There are more than 400 IBSA churches within a two-hour drive of Marion. This speaks to the Southern Illinois roots of the network of Baptist churches, birthed in Pinckneyville in 1907 and now stretching statewide. The proximity to so many IBSA churches promises abundant opportunities to worship, connect, and learn alongside other Illinois Baptists as they gather for the 2023 IBSA Annual Meeting Nov. 8 and 9 at Cornerstone Church.
The “Thrive” theme, now in its third year, will again emphasize a different way IBSA works to “inspire each church to thrive in health, growth, and mission.” This year’s focus, sub-themed “Pursuing Health and hope,” recognizes the strain that many pastors and churches feel ministering during a time of rapid cultural change. Planners of the event seek to provide encouragement and support.
“We want to provide a life-giving relationship,” said Scott Foshie, who leads IBSA’s church revitalization efforts. “Pastors and churches need hope. Every time I come into a church, I see the unique potential and the unique DNA God has given that church. And our prayer is, Lord, how do we help them realize the potential that you have for them?”
The 2019 Annual Meeting, held in Marion and themed “Refocus,” launched IBSA’s intensive efforts to address the growing need of church revitalization as it welcomed Foshie to the state staff.
Thrive ’23 will celebrate progress made in helping churches across the state discover a new season of church health. It will also recognize the necessity of healthy pastors to lead healthy churches.
The Wednesday evening session will feature Guidestone President and CEO Hance Dilbeck, who will speak to pastoral and church health. Dilbeck will discuss ways Guidestone helps pastors build and maintain spiritual, physical, and financial health.
The program will feature worship led by Dustin Keele and the Cornerstone Church worship band. Presiding over the meeting, as well as delivering the IBSA President’s sermon, is Michael Nave, Lead Pastor of the host church.
On Thursday morning Josh Crisp will bring the convention’s annual sermon. Crisp is Lead Pastor at First Baptist Bethalto in Metro East St. Louis. The Benton native is a former church planter and has served in Bethalto since late 2020.
One highlight of the meeting for many has become the many ministry affinity gatherings that take place across the two-day meeting. With ten different gatherings, pastors and ministry leaders can connect with and learn from others from across the state.
Located at the intersection of Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 13, Cornerstone Church provides abundant parking and easy access to numerous hotels and restaurants.
Learn more about the IBSA Annual Annual Meeting and Pastors Conference at IBSAAnnualMeeting.org.