Springfield | After serving IBSA nearly 27 years, Administrative Coordinator Carole Doom retired on January 2, 2026. However, she won’t be missed for long. Doom will return in mid-January to serve with the Operations Team in a part-time role, three-days a week, as a ministry coordinator.
During her tenure with IBSA, she’s been part of several staff restructurings and ministry reorganizations. Doom began in April 1999 with the New Work Department, now called Church Planting. She was secretary to the late Ed Handkins, a position later retitled ministry assistant.
During her tenure, Doom has saved her name badges which reflect the changes at IBSA through the years.
“Now we call it the ‘church facing’ side,” said Doom of her previous ministry area. A few years later, she shifted to the Business Team, now Operations Team, on what is called the ‘network facing’ ministry side. The Operations and Communications Teams are considered network facing ministries.
“The network facing side is always in the background,” Doom said. “It’s not the visible side, but it’s the most important part to me. The church facing side (church health, missions, church planting) that’s their ministry and what they’re good at. Our network facing ministry is to support them in their ministry. We make sure they have what they need to get their jobs done well,” she said.
A few of the ways Doom directly served churches were as IBSA’s bookkeeper and through the Annual Church Profile process.
At her retirement luncheon on December 3 at the IBSA Building, Jeff Deasy, Operations Team Leader, referred to Doom as his “rock.”
“I don’t think IBSA truly understands what we are losing,” said Accountant Ashley Parsons. “She is the keeper of our history. We will never be able to replace her experience.” To her colleague, Parsons said, “I have no doubt that you have saved IBSA many times because of your attention to detail. I hope you never doubt how meaningful your life’s work has been.”
Doom has two married daughters and several grandchildren who live locally. After a brief illness, her grandson Alex Doom, 12, died on December 27, 2024. She is the daughter-in-law of the late Jim Doom, who served several years as IBSA’s Stewardship Director.