Morning – Breakout Sessions – See separate program for breakout schedule
9:00 Session 1 – 12 Breakouts Offered
10:15 Break
10:30 Session 2 – 13 Breakouts Offered
11:45 Lunch Break
Afternoon – Session 3
1:15 Pre-session Worship Greg Braswell/Worship Team
1:25 Opening Prayer/Call to Order/Announcements Doug Munton
1:30 Worship Greg Braswell/Worship Team
1:35 President’s Message Doug Munton
1:50 Worship Greg Braswell/Worship Team
1:55 Overview of IBSA Committee Reports Doug Munton
2:00 Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Report Jef Williams
2:15 Auditor Selections for Three Entities Doug Munton
2:20 Election of Vice President Doug Munton
2:25 Election of Assistant Recording Secretary Doug Munton
2:30 Constitution Committee Report Phil Nelson
2:40 Action on IBSA Committee Reports Jeff Logsdon
2:45 Miscellaneous Business Jeff Logsdon
2:55 IBSA Report and Budget Presentation Bruce Kirk and Nate Adams
3:10 BFI Report and Budget Presentation
3:25 BCHFS Report and Budget Presentation
Pam White and Doug Morrow
Eric Bramlet and Kevin Carrothers
3:40 Worship Greg Braswell/Worship Team
3:55 Annual Sermon Doug Munton
4:30 Closing Announcements and Prayer Jeff Logsdon
Evening – Session 4
6:30 Call to Order/Announcements Doug Munton
6:35 Partnership Message – IMB Video and IMB Missionaries “Cody and Rebecca”
6:50 Worship and Prayer Greg Braswell/Worship Team
7:00 2025 – A Year to Remember Nate Adams
7:15 Worship Greg Braswell/Worship Team
7:30 “100 Years of Missional Cooperation” – The Cooperative Program Doug Munton
7:35 Message Jamie Dew
8:20 Special Recognitions Nate Adams
8:30 Closing Words and Adjournment Doug Munton
8:35 Closing Song/Benediction
Greg Braswell/Worship Team
Who’s Who on the Program
Nate Adams, Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA), Springfield
Noah Adams, Pastor, City Park Church in Fort Collins, Colorado
Logan Barrus, Pastoral Resident, New City Church in Champaign
Eric Bramlet, Board Chair, Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS); Member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel
Greg Braswell, Worship and Administration Pastor of First Baptist Church in Waterloo
Jonah Christiansen, Salt Director, Salt Church in Bloomington
“Cody and Rebecca,” IMB Missionaries. *Names have been changed for security purposes.
Kevin Carrothers, Executive Director of Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS), Carmi
Paul Cooper, Pastor, Marshall Baptist Church in Marshall
Jamie Dew, President, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Bob Dyer, Parliamentarian; Member of Bethel Baptist Church in Bourbonnais
Shannon Ford, Missions Director, IBSA, Springfield
Scott Foshie, Chair, Board of Trustees of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; Revitalization Team Leader of IBSA, Springfield
Daniel Good, Pastor, Cornerstone Church in Savoy
Charles Grant, Associate Vice President for Convention Partnerships, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, Nashville, Tennessee
Chuck Kelley, President Emeritus, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Bruce Kirk, IBSA Board Chair; Pastor of Alpha Missionary Baptist Church in Bolingbrook
Jeff Logsdon, IBSA Vice President; Pastor of Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington
Q Mahmud, Send Relief Ministry Center Director, Chicago
Corey Menken, Chair, Committee on Order of Business; Director of Operations, Administration, and Compliance of Grace Fellowship Church in Davis Junction
Doug Morrow, Executive Director of the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI); Pastor of Together Church in Springfield
Doug Munton, IBSA President; Pastor of First Baptist Church in O’Fallon
Phil Nelson, Chair, Constitution Committee; Pastor of Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale
Reed Tallman, Chair, Credentials Committee; Pastor of First Baptist Church in Patoka
Pam White, Board Chair, Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI); Member of The Ridge Church in Carbondale
Jef Williams, Chair, Resolutions and Christian Life Committee; Pastor of New Christian Fellowship in Fairview Heights; Executive Director of Children’s Activity Center in East St. Louis
John Yi, Send Chicago, NAMB; Church Planting Catalyst, IBSA
Tuesday
Committee and Ministry Group Gatherings
1130 a.m. Order of Business Committee Meeting – Plaza E/F
. . Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Meeting – Lincoln Board Room, 3rd floor
4:45 p.m. Executive Director Cooperative Program Dinner for New Churches and Guests (Advance Registration Required) – Plaza E/F
Childcare provided by Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief is available on the 3rd floor in the Springfield & Sangamon Rooms.
Announcements
• Please silence your phone when in the meeting.
• Livestreaming and all meeting details are available at IBSAannualmeeting.org.
Resolutions
• Proposed resolutions may be submitted at the registration desk until the end of the Tuesday evening session, for review by the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee.
Nominiations
• To nominate someone as an IBSA Officer, the IBSA Constitution reads, “All nominators, after obtaining prior consent of the nominee, in their nomination speech shall include but not be limited to (1) the name and role of the nominee, (2) nominee’s history of service to IBSA, and, (3) the history and participation in the Cooperative Program of the church and or nominee.”
Motions
• Messengers may make motions following reports and during periods of miscellaneous business.
o A messenger may propose: “I move/propose that…”
o Motions require a second messenger to agree to consider the motion by stating, “I second…” If no one seconds, the motion fails.
o If the motion has been seconded, messengers will then have an opportunity to speak in favor or against the motion before a vote is taken.
Offerings
• Offerings during the Annual Meeting will go to the IBSA Minister’s Relief Fund. These gifts help IBSA ministers who love and serve the local church, and are experiencing hard times and unexpected transitions. You can give digitally at www.IBSAAnnualMeeting/ministersrelief or by scanning the QR code below.
Prayer Prompts
• As we gather and worship, ask the Holy Spirit to unify our hearts.
• As we make decisions, ask for “Spirit-guided” collective wisdom.
• As reports are made, give thanks, and ask for increase next year
• When we are challenged to pursue health and hope, pray for courageous obedience.
• When we return home, challenge your church to “pray continually.”
PRESIDENT
Doug Munton O’Fallon, IL doug.munton@fbcofallon.org
VICE PRESIDENT
Jeff Logsdon Wilmington, IL jlogsdon2462@gmail.com
RECORDING SECRETARY
Matt Philbrck Ramsey, IL philby08@yahoo.com
ASSISTANT RECORDING SECRETARY
Nate Mason Effingham, IL nate.mason@fbceffingham.com
IBSA President’s Report Doug Munton
It has been my privilege to serve as IBSA president this past year and I’m delighted to welcome you to our 2025 annual meeting! This is an important time in IBSA life as we face the transition from our long time Executive Director, Nate Adams to the next man God has for this task. It is a time of opportunity and challenge, and I look forward to what God is going to do in and through us in the next year.
I remind you that God made us for connections. We are connected to the Lord in salvation. We are connected to each other as part of the body of Christ. And our connection through our state and national conventions has never been more important. We are connected in three important ways.
1.We are connected missionally. We choose to connect to do the important work of sharing the gospel message locally, regionally and to the ends of the earth. Do we have a mechanism by which we can do this effectively? Yes we do! The Cooperative Program is a means by which churches large and small can work together to spread the good news of the gospel in Illinois, throughout North America and internationally. Our Cooperative Program giving allows us to support the gospel sharing work of our state convention, our seminaries, the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board.
2. We are connected theologically. We choose to connect through our deep trust in God’s word. Do we have a document that describes those beliefs? Yes we do! The Baptist Faith and Message expresses our common belief in what God has revealed to us in his word. The BF&M unites us theologically and helps to keep us on target in our faith and practice.
3. We are connected relationally. We choose to connect with each other as coworkers, friends and family. Do we have an opportunity to do that? Yes we do! Our annual meeting is a means by which we join together in worship, work together in IBSA business and grow together in fellowship. Be sure to meet some new friends and reconnect with old ones.
We need each other. We need the benefit that come from gathering together these two days to worship, work and connect. I pray this 2025 annual meeting of IBSA is encouraging to you, your churches and your ministry!
Committee on Order of Business Report
The 2025 Committee on Order of Business met after the 2024 Annual Meeting in Orland Park to evaluate the 2024 Annual Meeting. They met on March 13 and September 18 to make decisions regarding 2025 meeting plans, to propose the 2028 meeting location, and to confirm and update information to report for the 2026 and 2027 meetings, which are being planned for Metro Community Church in Edwardsville November 3-4, 2026 and First Baptist Church in Marion November 9-10, 2027.
The Committee recommends that:
1. Seth Conerly of Metro Community Church, Edwardsville bring the 2026 sermon, and that Chris Winkleman of First Baptist Church, Harrisburg be the alternate speaker
2. The 2028 IBSA Annual Meeting be held at Ashburn Baptist Church in Orland Park on November 1415, 2028.
Respectfully submitted, Will Bynum
Glen Carty
Jeanette Cloyd, Secretary
Matt Crain
Rick Dorsey, Vice Chair
Jeff Downard
Edwin Harris
Corey Menken, Chair
Ken Sharp
JC Vaca Diez
2026 Officers:
Ken Sharp, Chair
Edwin Harris, Vice Chair
Matt Crain, Secretary
Credentials Committee Report
The Credentials Committee first met on March 13 to review responsibilities and to preview the application and interview processes for considering new churches for IBSA cooperation. Throughout the year, the Credentials Committee received completed applications for cooperation with IBSA from 11 churches and conducted interviews with one or more leaders from each of the churches. The Credentials Committee met on September 23 to review applications. Three churches were deemed not ready at this time to move forward in the process for friendly cooperation. The committee recommends to messengers of the 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting the following churches, to be considered in friendly cooperation with the Illinois Baptist State Association:
Anchor Church Berwyn, Berwyn
Gospelife, Washington
Hammer and Flame Church, Bushnell
Iglesia De Cristo, Milan
Metropolitan Tabernacle Community Church and Global Ministries, Lansing
New Vision Community Church, Mt. Sterling River of Life Church, Urbana
Shepherd Reformed Baptist Church, Joliet
Village Baptist Church, Alexis
The Committee further recommends the Association deem no longer in friendly cooperation the following churches that have not been cooperating for at least five (5) years, in accordance with IBSA Constitution Article 4, Sections 3, 4 and 10:
Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Chicago
Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, E. St. Louis
Open Door Baptist Church, Toledo
Second Baptist Church, Wheaton Dixon Springs Baptist Church, Golconda
The committee discussed the importance of continuing to try and reclaim the non-cooperating churches. This is being done by IBSA staff through multiple letters each year, and through attempts at personal contact and reclamation by the IBSA staff and associational leadership.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Burton
Cliff Easter
Ryne Fullerton
Isaac King
Brian Lingle, Secretary
Qusai Mahmud
Alex Melton, Vice Chair
James Shannon
John Shelton
Ryan Tackett
Reed Tallman, Chair
2026 Officers:
Alex Melton, Chair
Brian Lingle, Vice Chair
Ryne Fullerton, Secretary
Historical Committee Report
The Historical Committee met on March 11, 2025. Assigned tasks and responsibilities were reviewed.
Progress is being made to acquire a new microfiche machine to replace the old one that does not work.
Deb Bier and Susan Full gave the Archive Ad Hoc Work Group Report. A policy was accepted that outlines how donated materials from disbanded churches will be handled when received.
Progress is being made on completing a display area on the first floor of the IBSA Building in the welcome area of the Resource Room. The plan is for this area to display a timeline of Illinois Baptist history and curated objects or documents that represent various stages of that history
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Barber
Doug Bell
Deb Bier
Carl Dillow, Chair
Jan Elliott
Paul Hahn
Ben Hottel
Walter Kant
Walter Philbrick, Vice Chair
Judy Rinkenberger, Secretary
Obbie Todd
David VanBebber
2026 Officers:
Mark Barber, Chair
Walter Philbrick, Vice Chair
Ben Hottel, Secretary
Resolutions and Christian Life Committee Report
The Committee met March 11 to discuss potential resolutions to be presented at the 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting and assigned topics to members. The Committee then reviewed drafted resolutions at its September 18 meeting.
The Committee recommends the following resolutions for vote at the 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting. Any additional resolutions by messengers are to be submitted by 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. The Committee will meet to discuss any newly submitted resolutions, and either prepare those resolutions for presentation and vote at the afternoon session on Wednesday, November 5 or recommend that they be referred to the 2026 Resolutions and Christian Life Committee for further work and consideration.
Resolution on Appreciation to Messengers, Leaders, and Staff
WHEREAS, the messengers, officers, staff, and leadership of the Illinois Baptist State Association have labored faithfully throughout the year to advance the mission of reaching Illinois and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, the messengers to this 2025 Annual Meeting have demonstrated a spirit of cooperation, unity, and commitment to the work of our Association; and
WHEREAS, the IBSA staff, officers, and volunteers have devoted considerable time and energy in planning, coordinating, and leading this gathering at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the facilities and accommodations have served to provide an environment conducive to worship, fellowship, and the conduct of Kingdom business; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the messengers to the 2025 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 4-5 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois, express our sincere gratitude to the IBSA officers, staff, leadership, and volunteers for their diligent service; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we commit to pray for God’s continued guidance, blessing, and provision for all who labor together in advancing the Great Commission through the cooperative work of Illinois Baptists.
Resolution of Appreciation for Nate Adams on Retirement as IBSA Executive Director
WHEREAS, Nathan (Nate) Y. Adams has served the Illinois Baptist State Association as the executive director since March 1, 2006, and announced his planned retirement in February, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Nate Adams has a rich history in Illinois, having moved to Illinois with his family at age five when his father, Tom, was called to pastor in southern Illinois, then the Chicago suburbs, followed by Tom’s service as Director of Missions at Fox Valley Baptist Association, his wife, Romelia, always ministering next to him; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Judson University in Elgin (BA) and National Louis University in Evanston (MS); and received an honorary doctorate from Judson University; and
WHEREAS, he is the co-founding pastor of Hope Community Church in St. Charles, IL and the author of four books including, “The Acts 1:8 Challenge”; and
WHEREAS, for 17 years he was in leadership as vice president of corporate publishing at Christianity
Today International, headquartered in Carol Stream; then he was called to a vice presidency at the North American Mission Board (NAMB); and
WHEREAS, he accepted the call to return home to lead Illinois Baptist work in 2006. After more than 19 years of service he is the longest tenured executive director in Illinois Baptist history; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the great size of and diversity within our state, he led Illinois Baptist pastors and churches through extremely challenging times for both our state and nation to partner together in obedience to the Great Commission; and
WHEREAS, he set forth new priorities for the ministry of IBSA with a reorganization of the network’s staff to facilitate the strategy of revitalizing churches and showing support for their pastors; and
WHEREAS, he gave attention to ministry, leadership development, and church planting all across Illinois, from Chicago to Metropolis, with development of zone ministry to bring support closer to churches and improved ministry support with local associations, even as they faced their own challenges; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, these priority emphases have resulted in seeing more than 230 new churches planted or begin cooperating with IBSA, churches baptizing more than 78,000 persons as new believers in Jesus Christ, and churches contributing more than $115,422,800 through the Cooperative Program; and
WHEREAS, through his diligent leadership, IBSA reached a level of financial stability that enabled much needed renovations of the IBSA Building in Springfield, along with renovations and expansions to Lake Sallateeska and Streator Baptist Camps that increased capacities’ and allowed renewed ministry for pastors and their families; and
WHEREAS, Nate Adams’ ministry was made possible by his wife, Beth, who prayed for him, sacrificed for him and the network along with their three sons, their wives, and six grandchildren. Beth faithfully gave of her time to Illinois Baptists – traveling with him to visit churches, local associations, board meetings, IBSA Annual Meetings, Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meetings, and countless other events; and
WHEREAS, his commitment to the Christian ministry has been embodied by Psalm 78:72,which declares, “He shepherded them with a pure heart and guided them with his skillful hands;” and now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2025 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 4-5 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL, express gratitude to God for the faithful and committed service of Nathan Y. Adams, given to our Lord and to Illinois Baptists, and that we assure him and Beth, of the prayers, love and best wishes of this state association.
Resolution on Engaging Illinois Colleges and Universities with the Gospel
WHEREAS, Illinois Baptists recognize the growing number of students attending colleges and universities across our state and the unique opportunity this provides for Gospel witness; and
WHEREAS, Illinois is home to 176 institutions of higher education, including 9 public universities across 12 campuses, 39 community college districts encompassing 48 community college campuses, 104 independent not-for-profit colleges and universities, and 15 independent for-profit institutions1; and
WHEREAS, Illinois public universities alone had over 185,000 students enrolled for the 2024-25 fall semester,2 showing an increase over the 2023-2024 school year in which there were an estimated total of 695,380 students across Illinois institutions3; and
WHEREAS, students on Illinois campuses represent a global mission field, fulfilling the vision of Acts 1:8 as our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth are all gathered together in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, while Baptist Collegiate Ministries are active on some Illinois campuses, the majority of Illinois colleges and universities remain largely unengaged by Illinois Baptists as mission fields; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the messengers to the 2025 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 4-5 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois, encourage Illinois Baptist churches to engage their local colleges and universities as strategic mission fields rich with opportunity for the Gospel; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists commit to seek out the best ways to support those actively serving in collegiate ministry through prayer, volunteer efforts, and financial partnership; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Illinois Baptists join together in prayer as instructed in Matthew 9:38, praying both for those already laboring on the harvest fields of Illinois campuses and for the Lord to send out additional workers into this vital mission.
WHEREAS, Scripture warns against greed, covetousness, and practices that exploit others (Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:9–10), and calls believers to contentment, stewardship, and love of neighbor; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois State legislature legalized sports gambling in 2019, and since that time, online and mobile sports betting have expanded rapidly, generating billions of dollars in wagers and disproportionately affecting young adults and economically vulnerable families1; and
WHEREAS, sports gambling is strongly linked to addiction, financial ruin, family conflict, and other harms that undermine the well-being of individuals and communities; and
WHEREAS, gambling profits rely on practices designed to keep bettors engaged beyond their means and are contrary to biblical principles of honest labor and trust in God; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the messengers to the 2025 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 4-5 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois, express their clear opposition to all forms of sports
gambling, whether in person or online; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we urge pastors and church leaders to teach faithfully on the dangers of gambling and the call to faithful stewardship; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we encourage our churches to compassionately minister to individuals and families harmed by gambling addiction; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we call upon elected officials to enact policies limiting the expansion and advertising of sports gambling and to provide adequate support for prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that we encourage Illinois Baptists to communicate this conviction to public officials and to model lives free from participation in gambling.
Resolution to Encourage Renewed Support and Sacrificial Giving Through the Cooperative Program on the Occasion of its 100th Anniversary
WHEREAS, in 2025 Southern Baptists are celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Cooperative Program; and
WHEREAS, the messengers to the Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting in Orland Park, IL, November 12-13, 2024, enthusiastically affirmed the Cooperative Program as the primary method of funding our Great Commission cooperation at home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, the New Testament records the biblical foundations of cooperation in passages such as Acts 2:45; 4:32-35; Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; and 2 Cor 8:7-15, whereby autonomous churches joyfully and generously give voluntarily to meet needs and aid in the proclamation of the gospel to the unreached; and
WHEREAS, giving through the Cooperative Program allows all churches, no matter the size and budget, to participate as equal partners in sending missionaries, planting and revitalizing churches, training ministers, and providing relief to the suffering; and
WHEREAS, Illinois Baptists have made a great commitment to our missionaries, both at home and abroad, and to our larger family of Baptist workers, generously giving over $278,000,000 through the Cooperative Program, thus funding important ministry efforts that include disaster relief, church planting, church revitalization, chaplaincies, evangelistic initiatives, discipleship strategies, pastor care, Christian education, Baptist communications, and human needs ministries that are all supported and sustained through Cooperative Program giving; and
WHEREAS, no other system in history has proven as effective at sending and supporting international missionaries on the field, with more than 3,500 fully funded missionaries currently around the globe resulting in nearly 145,000 new believers in the most recent year; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the messengers to the 2025 Illinois Baptist State Association Annual Meeting, November 4-5 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois, celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Cooperative Program with gratitude and thanksgiving for the churches that give faithfully and sacrificially; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we enthusiastically encourage each congregation to renew their commitment to and their
financial support for missions and ministries through the Cooperative Program so together we might carry out the Great Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
Rich Barnett, Vice Chair
Allen Boland
Frank Forthman Jr.
Debbie Giacomo, Secretary
Raymond Gregory
John Howard
Barbara Lee
Barry Sink
John Truax
Jason Webb
Jef Williams, Chair
2026 Officers:
Jason Webb, Chair
John Howard, Vice Chair
John Truax, Secretary
IBSA Board of Directors’ Reports
Chairman of the Board of Directors’ Report
Bruce Kirk
Greetings, brothers and sisters of the great state of Illinois,
The last few years have presented great challenges for our board—but not for our God. I am deeply encouraged by the progress that has been made, even through trying times. The Illinois Baptist State Association has been blessed with an executive director, Nate Adams, who has served tirelessly with integrity and vision. Nate’s faithful leadership has been vital in guiding our association, especially as we continue to work through some of the lingering effects of COVID.
By God’s grace, we are seeing many areas return to pre-COVID strength. While we recognize that some things may never be exactly the same, one thing remains constant: your board is committed to working diligently and prayerfully to navigate this “new normal” with faith and perseverance.
Illinois Baptists, please know that your board continually seeks God’s direction for the churches that make up our association. It has been a blessing to serve alongside such dedicated brothers and sisters who volunteer their time and energy to advance health, growth, and mission among nearly 900 churches across our state. Many board members make great sacrifices—often traveling hundreds of miles—to come together, pray, and strategize for the advancement of Christ’s work in Illinois.
I ask you to continue praying for our board and for the association as a whole during this season of retirement and transition. Please pray especially for the Executive Director Search Committee. This is a sacred responsibility as we seek God’s man to lead this association into a new season of effectiveness. Brother Nate has led us faithfully for 20 years, and we pray for wisdom as we discern God’s will for our next leader.
I also want to take a moment to give thanks. I thank God for the privilege of serving as your board chair and for each member who has made this journey meaningful. I am especially grateful for Nate’s staff, who worked tirelessly to keep us informed and focused. A special word of thanks goes to Barb Troeger for her constant guidance and support, ensuring that I had the information needed to serve effectively.
I am proud to have labored alongside men and women who love the Lord and His church, faithfully pursuing strategies that lead to healthy, disciple-making, soul-saving congregations. I also thank our vice chair, Paul Cooper, who has stood by me during my two years of service. Paul has now been elected as the new chairman of the board, and I am confident that his Spirit-led wisdom and heart for the church will be a great blessing to this association. He will be joined by our newly elected vice chair, Scott Douglas, and secretary, Kirk Kay.
Once again, I express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of God in Illinois. I am praying for each of you, and I love you all.
IBSA Board of Directors’ Recommendations
The IBSA Board of Directors moves that the proposed 2026 budget, salary structure, and Cooperative Program ratio be approved as printed, based on a Cooperative Program Goal of $6,000,000 and a Cooperative Program ratio of 56.5%/43.5% (IBSA/SBC), excluding shared expenses not to exceed 10% of the Cooperative Program Goal.
Executive Director’s Report
Dr. Nate Adams
Our devoted IBSA staff continues to passionately pursue the mission of “delivering network value that inspires each church to thrive, in health, growth, and mission,” with five specific strategies. Three are “church-facing” strategies: Health, Growth, and Mission. And two are “network-facing” strategies: Engagement and Partnership. Each strategy has statements of measure, and from those more general statements of measure flow specific, annual goals and metrics, approved by the IBSA Board and monitored throughout the year.
While year-end data from the 2025 Annual Church Profile will not be available until January 2026, below are a few highlights of IBSA’s ministry outcomes thus far in 2025:
• Through August, 11 new churches have been planted in Illinois, with the possibility of one more by the end of the year. One of these plants (in Henderson County, across the river from Burlington, Iowa) reduced the number of Illinois counties without an IBSA church from nine to eight. Not long ago, the number of Illinois counties without an IBSA church was 14. About 50 church plants are currently in some stage of development, from planning to gathering, to launching, to constitution and affiliation.
• In addition to those new church plants in progress, we anticipate nine new churches being presented for friendly cooperation with IBSA at this year’s IBSA Annual Meeting.
• Ninety-four churches have already been trained in developing intentional evangelism strategies this year. We were encouraged to see baptisms by IBSA churches bounce back by 41% in 2022, another 30% in 2023, and an additional 9% in 2024 to 3,657, returning to and surpassing 2019’s last preCovid level of 3,553. And we continue to hear anecdotal evidence of continued increases in baptisms in several churches this year.
• Through August, 436 volunteers from 210 churches participated in IBSA-coordinated mission projects. In addition, 186 churches have been trained in developing intentional missions strategies.
• Our 2025 goal of continuing to engage at least 150 IBSA churches in intentional, Next Step consulting processes is on target, with 152 churches engaged through August.
• Through August, 495 pastors and leaders have participated in leadership development processes. 2,585 church leaders have participated in a variety of ministry events, and 1,843 workers have been trained in specific church ministry skills.
• In January (21-22), IBSA hosted 194 leaders at the IBSA Building in Springfield for the Illinois Leadership Summit, where the theme “Building Future Ready Churches” received an excellent response from participants.
• As of the end of August, IBSA’s Health Team and its trained pathfinders and coaches are engaged in intentional revitalization processes with 106 churches. Fifty-four new pastors have entered coaching relationships, bringing the current number of pastors in coaching relationships to 97. An additional 38 churches are using simpler revitalization processes. Five churches have completed Church Renewal Journey weekends so far, and 13 additional churches’ weekends are scheduled.
• Through August, IBSA staff have directly trained or assisted 12 IBSA churches in their pastor search processes.
• IBSA staff continue to make concerted efforts to connect with and engage pastors and churches through phone, email, webinars, and videoconferencing. Through August, our staff had direct contact with 67% of IBSA churches, and we continue to pursue a goal of reaching at least 90% by the end of the year.
• Participation at our two IBSA Camps continues to be strong. Through August, 100 groups from 239 unique churches have used one of IBSA’s two camp
• 2025 Cooperative Program giving from churches through September is 1-2% below the same period in 2024. Some churches continue to report concerns about various issues at the national SBC level that may be affecting CP giving, but we remain hopeful that these will resolve, and that this year’s 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program will give churches a renewed passion for and confidence in Cooperative Program giving.
• IBSA’s continuing “For the Pastor” emphasis has included IBSA-led retreat offerings for both pastors and wives, multiple grants for Associations to host local pastor or pastor and wife retreats, free personal retreat lodging at both IBSA camps, and free counseling sessions in partnership with Pathways Counseling from the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services.
• The IBSA missionaries, staff, and I appreciate so much the partnership and cooperation of IBSA churches and consider it a joy to serve the Lord through this ministry. We welcome any questions or input that may assist us in serving IBSA churches more effectively.
Two Motions Referred to the IBSA Board Related to Collegiate Ministry
During the 2024 IBSA Annual Meeting at Ashburn Baptist Church in Orland Park, pastor and messenger Thomas Worsham from Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Collinsville brought a motion that was seconded and passed, “to form an exploratory committee to find ways to reach college students on the campuses of the schools in the Illinois Baptist Convention area.” The motion was referred to the IBSA Board of Directors, which reviewed the motion through its Strategic Planning Committee on February 24, 2025. The Committee declined to take the proposed action of forming a new, exploratory committee, since statewide collegiate ministry strategy is the responsibility of the IBSA Board’s Strategic Planning Committee as it oversees the ministries of IBSA the corporation.
Still, the IBSA Board and the IBSA Executive Director and staff have embraced the intent of the motion, and the following steps have been taken in 2025:
1 IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams spoke and corresponded with Pastor Worsham, providing a report summarizing IBSA’s current collegiate ministries, staff, resources, and strategy. Pastor Worsham received the update graciously and indicated that the information and explanation provided satisfied the intent of his motion.
2 . IBSA staff conducted a review of its current strategies and identified several steps that could facilitate the expansion of collegiate ministries in Illinois. These include:
a. Providing funds for a part-time collegiate ministry coordinator in the 2026 IBSA Budget.
b. Starting in July 2025, reposition IBSA’s collegiate contracts with individual campus minis ters to partnership agreements with IBSA churches that would use those resources to both invest in their church’s nearby ministry to one or more college campuses, and to invite and facilitate the engagement of additional IBSA churches in those or other campus mission fields.
c. Allocating the proceeds from the September 2025 sale of the aging “BASIC House” property in Urbana (approximately $360,000) to a net asset account designated for collegiate minis try.
d. During the November 4-5, 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting in Springfield, launch a new initiative
and online landing page to invite additional IBSA churches to engage or invest in a college campus as a state missions site. Offer interested churches multiple steps and pathways to assist existing collegiate ministries, or to start new ministries at a nearby campus.
e. Renew investment in the SIU Carbondale Ministry Center as a site for multiple ministries, including a new collegiate church plant. More details on that action are included in the response below to a separate motion from the 2024 IBSA Annual Meeting, related to that property.
A second motion related to collegiate ministry preceded the above motion during the 2024 IBSA Annual Meeting. It came from pastor and messenger Phil Nelson from Lakeland Baptist Church in Carbondale, who moved, “to direct the Board of Directors to appoint a committee to consider selling the Baptist Student Center in Carbondale; putting that money into escrow for college ministry in the future.” The motion was seconded, then referred to the IBSA Board of Directors as part of its ministry assignment. The IBSA Board reviewed the motion through its Resource Development Committee on February 25, 2025.
The Committee considered the motion and recommended to the full Board at its March 25 meeting that it decline to pursue the sale of the building at this time as it is the responsibility of the IBSA Board to consider and direct the sale of such real estate, and that the consideration of property sales should be part of a larger conversation regarding the future of collegiate ministry in Illinois.
As reported in the Thomas Worsham motion above, the IBSA Board, Executive Director, and staff have been engaged in new, strategic discussions about collegiate ministry in Illinois throughout 2025. The “BASIC House” in Urbana has indeed been sold in 2025 because that primarily residential facility did not fit well with the future collegiate strategy expressed above. The SIU Carbondale facility, however, is wellpositioned both in design and location to be a multi-faceted ministry center, including a launch site for a new collegiate church plant. The facility needed significant updating and repair, including a new roof, internal fixtures, and landscaping. With the help of Campers on Mission, Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief workers, and local volunteers the property has received a significant renovation in 2025. New and continuing ministries are active in the facility with accountable building use agreements. And a NAMB-assessed and funded church planter is scheduled to begin launching a new collegiate-oriented church in early 2026. Therefore, the IBSA Board and Executive Director to not anticipate pursuing the sale of the property in the near term.
Thank You
My planned retirement in April of 2026 will bring to conclusion 20 years of service to IBSA as Executive Director. IBSA’s first Executive Director, Benjamin Franklin Rodman, served 19 years (1907-1926) and concluded his service almost 100 years ago. Noel Taylor served a few months longer in his 19 years (1946-1965) and was the longest tenured Executive Director until now. It’s an honor to join these men and eight others in passing the baton to a new Executive Director in 2026, and to continue cheerleading from a distance the important ministry of this church network. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the churches and the mission of IBSA.
Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services Executive Director’s Report Kevin Carrothers
Strengthening Families, Sharing Hope
Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS) faithfully continues to strengthen families across Illinois by sharing the hope of Christ. Our mission priorities remain clear—defending the life of the unborn, protecting the vulnerable, healing the wounded, and restoring the broken—as we engage daily with students, expectant mothers, parents, and families. Each program within BCHFS demonstrates God’s provision and direction while offering unique opportunities to expand our impact in the years ahead.
Angels’ Cove Maternity Home provides housing, spiritual guidance, and life-skills training for expectant mothers. Many of these young women arrive overwhelmed by life’s circumstances yet leave with renewed hope and tools to thrive. The personal, Christ-centered care shapes lives not only for mothers but also for their children.
Baptist Children’s Home continues to care for adolescents who need stability, discipleship, and unconditional love. This ministry’s strength rests in its dedicated staff, who model Christ’s compassion and consistency.
Faith Adoption provides a Christ-centered alternative for children in need of permanent families. Our staff guides adoptive families with both professional expertise and spiritual encouragement.
GraceHaven Pregnancy Resource Clinic defends unborn life by offering compassionate support, ultrasounds, education, and material resources. The clinic’s greatest asset is its ability to meet women at their point of crisis with both truth and grace.
Pathways Counseling continues to heal the wounded and restore the broken through professional counseling anchored in biblical truth. With mental health needs rising, Pathways’ counselors stand ready to assist those in need.
Through August of this year, BCHFS served 420 individuals while recording 2,107 spiritual engagements—an average of 263 per month. These include devotions, prayer encounters, Gospel presentations, discipleship conversations and classes, and distribution of Bibles and tracts, reflecting our commitment to eternal impact.
We carry a profound gratitude for the Lord’s provision through the generosity of His people, echoing the words of Philippians 4:19-20: “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” BCHFS confidently trusts that the Lord who has supplied our every need will continue to guide us into a fruitful future.
Baptist Foundation of Illinois Executive Director’s Report
Doug Morrow
2025 BFI Board Officers:
Pam White, Chair
Brent Cloyd, Vice Chair TBD, Secretary
Illinois
Members Serving on Southern Baptist Convention Boards, Committees, and Agencies
