Ministries
Life Ministries
Spanish-Speaking
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Full-time Staff
Natives of the U.S. and Guatemala, Bill and Wendy Ellis spent 15 years leading churches in Central America.
Youth and Family
and Teen Ministry
Overview
In the Chicago Church of Christ, it is our ambition to have an excellent ministry for every age group in our Youth and Family Ministry. Therefore, we believe it is important to approach each age group with clear and purposeful goals and plans. We call this desire, “Striving for an A+ Youth and Family Ministry.”
Clarity
The Chicago Church is made up of six main Ministry Centers. Each one of the six, shares its specific differences in ethnicity, economic class, geography, history, and leadership. Although different in these areas, each M.C. in the Chicago Church shares a clear and unified goal with regard to its youth. This goal is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.”(NIV) Engaging the parents and guardians into the spiritual lives of their children is the number one goal of youth and family ministry.
Purpose
Start your children off in the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it
Proverbs 22:6
In the Chicago Church, the children are divided into four ministries. These ministries are the Kingdom Kids (birth-4th grade), pre-teens (5th-6th grades), young teens (7th-8th grades), and the teens (9th-12th grades). It is our goal to have an excellent (A+) ministry at every level. Although each ministry shares the common goal stated above, each ministry also has specific needs.
Up to 4th Grade
Kingdom Kids
The Kingdom Kids Ministry is the foundation of the Youth and Family Ministry. In this ministry, parents are taught how to teach and train their children during the formative years in a child’s life. As a church, it is our goal and responsibility to equip parents in raising their children with sound Biblical teaching. Engaging parents with the proper training and teaching at this age is paramount in paving the way for the future of the children. We call the focal point of this ministry, “Family”.
5th-6th Grade
Pre-Teens
As our children grow up in the church, we cannot underestimate the need for spiritual friendships. As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character.’”(NIV) Likewise, the opposite of this is true also; good company promotes good character. In addition to engaging the parents, the pre-teen ministry will focus on helping the kids in building friendships. This will be done through fun pre-teen events and devotionals. The lessons will focus the kids on loving God and one another. We call the focal point of this ministry, “Friends”.
7th-8th Grade
Young Teens
By the time our kids reach the young teen ministry, it is our hope that the parents or guardians have continued to stay engaged with their young teen. In addition, it is our goal that the young teens have built friendships with other children in the church, prior to, and during his or her pre-teen years. Kids in the young teen ministry are now thirteen and fourteen years old. During this time, it is our goal to help the young teens take their faith and walk with God to a deeper level. In order to accomplish this, more time is spent in the Bible at young teen class and devotionals. In addition, young teens are encouraged to begin personal “faith building” studies with a parent and/or mentor. We call the focal point of this ministry, “Faith”.
High School
Teens
It is our desire that by the time a teen comes into the teen ministry; he or she will have a godly foundation, great friendships, and a growing faith in God. As the teen continues to grow in each of these areas, it is our goal to see the teens make Jesus the Lord of their life. In addition, we believe that training and equipping the teenagers for their future as college students and/or employees is crucial. We call the focal points of this ministry, “Fruit & Future”.
Audio from the recent family conference in Denver is now available! See the list of classes available here. There were classes on parenting, adoptive families, exceptional families, Kingdom Kids and more! All free!
2018 Summer Youth Camp
| Camp | Grades (in Fall) |
Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Discover | 5th – 7th | July 29 – August 4 |
| Explore | 8th – 9th | July 22 – 28 |
| Quest | 10th – 12th | July 15 – 21 |
Campus
About
Our Campus Ministry caters exclusively to college students and their spiritual needs. These needs are met through weekly group Bible discussions, personal Bible studies, Friday night Devotionals, and many other fun events. Additionally there are annual events that many of students attend such as the International Campus Ministry Conference and the Mid-American Campus Retreat as well as Spring Break road trips, camping and backpacking outings, and the Fall Costume Ball. On Sundays students join our local churches where they have the opportunity to worship, fellowship and serve in varying capacities.
We have students at over 20 area colleges and universities! Our largest ministries include:
- City: Columbia, DePaul, Harold Washington, Illinois Institute of Technology, Loyola, UIC
- North: Harper
- West: College of DuPage, NIU, North Central College
- South: Prairie State College
- Midwest: We enjoy fellowship with our sister campus ministries in Bloomington, Champaign, Detroit, Eau Claire, Indianapolis, Lansing, Madison, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
Contact Us
Have questions? Wondering about a specific campus? We’d love to hear from you!
City of Chicago
Maurice & Sissy Charles
(630) 696-2416
maurice@chicagochurch.org
(312) 550-8720
sissy@chicagochurch.org
North Suburbs
Casina Rice
(708) 845-1497
crice@chicagochurch.org
West Suburbs
Tanner & Jessica Versage
(757) 472-4638
tanner@chicagochurch.org
(845) 641-3317
jessica@chicagochurch.org
South Suburbs
Reo & Rachel Allen
(313) 525-6882
reo@chicagochurch.org
(904) 729-8552
rachel@chicagochurch.org
NIU
Phil & Jill Perez
(630) 803-3036
phil@chicagochurch.org
(630) 776-1567
jill@chicagochurch.org
Singles
We are over 400 singles spread throughout the Chicagoland area. Though we have an incredible diversity of age, race, education, and background, we are unified in our Biblical convictions as we live in undivided devotion to God. Whether you’re a single parent, have just graduated from college, or are a mature single, you will feel welcomed and are encouraged to participate as we inspire each other in our faith to become more like Jesus Christ.
This organized and focused ministry has many regularly scheduled events throughout the year, which are planned by singles representatives from all of the ministry centers of the church. We regularly have church-wide singles events like ice skating, semi-formal dances, camping trips and devotionals. If you are interested in pure Christian fellowship, come join us! We look forward to meeting you!
Our singles ministry operates in three tracks based on age:
- Momentum Ministry (Age 22-34)
- Broadcast Ministry (Ages 35-49)
- Harvest Ministry (Ages 50+)
Our Single Shift mobile app is available on for iOS and Android!
Community Service
HOPE worldwide
Our church hosts a local chapter of HOPE worldwide to support their vision of bringing hope and change to the lives of the world’s most poor, sick and suffering. HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. HOPE worldwide serves more than 1.5 million people annually on every inhabited continent. Visit HOPE worldwide‘s website to learn more.
HOPE worldwide’s Chicago Chapter
HOPE worldwide has a long standing relationship with the City of Chicago and has been partnering with the Chicago Church of Christ and our 2,000+ willing volunteers for many years. Areas of service include:
- Chicago HOPE Youth Corps. 2000, 2016, 2017 (View our recap video from 2017!)
- Toiletry drives for various homeless shelters
- Christmas & Thanksgiving gift/food drives
- Supporting META24/Banner Academy’s youth entrepreneurship programs through mentoring and after school programs
- Back to school fun-fairs and back pack drives in the Austin and Englewood Community
- And so much more!
Keep up-to-date with everything going on in the Chicago Chapter by following the HOPE worldwide – Chicago Chapter page on Facebook!
Spanish-Speaking Ministry
Ministerio Las Américas
Part of the Metro Ministry Center
As part of a larger ministry, we enjoy great fellowship and serving opportunities.
Sunday Services
Our Spanish-only church service is held Sunday afternoons. We also have midweek lessons and personal bible studies in Spanish.
Centrally Located
On Sundays we meet in Oak Park near Austin Blvd and North Ave.
¿se habla español?
So do we!
We’re a group of Christians as diverse as the Chicago Latino landscape who greatly value faith, family and friendships. We want to make a lasting difference in your life and the lives of others in the Latino community by helping people become fully devoted disciples of Jesus.
The Spanish-speaking ministry is part of the church’s Metro Ministry Center which meets in in Oak Park. On Sunday afternoons our group of about 75 worships together in Spanish. During the week we offer a Spanish-speaking church service or small group meetings in homes.
Recordings of sermons and an iTunes podcast are available.
Contact Bill or Wendy Ellis to learn more. We hope to meet you soon!
Bill: (708) 704-7617 bill@chicagochurch.org
Wendy: (708) 704-7618 wendy@chicagochurch.org
¿Hablas español?
Somos un grupo de cristianos tan diverso como los paisajes que puedes ver diariamente en Chicago. Valoramos nuestra fe, la familia y las amistades. Nuestro deseo es hacer una diferencia que perdure en tu vida y en las vidas de nuestra comunidad latina, con el fin de ayudar a convertirse en discípulos de Jesus completamente devotos.
El ministerio de habla hispana es parte de Metro Ministry Center que se reúne en el vecindario de la ciudad de Chicago que se encuentra en Belmont/Craiging.
Nos reunimos tres veces al mes aproximadamente 100 personas para alabar a nuestro Dios completamente en español. Y un domingo al mes nos reunimos todos juntos como congregación y una gran familia para alabar en ingles. Tenemos sistema de traducción disponible para quien lo necesite.
También ofrecemos servicios durante la semana para crecer espiritualmente como familia, matrimonio y personalmente.
Para más información puedes contactar a Bill y Wendy Ellis. Esperamos conocerte pronto!
Guillermo: (708) 704-7617 bill@chicagochurch.org
Wendy: (708) 704-7618 wendy@chicagochurch.org
… each one heard their own language being spoken. Acts 2:6
Spiritual Discovery
Addictions
Help for those battling an addiction
Sexual Impurity
Help for those trapped in a cycle of sexual sin
Codependency
Help for those entangled in a relationship
Strength in Weakness
Guidance for Christians struggling with homosexuality and unwanted same-sex attractions
Welcome to Spiritual Discovery!
Spiritual Discovery classes are focused Bible studies aimed to help those who feel spiritually stuck and cannot overcome an addiction, entangled relationship, anger or unhealthy pattern in their lives. We offer weekly classes for men and women around the Chicagoland area.
We have seen many men and women overcome their challenges and enjoy a closer walk with God. God has truly shown us his marvelous power to heal damaged lives and restore relationships.
For more information about the Spiritual Discovery classes, click on the adjacent tabs. If you are interested in attending a Spiritual Discovery class, contact Doug or Kathy Heinen.
- Doug: 847-942-1400 or doug.heinen@premisehealth.com
- Kathy: 312-636-5086 or kathy.heinen@sbcglobal.net
Addictions
Spiritual Discovery Group for Addictions
“…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.”
2 Peter2:19
The goal of this ministry is to help people who struggle with an addiction to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our definition of addiction is anything that has mastered you, whether it is alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, gaming, media, etc. Often addiction is an effort to escape painful emotions through the use of substances or unhealthy obsessive behaviors. What starts as an escape ends up as a trap. Repeated efforts to stop or control the behavior can end in frustration or self-loathing. It is very common to overcome one addiction only to end up in another.
Without God’s power, we are truly powerless over our addictions. The first step to overcoming an addiction is awareness, followed by ownership and surrender. Through biblically based, private small groups we seek to understand ourselves and take ownership of our behaviors and turn to God for healing and freedom.
Groups are facilitated by volunteers, and not professional counselors. We believe that God is the one who heals us through His word, Holy Spirit and that He works through the shared experiences of others and the accountability that comes with being a part of this support group.
Sexual Impurity
Spiritual Discovery Group for Sexual Impurity
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
God designed sex to be a beautiful and very personal gift for marriage, but like many of His good gifts, the fallen world we live in misuses and abuses it. The lies we hear from the world are:
- “If it feels good, do it”
- “It’s not personal; it is just biological”
- “Pornography and masturbation help your sexual relationship”
- “Hooking up doesn’t hurt anyone.”
If these statements are true, why is sexual abuse such a deep wound? If sex doesn’t mean anything, why does it create such deep shame and keep us in secrecy and in a bondage that is physically, emotionally, and spiritually damaging.
The first step to getting out of bondage and begin healing is to stop the cycle of secrecy. Through our biblically based, private small groups, we seek to understand ourselves, take ownership of our behaviors and look to God to fill the void of love, worthiness, security and belonging so we can overcome the bondage of sexual sins.
Groups are facilitated by volunteers, and not professional counselors. We believe that God is the one who heals us through His word, Holy Spirit and that He works through the shared experiences of others and the accountability that comes with being a part of this support group.
Codependency
Spiritual Discovery Group for Codependency
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
Philippians 1:9-10
God’s design for our lives is that we would be dependent on Him and His love for us, and that we would have loving, healthy, interdependent relationships with one another. A codependent relationship is characterized by unhealthy boundaries that can result in unhappy, disconnected and entangled relationships.
Growing up without appropriate love, protection, and guidance can lead to codependent patterns that result in unhealthy relationships. Through our biblically based, private codependency groups, we seek to understand ourselves, take ownership of our unhealthy behaviors and look to God to develop healthy relationships.
Groups are facilitated by volunteers, and not professional counselors. We believe that God is the one who heals us through His word, Holy Spirit and that He works through the shared experiences of others and the accountability that comes with being a part of this support group.
Strength in Weakness
Strength in Weakness
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
The Chicago Strength in Weakness is a local chapter of the international Strength in Weakness Ministries which seeks to bridge the gap between the Christian community and the LGBTQ community through awareness, education and support.
Strength in Weakness Ministries mission statement states in part that, “we are currently assisting Christians from hundreds of Christian congregations in countries on every continent the world over. As well, we are teaching Evangelists, Pastors, Church Leaders, Pastoral Care Workers and all Christians how to effectively counsel Christian men and women who are same gender attracted; parents, spouses and siblings how to deal with this challenge in their family relationships, and all Christ followers how to reach out to our gay neighbors for Christ through our workshops.”
For more information, contact Kevin Coleman at kevinc@recoveryministries.info or 773-557-8640. Or visit the Strength in Weakness Ministries website.
