Missionary returns home from Kenya to be pastor of Oak Brook church

In Assembly of God churches, pastors can either take a mission path or pastoral path.

The Rev. Chip Block, who became pastor at Oak Brook Community Church in Oak Brook around Thanksgiving, chose the mission path, recently returning after serving 12 years in Nairobi, Kenya.

"I've always had a heart for missionary work," he said.

Block, whose full name is Walter William Block, III, prefers Chip. He is 48 and has been in the ministry for 25 years. Both he and his wife grew up in Kenosha, Wis., where he was an associate pastor from 1982 to 1990.

During that time, he made the first of many trips to Uganda. He said he's always felt a connection to Africa.

In 1991, Block came to Calvary Church near Naperville and served as the college pastor until 1995. In 1996, he and his family left for Kenya, where he spent 12 years as the principal of Bible School at the East Africa School of Theology and pastor of International Christian Center in Nairobi.

The church had between 3,500 and 5,000 people who attended weekend services.

"We weren't big on membership numbers in Kenya," he said.

Africa, in his experience, is a continent of incredible contrast, with much poverty and wealth but not much of a middle class. The church he led in Kenya was one of means, and Block said members were not looking for help from others.

"They could do it themselves. An HIV/AIDS ministry was funded by the church. In vision and programs, the church was growing," he said.

The church in Kenya had always been led by a missionary, and one of Block's goals was to raise up leaders and turn the church over to Kenyans.

Last year, he felt the church was ready for that move, so when Oak Brook Community Church contacted him about being its pastor, the time was right to make the go back to the U.S.

"My wife and I felt a growing burden of spiritual need in America," he said.

Block, and his wife, Cyndi, had stayed connected to the States during their African mission, making trips back to see family and friends. They felt the Oak Brook church was a good fit.

"This has been a mission-driven church," said Block of his new church. "There's not as much difference as people would assume between here and Kenya. We've worked with the homeless, we wanted to reach out to the community."

The Block family arrived from Kenya just before Thanksgiving last year, and the new pastor began his duties at a church that averages 600 members and 1,000 people.

Among his new duties was the determination that Oak Brook Community Church needed to have someone come in and set an agenda for the future. A 40-day plan was used to pull the church together in prayer.

"We need to explore who we are and what the vision is of this church. In September, we will be ready to say who we are and where we are going with the mission," Block said.

Block added that, as the church members go through the evaluation process, they will become tapped into the community and be able to redefine who they are.

"This church has always had an outreach mentality," he added.

The church's various outreach ministries include an program for people in needy Friday mornings. Visitors can get help finding a place to stay, referrals to food banks and help finding a job.

On Mondays, Carenet meetings help pregnant women with counseling and practical needs for two years after their infant is born.

A monthly senior ministry plans activities and provides fellowship and trips with seniors from other churches, and both Awana and preschool programs are offered for children.

Block said Oak Brook Community Church has a vibrant youth program that focuses on folks in their 20s and 30s.

The Blocks have stayed connected with the Kenya church, and have heard firsthand what their friends there are going through during these months of turmoil following the election late last year.

"Church family members have been affected by the turmoil in Kenya. Some family members have had their homes burned down," Block said.

Yet there is good news. The two main pastors of the International Christian Center in Nairobi are each from the tribes involved with the two presidential candidates.

"These pastors are showing how the two tribes can work together," Block said. "We are praying for them."

For details, visit www.obcc1.org.