We don’t get to choose our battles, but we do get to choose how we face them. The things we face aren’t just seasons to survive—they’re seasons that are shaping us. Our trials aren’t wasted. Our struggles aren’t random. There’s a God who is forging us in the fire, strengthening us for the road ahead, and leading us to the victory He has prepared for us by the shedding of His blood. This year’s Not Ashamed Conference is about Embracing God’s Purpose in Adversity — because we believe that in Christ, we are not fragile people. But a people — Forged, Formed, Ready. God is building us up in strength to make us more than conquerors. So let’s step into the arena and see God at work.

Join us for the third annual Not Ashamed Conference, where  our very own Pastor Jason Braaten of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Tuscola, IL, will speak about embracing God’s purpose in the face of life’s adversity.

This is a one-day event that will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.) at the Ironhorse Golf Club in Tuscola, IL.

Event attendance is free but limited. Complimentary snacks and catered lunch is included in the registration. This event is sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Church, Tuscola, Illinois, and made possible by a grant from the Central Illinois District Church Extension Fund.

If you’d like help registering, please feel free to call Immanuel Lutheran Church at (217) 253-4341 and leave a message with your name and phone number. We will call you back to get the needed information for registration.

Here are the recordings from the 2023 Not Ashamed Conference with Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz

Here are the recordings from the 2024 Not Ashamed Conference with Rev. Andrew Preus

Here are the recordings from the 2025 Not Ashamed Conference with Rev. Jason Braaten

REGISTER HERE

Pastor Jason Braaten is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tuscola, Illinois. He is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2006) and Concordia University Chicago (BA, 2000). He is the logic instructor for Wittenberg Academy and the host of The Gottesdienst Crowd podcast. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund of the LCMS. He and his wife, Lauren, have five children (three boys and two girls) and live in Tuscola, Illinois.