Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches” is the advice repeated to each of the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. That’s the goal of the yearly gathering of Illinois pastors coming in November.
The IBSA Pastors Conference will exposit the Seven Churches from Ephesus to Laodicea during its meeting November 2-3. Each of the speakers has been assigned one of the churches that Jesus addressed in John’s apocalyptic work, and the text will be handled sequentially in the sessions. In other words, come for the first sermon and stay for all seven.
“I believe we are at a pivotal point for the church,” said conference president David Seaton, executive pastor of Heights Community Church in Collinsville. Seaton wanted a sharp focus on Scripture, and especially on the church, after the challenging year experienced in all ministry settings. With worship, preaching, and prayer, this is a no-frills, get-down-to-gospel-business conference.
“When we come together as brothers and sisters in Christ from all types of churches from all over Illinois, we make a statement that God is not done with us, that Covid did not stop us, and we will thrive as the church even in the face of adversity,” Seaton said.
Tony Merida will preach in two sessions. Merida is pastor for preaching and vision of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C. He is also the Dean of Grimké Seminary and Director of Theological Training for Acts 29. Merida has written several books including The Christ-Centered Expositor and multiple volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series.
The other speakers are Michael Byrd, planter and pastor of Faith Community Bible Church in North St. Louis; Michael Collins, lead pastor of Mercy’s Door Community Church in Mascoutah;
Charlie Dates, senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago; Jonathan Davis, pastor of preaching and vision at Delta Church in Springfield; and Daniel Yang, director of the Send Institute.
Heights’ worship pastor Jeff Nail will lead worship for the Pastors Conference.
The Bivocational Pastor of the Year will be named during the Wednesday morning session. New officers will also be elected to lead the 2022 conference.
Register for the conference online.
The Pastors Conference is supported by gifts from participants. Checks may be made payable to
IBSA Pastors Conference
c/o Illinois Baptist State Association
3085 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, IL 62703