Chicagoland Convocation Gathers in Hinsdale
- Illinois Conference Communications
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Matthew J. Lucio
Assistant to the President for Communication
On September 27, the Chicagoland Convocation wasn’t just a meeting—it was a family reunion. The sound of hundreds of voices singing together filled both the Hinsdale Church sanctuary. With Dr. Rodney Palmer preaching and Gale Jones Murphy leading in song, Convocation proved to be a high Sabbath.
“Convocation was created to provide a camp meeting experience in the city,” explained Michael Campos, Illinois Conference executive secretary. “It gives our churches a chance to unite in worship and be strengthened in our mission of sharing God's love throughout our Chicagoland communities."
For the first time, Hinsdale Church and Hinsdale Adventist Academy jointly hosted Convocation. Both venues were needed to accommodate the more than 100 children and young people who participated. Youth and young adults gathered at the academy with Josant Barrientos (ILC Youth Director) and Roberto Gonzalez (ILC Associate Youth Director), while children met at the church with Stacey DePluzer (ILC Associate Youth Director). The academy also hosted a much-praised curry-and-rice lunch, catered by Abby Bahena.
"It was wonderful for the Illinois Conference to host the Chicagoland Convocation at Hinsdale SDA Church this year," according to Hinsdale's communication leader, Angie Grozdić. "Spending time together in worship & fellowship across all ages was a powerful reminder of our shared faith.”
Dr. Rodney Palmer, chair of the Department of Religion at Andrews University, preached powerfully from Luke 10 on the parable of the Samaritan. He reminded the congregation that Jesus Himself is the one who stops to care for the wounded by the roadside and brings them to the inn—the church—for healing and restoration. "What Jesus wants," Dr. Palmer declared, "is for churches to be welcoming places where people can find hope, healing, and strength to be restored into the image of God. Christ entrusts the wounded to us.”
Special musical guest Gale Jones Murphy was deeply appreciated. With her signature blend of music and storytelling, she inspired the congregation during worship and shone in her afternoon concert. The author of hundreds of songs, Murphy connected effortlessly with attendees, including Dr. Palmer, who professed to be a longtime fan.
Several congregations opted to watch Convocation live-stream on the Illinois Conference's Youtube channel.
A CENTURY OF GATHERING
The Chicagoland Convocation continues a tradition that stretches back more than a century, when this gathering was known as the Northern Illinois Camp Meeting. For decades, this gathering was held at Broadview Academy until the school’s closure in 2007. It then moved to the College of DuPage for two years, before being renamed the Chicagoland Convocation in 2009 and relocated to Wheaton College. From 2009 to 2012, Convocation welcomed speakers such as Derek Morris, Bill Knott, Phillip Samaan, Mark Finley, Henry Wright, G. Alexander Bryant, Stan Patterson, and even an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.
After a decade-long pause, the Illinois Conference revived the event in 2024 at Yellow Box Church in Naperville, shifting it to September. This year’s Convocation at Hinsdale keeps the tradition alive. “We are grateful, and we are thankful,” said Illinois Conference president John Grys. Convocation, he added, “is a reminder that while we go to separate churches, we worship one God.”
With its revival in 2024 and return in 2025, Convocation is once again an important yearly gathering on the Illinois Conference calendar. Its long history reminds us of the thousands who have been blessed through this gathering and the importance of coming together as a spiritual family.
NEXT STEPS
Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.