Spotlight

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 hall equips for the upcoming academic year, and the fellowship found in the halls form lifelong friendships.

Rhonda Robinson is the mother of nine and grandmother of 39.… 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 hall equips for the upcoming academic year, and the fellowship found in the halls form lifelong friendships.

Carl Kerby, one of the featured keynotes of this year, works at Reasons for Hope, a nonprofit apologetics ministry dedicated to equipping Christians always to...

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 urgent call to prioritize biblical discipleship over reformation.

In this eye-opening episode, you’ll learn about the upcoming “Pulling the Fire Alarm” conference—an event aimed at mobilizing parents, pastors, and communities to take action.…...

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. He also hosts the In Grace television, radio, and podcast ministry, which features Bible teaching and apologetics content.… Continue Reading

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 freedom. Their influence wasn’t just spiritual; it was revolutionary—literally.

Visit danfisherbrr.com for books, DVDs, and resources to learn more about the Black Robe Regiment and how you can stand firm against today’s cultural and poli...

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, risking irreversible harm.

In this powerful episode, Camille shares her personal experience with trauma, misdiagnosis, and a lack of transparency from providers who pushed her toward surgery without fully discussing the risks—including detransition and physical complications.… Continue Reading

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 Program: Noah & Jenna on WPEO

Point of View Radio: Alyssa on Next Generation Roundtable… Continue Reading

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 insignificant and how this mindset fuels today’s most urgent debates about gender and identity.… Continue Reading

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 Steve Peacock of our state exhort and pray for fellow Christians to call out for mercy as well.… Continue Reading

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 this episode:

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 nomination as lieutenant governor candidate to knocking on doors in a deeply blue district. She talks about the importance of standing firm on pro-life and pro-family principles, and how she leverages her Christian beliefs to challenge entrenched liberal policies—from high t...

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 Director of First Step Women’s Center in Springfield, Illinois, known for her heartfelt advocacy and innovative approach to saving lives through ultrasound technology and community engagement.… Continue Reading

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 pushing controversial gender identity policies—without parents even knowing.

You’ll learn how existing programs are already infiltrating K-12 classrooms and healthcare settings—raising billions in state and Medicaid dollars while putting vulnerable children at risk.… Continue Reading

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 rights. And with the Supreme Court’s recent decisions, the landscape for these debates is shifting even more.… Continue Reading

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 rivers of God’s life-giving power to flood our land with revival. 

Bishop Arthur Geis is a renowned Bible teacher, pastor, prayer advocate, and the visionary behind Project 2026—an initiative to unite the chu...

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 with Jenna Smith of IFI about the war in her homeland, Iran, the threat of radicalized muslim sleeper cells, and her latest work: “The Architecture of Jihad” which you can purchase now on Amazon!… Continue Reading

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, low-conflict home that nurtures development and trust.… Continue Reading

“Every baby made in the image of God irritates the devil”

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” as a mental illness under Illinois’ Health Code.… Continue Reading

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 medical doctor serving in the Illinois General Assembly — has introduced HB 4482 to prohibit gender-transition medical procedures on children.… Continue Reading

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.… Continue Reading

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, a bill that will abolish abortion in the Land of Lincoln.… Continue Reading

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 super-majority General Assembly.

Not only did the Land of Lincoln kill the most amount of babies in 2024, but medical practitioners whose medical license have been revoked i...

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 the hate, vitriol and consequences. Now she is a celebrated hero for protecting girls and fighting for the right to have womens’ sports remain only for women.… Continue Reading

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

This is a two-for-one episode! In the first segment, we hear from JennyBeth Martin from the Only Citzens Vote Coalition on why only Americans should participate in American elections. In the second segment, we hear from Larry Elder on the importance of the film Uncle Tom II… Continue Reading

Remarks from Dr. Frank Turek is the episode for today’s Spotlight. Dr. Turek is the author of “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” and is host of the podcast of the same title. He is president of CrossExamined, an apologetics ministry, and he spoke at IFI’s 2017 worldview conference on why Christians need to be involved in politics.

To attend IFI’s upcoming worldview conference, register by clicking here!… Continue Reading

In this episode, we are highlighting a presentation given at IFI’s 2025 annual Worldview Conference, which was held at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove.

Scott Phelps, head of the Abstinence and Marriage Partnership organization, shares the Success Sequence program with the audience in the first half of the program, and in the second, demonstrates how the sex education programs in government schools codify the sexual revolution to the detriment of America.

Attend IFI’s 2026 Worldview Conference by registering here!… Continue Reading

The school systems aren’t failing, they are performing exactly as they were designed to perform and they were never intended to produce not only Christian children [with] Biblical worldviews, but they also aren’t there to teach them how to be logical or how to be learners.

The Rev. Caesar LeFlore wears many hats. He is the pastor of the Spirit of Liberty Church of God in Markham, serves on the boards of Illinois Family Institute (IFI) and the Good Soil, Good Seed Scholarship Foundation, and he is the state director of IFI’s Public School Exit p...

It is so important that when you hear that people can’t come back out of this lifestyle that you actually see a witness that says you can. And if you come to a relationship with Jesus Christ, you will find Christ and you will be redeemed and you will be restored ~ Walt Heyer

This episode features remarks given by Walt Heyer at IFI’s 2019 worldview conference.

Walt Heyer is a one time coporate executive who underwent gender reassignment surgery at the age of 42, and lived the next 8 years of his life living as a woma...

The Spotlight is shone on David Smith in this episode, the executive director for Illinois Family Institute.

IFI’s annual Faith, Family & Freedom banquet just took place on November 7, 2025, and in his address to 700 attendees, Smith outlined how IFI is helping Christians fight spiritual battles in the lions den of Illinois.

 … Continue Reading

In March of this year, IFI hosted our annual worldview conference at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove. The theme was restoring a Biblical perspective on marriage and family. This episode of Spotlight features one of our keynote speakers from our worldview conference.

Scott Phelps heads up the Abstinence and Marriage Partnership organization, and during his presentation, pointed out that the best way to resotre a culture of marriage and family is to reach a new generation of American youth on the clear, objective benefits of marriage & family.… Continue Reading

Pastor Caesar LeFlore hosts today’s episode, directing the spotlight on pastor Courtney Lewis of Cornerstone Baptist church.… Continue Reading

We’re featuring biblical perspectives on immigration in this episode of Spotlight. Dr. Shando Valdez presented this lecture during a Christian Emergency League townhall meeting at New Hope Community Church in Palatine, IL. Among other comments, Valdez points out the realities surrounding immigration in the U.S.

Dr. Valdez is a political consultant, clergy organizer, and senior pastor at New Jerusalem Baptist church in Chicago.… Continue Reading

A special episode of Spotlight today! Pastor Caesar LeFlore hosts Cynthia Morales with Pro-Life Champions to discuss a new video that challenges the pro-abortion narrative that pregnancy care centers are “fake clinics.” She also points out how these centers have evolved over the years.… Continue Reading

Illinois Family Institute recently hosted a forum at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove, and this episode of Spotlight features remarks from Jedd Davis at aformentioned event.

Jedd Davis is the IL 75th State District Representative, has a civil engineering degree, and served as board president for Yorkville’s Parkview Christian Academy. In this commentary, Davis shares insider stories from his time serving in the Ilinois legislature and what is coming up in the Lame Duck Session, and the troubling concerns he has with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.… Continue Reading

IFI lobbyist David Curtin provides insights on the legislature’s fall Veto session . How will state lawmakers may respond to the murder of Charlie Kirk. He also comments on mental health screening in government schools, home education, and efforts to reduce energy costs in Illinois.… Continue Reading