The Western Association is located in the lower portion of the conference, on the western side of the state. Its 36 congregations gather people to worship from the state capital of Springfield to the Quad City town of Moline, from prairie to river, farm to metropolis. With the challenges of the life of rural communities and the struggles of Illinois state government in both its front and back yards, Western Association congregations bring a presence of justice and compassion where it is often needed most.