Springfield | Chris Nolin is no stranger to Illinois Baptist associations. Now he is rejoining IBSA as Regional Consultant of the newly created Northern Region. The pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling has previously served as an IBSA Zone Consultant and most recently as Associational Mission Strategist for the Sinnissippi Association.
“I am excited that we are able to bring Chris back to the team,” said Executive Director Elect, Scott Foshie, who supervised Nolin in their previous roles at IBSA. “In his seven years serving in Sterling, Chris has consistently demonstrated a deep love for the pastors and churches of the Sinnissippi Association and northwestern Illinois. I know he’ll show this same care for Illinois Baptists across this new, larger area as he serves them.”
IBSA updated its zone strategy, which provides local resourcing and engagement with churches and pastors, in January. The new regional strategy maps the state into 5 regions rather than 10 zones. This change allows most consultants to be “in the field” more hours each week. It also sets a new target: identify and gather local leaders from multiple different areas of church ministry. The goal is to create better connected and resourced local ministry leaders, leading to more local assistance for churches and associations. Read more about the updated strategy here.
Nolin’s Northern Region encompasses areas covered by the Fox Valley, Lake County, Metro Peoria, North Central, Sinnissippi, Three Rivers, and Quad Cities Associations. He joins other Region Consultants Bryan Price (Chicago Region), Jonathan Peters (Metro East Region), and Bob Dickerson (Southern Region). The search for the Central Region Consultant is still in process.
Nolin will begin the position March 1 and will continue to serve Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling as pastor. He holds degrees from University of South Florida (BA), Southwestern Seminary (M.Div), and Luther Rice Seminary (D.Min). He and his wife, Nancy, served as missionaries in China for 12 years.