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East White Oak was founded in 1892 by Mennonite farming families and remained a rural ministry for much of its history, reflecting its agricultural roots. It became an independent, nondenominational church in the 1930’s.

Today, East White Oak is a “rurban” ministry. A number of long tenured and farming families remain active, but the congregation has grown quite diverse and reflects the make-up of the local area. About two-thirds of the church make their homes in Bloomington-Normal and the rest in nearby small towns and the surrounding countryside.

The size of the church in 1990 was about 250 attendees. However, the church grew rapidly in the mid-1990s through the mid-2000’s and has a growing congregation today of about 850, which includes significant numbers of people from all age groups.

East White Oak currently offers two identical worship services on Sunday mornings along with weekly programs for all ages from nursery through senior citizens.

The church also offers midweek AWANA and youth programs, prayer service, Bible Studies and small groups. 

Our ministries are supported by four associate pastors and seven ministry/support staff. Our team includes: 

• Senior Associate Pastor who oversees staff and Christian Education including a bustling AWANA program, assisted by a part-time director of Children’s Ministry 
• Associate Pastor of Youth & Young Adult Ministries who leads our junior high, senior high and young adult ministries, assisted by a female youth discipleship assistant 
• Associate Pastor of Outreach and Assimilation who facilitates small groups, newcomer orientation, the annual church picnic and more 
• Pastor of Spiritual Development and Missions (semi-retired/former senior pastor) who leads prayer ministry and provides oversight for missions 
• Our vital support staff includes an office manager, communications/graphic designer, financial secretary, administrative assistant and building/maintenance manager. 

East White Oak is led by an Elder Board consisting of seven laymen, the Senior Pastor, Senior Associate Pastor and one other pastor on a rotating basis. Deacons care for the facility, vehicle and provide other service activities. 

East White Oak has a large roster of supported missionaries and Christian workers; 20%-25% of the church’s annual budget is committed to Missions. The church sends out several short-term mission trips each year to assist our missionaries in the field or in breaking new ground. The current missions philosophy and strategy are available on the church website. Each year the church looks forward to growing in our knowledge and support of missions through a vibrant missions conference.

The church founded a daughter church twenty miles to the north in the early 1990’s and another in the inner city of Bloomington in recent years.

East White Oak meets for worship in a modern facility. Our 30-year-old Worship Center seats about 500 and was refurbished in 2023 along with remodeled offices, lobby, library and bathrooms. The church building also includes an educational wing and large Family Life Center (gym and large, well-appointed kitchen/banquet room). All the classrooms are wired for internet and equipped for presentations. East White Oak has no debt and some reserve funds. The property consists of eleven acres with a bus garage, outdoor pavilion for gatherings and some open space for youth and children to enjoy.

East White Oak offers a warm and welcoming spirit in the fellowship. Many vibrant Christians and Christian leaders are members of the church. There is no shortage of candidates for lay leaders. The leadership of the church is unified, prayer is a central focus, and the ministry is poised to continue an effective gospel ministry in the community and the world. Baptisms are common. The children, youth and young adult discipleship efforts are bearing fruit. Families and believers are being equipped to serve Christ. East White Oak has a leadership role in many of the ministries that serve the greater community, including the non-denominational Cornerstone Christian Academy.

Although we long for a greater outpouring of God’s Spirit and certainly welcome new and visionary efforts, we are thankful that people are being reached with the gospel through the ministry of the church.

Bloomington-Normal is a vibrant central Illinois community located in McLean County about two hours south of Chicago. Education, finance and manufacturing complement agriculture in driving a strong local economy. The community is home to Illinois State University, along with Illinois Wesleyan University and Heartland Community College. State Farm and Country Financial corporate headquarters are located in the community, as well as large manufacturers Rivian and Ferrero. 

• Population estimates: 170,000 in McLean County, approximately 133,000 in Bloomington-Normal 
• Median age: 33 (younger than the U.S. average) 
• Education: 96% of adults have at least a high school diploma, and nearly 50% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in greater McLean County
• Median value of an owner-occupied home is roughly $211,500 (below the national median) 

Community Appeal & Considerations

• Quality of Life: Bloomington was ranked among “the amazing cities you’ve never thought to live in, but should,” and Normal took high marks as a great small college town. 
• Residents appreciate: sense of community, walkable neighborhoods, and access to parks and amenities. 

Links to area information

• Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
• McLean County Links
• Guide for new residents
• Area Stats
• About Bloomington
• About Normal
• BN Demographic Profile

Eldership & Positional Qualifications:

1. Under the authority of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, East White Oak Bible Church is governed by a team of elders. By virtue of his office, the Senior Pastor serves as an official member of the Elders, and an ex-officio member of all other church organizations and committees.
2. Elders are biblically-qualified men, approved by the membership, who are themselves members of the church.
3. Elders oversee, lead, rule, shepherd, guard, protect, teach, care for, and pray for the church. (Acts 20:17, 28-31; 1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Tim 2:12; 3:1-7; 5:17-18; Tit 1:5-9; Heb 13:7, 17; James 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1-5)
4. Agreement with the church constitution and doctrinal statement
5. Philosophy of ministry compatible with the church’s vision and values, as determined by the Elders.
6. Devotion to prayer, ministry of the Word, and commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to our congregation and community.

Education & Experience:

1. Minimum of Master of Divinity degree (or equivalent) from an accredited, biblically sound seminary.
2. Trained in biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), biblical exegesis and exposition, and systematic theology.
3. Demonstrated ability in preaching, teaching and ministry leadership
4. Demonstrated experience and maturity in conflict resolution, biblical counseling, and pastoral care
5. Experienced in leading and nurturing ministry staff and volunteers
6. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

Preaching & Teaching

1. 1. Preparation and presentation of expository teaching covering the whole counsel of God with a commitment to the sufficiency and inerrancy of Scripture.
   2. Challenge believers in relevant and practical ways toward obedience and submission to the Lord.
   3. Clear and consistent proclamation of the gospel, giving regular opportunities for the lost to respond in faith.
   4. Facilitate Sunday Morning worship services including: order of worship, prayer, preaching, advising the worship team and overseeing the practice of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
   5. Recommend to the Elders qualified substitutes to fill the pulpit.

Leadership

1. 1. Oversee the ministry in casting vision, providing guidance, and offering direction for the congregation.
   2. Provide guidance and support for the ministry team in implementing the vision and values of the church. Encourage ministry staff in the development and exercise of their spiritual gifts and talents.
   3. Serve on the team of Elders as a voting member, helping to plan regular Official Board meetings in cooperation with the Chairman of the Elders.

Pastoral Duties:

1. In cooperation with the Elders, oversees, directs, leads, or appropriately delegates the following pastoral duties:
   • Facilitate an atmosphere in which the congregation can grow as disciples.
   • Nurture and instruct the church body in a way that encourages life-changing Christian growth that manifests itself in service both inside and outside of the church.
   • Seek and facilitate strategies that enhance open and effective communication to unify and motivate the congregation and staff in growing disciples, both inside and outside the church.
   • Work with the Missions Team to guide, support and facilitate missionary work of the church in the development, commissioning, care, financial support and accountability of local and global missionaries
   • Provide relational care for the church, including home and hospital visitation, pastoral counseling, and crisis intervention.
   • Officiate at church functions such as weddings, funerals, child dedications, and church ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

2. To advance the ministry of East White Oak Bible Church in the local community and throughout the world

3. To actively engage in the life and ministries of the church as a member of the East White Oak body of Christ, along with his family.

The Senior Pastor of East White Oak Bible Church will be compensated at a level comparable to compensation provided for similarly experienced and qualified Senior Pastors at other similar churches. This determination will be made by the Elders. East White Oak seeks to support its pastors with an established sabbatical policy. The Senior Pastor will be accountable to the Elders, which annually shall provide a comprehensive review of the Senior Pastor’s performance and seek a review of its own performance by the Senior Pastor.