The Midwest Lectureship was born out of the vision of a few preachers who saw the need to encourage saints in the Tri- State area of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. The late Bro. William Baker, formerly the minister of the Newburg Church of Christ in Louisville, Kentucky, the late Bro. Samuel Jordan, formerly the minister of the Sheldon Heights Church of Christ in Chicago, the late Bro. Mayo Towles, former Minister of the Jasper Street Church of Christ in Decatur, Illinois, Bro. Ralph Smith, the current Minister of the Centreville Church of Christ in East St. Louis, Illinois, the late Bro. David Perkins, former minister of the College Avenue Church of Christ in Indianapolis and a few others came together in Louisville in 1976 to discuss the formation of the (then) Tri-State Lectureship. The primary purpose was to encourage and build up Christians in that area who otherwise were not able to get such encouragement due to their inability to attend National Lectureships.

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While the numbers were few and the challenges were many in the early years, the faith and determination of those men (and many others) did not allow this great endeavor to fail.  Through the years, as the Lectureship gradually grew and became more organized and functional, it leadership baton was passed along to the hands of several committed men, including W.C. Edwards, Warren Blakney, David Penn, Lovell Hayes, Larry Johnson, and currently Cleavon Matthews, who all have served terms as Chairman of the Lectureship. 
 
As the Lectureship grew in membership, it developed into its current organizational structure consisting of an Executive Committee (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary) and a 6-member Advisory Board of “seasoned” ministers.  The Lectureship has also expanded to include the current states of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee and Michigan.  Due to its expansion, it is now known as the Midwest Lectureship.  The Lectureship has a continuing goal of improving its quality and quantity.  

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The Midwest Lectureship convenes each year on the third week of October.  Sermons, Open Forums and Workshop are conducted and designed for the growth, edification and encouragement of Christians who attend.  Annual meetings are conducted during this time to provide information to the attendees and solicit suggestion for improvement of the Lectureship.

 

One of the Lectureship highlights each year is the Annual Banquet when a minister in the Midwest is honored for his “work’s sake.” Past Honorees include:

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