Warrenville’s Community Baptist Church welcomes new pastor
Community Baptist Church in Warrenville recently named the Rev. Michael Strickland as its new pastor. Pastor Strickland will begin his ministry at CBC on Sunday, Jan. 12, during the 10:30 a.m. service.
Pastor Strickland is passionate about guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys. He views his role as both a teacher and mentor, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and discipleship. A strong advocate for inter-church collaboration, he believes that churches thrive when they work together.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Pastor Strickland to our church family,” says Jodi Ilosvay, worship team leader. “His passion for faith and his commitment to inclusivity align perfectly with CBC’s values.”
Pastor Strickland has been married to April for over 20 years and is the proud father of four children. He enjoys pursuing meaningful hobbies outside of ministry, including photography (especially film photography), playing guitar, cycling, camping, hiking, and reading.
About Community Baptist Church
Celebrating 190 years of faith, Community Baptist Church (founded in 1834) welcomes all to experience the fullness of life God desires. The church strives to be an expression of God’s grace, creating a sanctuary where everyone feels included and valued.
About American Baptist Churches USA
Community Baptist Church is affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). While some may associate Baptist churches with more conservative views, ABCUSA is a diverse denomination that embraces a wide range of beliefs and perspectives.
The key principles of American Baptists:
• Freedom of the individual believer
• Freedom of Biblical Interpretation
• Freedom of the local church
• Freedom to uphold Separation of Church and State
A History of Inclusion:
• In 1845, Northern Baptists (later renamed American Baptists) condemned slavery, separating from Southern Baptists who supported it.
• In the 1880s, Baptists were among the first to ordain women.
• In the 20th century, American Baptists were strong advocates for civil rights.
• Today, many ABCUSA churches actively support social justice issues, including racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental sustainability.
Join them in welcoming Pastor Strickland to Community Baptist Church. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at the church, 28W444 Main St. in Warrenville. For details, visit Cbcwarrenville.org.