
Quick Facts
Founded
Unknown
Denomination
Independent Baptist
Service Times
See website
Men's Ministry
No
Kids Ministry
Yes
Pastor Credentials
Bob Jones University

10-Point Theological Scorecard
Christology
Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)
Orthodox Christology per SOF
Strong
Scripture
Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?
KJV-preferred, inerrancy affirmed
Strong
Men's Discipleship
Intentional formation for men?
Men ministry + Men's Basketball event confirmed on homepage 2026-04. Modest evidence; still held yellow pending program depth.
Caution
Soteriology
Faith alone? How is salvation presented?
Faith alone; believer's baptism by immersion
Strong
Gender / Biblical Design
Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?
Patriarchal — male pastors/deacons, traditional family structure

Patriarchal — male pastors/deacons, traditional family structure
Strong
Leadership Structure
Male elders/pastors? Accountability?
Pastor + deacon board, male
Strong
Preaching Style
Expository or topical/therapeutic?
BJU-trained pastor typically expository
Strong
Mission Clarity
Great Commission central?
Verify missions emphasis
Caution
Cultural Alignment
DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?
Verify — minimal public cultural engagement
Caution
Accountability Structure
Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?
Independent — no denominational accountability
Caution

Assessment
Well-established independent Baptist church in the western Chicago suburbs with an attached Christian school and preschool. Pastor Schlagel is BJU-trained and has led the church since 2010, representing a more moderate BJU-orbit fundamentalism rather than the hard-edged Hyles stream. Reasonable IFB option for Chicagoland families.
#independent-baptist#ifb#downers-grove-il#chicagoland#verified-2026

MOOP Engagement Tracker
How this church was personally verified by the MOOP directory team:
✓
Researched church website

Last reviewed:
2026-05-16
— Annual review recommended