Report: The 2024 BCI Ministry Conference, Pastors Conference, & Annual Meeting

BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus shared, “Each year, we have a unique ministry context and corresponding opportunities to equip and encourage our pastors and church leaders. This year, Dan and Londa Wiersema’s story of God’s sovereignty and the church’s support during their cancer journey, Brent Leatherwood’s insights on handling cultural anxiety amid this current election season, and Ed Gregory’s final address all resonated deeply with the challenges we face as a fellowship of local churches in Iowa.”

Ministry Conference Highlights

This year’s expanded Ministry Conference welcomed church leaders in a variety of ministry roles, with attendees from across Iowa gathering for breakout sessions, fellowship, and inspiration. Over a delicious brunch, BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus interviewed Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission for the SBC (ERLC), who provided timely insights for navigating cultural issues during this pre-election season. The conference also offered more than a dozen breakout sessions led by both local leaders and out-of-state guests, including Philip Nation from Thomas Nelson Bibles and NAMB Send Network Regional Director, Ryan Johnston.

Eric Schumacher, BCI’s Pastoral Ministry Director, shared, “The 2024 Ministry Conference expanded our focus from pastors and wives to serving and equipping all church leaders and members in various contexts. I was encouraged by the hearty participation in breakout sessions, the fellowship between sessions, and the overall sense of unity and partnership in the task of reaching Iowans for Christ. I was particularly moved by Ed Gregory’s reflections on 58 years of ministry.”

Pastors & Wives Banquet

The evening was a special time of fellowship and refreshment for BCI pastors and their wives. Matthew and Angela Swain from Midwestern Seminary’s Worship Ministries Department led worship throughout the event, setting a Christ-centered tone. “Their simple, edifying worship served our pastors and spouses well,” Schumacher noted.

Annual Meeting Highlights

Saturday’s Annual Meeting provided updates on initiatives in Iowa and beyond. Highlights included:

• Iowa Disaster Relief Relaunched – Gared Shaffer, Iowa DR Coordinator, shared the success of recent training and deployments in disaster-affected areas. A video recap highlighted the ministry’s impact this year.
• Iowa WMU Annual Gathering – The Iowa Woman’s Missionary Union held its annual gathering, inviting women to connect and support missions across the state.
• Honoring Ed Gregory for 58 Years of Ministry – In his final address, Ed Gregory, BCI’s Pastoral Ministry Team member, encouraged leaders with his motto, “Go as strong as you can for as long as you can by the grace of God for the glory of God, and then come home.”

The business portion included approving a $1.5 million budget for 2025, representing a 9% decrease. Cooperative Program allocation was approved at 60% with an additional, one-time $100,000 contribution in honor of the Cooperative Program’s 100th Anniversary next year. Newly elected officers included President Eric Trout of Restoration Church in Adel, First Vice President Grady Adkins of Coram Deo Church in Davenport, Second Vice President Todd Stiles of First Family Church in Ankeny, and Secretary Jerome Risting of Temple Baptist Church in Mason City.

Tim Lubinus reflected, “The Annual Meeting is always a special time to reconnect with old friends, form new relationships, and celebrate the impact of God’s work through our churches, the BCI, and the broader SBC. This year, I was especially encouraged by the unity and commitment we share to carry forward the gospel mission in Iowa and beyond.”

The 2025 BCI Annual Meeting is scheduled for November 7th & 8th with special guest Jeff Iorg, President of the SBC Executive Committee.