Rehoboth Baptist Association saw two of its top ministry leaders retire at the end of 2025, Director of Missions (DOM) Joe Lawson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Flowers. Both served over 25 years with Flowers joining the association in November 1999 and Lawson becoming DOM in May 2000. They retired on December 31.
Lawson is also retiring as part-time DOM at Louisville Baptist Association, a position he’s held since April 2006. The two associations are adjacent to each other in south central Illinois.
Rehoboth Association and Bethel Baptist Church in Vandalia hosted a retirement reception in their honor on December 7.
Matt Philbrick, pastor of students at Ramsey First Baptist Church and IBSA Recording Secretary, is succeeding Lawson as DOM. Before serving at Ramsey, Philbrick pastored Charleston Baptist Church, formerly University Baptist Church.