ILLINOIS FREE WILL BAPTIST JULY 2023

NEWSLETTER
A monthly publication for Illinois Free Will Baptist families

INDEPENDENCE DAY: JULY 4th A DAY OF CELEBRATION

Celebrate your Faith Celebrate your privilege of

and your Freedom in Christ living in a free America

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THREE ILLINOIS STUDENTS RECEIVE DEGREES AT WELCH COLLEGE

Welch College recently conferred degrees on 75 students. Commencement exercises were held in the Student
Activities center. The gymnasium space was converted into a 700-plus seating auditorium for the Baccalaureate service
on Thursday evening, May 4, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 5. The college awarded
degrees in multiple programs, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, the Master of Arts degree in Theology
and Ministry, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, and for the first time, the Master of Divinity degree.
Illinois students receiving degrees this year were: Jacob Alan Hannis – South Roxana, IL (Bachelor of Science degree),
Olivia Grace Ryan – Ina, IL (Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa Cum Laude) and Rachel Elizabeth Goode – Champaign, IL
(Master of Arts in Teaching degree). Congratulations!

CALVARY CHURCH
Interim Pastor: Ryan Spradlin
Reporter: Ernie Taylor
Calvary church is pleased to announce that we have a
new pastor. We have hired Brother Ryan Spradlin as an
interim pastor. Brother Spradlin has been licensed and
is in the study program for ordination.
He and his wife Emma live in Neoga and have two
children. We are encouraged and excited about the
future possibilities.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
-Preamble of the Declaratiom of Independence
INA CHURCH
Pastor: Brad Ryan Reporter: Katie Williams
Greetings from the Ina Church! We hope you all are enjoying your summer. This month has been a joyful time for our
church!
On May 21st, we celebrated all of our graduates. This year, they wore their graduation gowns to church. It is always so
nice to celebrate our young people's accomplishments. That evening, we had a fellowship honoring Sara Jovanovic.
Garret and Carmella Payne hosted Sara this past school year, as an exchange student from Serbia. Sara jumped in and
got involved with our church the moment she arrived. She will be truly missed when she has to return home.
Our Friend Day was May 28th. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with those in our surrounding community.
We are praying that any seeds planted on that day will grow.
Congratulations to Madison Waters and Logan Darr who were married on June 3rd! We are so happy for Terry and
Tanya Lewis who were married that day as well! A week later, on June 10th, Danielle Payne married River Doss in a
beautiful ceremony. We are so excited for all these couples, and are praying for them as they start their lives together!
June 11th was our ordination service for Ross Bunton, our new deacon. He has quietly served in different roles for
many years. We are grateful for his service to our church and our pastor.

NEW HOPE CHURCH

Pastor: Larry Cook Reporters: Jackie Capps and Kaitlyn Catron
On Mother's Day Brother Larry and Sister Linda gave a gift to Martha Payne for having the most children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren in the congregation. Kaitlyn Catron also received a gift for being the youngest
mother on Mother's Day.
On June 4th we had our annual Homecoming service. The group "Revelation" sang for us during our service and then
fried chicken plus all the ”fixins” was served for lunch.
On May 6th Dixie Catron asked Jesus to live in her heart and be her Savior. On June 11th her dad, Nick Catron, had the
opportunity to baptize her in her grandparents, David and Rhonda McLearin's swimming pool.

BLUE POINT CHURCH

Pastor Ernie Lewis Reporter Suzanne Lewis
The teens recently hosted a Parent’s Night Out. It served as a fund raiser for an upcoming “World Changers” mission
trip. They also held a biscuits and gravy breakfast to raise additional funds for this trip.
On a recent Sunday morning Hannah Goucher, missionary to Hokkaido, Japan, shared with us about her mission plans.
We received an offering for her account. Brother Ernie spoke at a Memorial Day service at the Willow Branch Cemetery.
Several of our people helped in June at our Senior Grocery Giveaway.
We were blessed with great attendance, great workers, and great directors for our Vacation Bible School. This year’s
theme was “Stellar: Shine Your Light for Jesus”. Our Sunday morning program, worship service and picnic were enjoyed
by many. The inflatables and the sno-cone truck were a big hit.
Several went down on a Monday to help cook at Camp Hope. Many from our church provided a variety of fresh fruit
for the day’s desserts.
Quite a group of us rode in the church van or in individual cars to a St. Louis Cardinals ballgame. Even though we lost
the game, everyone had a good time.
We supported the fund-raiser weekend in support of Spencer Meagher and his battle against cancer. This included a
porkburger sale on Saturday and a barbecue dinner and silent art auction on Sunday afternoon. We hosted a Red Cross
Blood Drive in the Link which was well-supported by the community.
We offer our sympathy to the family of Jerry Smith who recently passed away. We hosted a meal for the family in the
Link.

“Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought.” – Abraham Lincoln

Page 2 – Illinois Newsletter – July 2023

ARNOLD VIEW CHURCH
Pastor: Adam Brown Reporter: Jodi Tanner
This morning as I sit down to write, most southern Illinoisians are experiencing the beginnings of drought to eventually
yield a plentiful harvest. Bible school, church camps, and national conventions serve as our refreshing rains and
encouragement to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus in our various mission fields of school, work, and
community. Several from our congregation are traveling to Raleigh to participate in the Vertical Three and National
Convention. We know worship and other activities will bless all of us when the testimonies of what they experience are
shared. One lesson from STELLAR, our recent Bible School, was to shine Jesus’ light when others are sad.
We want to extend our condolences to the family of Dola Mausey. On May 27, Dola went to be with her Lord and
Savior. Even in our sorrow, this is a reason to rejoice. Additionally, we’d like to extend congratulations to River and
Danielle Doss, who were married at Ina FWB Church June 10. Until next month, let us be encouraged by Psalm 73:26
knowing that God is the strength of our hearts and portion forever.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”. - Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

WALTONVILLE CHURCH
Pastor: Mark Wells Reporter: Tyler Klamm
Farewell Spring, we at Waltonville are welcoming Summer with prayer, faith, and hope. We have several large prayer
needs. Please pray for the future of our Church so that we may fulfill God’s will along the way to our building’s needs.
There’s one thing you can’t do in Heaven, and that’s bring people to know Jesus.
Waltonville Church is planning a youth day, dates are to be determined. Please keep an eye out for an update so we
can get a big fellowship together for the children of our congregations. There are a lot of big things working in
Waltonville and I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for our Church and community. Have a great month and
thank you for your prayers. God Bless.

BEAR POINT CHURCH

Pastor: Gowdy Cannon Reporter: Mona Lappin
Summer has officially arrived and the summer activities are well under way!
The Cannons enjoyed a little time off to enjoy family and have some fun adventures in Branson at the beginning of
the month. We then celebrated Pastor Gowdy’s 45th Birthday with an Ice Cream Social on June 7th. Great fellowship
and much sharing of stories about the “old camp” were shared.
Graduates were recognized on Sunday the 11th. Those being Mahaylah Mabrey and Alayna Hicks with College
degrees, Ava Hollis and Colton Payne graduating High School, and our youngest this year was Kynadi Kirk who graduated
8th grade. Congratulations to all our graduates and may God bless your future endeavors.
June 8th was Bear Point’s day to help out in the kitchen at Camp Hope, and Brother Gowdy was the evangelist during
Freshman /Sophomore week. What a privilege to serve in a ministry where God is working and changing lives of young
people!
Father’s Day is such a special day to honor our fathers, both those who are with us and those who have gone to be
with their Heavenly Father. Bear Point Church does this by gifting those in our service as well as posting pictures of
those Godly men on our bulletin board. To see people like George “Curly” Ragland as a young man, and others like
Sonny Bunton doing what they loved like fishing is such a blessing and also a great reminder of…HOW DEEP THE
FATHER’S LOVE FOR US still is!

RESCUE CHURCH
Pastor: Bryant Harris Youth Pastor: Ryan Payne Reporter: Donna Harmon
May 28th, another year for homecoming. Gary Clark brought the message this year. Brother Bryant had a message for
all the graduates on life's journey. We wish the very best for: Payton Heater, Aiden Beaty Hadleigh Swetz Gavin Johnson
and Zane Harmon. All the teachers have enjoyed you so much. Keaton McCollum is graduating 8th grade. Best of
everything as you move to Benton high. A lot of our kids are busy with youth camp. July 24th through 27th is vacation
Bible School. Hope to see some of you then. “What an awesome God we serve”.
Illinois Newsletter – July 2023 – Page 3
HAZEL DELL CHURCH
Pastor: Curtis Smith Reporter: Diana Kirk
Congratulations to our 2023 graduates. Zack Harrison and Nora Meyer graduated from Kindergarten and Jackson
Wright graduated from High School.
We were responsible for the Summer Youth Feeding Program during the week of June 5-9. Thank you to those who
were able to assist with this special program.
Our VBS is scheduled for June 26-30. Our program for this year is “Keepers of the Kingdom”. Looking forward to
another exciting opportunity to reach young souls for Christ.
Our D-groups are still meeting as we study the Book of John. The groups meet on the Second and Fourth Weeks of the
month. Brother Rusty Miller’s group meets on Tuesday evenings, Sister Emilee’s group meets on Thursday evenings and
Brother. Curtis’s group meets on Friday mornings.
Lydia Smith, daughter of Brother Curtis and Sister Emilee announced to the church that she got saved. What a
blessing!
Congratulations to Brother Doyle and Sister Earline Galloway on their 74th wedding anniversary.
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”- Psalms119:18

HARMONY CHURCH
Interim Pastor: Kent Dunford Reporter: Buffy Diefenbach
In the month of April we competed in CTS and have 2 competitors going to Nationals! Beginning of May we had our
Homecoming, and enjoyed having so many friends and family attend to help us celebrate 191 years of ministry! Thank
you to all who attended and we look forward to seeing you all again soon! Sister's of Strength and Master's of Men was
canceled this month due to a water main break.
The end of May was fairly uneventful at Harmony other than regular services. The first part of June we planned for
Church in the Park as usual during spring. However, a dear lady that played piano for us any time she could, went to be
with Jesus and we changed plans to be able to attend Joey Phelps' funeral that day. So, we moved our services to the
church in the evening and still had a great turn out!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”. - 2 Timothy 3:16

BENTON CHURCH
What a blessing it is to serve the Lord! The Summer lunch program has begun in town and we are thankful to be able
to play a small part in helping to feed the children of this town. On May 25th we met to clean the Chapel at Camp
Hope. We also had the opportunity to provide brownies and help serve lunch during Junior/Senior week of camp. We
had a great Homecoming Service on June 4th followed by a great meal! Pastor Phillip Kennedy attended the monthly
Pastors breakfast at Bonnie Cafe in Mount Vernon on June 5th. We had our Fellowship with the Pastor on June 12 and
we all enjoyed Coffee and donuts!
We are blessed with many wonderful people in our congregation but we are all excited that Alisa Leffler was honored
with Educator of the Year by the Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce earlier this year and was honored in a
parade during the month of May.
We are looking forward to our VBS beginning July 17-21. We are doing Submerged vbs. It will be from 6:00pm to
7:30pm each night in our gym! Come join us!

Note: Next month we will have a report from our National Convention held this month,
the Illinois winners in CTS competition and a report from Camp Hope ministries for this summer.
Please note on the following page, the addresses of our churches. If corrections need to be made,
please send that information to this office.

Page 4 – Illinois Newsletter – July 2023


EAST CENTRAL
DISTRICT
Blue Point FWB Church
Co Rd 1975N
Cisne, IL 62823
Pastor: Ernie Lewis
Decatur First FWB Church
2709 N 27th Street
Decatur, IL 62526
Pastor: Steven Cantrell
Pleasant View FWB Church
3601 Kell Road
Walnut Hill, IL 62893
Pastor: David Burgess
Calvary FWB Church
2868 S Broadway
Salem, IL 62881
Interim Pastor: Ryan Spradlin
First FWB Church
2610 Logan Street
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
Pastor: Craig Smith
Crossroads FWB Church
1501 N. Keller Drive
Effingham, IL 62401
Pastor: Jeff Pope
Oak Valley FWB Church
1301 Co Rd 1325E
Geff, IL 62842
No Pastor
FOX RIVER ASS’N
Northwest Community
Church
5318 W. Diversey Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
Pastor: David K. Potete
Living Hope FWB Church
9800 Crawford Ave
Skokie, IL 60076
Pastor: Daniel Mann
ADDRESSES FOR CHURCHES IN OUR STATE ASSOCIATION
New Life FWB Church
8506 North 2nd Street
Machesney Park, IL 61115
Pastor: Kenneth Hendley
Bridge Church
1906 W Bradley Ave
Champaign, IL 61821
Pastor: Ed Goode
Solid Rock FWB Church
36 W 840 South Street
Elgin, IL 60123
Elliot Anderson - Interim
Roca Sólida Iglesia Bautista
Libre
36 W 540 South Street
Elgin, IL 60123
Pastor: Horacio Minjares
Palabra De Vida Iglesia
8659 S. Sayre Avenue
Burbank, IL 60459
Pastor: Ilian Perez
METRO-EAST ASS’N
Connect Church
1417 Herbert Street
South Roxana, IL 62087
Pastor: Dan Smith
Youth Director: Caleb Gifford
Peace FWB Church
3725 Horseshoe Lake Rd.
Granite City, IL 62040
Pastor: Corey Penn
Discovery Family Church
699 S. Bluff Rd
Collinsville, IL 62234
Pastor: Stephen Gray
Victory FWB Church
223 Scott Troy Road
O'Fallon, IL 62269
Pastor: Jon Cannon
Heritage FWB Church
3436 S. Douglas
Springfield, IL 62791
No Pastor
PRAY FOR OUR CHURCHES AND PASTORS
NORTHEN ILLINOIS SOUTH CENTAL
CONFERENCE CONFERENCE
First FWB Church
522 N. 10th Ave. Alexander FWB Church
Hoopeston, IL 60942 23335 Brownville Church
Pastor: Paul Shreiner
Road
Thebes, IL 62990
Pastor: Sam Ramdail
REND LAKE QUARTERLY Johnston City FWB
CONFERENCE Church (JCity Church)
609 Monroe Ave
Bakerville FWB Church Johnston City, IL 62951
6513 N. IL Hwy 37 Pastor: Randy Carney
Bonnie, IL 62816
Pastor: Robert Craig
Pittsburg FWB Church
16891 Pittsburg Rd.
Ina FWB Church
201 W. Third St. Marion, IL 62974
Ina, IL 62846 Pastor: Eddie Donelson
Pastor: Brad Ryan
Arnold View FWB Church
Eastside Community Church 5115 Arnold View Ln.
549 Cimarron Road Creal Springs, IL 62922
Hamel, IL 62046
Pastor: Adam Brown
Pastor: Daniel Renfro
Bear Point FWB Church Harmony FWB Church
15088 Bear Point Rd. 14715 S. County Line Rd.
Sesser, IL 62884 West Frankfort, IL 62896
Pastor: Goudy Cannon Interim Pastor:
Kent Dunford
Nason FWB Church
170 S. Crosno Ave. First FWB Church
Nason, IL 62866
1208 E. Bond Street
No Pastor
Benton, IL 62812
Rescue FWB Church Pastor: Philip Kennedy
15363 Ewing Road
Ewing, IL 62836 Mt. Olive FWB Church
Pastor: Bryant Harris Rt. 37 S.
Benton, IL 62812
Hazel Dell FWB Church Pastor: Paul Leffler
14897 N. Rend City Rd.
Sesser, IL 62884
Pastor: Curtis Smith
New Hope FWB Church
Naples Lane
Ina, IL 62846
Pastor: Larry Cook
Waltonville FWB Church
411 W. Main St.
Waltonville, IL 62894
Pastor: Mark Wells
Illinois Newsletter – July 2023 – Page 5
 Illinois Free Will Baptist July 2023 U. S. Postage Paid
Non-Profit Org.
NEWSLETTER Bonnie, Illinois
Permit Number 1
Illinois State Association of Free Will Baptists
P.O. Box 1 Bonnie, Illinois 62816-0001

OR CURRENT RESIDENT

Note to Reporters: The deadline for articles to be published in the August Newsletter is July 15th.
Please submit all articles to <davidshores37@gmail.com>

Page 6 – Illinois Newsletter – July 2023