Springfield | Streator Baptist Camp manager Jacob Kimbrough will become the new manager for Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp, following the departure of Brock Vandever in October.
“Jacob’s leadership at Streator camp these past five years has been exemplary,” IBSA Associate Executive Director Mark Emerson said. “He was able to build upon the momentum of the revitalization of the camp and expand the number of IBSA churches that are engaging the facility each year.”
Kimbrough joined IBSA in July 2020 and continued the renovations at Streator Camp initiated by Mike Young. He also advanced ministry offerings for pastors and led spiritual renewal for churches and campers in the northern part of the state. Kimbrough is joined in his work by his wife, Katie. They have a two-year-old daughter, Lila.
“Many pastors have shared that Jacob and Katie’s hosting of personal pastor retreats has been very beneficial to them and their families. We are confident that Lake Sallateeska will benefit from Jacob’s leadership into its next season of effective ministry,” Emerson said.
Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp
Vandever has joined Landsdowne Up, a nonprofit ministry serving East St. Louis. He will also serve Spring Valley Baptist Church in Shiloh as pastor. He is joined there by his wife, Polly, and son, Miles. Vandever served IBSA five years.
Members of the IBSA Staff pray over Brock Vandever (center).
Advertising for a new Streator manager will begin immediately. Both IBSA facilities had banner years with record attendance of 1,175 at IBSA summer camps, with 47 salvations reported, and have hosted more than 4,100 people from more than 240 IBSA churches this year. This is the new peak in the five rebound years after Covid forced closures in 2020.
IBSA camp ministry dates back to 1941, when the Illinois WMU purchased the property that became Lake Sallateeska and gave it to the state association.