In the spring of 2000, Pastor Steel left a local church where he had been serving as Senior Associate Pastor.  While waiting on direction from the Holy Spirit concerning their next assignment, He confirmed to Freddie and Mary Gaye's heart that their assignment was to continue to be in Chicagoland

     In the summer of 2000, the Steels were invited to teach a weekly Bible study in the home of Bob and Ann Bettinardi who were, at that time, searching for a new church home.  A few families met regularly and attended the weekly studies at Bob and Ann's home, all sensing a special touch from the Holy Spirit on this small gathering

     Bob encouraged the Steels to pray about planting a church.  At that time, the Steels were well convinced that their next assignment did not include the planting of a church.  While on a short visit back to their families in West Virginia, the Lord spoke to their hearts about planting a church and they decided to 'try' one public worship service.

                A Trial Run That Is Still Running

     On Sunday morning September 9, 2001, 170 attended the first service held at the Holiday Inn in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn.  The small group moved quickly and secured the Holiday Inn for the next week and then moved to the Stagg High School for the next year.

     Since that time,  we have met in two schools, a recreation center, leased office space and other churches.  We are now in our permanent facility in the wonderful village of Palos Heights.  

                  We Give You Jesus!

     One of our primary objectives is to be a safe place where people from all strata of life can come, find acceptance, be loved, and experience authentic fullness of life in Christ.   

     We state without apology that Jesus is the all-adequate, all-sufficient, miraculous solution to any and every need of your life.  Jesus also uses men, men's methods, and men's discoveries to help bring healing to us.  Whether it is His miraculous, divine intervention or the use of men's methods, Father God has made provision for you to be healed and made complete in your spirit, soul, body, relationships, finances, etc.   

     We are fortunate to regularly experience and enjoy corporate times of worship that are impacting, refreshing, and life changing.  In other words, our programs do not precede nor can they take the place of God's awesome presence.  God's formula is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.

     Personal ministry is offered at the conclusion of every worship encounter.  Ministry for salvation, healing, Holy Spirit baptism and deliverance from addictions and bondage are shared by our pastoral staff, elders, and associate ministers. 

     If you or any of your friends or loved ones seek personal ministry in their time of need, please share that need with us.  It will be our honor to pray with you and for you for God's very best.

                    What Matters Most To Us

Organism As Well As Organization

     In the busyness of life, the church is being called back to genuine relationship:  a relationship of trust, respect, love, and care.

     Relationship is what defines a family and can never to be replaced by church politics and an organizational structure.  The church family is a kingdom-government structure designed by God and is described by the Apostle Paul comparing the church body with the physical body and family.
  
Consider this:

Church Unity

     God is healing the church of its years of dysfunction arising from unresolved and disastrous conflicts and splits.  When we begin properly value, affirm, love, and submit to one another unity in the church begins to shine and make the body attractive. 

     It is not possible for everyone to do what is right in their own eyes and looking out for only their needs when they realize that they are part of a single body, a team.

Church Growth

     Body life produces a healthy environment where people learn to dream again, leave their past behind, and discover the gifts, talents, and calling that God has placed on their life.  Then, the parts begin to be fitly framed and placed together synergistically and the corporate body functions properly and grows.  Ephesians 4:16

Church Attendance

     When the Christian church functions as a body, it functions as an organism and also possesses organization.  This is where we begin to gain our sense of community or belonging. 

     Belonging permits ownership and ownership generates a commitment. People actually begin to WANT TO go to church. The church is no longer about programs only but about people. 

     When people are valued for who they are, wherever they are in their faith journey, they begin to learn that their value is not based upon performance but on something much more tangible – worth.  And, Jesus love for all mankind makes each of us equally worthy. 

True Body Life Results in Church Unity

     Unity already exists.  Unity is a work of the Holy Spirit that occurs when the seeker is placed into the corporate Body of Christ at the new birth by the Holy Spirit.  This is a supernatural unity.  Our job, then, becomes one where we help maintain what the Holy Spirit has provided. 

     "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 15:5-6

The Purpose Of Unity 

     “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15:6

     Getting the warm fuzzies feeling from a sense of belonging is nice, but the prime concern is how God feels.

     Getting more accomplished because we have the same mind and heart is good, but the key issue is that we walk, talk, and love like Jesus.

The Definition of Unity

     Unity is the fitting together of different parts in a way that enables us to compliment each other, to be more complete, and to show the bigger picture.

     When God first instituted the church, He brought together two very different groups of people, the Jews and the Gentiles, and made them into one body.

     God did not demand conformity (compare Acts 15:5-11). Gentiles did not have to become Jews and Jews did not have to become like the Gentiles. Each was able to retain their own individuality.

True unity transcends differences. In reality, true unity comes out of diversity. When true unity exists, differences become irrelevant. Who we are in Christ is most important. We begin to live on higher principles.

The Source of Unity

     Unity comes by accepting one another just as Christ accepted us. How did He accept us?  According to Romans 5:8-10, He accepts us unconditionally.  

"While yet sinners, when we are not able to know Him in relationship and fellowship, enemies because of our sin nature.” But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.”

     He went out of His way to accept us. He died to make it possible. Unity, then, is found at the foot of the cross. The cross breaks down barriers.

The Pattern of Unity

     The pattern of unity is seen in the Trinity, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and Holy Spirit.

     In John 17:11, God the Son asks the Father that His disciples may be one even as they are one. How are they one?  They are each different, yet they are one in essence. They share the same nature. 

     In Christ, after you have become one with Him through faith.  We are each individuals, but we share the same identity in Christ. 

     When we look at one another, we for Christ in that person and determine not be blinded by how they are different from us. In reality, we are already one in Christ.

The Cement of Unity

     The cement of unity is what will help us act like we are one:  the cement is love.

In Colossians 3:12-13 we find a list of how God's people are to treat one another.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

15 - The Evidence Of Unity will be seen in how well we live out the one-another commands of Scripture. We demonstrate unity by accepting one another, by honoring one another, by bearing with one another, by forgiving one another, by caring for one another, and by being kind toward one another. We love one another.

     The end result of unity is a testimony before a lost and dying world that Jesus is real. In John 17:20-23, Jesus says that His goal is that we may "be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you (the Father) sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." Our unity reveals the essence of the Gospel, --reconciliation.

     In Christ we stand united.  What is necessary for us to be able to demonstrate this unity? We offer some suggestions.  Read these entire texts soon.

·         John 17:11, 15, 20-23

·         Romans 12:16

·         Romans 14:19

·         Romans 15:5-6

·         Philippians 2:1-8

     Pray through and confront personal attitudes that would keep you from truly believing in your heart, not just in your head, that the result of our life together with all of our differences is something better then if we remained isolated or associated with only those like us.

     Seek after and work at promoting unity.  It begins supernaturally at the new birth but it is maintained by the obedience of the believers.  See Romans 14:19.

     Find unity with other Christians in the fact that you both know and love the Lord Jesus, not in your denominations, doctrines, or practices.

     Get beyond who is right and wrong to asking, "How can we learn together what is right?"

Become pro-active in appealing and pleading with others to work out their differences (Phil. 4:2-3). Too often we just sit back and watch relationships between brothers and sisters break down.