Critical Targets of the
Northern Illinois District

Critical Target
Congregational Ministries

Goal: Congregational Ministries: that congregations have relevant ministries that seek, welcome, nurture and incorporate all members of the congregation and community into their family of faith.

Congregations with ethnic or cross cultural ministries:

The following NID congregations sponsor Hispanic ministries to their communities      (see also Critical Target #3 - Partnerships)

• Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 5344 S Francisco Ave, Chicago (SELC) is on the south side of Chicago. This congregation is served by Rev. Joel Bastida.
• Good Shepherd Our Redeemer, Berwyn offers services in English and Spanish     each Sunday. Rev. Dr. Sorensen is bi-lingual and officiates at both services.        The church is located at 6717 W. 19th Street. For more information, call the church: 708/788-9054.
• Jehovah/El Buen Pastor 3740 W. Belden, Chicago, is a combination of two congregations, one Anglo and one Hispanic. It is located on the North West          side of Chicago. Rev. Dr. Eric Moeller is pastor and Mrs. JoEllen Hoffmann is principal of the school. For information, call 773/342-5854 or email the office.
• San Pablo, Aurora, Rev. Alex Merlo. This Hispanic congregation has purchased  property that once belonged to St. Paul, Aurora at 555 E. Benton Avenue and     has become the first NID self supporting Hispanic congregation. Sunday worship attendance is about 150. For more information visit their website.
• St. Paul, 1025 Lake St., Melrose Park, is located near Maywood and Walther High School.  It has offered Hispanic services for many years. Rev. Thomas Johnson is pastor and conducts services in English and Spanish. Call the church office for times of services 708/343-1000 or visit their website.

The following NID congregations have a majority African American membership:

• Christ the King, 3701 S. Lake Park, Chicago. Rev. John Brazeal is pastor and Geraldine Brazeal is principal of the school. The church sponsored an affordable housing project for the Oakland/Kenwood community in conjugation with special government programs. For information, call 773/536-1984.
• First Immanuel, 1124 S. Ashland, Chicago, is located close to downtown and    near the west side medical complex. The congregation has called Rev. Carl Kaye for the Asian ministry and has been involved with International Student Ministry which meets on its property. Rev. John Carrier is pastor. For information, call 312/733-6886.
• Resurrection, 9349 S. Wentworth, Chicago. This congregation is one of two congregations in Chicago that was founded as an African American congregation.  It was establish in 1952 and offers a school. Rev. Larry Frazier is pastor and Shirley Johnson is principal. For information, call 773/928-6311.
• St. Philip, 6232 S. Eberhart Ave., Chicago. This congregation was founded in 1926 as an African American congregation when our churches were still segregated.      Dr. Marmaduke Carter was the founding pastor.  It has an active youth program to reach the youth of the community. Rev. Elstner Lewis is pastor. For information, call 773/493-3865.
• St. Paul (Austin), 846 N. Menard, Chicago. This congregation became a predominantly African American congregation during the 70's and 80's.            Rev. Steven Everette is pastor and Glen Kuck is principal of the school.               For information, call 773/378-6644 or go to their website. 
• St. Paul, 7621 S. Dorchester, Chicago. St Paul has served this south side             African American community for many years. The pastoral duties are currently being fulfilled by Rev. Paul Anderson, pastor of New Hope Lutheran Church.  Jeffrey Howell is principal of the school. Call 773/721-1438 for more information.
• St. Stephan’s Lutheran Church, 910 W. 65^th St., Chicago.
• Timothy Lutheran Church, 1700 W. 83^rd St., Chicago, is served by                      Rev. James Foley. William Smith is principal of the school. The congregation became an African American congregation in the 60’s and 70’s.                           For information, call 773/874-7333.
• Trinity Lutheran Church, 10 W. 150^th St., Harvey. Currently the congregation is without a pastor.
• Zion, 9901 W. Winston, Chicago, Rev. Stephane Kalonji. Pastor Kalonji was ordained and installed at Zion in June 2005.
• Zion, 10858 S. King Drive, Chicago. Rev. Jimmy McCants is pastor of Zion.            For more information, call 773/928-3530.

Asian Indian (Telegu) ministries

• Rev. Shadrack Kitari conducts services in the Telegu language of India each Sunday at Bethesda, 6803 N. Campbell, Chicago, and at St. John, 305 Circle, Forest Park. You may contact him at Bethesda, 773/743-6460.