Articles by David E. Smith
IFI Worldview Conference: Rescue Those Staggering Toward Slaughter
By David E. Smith   |   02.16.23
There is no question about it. With the radical expansion of Abortion Inc. in our state, the need to educate and activate the Body of Christ is now more essential than ever. The problems we face in Illinois are not going to be solved anytime in the near future by good lawmakers in Springfield or in Washington D.C. who file great pro-life bills. We face a problem that is culturally systemic, which is only getting more pronounced the further we drift away from God.
SpeakOut Illinois 2023
By David E. Smith   |   02.13.23
Join the IFI Team and many other great pro-life advocates at the annual SpeakOut Illinois Conference. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, February 25th at the Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace.
Round II: “The Matter of Life” Documentary Showings
By David E. Smith   |   01.30.23
There are dozens of great pro-life films and documentaries that have been produced over the past several decades, but there is a new one out that we want to make sure is on your "must watch" list. It is called "The Matter of Life," and it is a powerful and informative documentary about abortion in the United States. In fact, we think it is so important that we are promoting and/or hosting free showings of this film in various locations throughout the state, with the hope that it will initiate other church and private showings. This will include a time for Q & A after the film ends.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday: Being A Deliberate Pro-Life Advocate
By David E. Smith   |   01.20.23
In the wake of SCOTUS decision to strike down Roe v. Wade and the so-called "right" to abortion, we praise God for how dozens of states in the nation have moved to ban or greatly restrict this heinous practice. In blue states like Illinois however, those who love death are busy establishing new death chambers, expanding to strategic new locations and inviting people over the state line to destroy innocent human life. As we once again recognize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (January 22, 2023), Christ followers must respond intentionally, bringing both salt and light to this desperate situation.
Springfield Abortion Apostles Expand Baby Murder
By David E. Smith   |   01.12.23
Just when you think Illinois couldn’t do more for Big Abortion Inc. than it already has, Illinois Democrats passed a Planned Parenthood “wish list” on the last day of the lame duck session. On Tuesday afternoon, January 10th, the Illinois...
SpeakOut Illinois 2023 Conference
By David E. Smith   |   01.10.23
SpeakOut Illinois will be hosting its annual conference and memorial to the victims of legalized abortion on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.
Tyrannical Sex-Education Mandate for K-12th Grade
By David E. Smith   |   01.09.23
In late May of 2021, the Illinois General Assembly jammed through SB 818, a bill to require so-called "comprehensive sex-education" to be taught in public schools, starting in kindergarten through 12th grade. It was signed by Governor JB Pritzker and became law on August 20, 2021, despite the hue and cry of parents and grandparents throughout the state. Public schools that taught health and safety classes would have to now teach left-wing sexuality classes to our impressionable young students.
Dr. Carl Trueman: Transgenderism and Expressive Individualism
By David E. Smith   |   11.20.22
Pastor Derek Buikema asks professor, theologian, and author Dr. Carl Trueman to explain a bit about “expressive individualism,” the subject of Dr. Trueman’s important book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution.
Dr. Carl Trueman: Transgenderism and Children
By David E. Smith   |   11.20.22
In another brief excerpt from IFI’s interview with Dr. Carl Trueman, author of two books that touch on “trans”-cultic beliefs including Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution, Pastor Derek Buikema asks about the responsibility of Christians in regard to the harm being done to children by “trans”-cultic beliefs.
Defending Religious Liberty
By David E. Smith   |   11.19.22
How does Illinois compare to Oklahoma and Florida in protecting religious liberty? Do we have weak or strong protections for health-care workers, the ability of religious organizations to refuse participation in marriage and weddings that violate religious beliefs, and exemptions to childhood immunization requirements. What are the states with the best safeguards of free exercise in the nation?
Dr. Carl Trueman: When Should a Christian Fight and When Should They Leave?
By David E. Smith   |   11.15.22
In this excerpt from IFI’s interview with professor, theologian, and author Dr. Carl Trueman, Pastor Derek Buikema asks what should determine whether Christians stay or leave a church (or denomination) that appears to be moving away from orthodoxy.
Dr. Carl Trueman: Why Has the Church Affirmed Sin Before the World?
By David E. Smith   |   11.10.22
In this excerpt from IFI’s interview with Professor Carl Trueman, author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Pastor Derek Buikema’s asks why, “in some places mainline Christianity” has come to affirm sin. Dr. Trueman identifies two factors as integral to this apostasy: freedom of religion and the church’s “vocabulary of love.”
Prayers for Election Day
By David E. Smith   |   11.05.22
We know you have likely been reminded multiple times over the past several weeks of the importance of this election and your participation in our government "of the people, by the people and for the people." Thank you for your patience with these repetitive messages! Soon, the opportunity to vote in this election will be over. The messaging will stop. The decisions will have been made.
Dr. Carl Trueman: How Is Preaching Theology Wrong?
By David E. Smith   |   10.03.22
In this fifth excerpt from Pastor Derek Buikema’s interview with Dr. Carl Trueman for Illinois Family Institute, Dr. Trueman touches on a serious problem with contemporary preaching that reflects both a “consumerist” mindset and the ideology of “expressive individualism.”
Dr. Carl Trueman: How Have Evangelicals Given in to Expressive Individualism?
By David E. Smith   |   09.22.22
In his interview with Dr. Carl Trueman for Illinois Family Institute, Pastor Derek Buikema asked how Christians may be inadvertently capitulating to “expressive individualism.”
David E. Smith
Executive Director
David  E. Smith

Dave Smith is the executive director of Illinois Family Institute (501c3) and Illinois Family Action (501c4).

David has 30 years of experience in public policy and grass-roots activism that includes countless interviews for numerous radio, television, cable programs and newspaper articles on topics such as the sanctity of life, natural marriage, broadcast decency, sex education, marijuana, gambling, abortion, homosexuality, tax policy, drug decriminalization and pornography.

He and his wife of 29 years are blessed to be the parents of eight children. They strongly believe that their first duty before God is to disciple their children in the Christian faith, and impress a love of God on their hearts. There is a plethora of research that suggest that parents are the primary influencers in a child’s life. In an ideal world, that’s a mom and dad. Discipleship includes not only studying God’s Word but living a life of faith and walking in obedience to God. Discipleship is also necessary for sound doctrine, love of God and others. We do this in hopes of raising healthy and productive members of society who live to honor God and love their neighbors.

Dave has also served as a precinct committeeman and served as an ordained minister/elder in his local church.

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