Ben West (Minneapolis-2, USA)
Thank God for our 2025 Midwest and Missouri Valley Summer Bible Conference, titled, “Follow Me”! Despite facing the unprecedented challenge of the cancellation of our originally planned venue due to vandalism, God answered our prayers by providing the beautiful campus of Loyola University in Chicago and sending 518 registered attendees from 22 chapters.
The four messages addressed crucial questions about Jesus’ invitation. James Tetzlaff preached about “Who is Jesus?” (John 1:1-18), that He is the eternal God, the true Light, and the Savior. Then John Peace explained “Why should we follow Jesus?” (Mark 1:1-20); it’s because Jesus is the Lord who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, who defeated Satan, and who calls us to follow him to a purpose greater than we could dream. Dylan Burke preached on “How to follow Jesus?” (1 Peter 1:13–2:5) through craving and consuming pure spiritual milk of God’s word as a holy priesthood. Finally, David Choi Jr. taught about “What is the fruit of following Jesus?” (John 21:1-25); it includes relationship with Jesus, restoration to shepherding, and unity among coworkers.
We heard heart-moving life testimonies from young people who made a decision to follow Jesus: Jenny Reyes, Noah Voght, Daniel Baik, Noah Fitch, Amanda Sullivan, and Theodore Woessner. Then during the world mission night, several missionaries from the Midwest gave encouraging mission reports: Moody (Egypt), Mike Thompson (Russia), Ison (Malaysia), and John Peace (Ukraine). At the end of the world mission night, 20 people came forward to the mission altar call, pledging their intent to follow Jesus as missionaries. Then at the end of the program, 10 more people came forward for the follow Jesus altar call. Please pray for these 30 precious souls, that God would provide the strength and everything else necessary to fulfill their commitment to follow Jesus.
Five interest groups edified attendees with the topics, “The Ministry of the Word: Sunday Messages,” “Sex: Biblical or Broken?” “Apologetics in Ministry,” “Empowering Ministry with AI: Practical Applications,” and “Short-term World Mission: Jesus’ Love for Muslim Countries.” Moreover, the conference was blessed with energetic praise bands, heartmoving orchestral pieces, captivating dramas, as well as ample time for precious fellowship with our brothers and sisters. May each attendee put the lessons from this conference into practice and follow Jesus!
I was impressed by the importance of craving pure spiritual milk to follow Jesus, from Dylan's message. What we desire shapes our lives, so Peter warned believers not to conform to the evil desires of their old lives of ignorance and emptiness. God gives us something much more worthy and spiritually nutritious: the imperishable, living and enduring word of God. When I earnestly crave pure spiritual milk, ordering my life around feeding on Jesus and His word, then I will grow up in my salvation, taste more and more of God's goodness, and serve as a holy priest in the holy temple of God's church.
*Watch all the conference videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0oazkg5FH-QEVrM6sPfXHwmLjiH_xfnW&si=vs8HgFlm1N-bCJmy
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When: June 26-29, 2025
Where: Loyola University Chicago
Messengers: James T., John P., Dylan B., David C. Jr. Guest speaker: Min C.
*2025 "Follow Me" Conference Official Website: https://msbc.ubf.org/msbc2025
There will be Peer/Interest groups, life testimonies, and HBF and CBF programs. Mark your Calendar & Save Up! Registration is open! The Conference registration opens until on June 8th, Sunday at 11:59pm in Chicago Time.
Follow Me is Jesus’ life-giving call that sparks both personal transformation and revival of discipleship. During the conference, our multi-generational, multi-ethnic community—college students, second-generation children, and believers of all backgrounds—will seek a fresh encounter with Jesus. As we follow Him together, we will explore what it means to make disciples in our homes, on our campuses, and through our ministries. Through wholehearted obedience to His call, God will ignite a movement of revival—one life, one disciple at a time. Please join!
