JANUARY 20 - 21, 2026
iLLINOIS bAPTIST sTATE aSSOCIATION BUILDING
THE LONG CLIMB: Doing the Hard Work to Reach the Next Generation
ILLINOIS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT is a chance for you to connect with other leaders and share what they’re experiencing as well as hear from leaders who specialize in helping you understand and prepare to go where God is calling them and their church.
SPEAKER
NATE ADAMS
Nate Adams is Executuve Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. For 17 years, he was in leadership at Christianity Today International, a major publisher headquartered in Carol Stream. While in the Chicago suburbs, he helped plant and grow a new church. Later he served as vice president at the North American Mission Board, overseeing media and mobilization ministries. In 2006 he become the Executive Director of IBSA.
SPEAKER
ANDY ADDIS
Andy Addis is a pastor, leader, motivational speaker/trainer and author. Primarily, Andy claims his most important roles are Christian, husband and father.
CrossPoint Church is a multisite network of churches with numerous locations throughout Kansas and a congregation of more than 2,500.
Andy is the author of several books: Reading It Right, Count It All Joy, Doing More Together, Rhythms and BLOTCH.
SPEAKER
SETH CONERLY
Seth Conerly is a PASTOR and SPEAKER living in the St. Louis, Metro-East area where he currently serves as the Senior Pastor at Metro Community Church. Â He is married to the love of his life, Taylor, and they have three daughters named Finley, Chloe, and Daisy.
Seth’s purpose in life is to communicate the joy and weight of the gospel in a way that is dynamic, engaging, and transformational!Â
SPEAKER
RAYDEN HOLLIS
Rayden Hollis is lead pastor of Red Hill Church. He and his wife, Sarah, moved to the Metro East in 2014, and together they have three children: Kaleb, Nathan, and Aubri.
Rayden has served churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois. He is passionate about church planting, Oklahoma State athletics, and friendship. He enjoys reading, playing golf, spending time with his family, and encouraging church planters.
Schedule
Day 1 Tuesday, January 20Â
1:30 pm Registration Opens
2:00 pm Main Session 1
       Worship & Keynote Speaker:
       Nate Adams
3:30 pm Break Out 1
4:30 pm Break
4:45 pm Break Out 2
5:45 pm Dinner Break
7:00 pm Main Session 2
           Worship and Keynote Speaker:
           Seth Conerly
8:15 pm End of Day
Day 2 Wednesday, January 21
8:00 am Coffee & Donuts
8:30 am Main Session 3
           Worship and Keynote Speaker:
           Andy Addis
9:45 am Break Out 3
11:00 am Main Session 4
       Worship and Keynote Speaker:
       Rayden Hollis
12:30 pm Optional Lunch (to go)
- How our church is reaching the next generation. (Ronnie Tabor)
- Creating an environment that fosters engagement with the next generation. (Daniel Nemmers)
- Steps toward a worship service that resonates with the next generation. (Raymond Wright)
- Reaching college students near and far from a campus. (Nick Volkening)
- Winning the next generation for Jesus. (Jason Lane)
- Introducing Generation Z (John Coin)
- How our church is reaching the next generation. (Seth Conerly)
- Creating an environment that fosters engagement with the next generation. (Daniel Nemmers)
- The “Hurting Generation” goes to church. (Michael Awbrey)
- Next Gen by Design/Human Development and Discipleship. (Michelle Laird)
- Leading through the emotions of change to reach the next generation. (Matt Woodford)
- An Assimilation strategy that would work for all size churches. (Robbie Smith)
- Reaching college students near and far from a campus. (Nick Volkening)
- Q&A with Andy Addis
- How our church is reaching the next generation. (Rayden Hollis)
- Steps towards a worship service that resonates with the next generation. (Raymond Wright)
- Next Gen by Design/Human Development and Discipleship. (Michelle Laird)
- Leading through the emotions of change to reach the next generation. (Matt Woodford)
- Winning the next generation for Jesus. (Jason Lane)
- Introducing Generation Z (John Coin)