Christian Church of Clarendon Hills: Clarendon Hills, IL

New Member - November 15th

I have always been told that there is nothing wrong with change if it is in the right direction, but in reality, the right direction is not always easy to see. After college graduation, I prayed that God would give me clear direction as I looked for a good church to be a part of. I moved to Clarendon Hills the first week of June, and that next Sunday, I came to CCCH. After taking the CLD101 class and attending a few services, I realized that CCCH was the kind of church I wanted to be a part of.  It has now been 5 months since that first Sunday and God’s direction is unmistakable. I love being a part of a church where the truth is taught every week, but more importantly where people have a true heart for God and His mission. So many people have come along side me, and let me know that I never have to stand alone. I look forward to seeing God do a mighty work of change in the year to come.

- Cecilia Mwaya

ACTS Christmas Program - December 13th

Participating in the ACTS Christmas Program has been a great experience. It’s given us the chance to get to know other kids from church more than we did before and has helped strengthen friendships we have made.  We feel like we belong here, where God led our family to be. In this story, we are reminded that we are all a part of God’s awesome plan, put on a show for Jesus and have a lot of fun working together!  This will be our family’s first Christmas at CCCH and we are very excited. 

- Emma, Kyle and Connor Kroeger

To learn more, visit the “Parent’s Page”.

Life on Loan Testimony

After the Aids Experience, our group began to pray that God would lead us in the direction He wanted us to serve. The following week many people in our group felt God leading us to serve those with HIV/Aids. Now our group delivers groceries to those with HIV/Aids two Saturdays a month through the Vital Bridges program. We are working to build friendships with the people on our delivery routes and pray that God will use us to begin conversations about Jesus Christ with them. Through Life on Loan, our group has realized there are many people in our own neighborhoods that have specific needs that simply go unnoticed. We are looking forward to the ways God will use us to serve others in the future.

After many years of soul searching and praying, I finally was able to make the decision to turn my life over to God.  When I attended on July 12th that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind but God had his own plan.  Through the message, He spoke to me loud and clear.  I was overcome with the immediate desire to do His will and my life changed forever. I now know a sense of peace that I have never felt before.  In coming to Christ, I can say with certainty that I trust God with the rest of my life.

- Lesley Petersen

To learn more, go to the “Baptism” page.

2009 Mission Trip - July 28th - August 4th

When I heard about the trip to the Dominican Republic in 2007, my daughter Barbara wanted to go.  What was I to say?  Don’t have a heart for missions? So, I said, “Ok.” However, in the back of my mind I thought, couldn’t we do better if instead of paying for us to go, we hired workers to build a church and feeding center?  When we arrived I saw many reasons why God had us going and working. When I was sharing my thoughts with John Martinez, a missionary with G.O. Ministries, I asked him what the most important reason was for us being there? He said, that they were encouraged by us and didn’t feel alone.  This year, was our third time working hand-in-hand with our brothers and sisters and growing ever closer to them.

- Cliff Budach

To learn more, visit the “Global Missions” page.

Small Group Involvement

When Liz and I moved to Chicago a year and a half ago, we were both very interested in finding a church where we could worship together, grow in Christ together and truly feel a sense of belonging and community with the church body. We feel as though CCCH has provided these opportunities and more.  We have made some great friends through this church and we are excited to continue our growth in Christ and church body.  CCCH has stretched us to seek Christ in every aspect of our life.  Our small group has helped us to grow our friendships with others as well as encourage personal relationships with Christ.  Furthermore, it has been a positive experience for our marriage to be challenged by others who are at similar places in life.  We have grown to depend more on Christ, dig into his word and be ready for anything that God may put in our path.  It is great to have such a strong sense of community around us, especially as we are still rather new to the group!

- Brad Peters

To learn more, visit the “Adult Study” page.

Academy Intensive Course

The Academy classes we attended this spring and summer helped us understand the connections between the Old and New Testament.  It was thrilling to read the Psalms aloud and realize that we were praising God in the same way that the Jewish people praised Him on the way to the temple in Jerusalem.  We talked about the classes on the way home and on the train the next morning.  We heard of the “joy and astonishment “ of the ascension of Christ and how we need to have both of those—that we are waiting now and looking through a glass darkly.  It was good to meet new people and we really enjoyed the times when we were able to eat together before class.

- Bob & Sheryl Poage

To learn more, visit the “Adult Study - Academy” page.

Baptism - July 17th, 2009

When I got baptized, I felt like a new person.  In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says “If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.”  Before I got baptized, those were just words to me and it was hard to believe that my old life would ever fade and be replaced with this new life that I’m now living.  It’s amazing.  It felt so good to leave my past behind and enter into a new life with Jesus, knowing that he loves me and his love is so much better than anything this world can offer.  After I got baptized, I remember feeling so joyful because I knew I was about to become a new person and break free of everything that was holding me down in the past.  It was the most amazing feeling ever, and I’m so glad I’ve come this far in my relationship with Jesus.

- Kelly Lickteig (age 16)

To learn more, go to the “Baptism” page.

Church Picnic - August 9th, 2009

I attended the picnic this year with my two daughters. We played volleyball and then made our way into the pool as the band played nearby.  I noticed that between the laughter, we all were singing along with the hits the band was playing.  After enjoying the food we made our way to the various water slides. On the ride home the girls agreed that we enjoyed the picnic more than the expensive amusement park the day prior.  The picnic is a wonderful opportunity to have a ball with your loved ones and get to know folks outside of the worship time we spend together each week.

- Jim Guthrie

Baptism Service - May 31, 2009

I’m a 56 year old widower (my wife died of cancer in 2006). For two years I wondered and asked God, “Why not me?” I was brought to GriefShare by Christy Gergits. It was there I met several nice, helpful people. Because of that, I decided to come to a Sunday service and found the same.  That day, the message spoke to my heart. I came back and God spoke to me again. I love it.

Now, I volunteer my time with Doc Pascual on CCCH’s security team Sundays and during other events. I just love it here where Jesus has me.

- Bob Zubiate

To learn more, visit the “GriefShare” page.

Children’s Ministry: Vacation Bible School

I think that VBS is a great way to learn about God while having fun at the same time. There are snacks, games, crafts and sometimes small plays! You can pitch in to raise money for kids who are less fortunate. I’ve learned many memory verses and how to live my life the way God wants me to.

- Ryan Wagner (age 11)

 To learn more, go to the “Childrens” tab.

Student Ministry: 30 Hour Famine

This year, I participated in the 30 Hour Famine at CCCH.  The main premise of the event is to go without food to raise funds to help feed some of the thousands of children starving to death each day. I ate my last meal at 7 am.  My friends at lunch at school that day all had the same question, ”Why would you do that?”  This made me really think.  Why am I doing this? It’s not exactly the most fun thing ever now is it? I felt deeply that this was part of my duty as a Christian – to help the less fortunate – and I felt great that I could be a part of it.

After school, I headed to the church to build cardboard huts, play games, listen to music and go out into the neighborhoods to raise more money. Everything was pretty fun, until I started feeling the hunger.  Although the hunger was all I could think about, when I went to God, my mind just seemed clear. It got me closer to God to be able to fast like this. By the end of the famine, I understood hunger and felt for the kids starving every day.

- Grant Zastrow (age 15)

To learn more, go to the “Students” tab.

Dedication Ceremony - February 7, 2009

It was incredible to have both Senator Kirk Dilliard and Representative Patti Bellock attend the Dedication Ceremony. 
 

I think even they realized that God is in the process of doing awesome things within  and through CCCH attendees.  During the ceremony, I was moved to tears several times at the thought of the impact CCCH can have on our community for Jesus Christ.

Over the six years that I have been a member, I have seen this congregation almost double in size.  God has blessed us with a wonderful facility.  Let’s do whatever we can to fill it to capacity every Sunday.

- Steve Foster
 

To learn more, visit the “In The Media” page.

Baptism - Eldon & Debi Olmstead

My wife and I are still newlyweds and it meant so much for us to begin our new life in Christ together.  This is the beginning of the beginning and we are grateful to be walking in His kingdom because of what His Son did for us on the cross.

On a more humorous note but not making light of the seriousness of our commitment, my wife, Debi, was a little rushed and out of sorts in the morning before our baptism and I had asked Matthew if he could keep her under water a little longer for some “deeper” cleansing.

- Eldon Olmstead

To learn more, visit the “Baptism” page.

Women’s Ministry - Spring Retreat

The Women’s Growing Connection Retreat was a needed “cleansing of my soul” that renewed me.  Prior to going, my cup was full, too busy with work, putting other things first in my life.  Uniting our voices in worship, we just knew the Holy Spirit was embracing our entire time together.

The inspirational message from our speaker Jeanine Murk and quiet time broke me down, while convicting me to continue being a mentor to others.  I needed this cleansing through tears as we lifted our prayers.  I came away renewed spiritually, refreshed physically and reconnected socially with old and new friendships.

- Rosalie Mensinga

To learn more, visit the “Women’s Growing Connection” page.