We are excited for all of our guests to see and use our new multi-purpose building. We want the preaching of God's Word to be the highlight of the week; however, the conference was never intended to have preaching from morning until night. Everything is planned for Christians to just get out of the world for a time and be stirred up by the speakers and music, but also have time for reflection alone, along with relaxation and recreation with their families. We've always provided transportation to the Chicago museums, zoos, and other attractions, but now those who wish to will have much more to do right here on campus. Bring your swimming or racquetball gear if that interests you, or just plan to relax in our new expansive library. The facility far exceeds what our hopes were. It will help your stay here be even more enjoyable.
2005 - BEST YEAR YET
God gave us, I believe, the most wonderful year of our history in 2005. It was highlighted by a powerful three-week revival in July with lives still being affected by it.
Then, to thank God for His blessings over these 35 years, we wanted to reach as many lost as possible. We added up over 116,000 contacts at the end of the year. Another goal was to break our old year-long record for our bus ministry, which God enabled us to do with an average of 1,330 people riding each week. As usual we know we could have done better, but I praise God for what He has done through us and for the hundreds of hard workers we have been given who want to be used.
We are also having a very good "college year" with the majority of young people wanting to be used of God and striving for improvement. We are thrilled with the hundreds of our graduates in His service around the world and are thankful for the students whom we are training now.
I am the most happy with the families of our graduates as I visit with them. They are raising their children in the Bible way. Almost all are also old-fashioned, Bible-believing, soulwinning, separated workers. We praise God for the opportunity we had to help shape their lives.
APRIL 24-27
Again, we as a church are looking forward to our annual Preaching Conference April 24-27. In recent years, we have been thrilled with the challenging sermons and results. Over 30 years ago these meetings were begun so that our members could hear some of the finest fundamental Baptist preachers in America. Because we enjoyed everything so much, we invited Chicago area churches to join us. Then, with the advent of our college, a nation-wide conference developed. Through the years, this has become one of the best and most well-attended gatherings of old-fashioned independent Baptists in the nation. These meetings have become synonymous with great preaching and music. Added to this, it is a wonderful time of fellowship with like-minded preachers and lay people from California to Maine and Canada to Texas.
We are praying that this year will not be an exception, and we have no reason to believe it will be. It is our goal to invite old-fashioned, strong, fundamental, Baptist preachers. Bob Kelley will be with us again, along with Don Green, David Cloud, and R. B. Ouellette, among others. Please pray about joining us. I have a burning desire to be stirred up as a pastor and church to move forward for God in these difficult days. We want this conference to help us and our guests to be strengthened to see more accomplished for Him.
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