Spotlight

Written by Lynn Bowman Tabb “Information is power” and the Medical Freedom vs. Medical Tyranny Forum hosted by Illinois Family Institute was clearly an evening of empowerment! Attended by an estimated 500 people–young and old alike–the audience, rapt with attention, benefitted from the insights of Dr. Simone Gold*, MD,FD, founder of America’s Frontline Doctors (AFLDS). In her presentation on May 17, 2022, Dr. Gold provided energy-packed insight around this idea penned by Thomas Jefferson to Charles Yancey, ironically on January 6, 1816: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”… Continue Reading

Way back in June, the Illinois Christian Home Educators Conference occurred, and when Monte Larrick attends, you know the folks worth interviewing will be interviewed. This episode features one of said interviews. As an HSLDA staff attorney, Dan Beasely assists individual homeschooling families and advocates for homeschool freedom in 13 states. He regularly corresponds with school officials, college admissions staff, legislators, and government agencies regarding the legality and effectiveness of homeschooling and represents families who face legal challenges to their right to homeschool.… Continue Reading

The state of Illinois has received 5.4 million from the Department of Health and Human Services that will assist and expand access to “family planning” services. Our Illinois legislature and Planned Parenthood join gov. Pritzker in hailing this advance in “beneficial” programs for our state. To respond, Monte Larrick asks Scott Phelps to weigh in on the matter, as well as other topics. Scott Phelps is the executive director of A&M Partnership, and works closely with IFA to bring common sense morality back to our schools.… Continue Reading

Welcome to our annual episode with Illinois Christian Home Educator’s executive director, Kirk Smith! Recorded during their yearly convention at Olivet Nazarene College, Monte Larrick asks Kirk about the core of home education, the vision for folks beginning this journey, and the role of the church throughout cultural and country turmoil. learn more about homeschooling and about Kirk Smith at iche.org  … Continue Reading

Leah McGhee Brooks has begun a micro school. And Monte and David interview her. To learn more about how to become involved, visit testamentoflove.org… Continue Reading

“Through prayer, we take responsible action. We repent and do things different.” Monte Larrick asks Pastor Dan Haas what is prayer, the significance of it, and what Christians need to do in order to draw closer to God. Pastor Haas is the founder of A Future and A Hope Foundation. A Future and A Hope Foundation was formed to bring change into hopeless situations. The mission of the Foundation is to empower the Church in urban communities to develop local solutions to the issues of violence reduction, assisting people with employment barriers to find and retain employment and poverty.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, Self Evident’s Jenna Smith interviews Will and Meeke Addison. This power couple hosts a a daily radio/podcast program focused on Marriage, Family and the Church titled “Airing the Addisons” on American Family Radio. Will and Meeke were keynote speakers at this year’s Illinois Christian Home Educators conference, where they spoke on the vital importance of discipling your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and the opportunities homeschooling provides: “We see [homeschooling] as an opportunity to pour in our children and make them culture proof.”… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick interviews Eric Scheidler, President of the Pro-Life Action League about the overturning of Roe v Wade.… Continue Reading

“We need to stop being fearful of what the government can do to us, because at that point when we’re fearful of the government, that’s tyranny. The government needs to be fearful of the people…in the respect that we’re in control.” Phil Nagel is running for the 40th district of Illinois Senate. An Air Force veteran, Nagel is running for his children, and to educate parents on how to take back the reins of we the people in Illinois.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, David Smith and Monte Larrick meet with Pastor Phil Wood, who is running for the 8th Congressional District. Phil Wood believes he has heard the hearts of the people and recognizes the great and widespread pain among them, especially from the upcoming generation. “Much of what is happening,” according to Phil, “is due to poor choices summarily handed down from leadership in Washington.” Phil wants to be part of the needed wave of change.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, Monte Larrick and David Smith interview Scott Kaspar, who is running for Congress in the 6th district. Kapsar addresses why he’s running, the foolishness of gun control, redisticting, spending and much more. Find out more about Scott Kaspar here, and find… Continue Reading

Imagine this scene: an adult family member is watching your child while you run a quick errand. Upon returning home, you discover your house is on fire. Smoke is billowing, flames are dancing on the roof, and the face of your helpless child is pressed to the window of his second-floor bedroom. What do you do? I imagine most of us would unhesitatingly rush in to rescue our child. Rev. Ceasar LeFlore says this is the fate of public school students throughout our state and nation.… Continue Reading

Felicity Joy Solomon is not your run of the mill conservative. She sits down with IFI’s David Smith and Monte Larrick to discuss why she is running for Illinois Senate, and why you should support her. Find out more about her here.… Continue Reading

Ryan Bomberger has a rather unique perspective of the innate nature of Purpose. His biological mother was raped yet courageously gave him a chance to live and the beautiful gift of adoption. He was adopted at 6 weeks of age and grew up in a loving, multi-“racial” Christian family of 15. Bomberger and his wife are the founders of the Radiance Foundation. He recently spoke at the Pro-Life Pro-Family Coalition Conference in Orland Park, and this episode of Spotlight features his remarks regarding his story, pregnancy care centers, and much more.… Continue Reading

Today is national day of prayer. In 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul says that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings (should) be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”… Continue Reading

“Falsehood is false, even if everyone believes it, and truth is true even if no one believes it. Truth is true and that’s just the end of it.” ~Os Guinness During this edition of Spotlight, a timely message from Dr. Everett Piper about truth. Dr. Piper is a columnist for the Washington Times and is a Christian broadcaster. Dr. Piper talks about: the primacy of Jesus Christ, the priority of Scripture, the pursuit of truth and the practice of wisdom.… Continue Reading

David Smith and Monte Larrick discuss abortion, education and why there is a desperate need for actual leadership in Springfield with state candidate Jed Davis.    … Continue Reading

Every parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle – anyone who loves and cares for the children in their family or sphere of influence – will want to listen to the second half of Dr. Rob Rienow’s presentation from IFI’s 2022 Worldview Conference! In his address entitled The Church, The Family, and The Kingdom of God, Dr. Rienow states that, while the church is doing a good job of investing in the next generation of Christ followers, the family is neglecting to hold up their end in their partnership with the church to reach the world.… Continue Reading

Recorded at the National Religious Broadcasters convention, Pastor Stephan Broden of Fair Park Bible Fellowship Church spoke with IFI’s resident chaplain, Ceasar Leflore, upon a range of subjects affecting the body of Christ in this day and age. The two also discussed the importance of the gospel message, the devastation of abortion, and what is going on inside the church. Pastor Broden is the executive director of Content of Character Series and ministers to the people in Dallas, Texas.… Continue Reading

This edition of Spotlight we feature a empowering lecture from IFI’s recent worldview conference, from our good friend over at Visionary Family Ministries, Dr. Rob Reinow. Reinow begins his oration with an amusing anecdote of how awful the reality of the blind leading the blind really is, and how it seems that many churches today are doing just that with their congregations. The reason is because we’re slipping up on a essential part of our faith, which is not believing the Scriptures are enough.… Continue Reading

As a pastor, what can you do to keep the children of your congregation from being tainted by the humanism of government schools? Start your own K-12 school. Taking it one step further, what can you do to ward off the indoctrination of very young children before it ever has a chance to take root? Start an open enrollment preschool. Our guest this week on Spotlight, Rev. Mark Moore of Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove, is in the process of realizing both of these goals.… Continue Reading

“Never underestimate the power of prayer” Monte Larrick interviews Catherine Walker in front of Aurora’s abortion mill. The two discuss the impact of being outside of a Planned Parenthood, silently witnessing to the clients and staff, the potency of sidewalk counseling, and the power of prayer.… Continue Reading

In this portion of Spotlight, we are highlighting remarks from Dr. Everett Piper, a contributor to the Washington Times, author of Not A Daycare, former college president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and a frequent guest on Fox News. Dr. Piper brave… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick and David Smith sit down with Dinora Ruiz, who is running for the 86th Representative District. In her own words, Ms. Ruiz states: “I am running for State Rep because I’ve seen the burden corrupt power-hungry politicians put on everyday Americans, because I am an everyday American. I’ve experienced the joys of growing up in Illinois and I want to preserve that for future generations.”… Continue Reading

Chris Butler is a pro-life Democrat running for Congress. He joins IFI’s David Smith, Monte Larrick, and resident chaplain Ceasar Leflore to lay out his plan for the 1st district of Illinois… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick and David Smith have a wonderful conversation with political candidate Geno Young.… Continue Reading

In this installment of Spotlight, IFI’s David Smith and Monte Larrick are joined by Amy Gherke, the executive director of Illinois Right to Life. The three converse about the timing of SCOTUS hearing the Missisipi Heartbeat law, the prospective spike in sex trafficking as a result of Parental Notice being repealed, and the impact you could have when participating in 40 Days for Life.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, we’re highlighting Critical Race Theory. Angela Sailor (Vice President at the Heritage Foundation) outlined her opposition to the Marxist ideology movement during IFI’s 2021 Worldview Conference at Revive Church in Collinsville.… Continue Reading

Could the 14th Amendment summon the end of Roe? Joining the IFI Spotlight this week is Dr. Steve Jacobs with the Illinois Right To Life. Dr. Jacobs is the program director for IRL and has graduated with a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law and PhD from the University of Chicago. IFI’s Monte Larrick and Jenna Smith ask Jacobs about his firm belief that Roe will be overturned in June, and the evidence backing him up.… Continue Reading

On this edition of Spotlight, we feature the inspiring story of Virginia Prodan. Growing up in the communist regime of Romanian dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, Virginia’s passionate pursuit of truth led her to law school and a career as an attorney. In her interview with Monte Larrick, she describes how God used an appointment with a client to open her eyes to the Truth of the Gospel and relates the amazing story of the encounter that prompted the title of her book, Saving My Assassin.… Continue Reading

When you get both David Smith and Monte Larrick in for a podcast with a special guest, you know it’ll be one for the books. Brian Westbrook is the founder of Coalition for Life St. Louis, and in this edition of Spotlight, Westbrook shares about the wonderful pro-life wins in Missouri and what his organization is doing to help women in crisis pregnancy in Illinois.… Continue Reading

To the great sorrow of pro-life, pro-family citizens of Illinois, on December 17, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed into law House Bill 370, thereby repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act and eliminating the right for parents to be made aware of a minor daughter’s pregnancy and impending abortion. Joining me for an important Spotlight conversation are IFI contributors Kenna Rose and Alyssa. Please listen as we discuss the impact of the repeal of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act and the repercussions of HB 370, the disingenuously named Illinois Youth Health and Safety Act.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, IFI’s Monte Larrick discusses the upcoming drug and gambling issues facing Illinois this year with Anita Bedell, executive director of Illinois Churches in Action. You can find more about the organization here.… Continue Reading

As the new year approaches, we close out 2021 with a nativity-focused edition of Spotlight. In our first segment, we feature the homily given by the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of the Springfield Diocese, at the blessing of the nativity scene displayed in the Capitol rotunda of the Illinois Statehouse. The nativity crèche is a public expression of Christian faith and is presented, through private funding, by the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee. After the break, Monte Larrick is joined by Thomas Brejcha, founder, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society.… Continue Reading

IFI’s David Smith and Monte Larrick host Randy Blan, pastor of Families of Faith church and a man with a vision for Illinois. Pastor Blan sits down with David and Monte to discuss his plan to open as many Christian schools as possible in the state of Illinois. You can find their school at https://fofca.com/.… Continue Reading

On our podcast this week, Monte Larrick talks with Star Parker, one of the premier conservative Black leaders of our day. Ms. Parker is the founder and president of CURE (Center for Urban Renewal and Education), a policy institute based in Washington, D.C. For the past twenty-five years, she has prioritized the truth of God’s Word in an effort to heal urban areas, end government dependencies in our nation’s most distressed communities, and educate and empower pastors to help rebuild lives.… Continue Reading

On this edition of Illinois Family Spotlight, David Smith welcomes Phillip Ward, the founder of Christ Help For Men, a disability ministry and support group for fathers (and other male family members) whose lives and families have been impacted by a disability. Both men share about their special needs children – Smith’s youngest son (almost two-years-old) has Down syndrome and Ward’s fourteen-year-old daughter has Angelman syndrome – and relate how their faith in God sustains them as they lead their families and handle the challenges that disability presents.… Continue Reading

Illinois Family Spotlight is pleased to welcome human rights activist, Anni Cyrus, to this week’s podcast. A former child bride who escaped a desperate and violent situation in Iran, Cyrus is now a U.S. citizen and an ardent advocate for freedom. She embraces the Constitution and believes that “We the People” must speak out and unite with like-minded individuals in order to preserve the practice of our God-given rights and freedoms. In their conversation, Monte Larrick and Ms.… Continue Reading

This Thanksgiving edition of Spotlight features an interview with Dr. Eddie Kornegay. Dr. Kornegay is with the Living Word Center and is the director of the R.I.S.E. prison and ex-offender ministry. Larrick and Kornegay discuss his life as a non-Christian, highly educated theologian to becoming a follower of Christ. They also discuss his ministry and the work he does in prisons.… Continue Reading

This episode features a talk from IFI’s 2021 Worldview Conference. Stacy Washington is co-chair of the Project 21 National Advisory Board, and hosts the “Stacy on the Right” show on SiriusXM. She is a wife and mom of three, an Emmy-nominated TV personality and an Air Force veteran. She is also a former elected school board member. In this episode, Washington addresses the importance of educating one’s children in the nurture and admonition of the the Lord.… Continue Reading

Welcome to part two of Monte Larrick’s conversation with David Shestokas, attorney and Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General. In this Spotlight, the discussion turns to Governor Pritzker’s abuse of his emergency powers and executive orders – a deliberate overreach that has been enabled by the legislature’s abdication of their authority, as well as the failure of Kwame Raoul (the current Attorney General) to protect the public interests of the citizens of Illinois and to enforce the law set forth in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.… Continue Reading

This week on Spotlight, Pastor Ceasar LeFlore, field director for IFI’s Public School Exit Initiative and resident chaplain, interviews Courtney Lewis, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, located in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago. Pastor Lewis recounts the stand his church took against the pandemic shutdowns initiated by Mayor Lightfoot and he shares how the Lord called him to open Cornerstone Christian Academy to rescue his children and the children in his church from government-run schools.… Continue Reading

If you are interested in ensuring election integrity and eliminating voter fraud, you will certainly want to listen to this edition of Spotlight. Joining Monte Larrick on the podcast is David J. Shestokas, a former Cook County State’s Attorney and current Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General. In his position as counsel for Illinois Conservative Union (ICU), Shestokas is uniquely qualified to address the federal lawsuit ICU has filed against the Illinois State Board of Elections, as well as discuss various violations of the National Voter Registration Act and problems with mail-in balloting.… Continue Reading

In this exclusive episode, Monte Larrick has a discussion with Illinois candidate for governor, Darren Bailey. Bailey gives an insider’s look at what the Illinois legislature is up to with three very important issues currently circulating in the state capitol: the Parental notice of abortion, the right of conscience act, and the redistricting of the maps.… Continue Reading

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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 neighborhood by visiting freedominitiative.net.… Continue Reading

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 general public by providing education, biblical discipleship, support and AIDS ministry.” Monte Larrick and Black discuss the dangers of the Equality Act and what it’ll do to education, higher learning, healthcare and anything connected to the government.… Continue Reading

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 introduced legislation that will, in their cruelly ironic words, “protect the reproductive rights of women.”… Continue Reading

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 all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”… Continue Reading

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, visit visionaryfam.com.… Continue Reading