Matthew Lucio
ILC Assistant to the President for Communication
On February 24, eighty-five teachers and pastors came together at the Illinois Conference office for the second pastor-teacher conference in a decade. Though Adventist schools and churches share a common mission, they often function independently. Recognizing the need for stronger collaboration, Pete Braman (ILC Ministerial Director) and Katrina Baun (ILC Education Superintendent) organized this event to foster relationships and explore ways for churches and schools to work more closely in ministry.
The morning began with a devotional led by ILC President John Grys, who drew insights from 1 Corinthians 13. He emphasized the importance of personal growth in ministry, reminding attendees that effective teaching and pastoral work require continuous spiritual and personal development.
Understanding Ourselves For the Sake of Others
Michael Pavlisin, founder of Impact Through Awareness, led an insightful seminar on personality types, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and how they influence communication. His session provided practical strategies to help pastors and teachers understand themselves and work more effectively with others.
Pastor Jon Remitera (Epic Church) appreciated the focus on self-awareness and teamwork, stating, "This event helped us not only collaborate and communicate better but also recognize our individual strengths. Understanding ourselves enables us to work together more effectively in ministry."
Prioritizing Discipleship in Schools and Churches
After lunch, Dr. Scott Ward from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University shared practical ways churches and schools can prioritize discipleship. His session emphasized the importance of identity, belonging, and purpose in faith development.
In the afternoon, pastors and teachers from the same regions gathered in small groups to discuss their shared challenges and explore ways to support one another. These conversations led to tangible action plans, reinforcing the event’s goal of deepening collaboration.
Desiree Walker, a teacher at Downers Grove SDA School, found the discussions impactful. "Scott Ward talked about identity, belonging, and purpose. Before we can get to purpose, we have to know each other. Today was about setting the foundation for those relationships. Our group was able to create real plans for the future."
"Today was about setting the foundation for those relationships. Our group was able to create real plans for the future."
One of those plans emerged from Walker’s small group, which included leaders from the Downers Grove, Joliet, West Suburban, and Addison Hispanic churches. They decided to collaborate on an Adventist Youth program in March, bringing their congregations together in a united effort.
A Step Towards Togetherness
Reflecting on the success of the day, Pete Braman affirmed, "This is just the beginning. We will continue finding ways to align school and church ministry even more closely."
By fostering connection and collaboration, this pastor-teacher gathering was a significant step toward bridging the gap between Adventist education and church ministry—ensuring that both work together to nurture faith and discipleship in their communities.
NEXT STEPS
View pictures of the event below or on the ILC Flickr page.
Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.