2025 IBSA
ANNUAL MEETING

Leading Your Church with Vision without Blowing It Up

9:00 AM | Room
HOST: Josh Bledsoe (Health Team Director of IBSA)
PANEL: Paul Cooper (Pastor of Marshall Baptist Church), Daniel Good (Pastor of Savory), Noah Lee (Pastor of Tremont Baptist Church)

How can we develop and cast Biblical vision for our churches, while keeping them united? Examine Biblical disciplines and practices to cast vision for your church and hear practical, real-life examples from current IBSA pastors.

Josh recently began working as the IBSA Health Team Director in April 2025. Prior to his work at IBSA, Josh was the senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Monticello, IL where he currently lives with his wife, Holly and three boys. Josh has a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry with a concentration in Church Revitalization.

Paul has been the lead pastor at Marshall Baptist Church for 18 years.  He currently resides in Marshall with his wife, Amy and 3 daughters. Paul received a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Daniel is the lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Savoy, Illinois which is a campus-reaching church and is home to Cornerstone Collegiate, a campus ministry at the University of Illinois. Daniel has a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry in Church Revitalization through Midwestern. Daniel is married to the love of his life, Hope. In his free time, Daniel enjoys golfing, playing board games and spending time with friends, watching movies and sports.

Noah has been the pastor of Tremont Baptist Church in Tremont since 2009. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, AR) in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (Jacksonville, TX) with a Master of Divinity in 2007. Noah has been married to Sarah for 25 years and they have two children (Abigail, 19) and Matthew (17).

God Has a Plan for Every Church

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Colin Pugh (NAMB Replant Team and Urban Church Replanter)

God has a plan for every church, and that plan has been entrusted to believers to fulfill. In this session, you will be both motivated and challenged to carry out the mandate God has given us. Together, we will answer three important questions.
1. What is God’s plan for the church?
2. How are we to carry out God’s plan for the church?
3. What results can we expect when we faithfully follow God’s plan?

Colin Pugh II is the Senior Pastor at Clinton Baptist Church, where he was installed in September of 2019. Born and raised in Washington, DC, he graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1992. Pastor Pugh responded to the Holy Spirit’s tugging and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ in 2000.  Pastor Pugh later graduated from Washington Bible College, present-day Lancaster Bible College. He also successfully completed an intensive study at Georgetown College in Kentucky under Dr. Joel Gregory, with special emphasis on textual exegesis, hermeneutics, and homiletics.

Who Are These Kids?! Understanding & Discipling Gen Alpha

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Mitch Nelson (Director of Engagement, Awana)

Kids today face anxiety, identity struggles, family instability, and constant cultural shifts. Who are the kids in your ministry, and how can you disciple them well? This breakout unpacks the biggest influences shaping them and gives practical strategies to meet them where they are and lead them toward lasting faith.

Mitch Nelson is a husband, dad to two young boys, and an advocate for child discipleship. He serves the mission of Awana with a heart to help kids know, love, and serve Jesus for life. A graduate of Lincoln Christian University with a degree in Spiritual Formation, Mitch brings both personal conviction and ministry focus to the urgent need for the next generation to be rooted in lasting faith. At home and in ministry, he’s passionate about equipping parents, churches, and leaders to disciple children in the way of Jesus.

Shepherding a Student Ministry: Strategy, Structure, & True Shepherding

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Dan Gibson (Next Gen Strategist, Missouri Baptist Convention)

Ministry feels overwhelming – we’re busier than ever yet losing ground. This session explores how to root strategy and structure in true shepherding.

Daniel Gibson serves as the Next Gen Strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention, equipping student’s ministry leaders and inspiring the next generation to pursue faith, ministry, and missions.

Training Sunday School Teachers to Lead Bible studies that People Want to Attend

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Ken Braddy (Director of Sunday School & Network Partnerships, Lifeway Christian Resources)

Group members don’t want a “second sermon,” and they want their teachers to do more than just talk. People desire more interactive and engaging Bible study. Discover proven ways to help teachers manage the teaching experience by getting their groups talking, sharing, and learning.

Ken equips churches nationwide to build stronger, healthier groups. With a passion rooted in Acts 2, he believes discipleship thrives best in community—and he’s been helping churches live that out for over three decades. Ken formerly managed Lifeway’s adult Bible studies, impacting over 3 million adults weekly through trusted resources. He’s authored 13 books, hosts a podcast, leads webinars, writes widely on group ministry, and trains leaders across the country both virtually and in person. A seasoned church practitioner, Ken has revitalized group ministries in churches of all sizes. Today, Ken continues to teach and lead groups, living out his belief that we are, truly, better together.

Tune-Up Time: Evaluating What’s Working in Worship

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKERS: Robert Ward (Worship and Media Pastor, Redemption Church, Johnston City) and John Odle

Is your church’s worship connecting with your congregation—or just following a routine? In this session, we’ll explore how lay leaders can help assess the health and impact of worship in their local context. You’ll learn simple, effective ways to evaluate what’s meaningful, what may need adjustment, and how worship can better reflect your church’s mission and values. Whether you’re on the platform or in the pew, this “tune-up” will give you fresh tools and insight to support vibrant, Spirit-led worship.

Robert Ward is a dedicated husband and proud father of four, serving faithfully as the Worship and Media Pastor at Redemption Church for the past sixteen years. With a deep passion for adult ministry and a gift for building and developing worship teams, Robert has become a trusted voice in both pastoral leadership and creative ministry. In addition to his pastoral role, Robert brings extensive experience in church website management and online media consulting, equipping churches to strengthen their digital presence and expand their reach. His heart for the local church, combined with his practical expertise in media and worship, make him a valuable resource for leaders navigating the intersection of ministry and modern technology.

John Odle is a follower of Jesus who recently retired as the bivocational Worship Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. He served the same congregation for over 46 years while running his own collision repair business. He lives in West Frankfort with his wife Sally. Together they have four children and 17 grandchildren. He loves spending time with his family, fishing, hunting and playing trumpet in several area musical groups.

Understanding Biblical Evangelism

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Dr. Jake Roudkovski (Professor of Evangelism and Pastoral Leadership, New Orleans Seminary)

In this break-out session, participants will explore inaccurate and inadequate views of evangelism in order to arrive to the Biblical definition of evangelism. The further discussion will focus on ways to incorporate intentional evangelism into a believer’s daily life by overcoming natural fears and anxieties.

Dr. Jake  Roudkovski is a professor of evangelism and pastoral leadership at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary occupying the Perry Sanders Chair of Pastoral Leadership as well as the Associate Dean of Professional Doctoral Programs (DMin, DEdMin, and EdD). As a frequent speaker at conferences, training events, and denominational meetings around the world, Dr. Roudkovski served as senior pastor of three churches and transitional pastor in seven other churches. He recently completed a two-year ministry as transitional pastor at First Baptist Church of Franklinton, LA.

Back to the Streets: Rediscovering the Mission of Compassion Need

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKERS: Ronda Jolly (Heartland, Alton), Julie Dupree (Journey Church, East Peoria), and Melissa Pryer (Ten Mile, Mcleansboro)

Learn strategies and practical ways to equip your church to meet real needs, bring hope in brokenness, and point people to Jesus.

Ronda Jolly is a registered nurse and has worked in healthcare for over 35 years in various roles. She is passionate about serving others and sharing the love of Jesus in both her professional and personal life. As a member of Heartland Baptist Church, she finds joy in outreach ministry ork. She is also a proud mother of four grown children and grandmother to six wonderful grandchildren.

Melissa Pryer has been married to Jared for 25 years -we serve together in ministry, including teaching and missions. She is a mother to two teenage daughters, whom I have home educated for the past 15 years.  (Lily is a sophomore at Murray State University and Laney is a sophomore in high school) She currently serves as a Project Manager for Classical Conversations, Inc. She enjoys traveling, long conversations with friends, and a good cup of coffee.

Julie Dupree is a registered nurse with 22 years of experience in healthcare, specializing in hospice care for children and adults. For the past eight years, she has dedicated her efforts to education and training, currently working as an Instructional Designer to develop curriculum for hospice and home health clinicians. Outside of her professional life, Julie can be found running marathons for Team World Vision advocating for those living in poverty. She is married to Pastor Eric Dupree and is a proud mother of two teenagers. The family attends the Journey Church in East Peoria.

Catch the Vision and Learn the Details for a Missionary Pipeline

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Chris Derry (IMB Church Mobilization)

The gospel and God’s Word remain consistent, but every church is unique in its setting, members, giftings, and opportunities. A pipeline template allows a church to customize its approach to developing and sending out its people. Envision year after year people being sent out from your church to impact lostness at home, work and to the ends of the earth.

Chris serves as the Director of Church and Campus Engagement for the International Mission Board in Richmond, Virginia. Chris leads a team of mobilization strategists and recruiters focused on serving church and university ministries for the sake of partnership in the Great Commission.

How to Develop a Heart of Outreach in Your Community (Description & Bio coming soon)

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Jon Kelly (Pastor Chicago West Bible Church)

The main goal of church planting is to grow a church that has a heart for reaching people in the community.  Jon Kelly will be walking through developing that heart for a community, but also how the church can keep a heart for reaching the community.

Jon Kelly serves as the Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church on the Westside of Chicago. Jon holds a B.A in Theology from Moody Bible Institute, a M.A in Biblical Studies at Wheaton College, and a Doctorate in Global Missions from Southern Theological Seminary. Jon’s heart is for the global church and encouraging the saints. He and his wife Danielle have been married for 15 years and have 3 sons.

Biblical Unity – Why is the Baptist faith and Message So Important? Q&A with Dr. chuck Kelly (description coming soon)

9:00 AM | Room
Host: Nate Adams (Executive Director of IBSA)

iglesias saludables

9:00 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Milton Alcendra (Pastor en la Iglesia Bautista Ashburn)

Conceptos y herramientas básicas para ser una iglesia saludable.

Don’t Pastor Alone

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Doug Munton (Pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, IL and IBSA President)

Never have we needed each other more, yet never have we been more isolated. Ministry can be difficult and is all too often lonely. This interactive breakout will discuss the benefits and blessings of doing ministry together and will suggest some practical ways to lean into connections.

Doug Munton is the IBSA President and the Senior Pastor of FBC O’Fallon, IL where he has served for 30+ years. He grew up in Illinois, the son of a bivocational pastor. He went to Wheaton College and Southwestern Seminary and has taught preaching and evangelism at Liberty and Midwestern seminaries.

Preaching that Disciples Your Church and Reaches Your Mission Field

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Colin Pugh (NAMB Replant Team and Urban Church Replanter)

In this session, we will learn how to use preaching that engages, disciples, and motivates the church to reach the mission field with the gospel. Together, we will walk through three key steps:
1. Preaching that equips your congregation for missions.
2. Preaching that mobilizes your congregation to missions.
3. Preaching that empowers your congregation for missions.

Colin Pugh II is the Senior Pastor at Clinton Baptist Church, where he was installed in September of 2019. Born and raised in Washington, DC, he graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1992. Pastor Pugh responded to the Holy Spirit’s tugging and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ in 2000.  Pastor Pugh later graduated from Washington Bible College, present-day Lancaster Bible College. He also successfully completed an intensive study at Georgetown College in Kentucky under Dr. Joel Gregory, with special emphasis on textual exegesis, hermeneutics, and homiletics.

Missional Cooperation- Why is the Cooperative Program So Important Q&A with Dr. Chuck Kelly

10:30 AM | Room
Host: Nate Adams (Executive Director of IBSA)

Dr. Chuck Kelley is a follower of Jesus and Distinguished Research Professor of Evangelism at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Kelley holds two degrees from NOBTS: a master of divinity and a doctor of theology. Kelley served as president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for 23 years and evangelism professor for more than 35 years. He retired as president of NOBTS in 2019 and became Distinguished Research Professor of Evangelism and President Emeritus. In addition to his research and writing, he continues to be an itinerant preacher and evangelist. Kelley also served as a member of the Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) Study Committee, formed in 1999, to review the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message and bring recommendations for revisions, which resulted in the 2000 BF&M.

Tough conversations, Gospel truth

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Mitch Nelson (Director of Engagement, Awana)

Discover how to tackle tough topics with confidence and clarity, equipping kids with biblical truth in an age of confusion. From grief, heartache, and loss to navigating an uncertain world, learn how to walk alongside kids and help them develop a strong, gospel-centered worldview that will anchor them through it all.

Mitch Nelson is a husband, dad to two young boys, and an advocate for child discipleship. He serves the mission of Awana with a heart to help kids know, love, and serve Jesus for life. A graduate of Lincoln Christian University with a degree in Spiritual Formation, Mitch brings both personal conviction and ministry focus to the urgent need for the next generation to be rooted in lasting faith. At home and in ministry, he’s passionate about equipping parents, churches, and leaders to disciple children in the way of Jesus.

.

Rooted and Reaching – Shaping Women’s Discipleship that Lasts

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Carmen Halsey-Menghini (Leadership Development Director of IBSA)

Discover simple, effective ways to grow a women’s discipleship ministry in your church—no large team or big budget required. Learn how to build lasting relationships, deepen spiritual roots, and equip women to reach others right where they are. Strong women’s discipleship strengthens the whole church—raising leaders, multiplying impact, and creating a culture of spiritual growth that lasts.

Carmen has worked at IBSA for 12 years with her current position being the Leadership Development Director on the Growth Team. Carmen has a heart for discipleship that leads to leadership development and discipleship that is replicated in the local church.

Cultivating a Culture of Worship – Move from Platform to Lifestyle

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Melissa Milbourn (Worship & Media Director, Marshall Baptist Church)

Learn how to foster a culture where worship flows from God’s presence not performance, shaping hearts in you, your team and your congregation.

Melissa has a passion for leading worship at events across the country. She is wholeheartedly devoted to leading people closer to Christ. She is married to Denny and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

Tolerances: Helping Students Make Decisions According to God’s Will

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Dan Gibson (Next Gen Strategist, Missouri Baptist Convention)

Understanding God’s will is hard – helping students do the same feels impossible. This session explores how our callings can serve as tolerances to guide decisions.

Daniel Gibson serves as the Next Gen Strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention, equipping student’s ministry leaders and inspiring the next generation to pursue faith, ministry, and missions.

How to Train High-Quality Small Group Leaders

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Ken Braddy (Director of Sunday School & Network Partnerships, Lifeway Christian Resources)

Bible study leaders want to be good at their craft, and they need your help! Discover the answer to four key questions to equip them well: Does training matter? How often should group leaders be trained? What topics should I address? Where do I find resources to help me?

Ken equips churches nationwide to build stronger, healthier groups. With a passion rooted in Acts 2, he believes discipleship thrives best in community—and he’s been helping churches live that out for over three decades. Ken formerly managed Lifeway’s adult Bible studies, impacting over 3 million adults weekly through trusted resources. He’s authored 13 books, hosts a podcast, leads webinars, writes widely on group ministry, and trains leaders across the country both virtually and in person. A seasoned church practitioner, Ken has revitalized group ministries in churches of all sizes. Today, Ken continues to teach and lead groups, living out his belief that we are, truly, better together.

How to Develop a Strategy of Biblical Evangelism for Your Church

10:30 AM | Room
Host: Dr. Jake Roudkovski (Professor of Evangelism and Pastoral Leadership, New Orleans Seminary)

In this session, church leaders will learn how to avoid a trap of having fifty-two disconnected Sundays on their church calendar by designing a strategy of Biblical evangelism for their respective ministry settings. Scriptural components of plowing, sowing, watering, harvesting, and multiplication will be analyzed and serve as basic foundational components for a strategy with practical examples and resources.

Dr. Jake  Roudkovski is a professor of evangelism and pastoral leadership at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary occupying the Perry Sanders Chair of Pastoral Leadership as well as the Associate Dean of Professional Doctoral Programs (DMin, DEdMin, and EdD). As a frequent speaker at conferences, training events, and denominational meetings around the world, Dr. Roudkovski served as senior pastor of three churches and transitional pastor in seven other churches. He recently completed a two-year ministry as transitional pastor at First Baptist Church of Franklinton, LA.

Being Prepped to Receive the Fastest Responding Demographic (College Students)

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: (coming soon)

Description coming soon

Bio Coming Soon

la iglesia local y la gran comision 

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Ivan Ballines (Missions Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Emanuel)

Liderar a la iglesia para servir como misioneros requiere visión, capacitación y estrategia. Ven a conocer nuestra trayectoria y cómo puedes liderar a tu iglesia para evangelizar a las naciones.

Ivan es el director de misiones de la Iglesia Bautista Emanuel de Aurora. Desde el 2012 junto con otras iglesias participan en viajes de corto plazo apoyando con la plantacion de iglesias a misioneros de la imb en diferentes pais(india,senegal,marruecos)

Serving on mission together

10:30 AM | Room
SPEAKER: Shannon Ford (IBSA Mission Director and IMB Missionary)

Through various stages of life opportunities and possibilities of serving in the church, on staff or in a missionary role are different. Come hear the lessons learned and even the struggles faced when couples and families seek to serve the Lord together. You don’t have to wait for the perfect situation to serve.

Shannon Ford serves as the IBSA Mission Director and previously served with IMB and in the local church with his wife and sons. We’ll have a guest missionary joining us who has some security concerns, or we would post names and location.