian response be to SB 4832, which would define “transgenderism&#8...

We don’t want doctors and administrators profiting off of the destruction of a young child. ~ State Senator Andrew Chesney Spotlight host David Smith talks to two Illinois General Assembly members on legislation they have introduced to protect children against being mutilated by hospitals or prevented from receiving mental health treatment. State Representative Bill Hauter, M.D.  — the only...

Women are currently being told by the law that it is okay to kill their babies. That is unjust. We want to inform peoples’ conscience with a just law. God is very clear: you shall not murder. That applies to all human beings. ~ Pastor Johnson Michael Johnson is pastor of Grace Redeemer Church in Winfield , IL. Caesar LeFlore is pastor of Spirit of Liberty Church of God in Markham , IL.&#8230...

If the church remains silent, you do not have a polity, a people, a citizentry that is informed by the word of God. . .the church must speak the truth in love, not with arrogance, going back to the gospel of Christ saying there is a God in heaven who will forgive you, who will gladly reconcile you to Himself. In this episode of Spotlight, David Smith talks with two Illinois pastors about SB 3572 ,...

State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Aledo) has informed us that he will be introducing legislation in Springfield to abolish abortion in Illinois. Not limit it, not cap it, abolish  it. In this episode, David E. Smith hosts Alyssa Sonnenburg and Jenna Smith to discuss the reality of abortion in the state of Illinois and how likely it will be to push through a bill to criminalize abortion in a Democrat...

Riley Gaines Barker is a 12x all-American collegiate swimmer, praised by President Trump for leading the fight for fairness, safetey & the protection of women in women’s sports. Riley’s life was drastically changed when the NCAA a biological male to compete against her and was allowed to dress and undress in her locker rooms. Riley refused to stay quiet about it, and remained firm throughout t...

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago, took questions from the audience at an IFI Forum in 2019, and his answers still hold value for Christians troubled by the state of the culture over 6 years later. Get Dr. Lutzer’s book “The Church in Babylon” here !    … Continue Reading