About us
Our purpose is to spread the Gospel, establish local Baptist churches, advance missionary enterprise, promote a Christian camping program, promote evangelism, and provide fellowship for independent, fundamental Baptist churches serving the states of Illinois and eastern Missouri.
our representative
The Association, upon recommendation of the Council of Eight, calls a godly man to (1) represent the Association throughout the two-state area; (2) encourage and assist pastors and churches upon request; (3) assist in the establishing of new churches.
our conferences
The IL-MO ARBC provides Spring and Fall conferences on the first Monday and Tuesday of each April and October. These conferences are intended to be heart-warming Bible/Missionary conferences, and are held in churches that invite the Association to meet in their facilities.
our publication
“Trumpet Notes” is the official publication for our fellowship of churches and is mailed or e-mailed to the churches for distribution once a month. In addition “Trumpet Grace Notes” is an e-mail prayer reminder sent to the Churches when there are urgent requests. Churches and pastors are invited to send information to the Representative that will be of interest to all the churches.
our camp
The purpose of Camp Manitoumi, meaning “Land of God, is to evangelize the lost, promote Christian maturity and to assist the local church in preparing believers to minister for Jesus Christ. Camp Manitoumi is capable of providing a year-round camping program. Beginning with rented facilities in 1947, Christian camping continues to be an important part of the IL-MO Fellowship. The present site, near Peoria, IL, was purchased in 1956. The 132 acres include a two-story administration building with guest rooms, dining and recreation hall, chapel, infirmary, cabins for 225 campers plus counselors and staff, maintenance building, swimming pool, athletic courts, various ball fields, frisbee golf course, playground and other specialized facilities. Camp Manitoumi also has horses and trail riding is included in the campers fee.
Camp Manitoumi provides a full summer of programs for young people from third grade through high school. In addition, there are full-week family camps, week-end retreats for men, women, senior saints and other age or interest groups.
Camp Manitoumi operates under the direction of the Camp Director and a Board of Trustees. Each church in the IL-MO Fellowship may send two Camp Representatives (its pastor and one other layman) to the Annual Camp Representatives meeting where eight men, four pastors and four laymen, are elected to three-year terms as Trustees.
John Kealen, Camp Director
948 County Road 1800N
Lowpoint, IL 61545
309-367-4651
manitoumi@mtco.com
our outreach
We desire to assist in the establishment of New Testament Baptist Churches throughout Illinois and Missouri: “And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” (Mark 1:38)
The “New Churches Fund” exists to receive and distribute resources for this purpose. As possible we also seek to mobilize help for the new ministries through the office of the IL-MO State Representative, the Council of Eight and the New Church Committee on the Council of Eight.
our History
The first meeting of the Illinois ARBC (forerunner of the IL-MO ARBC) took place at Riverside Baptist Church, Decatur, IL, on September 20-22, 1937. We fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC) which was formed in May of 1932 when 22 churches, meeting at Belden Avenue Baptist Church in Chicago, concluded that the doctrinal departures of The Northern Baptist Convention could not be reversed and the Scriptures required that they “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” (2 Corinthians 6:17) The GARBC is marked by (1) fidelity to the fundamentals of the faith; (2) loyalty to the historic Baptist distinctives; (3) commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20); and (4) separation from apostasy.
our theology
The IL-MO ARBC subscribes to the Articles of Faith of the GARBC. These articles are available from our IL-MO Representative, the GARBC International Resource Center or online.
our Association
The IL-MO ARBC agrees wholeheartedly with the stand of the GARBC in its declaration that “…Scriptures forbid (1) organic union or cooperation with unbelievers (non-Christians and apostates), and (2) organic union or cooperation with believers who insist upon practicing such union with unbelievers.” We are Biblical separatists who adhere to the fundamentals of the faith.
our organization
The IL-MO Association of Regular Baptist Churches (IL-MO ARBC) is a voluntary association recognizing the autonomy of the local church and claiming no authority over the churches within its fellowship. Spring and Fall conferences are held, with the latter also designated as the annual meeting.
The election of the Council of Eight takes place at the annual meeting (Fall). Each fellowship church may designate two of its members to serve as voting representatives to vote for the Council of Eight. Members of the Council of Eight are elected for two-year terms, with half being elected each Fall. A member of the Council may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Council elects a chairman, secretary, and a treasurer. Other Council members are assigned responsibilities essential for the smooth operation of the Association. Council members serve as the trustees of the Association. The Council is also responsible to plan and promote the Association meetings. They give direction and support to the IL-MO Representative.
our invitation
The IL-MO ARBC warmly invites fundamental Baptist churches to enter fellowship with us. Such churches are encouraged to contact our state representative.