SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP) — Eric Reed has joined the Illinois Baptist State Association staff as editor of Illinois Baptist media and associate executive director of communications.
He had served as the IBSA’s editorial consultant since January 2012, working with the communications team on a variety of projects including the continued development of the Illinois Baptist newspaper, launching the ib2news.org news blog, launching Resource magazine for church leaders, design oversight and implementation of the Mission Illinois theme and two state mission offering campaigns including new graphics and videos.
“I’m delighted to join this outstanding team on a full-time basis and to wrap up a two-year commute from Chicago,” said Reed, who assumed his IBSA staff position in November.
“I have been impressed by so many aspects of IBSA’s ministry through the years, but especially the communications staff. Their desire to report, support and encourage the work of Baptists in Illinois has blessed me as a pastor, and more recently as a co-worker.”
Through most of his ministry career, Reed has served as both pastor and journalist. He holds a master of divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and pastored a church near the NOBTS campus during his nine years in New Orleans.
After moving to Chicagoland in 1998 for a position in Christian publishing, he simultaneously served interim pastorates, leading six churches through times of transition and pastor searches. He also served nearly three years as director of evangelism and church growth with Chicago Metro Baptist Association.
Reed’s work as a journalist began in high school and college, working for a local AM/FM/TV station group while studying communications. After seminary and a long season in the pastorate, he joined Christianity Today International as managing editor of Leadership journal, a professional magazine for pastors and church leaders.
Over a 10-year period, he also hosted the Preaching Today audio series, edited Leadership Journal.net and launched a blog for younger leaders called Out of Ur. And as editorial vice president for consumer publications, he led the staffs of six magazines and their websites and handled public relations.
“Together we will seek to produce effective communications across a variety of media platforms,” Reed said, “to aid our IBSA churches in advancing the Gospel in Illinois and around the world.”
–30–
Reported by the staff of the Illinois Baptist, newsjournal of the Illinois Baptist State Association, on the Web at www.ibsa.org.
