Loving Arms, Oswego
The last week of September in 2017, Pastor Walter Ramirez and his leadership team from Cross, Plano started a contemporary worship service at Loving Arms Child Care Center in Oswego. The service has been especially popular amongst young people in their community. A group of teenagers who had been attending Bible studies, movie nights, and music classes at Loving Arms are eager to learn more about Jesus and use the gifts they have to serve. Nine teenagers were confirmed in their faith this past year, one was baptized, and two celebrated quinceañeras. The Lord stirred in several of the teenagers’ hearts, and they now serve as the worship team at Loving Arms. The Loving Arms congregation hosts regular events in the nearby apartment buildings as well as Christian concerts outside of their building one Saturday per month followed by a worship service in the same location on Sunday, which all concert goers are invited to attend.
Messiah, Chicago
The church has a unique opportunity to show people Jesus by seeing their needs and offering a way to help. Supplying the needs of their community, Messiah, Chicago offered English as a Second Language courses this past year.
San Pablo, Aurora
“People never would have assumed that they can pray for an hour… then they do.” For the past five years, San Pablo, Aurora has hosted a prayer week during Holy Week. With guided stations, they turn their multi-purpose room into a peaceful place of individual prayer centered around a specific theme. This year’s was the life of Moses. From 5 a.m. the morning of Palm Sunday until midday the Saturday prior to Easter, individuals are able to sign up for an hour in the prayer room. At the beginning of the week, the prayer room closes at 1 a.m., but by Wednesday each year, people are requesting times at 3, 4, and 5 a.m. for that special time with God. Over the course of the week, 130 hours are spent in prayer, many of which are from people who don’t attend San Pablo, some of whom are people of different faiths. As people walk through the stations of confession, reflection over scripture, and gratitude, they are reminded–and some taught for the first time–that prayer is a conversation with God.
St. Paul, Aurora
With eyes open for ministry opportunities the Lord has placed before him, Pastor Angel Morales of St. Paul, Aurora recently observed that the community just south of the Chicago Premium Outlet mall on I-88 in Aurora is densely populated with Hispanic individuals, but that there were no Spanish services. Fortunately, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in that community. Pastor Morales and Pastor Andrew Tutwiler also of St. Paul, began speaking about talking to Pastor John Fritz at Hope about starting a Spanish service. They intended to present the idea at the next meeting they had with him, but the Lord was also stirring the heart of Hope’s pastor: Pastor John Fritz. At the next meeting, before Pastor Morales could bring it up, Pastor Fritz asked what he could do to help with Hispanic ministry. In partnership with one another, they began offering a Spanish service at Hope shortly thereafter. Now, Pastor Morales preaches at Saint Paul, Aurora on Sunday mornings then drives to preach at Hope a few hours later. After services, the congregation gathers together for conversation and a meal. Through relationship building and open eyes to opportunities the Lord presents, Hope’s congregation is growing and more people are learning about Jesus.
Vida y Fe, Elgin
On mission to share the hope, joy, and love of Jesus surrounding their Van St. campus in Elgin, Pastor Jorge Mazariegos and the ministry team at Vida y Fe applied for and were awarded a New Starts…New Believers grant for Neighborhood Outreach. They have held music classes, regular, large English as a Second Language classes, Latin food festivals, Vacation Bible School and soccer camp. An active member of the community, Vida y Fe builds relationships in Elgin which enable them to personally invite people to join them for Monday evening Bible study.
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