New Vision Community Church

Pastor’s ‘holy discontent’ leads to establishment of first Southern Baptist church in Brown County

September 18, 2024 | By Ben Jones, Illinois Baptist

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Don Hannel had no plans for change. He had been the pastor for his hometown church of Pleasant Hill in west-central Illinois for nearly 19 years. The church was growing. He had a secure ministry. There was no reason to leave. “I thought I was going to be at First Baptist Pleasant…