Springfield | The IBSA Board of Directors met Sept. 16 and heard plans for expanded collegiate ministry in 2026 during what was likely Nate Adams’ final report to them as executive director. Adams announced his retirement plans in February, with a new executive director expected to be in place when the board meets in March next year. The board heard an update on the search for Adams’ successor, a financial report, and news about the November 4-5 Annual Meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.
Jeff Logsdon, who is chairing the search committee, reported the committee has received “several strong resumes” and their goal is to announce a new executive director at the annual meeting with a start date in January.
Collegiate ministry strategy
In his report, Adams said IBSA will pivot its collegiate ministry strategy in 2026 to partner with local churches, which will supervise campus ministers, increasing total funding for partnership contracts from $60,000 to $100,000. According to Adams this will “avoid new legal complexities around contract employees and taxes (while) fostering accountable partnerships.”
The sale of the former Urbana campus ministry building at the University of Illinois will be completed in September. The sale price of approximately $385,000 (minus sale expenses) will be allocated to a fund to expand collegiate ministries to new campuses. The building, a residential home, was not well suited for current campus ministry strategies where on-campus meeting space is now readily available due to Illinois law.
Meanwhile, at SIU Carbondale, significant renovations, including a new roof, and volunteer rehab work has revitalized the student ministry building there. It will serve as a hub for multiple ministries, including a church plant, Christian athlete outreach, and international student groups aligning with the new IBSA strategy.
“When we survey our churches, they say ‘help us reach the next generation.’ And so we think this is a vital area for us to step into at a higher level,” Adams said.
At the November 2025 IBSA Annual Meeting, churches will be encouraged to support or partner with collegiate ministries, especially on new campuses, or develop strategies to engage nearby college campuses.
“Good news” overspends
Despite flat income and rising personnel costs, the 2024 audit confirmed IBSA’s financial stability. “God’s provision has sustained the budget,” said Adams.
The Board approved what Adams called “good news “overspends. One such overspend of $70,000 was due to the 20% growth in 2025 Summer Camps, which produced a record attendance of 1,175 participants. All but $5,000 is expected to be recovered by camp revenue. Other approved overspends were prompted by the larger than anticipated response of churches participating in Church Renewal Journey ministry and pastoral coaching and revitalization processes.
The 2024 IBSA audit conducted by Batts Morrison Wales & Lee, P.A. was “qualified” due to unavailable 2023 and 2024 Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI) audits. In an audit update to the IBSA Board, BFI Executive Director Doug Morrow said changes in how the Foundation does its “accounting has resulted in a delayed audit.”
“BFI anticipates being caught up with our audits by the end of the year, and back in sync with the 2025 audit in the first part of 2026. During this season of delay, BFI has made available evidence of our asset holdings publicly (a step we anticipate maintaining even after our audits are caught back up) at BaptistFoundationIL.org,” Morrow stated in an email following the meeting.
Other business:
The Board approved the 2026 IBSA Budget based on a Cooperative Program goal of $6,000,000 and a Cooperative Program ratio of 56.5% for IBSA and 43.5% forwarded to national SBC. Messengers will vote on the budget at the annual meeting.
The Board welcomed new members James Kim, Meadow Heights Baptist Church in Collinsville; Jeff Miller, FBC Marion; and Jim Wilson, FBC Atwood.
Newly elected officers are Chair Paul Cooper, pastor, Marshall Baptist Church (previous Vice Chair); Vice Chair Scott Douglas, pastor, Fairview Heights Baptist Church; and Secretary Kirk Kay, pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. The Board recognized for their service outgoing Chair Bruce Kirk, pastor of Alpha Missionary Baptist Church, Bolingbrook, and Secretary Noah Lee, pastor of Tremont Baptist Church. Members rotating off are Drake Caudill, Carrel Starkey, Noah Lee, and Rob Schneider.