Ridgewood Baptist Church

Pastor Dave Jaspers

On October 31, 2010, Pastor and Mrs. Dave Jaspers began their ministry at Ridgewood Baptist Church. After 14 years of faithful ministry, Pastor and Mrs. Bert Baker resigned Ridgewood effective September 19, 2010. The church was blessed in experiencing a nearly seamless transition between Pastor Baker and Pastor Jaspers.

Pastor and Mrs. Jaspers come to Ridgewood with over 34 years of local church ministry experience including service as youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, camp director, college president, and evangelist. These years of varied and rich ministry experience have uniquely prepared the Jaspers family for the challenges of leading Ridgewood forward to the glory of God.

Pastor Jaspers places a strong emphasis on the ministry of the Word of God in the life of the congregation. Christ honoring, text exalting series of messages will be the feature of the Sunday 9:00 a.m. worship service, the Sunday 11:00 a.m. worship service, and the Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m. Bible Study. Pastor Jaspers is deeply committed to leading the congregation forward in loving God and demonstrating that love in our corporate worship, our commitment to the faithful exposition of God’s Word, and our commitment to develop a climate of discipleship and Christ-centered community in the life of Ridgewood Baptist Church. The public is welcome at any and all services at Ridgewood. Feel free to contact Pastor at the church office 815.726.2121.

Biographical Sketch of Pastor Dave Jaspers:

• 1953 - Born the eldest of Dr. Glen and Mary Jaspers
• 1959 - Saved at age six
• 1962 - Surrendered to full-time Christian service
• 1969 - Called to preach while working at the Bill Rice Ranch
• 1971 - Graduated from Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown, IA
• 1973 - Married the former Kathleen Gearhart of Hadley, Michigan; they have two children: Katie (1983) and Davis (1985)
• 1976 - Graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Bible and Pastoral Studies and a minor in history
• 1976 - Accepted the pastorate of Sparlingville Baptist Church, Port Huron, Michigan
• 1979 - Accepted associate pastor position of Fellowship Baptist Church, Marshalltown, Iowa
• 1981 - Accepted senior pastorate of Fellowship Baptist Church
• 1982 - President of the Iowa Chapter of the American Association of Christian Schools (held that position until January of 1986)
• 1983 - Vice-President for Iowa of the Mid-America Baptist Fellowship, Dr. Frank Bumpus, Moderator (held that position until 1985)
• 1986 - Entered full-time evangelism
• 1994 - Received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Ambassador Baptist College in Shelby, North Carolina, Dr. Ron Comfort, President
• 1994 - Accepted the position of Summer Platform Director for West Branch, a camping ministry of the Bill Rice Ranch, located in Flagstaff, Arizona
• 1997 - Accepted the position of Camp Director for West Branch
• 1997 – Accepted a position on the Board of the Bill Rice Ranch, Inc., Murfreesboro, TN (1997-2006)
• 1998 - Accepted the presidency of Maranatha Baptist Bible College (1998-2006)
• 1999 – Received an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Maranatha Baptist Bible College
• 1999 – Accepted a position on the Board of Directors, Baptist World Mission, Decatur, AL (1999-2006)
• 2001 – Accepted the presidency of the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries (2001-2003)
• 2002 – Accepted a position on the Board of Directors, Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, Virginia Beach, VA (2002-2006)
• 2007 – Accepted the position of Annex Pastor and Staff Evangelist for Bethel Baptist Church, Schaumburg, IL, Dr. Bradley Smith, Senior Pastor
• 2010 – Accepted the pastorate of Ridgewood Baptist Church, Joliet, IL.