New church coming to Aurora

Don't let Mark Davenport's untucked shirt and blue jeans fool you.

Folks call him Pastor Mark and he's the head of the area's newest church, targeting 18- to 39-year-olds.

His Resolution Church will celebrate its grand opening service Sept. 14 at Waubonsie Valley High School's Gold Campus, 1305 Long Grove Drive, Aurora. But be forewarned, he says, because "this ain't your grandmother's Christian experience."

Davenport describes his "contemporary church without compromise" as a mainline orthodox Protestant Christian group with a contemporary methodology.

"We chose the name Resolution because everyone needs to resolve something in their lives whether it be marital or work challenges or raising kids," the 48-year-old Davenport said. "Ultimately we want to be a place people come and hear about faith in God and strengthen their relationship with Christ."

Each worship also will be fueled by loud, progressive rock 'n' roll led by Wheaton College graduate and pop rock artist Derrick Thomas.

"I like to call it a Rock Arena- style worship," said Davenport. "The music will be loud because we want our members to feel the music in the deepest part of their souls."

Ear plugs will be provided.

Davenport said he has spent the past few months marketing the church and distributing thousands of fliers throughout Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook and Naperville. He hopes to have a few hundred curious folks come out Sept. 14.

"We'll build our core out of the crowd that comes to the grand opening," he said. "Those people are more likely to want to step up in volunteering and grow with the church. So we'll get a crowd now and build a core later."

Davenport and his wife grew up in Michigan before he received his doctorate of ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. He plans for Resolution to be the third and final church he "plants."

His previous two congregations in Atlanta and Denver both grew into successful churches, he said, allowing him to return to the Midwest.

"If I wasn't a pastor I'd be a small-business owner because I have that entrepreneurial instinct," he said. "My calling is to establish new churches and I want to finish up my ministry in the Fox Valley area."

The Sept. 14 service has an open invitation to any person regardless of denomination or whether they believe.

"They are welcome with open arms," Davenport said. "That's why we're here - to help those that are far from God discover a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ."