Illinois Family Institute

Comedian Dana Carvey and former “Saturday Night Live" colleague David Spade mocked former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci during a recent podcast.

We are pleased to present the entirety of Pastor Derek Buikema’s recent interview with Rod Dreher, senior editor at the American Conservative and author of The Benedict Option. Rod begins by stating that one purpose of a Christian is to transform the world with the truth of the gospel – but how can that be accomplished when so many people don’t know what the faith teaches and lack spiritual discipline? Pastor Derek and Rod engage in an in-depth discussion of the Benedict Option, detailing what it is and what it is not. Rod promotes the need for a “strategic” (not cowardly) retreat from anti-Christian culture in order to prepare and be strengthened to endure the persecution we know we will face. The conversation continues with encouragement for Christians and the Church to be politically engaged and willing to fight for religious liberty, and Rod and Pastor Derek examine the value of distinctly Christian communities and institutions, especially institutions of higher learning. Rod concludes the interview with a personal example concerning the appropriate expression of righteous anger. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

In his Fox News Channel program on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Gregg Gutfeld's monologue focused on the growing trend behind transgender surgeries for teens, saying "it's apparently transphobic to suggest cutting up kids like a Thanksgiving turkey is harmful."

Today, as our world is gripped by uncertainty and fear, we could all benefit from some encouragement, hope, and laughter. The Rev. Dr. Erwin Lutzer masterfully delivers on all three counts. In his presentation “When the State Becomes God,” Pastor Lutzer asks a crucial question – “Who plays the role of God in your life?” Drawing from the Book of Daniel, he encourages us to be prepared, to stand firm in our faith, and to refuse to bow. To conclude his address, Pastor Lutzer fields audience questions on a variety of topics including civil disobedience, immigration, religious freedom, persecution, “tolerance,” and more. Dr. Erwin Lutzer is pastor emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago and a prolific author. His legacy book, The Church in Babylon, is a must-read, filled with biblical insight and wisdom that shines God’s light on our ever-darkening culture. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

IFI was honored to have theologian, pastor, and courageous truth-teller Doug Wilson speak at our 2019 Worldview Conference on "Trans" Ideology. Pastor Derek Buikema of the Orland Park Christian Reformed Church sits down with Pastor Wilson to ask him about issues central to our Christian faith. In this short video, Buikema asks Wilson about the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian education.

This is a short clip of Dr. Robert Malone interview of Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Kirk Milhoan, MD on the risk of myocarditis in children and young adults. This risk would never be tolerated for anything else, and especially not for an almost zero risk age group. The Truth About Vaccine-induced Myocarditis Written by Rav Arora - The Epoch Times (January 20, 2022) https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-truth-about-vaccine-induced-myocarditis_4220643.html

Contributors to this panel include Philip Haney, DHS Whistleblower and counterterrorism expert, author of "See Something, Say Nothing." Also, Anni Cyrus of the Glazof Gang. A child bride in her home country of Iran, abused and imprisoned as a teen, she escaped to America and now advocates for women and girls, suffering under Sharia. Rounding out the panel is expert on Islam, Usama Dakdok. Born and raised in Egypt, Usama's first language is Arabic. His English translation of the Qur'an has helped thousands learn the truth about what Islam really teaches and what it means for America. This is an extremely rare opportunity to hear the answers from an expert panel with this much knowledge and experience. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

If you’ve ever wondered how you can (or why you must) be the salt of the earth and a light to the world, you will want to listen to Dr. Michael L. Brown’s presentation, The Role of Christians in the Public Square, from the 2020 IFI Worldview conference. Using biblical principles and real-life examples, Dr. Brown explains the purpose and imperative of living out our faith in the secular world and asks straightforward questions that cut right to the heart of what it means to be a believer and follower of Jesus. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

Chicago and Cook County snollygosters are now requiring COVID-19 vaccination proof for indoor venues due to a surge in infection of a "pandemic" virus that has a 98 percent recovery rate. According to the new guidelines, those 5 and older must show proof of full vaccination, but anyone ages 16 and older will also need to provide identification that matches their vaccination record. So please, have your private health paperwork in order for inspection by government officials.

During her daily program on Fox News Channel, Laura Ingraham took on the vitally important topic of sex predators grooming children in our government schools. U.S. Rep. Boebert boldly launched an attack on those who want to groom our children into LGBTQIA+ thinking, saying: "Laura, this isn't pleasant, but we need to know if our tax dollars are going to remove the breasts of young girls. If our tax dollars are going to remove the genitalia of young boys! .... These are children and my message to the Biden regime is get out of our lives, get out of our homes, these are our children!" Ingraham knows the Leftist agenda promoted in our government schools and on popular media platforms are despicable lies. We are very glad to know that some momma-bear Congresswomen aren't willing to remain silent. Sexual perverts must be exposed at every opportunity, and we are thrilled that U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is doing some important work on this in Congress.

Anni Cyrus' presentation at an IFI event in summer 2018 on Islam. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson is a Republican from Louisiana who, during a U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearing (04/28/2022) highlighted Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ dereliction of duty as head of the Department of Homeland Security. “You have presided over the greatest immigration catastrophe in American history. And it's an objective truth that you have helped design and implement this system,” said Johnson. “I called for your resignation in July of last year and explained then that it had already become crystal clear that you are either unable or unwilling to do your job,” Johnson continued. “We've concluded [now] you're doing this intentionally. It is despicable. I believe these are impeachable offenses.”

Since the time he was a young boy and his grandmother sewed him a purple dress and told him how beautiful he looked, Walt Heyer had struggled with transgenderism. Through elementary school and high school, where he was a successful student and athlete with a beautiful girlfriend, he hid his secret identity as a woman, and continued to do so through college and prestigious careers at both NASA and Honda, until he went through destructive therapy sessions and became an alcoholic, losing his job and nearly all of his respect. But then something changed--while sitting with a friend who was praying for him, he saw Christ, who promised Walt that "you are now safe with Me forever." Walt's story is a story of brokenness and redemption through Christ Jesus, and a witness to the hope we can find through God alone. Walt Heyer shares his story at the 2019 Worldview Conference. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

Do you remember the popular advertising slogan, “When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen”? While good financial advice can boost your net worth, solid theology, biblical scholarship, and consistent application of the Word of God are infinitely more profitable. With that in mind, you will definitely want to listen closely as you view this timely and informative conversation featuring Dr. Robert Gagnon and Pastor Derek Buikema. Beginning “in the beginning,” Dr. Gagnon presents an overview of what the Bible says about marriage by explaining the importance of the specific words that are used in the account of God’s creation of man and woman in Genesis 1 and 2. Dr. Gagnon also discusses complimentary otherness, human sexual ethics, and Jesus’ authoritative voice on the topic of divorce and remarriage. As the conversation continues, Dr. Gagnon and Pastor Buikema address the scriptural prohibition against homosexuality, impurity offenses, the danger of compromise, tolerance, and acceptance within the church concerning matters of morality, and the proper motivation for discipline. If you hesitate or struggle to confidently articulate or promote a biblical worldview regarding homosexuality, same-sex “marriage,” polyamory, and other perversions, we encourage you to watch this video – and share it with friends and family. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

Massive caravans of thousands of illegal migrants are crossing the border every day into West Texas. New incursions across the border are stunning immigration agents, neighboring towns, and state officials. During the second weekend of December 2022, over 5,000 illegal immigrants had arrived at the Border Patrol’s central processing center in El Paso, Texas. They estimated that about 2,000 people came to the U.S. each day, with the largest influx reaching 800 to 1,000 migrants on Sunday night. From 2014 to 2022, U.S. Border Patrol detected 1.9 million got aways at the Southwest Border, or an average of 208,000 per year. In 2022, U.S. Border Patrol detected 599,000 got aways, a record high. https://www.justfacts.com/immigration#illegal_border

Illinois Family Institute is looking forward to welcoming Kevin and Sam Sorbo to our annual fall banquet in on October 28th to share their faith, concerns about the secular culture and the need to return to Judeo-Christian values. The Sorbos are a different kind of “power couple” — they are, in our opinion, an amazing Christian husband & wife team who, despite being blacklisted by Hollywood, have been very outspoken about abortion, public school indoctrination, illegal immigration, fatherlessness and a host of other social issues. Register NOW: https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/early-bird-deadline-for-ifis-annual-banquet-approaching/

A troubling and unbiblical notion has infected the church in America. Christians falsely believe that the Bible teaches that Christians should always and in every context speak “nicely,” and by “nicely” they mean in ways that listeners don’t find objectionable. Too many Christians falsely believe that they are prohibited from being angry; or from using sarcasm, satire, or other strong language; or that they are prohibited from saying anything that offends people. By adopting this unbiblical notion, Christians are voluntarily relinquishing one of our most powerful persuasive tools: rhetoric. We have relinquished the very tool that enables us to expose the unfruitful deeds of darkness that so poison the American cultural landscape, robbing children of their innocence, modesty, and rights. Thankfully, we have Pastor Douglas Wilson to offer the church a much-needed corrective. Through his bold, incisive, piquant, and often hilarious truth-telling, he not only exposes the folly and wickedness of the sexual revolution, but also teaches us how we may and should do likewise. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

One of our responsibilities as Christians is to help foster an environment in which truth prevails and families flourish. Just before our home-sheltering began, Illinois Family Institute hosted our annual Worldview Conference this year titled “Thinking Biblically About Our Corrosive Culture,” with speakers Dr. Michael Brown, theologian, author, and radio host; and Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon, theologian, author, and professor at Houston Baptist University. In his first presentation, Dr. Gagnon exposed the myriad ways that the “LGBTQ” heresy is making inroads into the church, including in evangelical churches that many assume are impenetrable by heretics. He begins by briefly outlining how mainline churches were infected by sexuality heresy and then provides evidence that the beginnings of a similar trajectory are present in evangelical churches. He examines the troubling rhetoric of Preston Sprinkle, president of the theologically conservative Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, of J. D. Greear, president of the culturally influential Southern Baptist Convention, and of Revoice and the “spiritual friendship” movements, both of which are movements led by and appealing to Christians who experience homoerotic attraction but affirm biblical sexual ethics. Dr. Gagnon concludes by urging Christians to prioritize political issues rightly when voting and clarifies the monumental stakes for Christians should “progressives” take control of the U.S. Senate and White House and pass their chief legislative project: the culture-transforming, rights-nullifying, pernicious Equality Act. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

Professor Anthony Esolen is one of America’s cultural treasures. He writes about moral decline in America with insight, boldness, and eloquence—no timid, hesitant, evasive speech from Professor Esolen. Many people—though not nearly enough—know Professor Esolen through his writing for LifeSiteNews, and Touchstone and Crisis Magazines. Bold, wise, and eloquent, IFI Banquet speaker Anthony Esolen indicts the madness that is sucking the life out of America in this 2015 speech. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

The Illinois House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee held a hearing on SB 818 on Tuesday, May 25th. The Illinois Senate took up this bill the week before, on May 20th. So-called “progressives” and their evil allies–Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and Equality Illinois–will use this legislation to indoctrinate children starting in kindergarten. Unfortunately, SB 818 passed by a partisan vote of 37 to 18 with four members not voting. It is now up for consideration in the Illinois House, where State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) is the chief sponsor. ACTION: Send a message to your state representative to ask him/her to vote against SB 818. Impressionable students in public schools should not be exposed to body- and soul-destroying messages that promote leftist beliefs about sexuality. The Capitol switchboard number is (217) 782-2000.

Here is part one of the video of the presenters from the BFM rally. The speakers include the Master of Ceremonies Dr. Eric Wallace, Pastor Arthur Guice, Dr. Richard Mantoan, Pastor Ceasar LeFlore, IL Second Congressional Candidate Theresa Rayborn, and Pastor Greg Morris. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

On the Dan & Amy morning radio program this morning in Chicagoland, they discussed indoctrination in our government schools and the documentary “Who’s Children Are They?” If you have 20 minutes, you may want to give this a listen. Near the end, Dan rightly explains to his listening audience that our school systems are not reformable, and that the need for school choice is taking off. We are very glad for these voices of reason in the public square saying essentially the same thing we've been saying for years. Of course, IFI is emphasizing the most important aspect of why kids should leave the training camps of the devil… so that we teach them how they can become Disciples of Jesus Christ. If you'd like to learn more, please visit: https://illinoisfamily.org/education/pse/

A brief historical and philosophical analysis of the role of science and medicine in the current times. *This lecture is from the 2021 Live Trinity Health Freedom Expo

Recreational marijuana is now legal in 15 states plus Washington D.C. Marijuana advocates argue that this product is harmless, and that is good to help people "chill" out and destress. But the efforts to glorify marijuana has been built on lies. For example, that marijuana arrests fill prisons; that most doctors want to use cannabis as medicine; that it can somehow stem the opiate epidemic; that it is not just harmless but beneficial for mental health. Berenson, a former New York Times reporter, explodes those myths in his book, “Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness And Violence.” Sign up for our email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register