Things to Know (June)

Happy Summer!

Jun 20, 2025

The correlation between the health of the church and the spiritual, emotional, and physical health of the pastor is well-founded. Pastors cannot lead well on empty; visioning capacity is blurred, patience is thin, the ability to make sound decisions suffers, and one’s moral compass can become compromised.

Did you know IBSA offers pastors a free Pastoral Wellness Check-In designed to assess personal vitality? This short survey helps pastors discern how they are doing in areas such as spiritual well-being, coping with stress, managing conflict, communicating vision, and intrinsic enthusiasm. The results of this assessment could be the first step to developing a plan for personal wellness that can lead to ministry breakthroughs. If you would like to know how to access this free assessment you can reach me directly at bryanprice@ibsa.org. I am more than happy to get you started and discuss possible next steps after getting your results.

Here is somewhere to know about – Austin

This month we have been praying for churches on Chicago’s West Side. Austin is one of the many neighborhoods in that area and one of the largest in population. Austin is the home of Columbus Park, one of the nation’s only parks to be designated a National Historic Landmark. A ride through Austin will also reveal an opulent array of architecture from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, including the J.J. Walser Jr. House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the F.R. Schock House. And if you happen to be passing through, don’t forget to stop at the famous MacArthur’s restaurant for some of your favorite soul food dishes.

Columbus Park Refectory and Lagoon

With all that the Austin neighborhood has to offer, there is still a strong undercurrent of spiritual warfare. Despite its rich history Austin is still starving for the gospel. Pray for Empowerment Community Church, Chicago West Bible Church, and several other Chicagoland Baptist churches in and around the area who are working diligently to cultivate gospel fruit in rocky soil.

5804 W. Midway Park

Here are some events to know about –

Weekly Prayer Calls every Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM.
Monthly Discussions on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. On 7/2 our topic will be – “The Baptist Faith & Message Article V – “God’s Purpose of Grace”
Upcoming Pastors’ Lunches for fellowship:
- CENTRAL (6/26) – Noon at Mt. Carmel Children of God | RSVP HERE
- CANCELED FOR JULY
- NORTH (8/28) – Noon at Golf Road Baptist Church | RSVP HERE
- WEST (9/25) – Noon at Springbrook Community Church | RSVP HERE
- SOUTH (10/30) – Noon at Centennial Missionary Baptist Church | RSVP HERE
We’re hosting the Minister’s Wives & Widows Luncheon at the Garfield Park Conservatory on 9/27. Brenda Croston is the speaker. Mark your calendars.
IBSA is hosting a Strategic Planning Retreat at Streator Baptist Camp 10/14-15. Each participant will receive free meals, a private room, and space to do long-range planning. Contact paulwestbrook@ibsa.org for more info.
The annual All Church Equipping Conference (ACEC) put on by our African American Pastors Fellowship is 10/17-18. Jeff Iorg is the keynote speaker.
Send Network is having a One Day Gathering on 10/29 at Cityline Bible Church in Niles. Check it out here.
The Chicagoland Baptists Annual Meeting is on 11/15 from 10:00 AM to noon at the Torrey-Gray Auditorium on the campus of Moody Bible Institute. We want you to bring a bunch of people from your church and make it a city-wide celebration.

Here is another thing to know about –

CarePortal and Children’s Hunger Fund are two ways that your church can engage your community with the gospel while meeting tangible needs. Contact Qusai Mahmud qmahmud@sendrelief.org for more details on both.

On Behalf of Nathan (who’s on sabbatical),

Dr. Bryan R. Price

Illinois Baptist State Association

Regional Church Consultant – Chicago Metro

bryanprice@ibsa.org

630.908.0853

You can see a map of all the member churches of Chicagoland Baptists here.

You can apply to officially affiliate with Chicagoland Baptists here.

You can donate to Chicagoland Baptists here.

You can see past editions of ‘Things to Know’ here.

You can sign up for our weekly ‘A Quick Word’ here.

The mission of Chicagoland Baptists is to facilitate relationships among the Baptist churches of this Great City so that they can more effectively fulfill the Great Commission.

Here are our state and national partners for resourcing the church and reaching the lost: