Scott Bayles

Blooming Grove Christian Church
Palmyra, Illinois 62674
217-436-2554

• Education: I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University, a small Church of Christ in TN.
• Experience: I began preaching part-time when I was just fifteen years old, however it was when I was just three years old that I knew I would one day be a preacher. I continued to preach for a small congregation in Illinois all through high-school and then another, in Tennessee, while in college. After graduating I began preaching full time in northern Illinois, then moved to Saint Louis, then southern IL.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: I hope these sermons can be a blessing to you and your congregation.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: I can't think of any one particular sermon or series, but I owe so much to radio preachers/teacher such as John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanely, David Jeremiah, and Hank Hannegraaff. I also owe much to my own personal pastors and teachers, such as Ray Exum, Billy Smith and Mike Root.
• One of my favorite illustrations: It’s a quote I use often from Mark Twain. He once said, "Be careful to take from an experience only the wisdom that is in it."
• Family: My wife, Ashley, and I have been happily married since February 2005, are thankful everyday for Jesus and his matchless grace, and are the proud parents of three adorable little ankle-bitters (Yeshua, Sarai, & Avigayle).
• What my parents think of my sermons: My mom is very proud. My grandpa said I preach "better than Billy Graham." lol
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: I don't know... she rarely hears them since she's pre-occupied with children's church. But she has many compliments when she does get to hear me.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: "If you can see yourself doing something else, then do it. Being a preacher requires complete dedication."
• Books that have had an impact: Just Like Jesus; 3:16; Next Door Savoir; Apocolypse Code; The Promise
• Hobbies: I am a huge comic book/superhero enthusiast. I even dress in spandex twice a year: once for the annual Superman celebration in Metropolis, IL and once for Halloween.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: God loves. God gives. We believe. We live.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: One time when I was asking for prayer requests, a little boy who was visiting for the first time said, "My sister needs prayer because she lies. One time she was flashing her flashlight in my eyes when I was trying to sleep. Finally I took it away and flashed it in her eyes and told her 'how do you like it.'"
• What I want on my tombstone: He loved God and loved the people God gave him.

• Church Zip
• Scott and Ashley’s Blog