Chicago City Church

Every once in a while I connect with a ministry that really touches my heart.

A few weeks ago, Chris Delaurantis came and visited me here at Stone Church. Chris and his wife Monica are pastors of "Chicago City Church" on 55th and the Dan Ryan (off the Garfield Exit).

What's interesting to me is that they are not a church that does "outreach", they are an outreach which has services every Tuesday evening.

They feed the poor, provide shelter for the homeless and give hope to the down and outers.

I heard of powerful stories of conversion amongst those who live in downtown Chicago. Drug Addicts, thieves, prostitutes, it is truly the "bottom of the barrel."

Yet, and miraculously so, God is doing a great work!

One of the main workers by the name of Lawrence told me his story. Raised in a middle class family, holding a good job, Lawrence went off the deep end (to use his words) and fell into a spiral of drugs and crime.

He finally fell himself living in a garbage can. God changed his life!

What drew him to God? The "feeding program" that Chicago City church has.

Chicago City Church has 2 1/2 acres debt free!

After taking the tour and speaking with some of their staff, we as a church have committed to the following:

Our youth group is going down for the day to do some "servanthood" type stuff and see what is going on (June 30). Next year, they will be spending a week there in ministry.

We are going to take a group of men down on a fairly regular basis to do repairs on the church facility.

We support them as a church on a monthly basis.

What excites me is that we are taking ministry advantage of the fact that we live right next door to a "mission field." We don't have to go to inner city Detroit or overseas. We have it all right here - different nationalities, different languages, different cultures.

I encourage you to be in prayer for and with Kris and Monica and the Chicago City Church!

Also...check out: http://www.iccmonline.com/Life_Center/Chicago.html