Spotlight

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 h...

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, incl...

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 p eople increasingly i...

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 trac...

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...

In this episode of Spotlight, we hear remarks from Dr. George Barna, renowned researcher at Arizona Christian University, from IFI’s 2026 annual worldview conference. To watch this presentation, click here .  … Continue Reading

In this double feature, we find Spotlight host David Smith at the 2026 annual Illinois Christian Home Educators’ (ICHE) Conference. Held at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, the ICHE conference disciples homeschoolers materially, mentally and spiritually to raise their children at home in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Their keynote speakers encourage faithfulness, their exhibit...

In this double feature, we find Spotlight host David Smith at the 2026 annual Illinois Christian Home Educators’ (ICHE) Conference. Held at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, the ICHE conference disciples homeschoolers materially, mentally and spiritually to raise their children at home in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Their keynote speakers encourage faithfulness, their ex...

Most parents are unaware that the government education system was intentionally designed to influence and indoctrinate, not educate. Pastor Ceasar LeFlore hosts today’s episode, and exposes how the school system operates as a tool for control—and why removing children from its grasp isn’t just an option, but a necessity. Discover the shocking history behind the system’s purpose and the...

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...