Spotlight

In this exclusive edition of Spotlight, IFI’s David Smith converses with Nick Richmond, the founder and leader of Freedom Initiative. Freedom Initiative’s mission is to “amplify concerns, educate and instill fundamental values in our growing community of parents, business owners, medical professionals and more.” Learn more about how you can become involved in your own neigh...

Stephen Black is the Executive Director of First Stone Ministries, This interview was conducted at the National religious Broadcasters Convention in Dallas, Texas. First Stone’s mission is “Leading people In the Body of Christ to freedom from homosexuality and sexual brokenness* through a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord; to reach out to churches, schools, organizations, and the...

Ever since the Texas heartbeat law has gone into effect, abortion cheerleaders have been mad. Scratch that, they have been furious. Actually that is a much too sedated term, let me try again: Leftists are as animated as a cat that has had its whiskers pulled, been dunked in a lake, then set before the jowls of a pack of eager Rottweilers. In the U.S. Capitol, these seething statesmen have introduc...

The staff and boards of directors of IFI and IFA want to encourage Christians everywhere to prayerfully consider taking part in the peaceful campaign known as 40 Days for Life . It is an important pro-life effort to save lives and share truth. By partnering with 40 Days for Life we can live out  Ephesians 6:13-18 : “your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…. Praying always with a...

This episode of Spotlight is a conference interview with Dr. Rob Reinow, founder of Visionary Family Ministries. IFI’s Monte Larrick and Dr. Reinow discuss the definition of a family dedicated to building the kingdom of Christ, prodigal children, the dangers of communism and the importance of Christians voting in every local, state, and national election.   To see more from Dr. Reinow,...

In regard to presenting students with the best alternative to the radical comprehensive sex education taught in government schools, Scott Phelps , Executive Director of Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership states, “When we maintain a very clear and distinct message from all the noise that they’re hearing in the culture, the message really pops; it stands out and they’re able to hear it...

This week, Spotlight features Monte Larrick’s exclusive interview with Dr. Eric Wallace , president and cofounder of Freedom’s Journal Institute and cofounder of Black Families Matter . Dr. Wallace speaks to the need for public policy that supports and strengthens families rather than current policy that aims to redefine “family” and severely restrict parental rights and responsibilities. Monte an...

Welcome back to Spotlight for part two of excerpted remarks from Alex Newman ’s presentation at the 2021 IFI Worldview Conference! This week Newman details the the history of America’s progression from home-based, faith-based education to government school indoctrination. He also discusses the failures of the Whole Word Method and Common Core, and explains why the current push for a global educati...

As the school year begins for almost two million public school students in Illinois, this edition of Spotlight is both timely and eye-opening. This week we are featuring remarks from Alex Newman ’s, keynote presentation at our 2021 Worldview Conference. Newman addresses government school curricula that prioritize social justice and LGBTQ+ issues, climate change “facts,” gender pseudoscience, and t...

We have a very special edition of Spotlight this week, full of information and enthusiasm! While attending the 2021 National Religious Broadcasters Christian Media Convention, Pastor Ceasar LeFlore conducted an interview with Yvette Hampton , writer, producer, and host of the upcoming documentary, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution . LeFlore and Hampton discuss the importance of removin...

On this episode of Spotlight, Illinois Family Action presents the second half of Executive Director David Smith’s conversation with Illinois State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife Cindy . Sen. Bailey gives us a glimpse into life on a large family farm and shares interesting information about the wealth of vital natural resources that can be found in the southern half...

Written and Produced by Jenna Smith This episode of Spotlight features two guests that Illinois Family staff is proud to call our friends and allies: State Senator  and  candidate for Illinois Governor  Darren Bailey  and his amazing wife  Cindy . If you’ve been following Illinois politics, you have doubtless heard of Senator Bailey as he has been on the front lines challenging the legalities of C...

While attending the National Religious Broadcasters Convention near Dallas, Monte Larrick had the opportunity to speak with Kelly Shackelford , President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the U.S. solely focused on protecting religious freedom for all Americans. Their conversation begins with a discussion of the dangers of the Equality Act, or as Newt Gingrich calls it...

In this Father’s Day sermon, Dave reviews Matthew 9:18 -26, specifically the story of Jairus and his sick daughter. The faith of this father is recorded not only in Matthew chapter nine, but it is also found in Mark chapter five, and Luke chapter eight. In verse 18, Matthew tells us that Jairus came to Jesus for help: “While He was saying these things to them, behold, a synagogue official ca...

In this installment of Spotlight, David Smith is joined by Jennifer Burns, founder of the Classical Consortium Academy . The two converse about the benefits of a classical upbringing, involvement of parents, and the art of teaching children HIS-story, math, science, and all the other essentials, with a Godly foundation. They also discuss winsomeness and confronting ideas contrary to Scripture with...

On this edition of Spotlight, the Reverend C.L. Bryant urges Americans to “push back and stand up against the tyranny that is encroaching upon our civil liberties.” Speaking with Monte Larrick, he stresses that individual freedom and our right to self-governance are in jeopardy. Rev. Bryant recounts his experience growing up in Shreveport, LA in the midst of the civil rights movement and contrasts...

Kirk Smith , executive director of Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) , wonders what will be the straw that finally breaks the camel’s back – the backs of Christian parents, even the backs of moral, non-Christian parents – when it comes to deciding to leave the cesspool of government schools? Will it be the recently passed legislation that requires availability of feminine hygiene products i...

Back for a last hurrah, this week’s podcast features the last installment of the “catastrophe cubed” interview. Featuring Kenna and Eliana Hartian and Jenna Smith, the offspring of IFA’s executive director David Smith and board member Richard Hartian, this treble of rollicking females conclude their guest appearance with a discussion about effective Christianity, the many b...

Producer’s note: I apologize for not apprising listeners that last week’s podcast (#253) would be one segment and not two. This podcast will have the same format, likewise the third part next week. David Smith, Rich Hartian and their daughters recorded this series of podcasts all at one time, thus the questionable ending last week. Any homeschooler who’s had any homeschooling exp...

Written by Benjamin Smith If you are reading this, the chances are pretty good that you know a homeschool family or two–or may be homeschooled yourself. Christian homeschooling in Illinois is a thing mostly because Illinois is surprisingly a rather free state for parents to train their children at home. In the IFA Spotlight this week to reflect on their homeschool experience are two home-high scho...

Those who love the darkness don’t want to come into the light. They flee like so many cockroaches to the shadows. As the Scriptures say, men loved the darkness rather than light, for fear their deeds would be exposed. Newly minted Illinois state senator (and former state representative) Darren Bailey is not one of those swamp roaches. His career in Springfield has been in exposing the utter...

On this edition of Spotlight, Laurie Higgins joins Jim Schneider , host of VCY America’s CrossTalk program, for a lively discussion of the ubiquitous indoctrination agenda in our nation’s government schools. Laurie’s experience as an educator and, for the past thirteen years, IFI’s cultural affairs writer has given her valuable insight on the small, subtle, incremental steps that have led public s...

Ever wonder why most secularists seem perpetually angry? Consider the possibility that they are trying to be justified by works–dry bones trying to walk around all by themselves. This phenomena is especially evident in Critical Race Theory (CRT), where people are either prompted to feel like they are the chosen “race,” or are told that they are inherently evil and can only be sav...

For better or worse, the Illinois General Assembly is back in session and a plethora of controversial, radical, and just plain ridiculous bills are scheduled for consideration. Monte Larrick and David Smith are joined by Jenna Smith, David’s oldest daughter, as they discuss the compelling reasons to retain the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Jenna shares her perspective as an older teen and artic...

Gambling isn’t a niche issue. It may be low in a hierarchy of important issues, but this sin easily destroys lives, families and communities. Like all sin, gambling promises unprecedented reward in exchange nothing but ends up taking everything. Ken Darnell joins this episode of spotlight to discuss gambling–specifically, how it denies the sovereignty of God and is contrary to the Word...