Our name expresses our collective identity in terms of geography (Chicagoland) and theology (Baptists). Last month we focused on what it means to be Baptist. But what can we say about Chicagoland and the 9,618,502 people it represents? Here are four stats that put things in perspective for me:
1:1000 – That is the church to population ratio missiologists tell us is needed to really reach an area with the gospel. By the most generous definition of a church, this is the current U.S. average (it was 1:430 in the early 20th century).
2,100/year – That is the net church gain needed to keep up with projected population growth over the next 25 years in the U.S.
-1,500/year – That is the net church change in 2019 (3,000 churches were started and 4,500 closed). Keep in mind that this is a pre-pandemic number! We’re still waiting on the latest figures, and we can expect them to be much worse.
1:3206 – That is the number of evangelical churches per person in Chicagoland. This means that we need to plant 6,519 more churches to reach our city. And this makes Chicagoland the 4th least reached major metro area in the U.S.
This is our mission field.
Here is someone to know about – Pastor Jon Kelly.
If you don’t know Jon’s story, you can read more about it here and be encouraged! He is currently the Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church in the Austin neighborhood of the city - a church he and Kent Steiner planted in 2016. Chicago West actively serves local youth and families in their community through mentorship and sports. Partnering with other churches and the local police, families have been experiencing the love of Christ through his church on the ground. The new SEND Relief Ministry Center is located at Chicago West and will be a place for people from all over the country to come and learn about urban ministry and serve other Chicagoland Baptist churches. Jon has been married to his wife Danielle for almost 12 years. They have 5 children: Khaalid, Ben, Judah, and two in heaven. In his free time, Jon loves to walk/hike, read, and travel.
Here are some events to know about –
Weekly Prayer Call every Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. Just click here to join anytime.
Monthly Discussion on the first Wednesday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Join here. On 11/2 we’ll be discussing “The Benefits and Liabilities of Being SBC.”
Upcoming Lunches for fellowship:
SOUTH (10/27) – Noon at Household of Faith in Markham | RSVP HERE
CITY (11/17) – Noon at the Chicagoland Baptists Building| RSVP HERE
NORTH (1/19) – TBD | RSVP HERE
WEST (2/23) – Noon at Endiro Coffee in Aurora | RSVP HERE
Jorge Melendez will be leading a Domino Effect Evangelism Training for our Spanish-speaking churches from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on 10/29 at Brainard Avenue. Contact him for more details.
The IBSA Annual Meeting is 11/1-3 in Edwardsville. Let me or Bryan know if you want to join us for a Chicagoland Baptists dinner on Wednesday evening. It’s on us!
Please plan to attend the Chicagoland Baptists Annual Meeting on 11/12 from 8:00 to 10:30 AM. More information here.
SEND Español is having an event for Hispanic church planting on 11/12 at Ashburn. Sign up here.
Here is something else to know about –
Does your church have an excess of worship leaders? If so, would you be willing to share? Or does your church ever need someone to come help lead the worship? One of our church planters – Vic Loera – is a gifted musician that has done music supply at churches. He is putting together a Worship Collective that would be able to provide worship leaders to help out Chicagoland Baptist churches in need. Contact him for more details if you’re interested.
And if you would like me to come preach at your church, I am available 11/20 and 12/18. Just let me know!
If you have something to offer, a need, a question, or an announcement, please post it on our Private Facebook Group. This group is only for pastors and leaders in Chicagoland Baptist churches.
For the Sake of the Name,
Nathan Carter
Chicagoland Baptists
Executive Director/AMS
1356 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL 60622
nathancarter@chicagolandbaptists.org
312.493.3726
You can donate to Chicagoland Baptists here.
You can see past editions of Things to Know here.
Our state and national partners for resourcing the church and reaching the lost: