At a Glance

Position: Lead Pastor — Part-Time

Location: Sparland, Illinois (Marshall County, Peoria metro area)

Church Size: 30–70 attendees

Denomination: American Baptist Churches – USA

Reports To: Board of Ministry

Salary: $20,000–$30,000 annually, plus use of a recently renovated parsonage

About the Community

Sparland is a small rural village of approximately 350 residents in western Marshall County, Illinois, situated on the west bank of the Illinois River. The Lacon Bridge connects Sparland to Lacon, the county seat, and the broader Peoria metropolitan area is within easy reach. Life here moves at a pace set by close-knit neighbors, agricultural rhythms, and deep roots — the kind of place where a pastor quickly becomes known and genuinely matters to people.

The community is predominantly working-class and family-oriented, with a median household income below state averages and a meaningful portion of residents navigating real economic hardship. That context is not a footnote — it shapes the ministry. A pastor here will be present for people in the full range of life’s challenges, not just its celebrations.

About First Baptist Church of Sparland

Sparland First Baptist is a Christ-centered, biblically grounded congregation with a rich history in Central Illinois. The church’s stated mission is to glorify God by making disciples who love God, love others, and live on mission. The congregation of 30–70 worshippers carries genuine warmth and a desire to see their church become a spiritually renewed, outward-facing community.

FBC Sparland is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA and is supported by the Great Rivers Region (Area III). The church includes a recently renovated parsonage available for the incoming pastor, reflecting a tangible investment in their next chapter of ministry.

The Opportunity

FBC Sparland is seeking a Lead Pastor who will serve as the primary spiritual leader and shepherd of this congregation. This is more than a preaching role — the church is looking for someone to walk alongside its people, cast a Spirit-led vision, and cultivate a genuine culture of discipleship and multiplication. The next pastor will help the church write a new chapter marked by renewal, strategic outreach, and healthy growth.

The ideal candidate brings a genuine heart for rural ministry and small church dynamics, understands the relational fabric that defines communities like Sparland, and brings both pastoral warmth and visionary leadership to the role.

Note: First Baptist Church of Sparland holds a congregational conviction that the office of Lead Pastor be filled by a man. The American Baptist Churches USA affirms the full equality of women in all areas of ministry; this reflects the particular discernment of this congregation, not a denominational position.

Key Responsibilities

1. Preaching and Teaching

•       Prepare and deliver biblically faithful, Christ-centered sermons weekly

•       Equip the congregation to apply God’s Word in everyday life

•       Lead midweek teaching opportunities such as Bible study and discipleship gatherings

2. Vision and Leadership

•       Collaborate with the Board of Ministry to cast and implement a compelling, Spirit-led vision

•       Foster a culture of disciple-making and multiplication

•       Help the church move toward healthy growth through mission, outreach, and renewal

•       Develop lay leaders, board members, and future ministry leaders

3. Shepherding and Pastoral Care

•       Provide spiritual care and counseling for individuals and families

•       Perform weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other pastoral duties

•       Engage in regular visitation to homes, hospitals, and care facilities

4. Discipleship and Equipping

•       Develop intentional disciple-making systems across age groups

•       Identify, train, and release others into ministry within their context

•       Encourage small groups and missional communities

5. Community Engagement

•       Serve as a visible, approachable presence in the Sparland community

•       Partner with local schools, organizations, and ministries

•       Represent the church with humility and integrity in the broader region

Qualifications

Spiritual and Character

•       A growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ

•       Evident fruit of the Spirit and a lifestyle of humility, prayer, and integrity

•       A clear sense of calling to pastoral ministry, particularly in a rural setting

Professional

•       Bachelor’s degree in ministry, theology, or a related field

•       3–5 years of pastoral or ministry leadership experience preferred

•       Strong communicator with demonstrated preaching and leadership gifts

•       Experience in disciple-making and strategic planning

Preferred Attributes

•       Passion for rural ministry and small church dynamics with a vision for growth

•       Relationally warm and approachable; able to build trust quickly in a close-knit community

•       Comfortable with both traditional and contemporary ministry methods

•       Self-motivated with a servant-leader posture

•       Flexible, adaptive, and visionary in leadership

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to John Moreland, Church Moderator:

•       Résumé or curriculum vitae

•       Statement of Faith

•       Philosophy of Ministry — centered around strategic envisioning and disciple-making

•       Sample sermon (audio or video link preferred)

•       Three professional or ministry references

Submit materials to: apphorse2@gmail.com  |  Phone: 309-238-3530

This search is conducted with the support of the American Baptist Churches Great Rivers Region. Candidates with questions about the regional search process may contact Rev. Dr. Rob Kirbach, ABC – Great Rivers Region, at rob@abcgrr.org or (217) 726-7366 x13.