Building community: Christ Church Downers Grove to celebrate anniversary Feb. 3

When you first enter the worship space of Christ Church Downers Grove, you are immediately captured by the view of a calm pond enveloping the circular, island-like structure with sweeping views of the neighboring nature preserve.

Then you notice the modern setting of an open yet intimate space with a tall, handmade wooden cross, a large screen, rows of chairs across the floor and band equipment on the stage. Warm smiles and hearty handshakes exhibit the welcoming spirit of the people here.

One year ago this location opened its doors to about 100 people seeking a place they could feel comfortable to worship, meet people and grow further in their faith journey. Now weekly attendees have doubled to more than 200 - a large progression in the church world and a great sign that a need is being filled.

This nondenominational church's services are held weekly at 10:45 a.m. Sundays in the Esplanade building on Lacey Road in Downers Grove, where each weekend church staff and volunteers transform the lower atrium area into a house of worship.

The congregants come from many faith backgrounds and are at various stages of their life and faith journey. Some recently moved to the area; some were looking for a new church home. Others hadn't been to church in a while, and still others had never been part of a church community. It is an interesting, vibrant blend of people who all are seeking something better in their lives, in themselves and/or for their families. The kindness and care for one another is openly on display.

Professional musicians perform inspired worship jam sessions with occasional guest artists such as a flamenco guitarist and pop saxophonist who performed during the Christmas season. There is a Celtic musician scheduled to join the staff musicians during the March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) service.

Leading this new flock of energetic believers is the Rev. Eric Camfield, a former professional baseball player and pastor from Christ Church's Oak Brook location.

Camfield says the Downers Grove church strives to offer more than just weekend services but a way for people to be involved just as its membership seeks to be involved within the community.

"Seventy five percent of our regular attenders are serving in an area of ministry," Camfield said. "We have created a vibrant community that is worshipping, growing and serving in a highly invested way."

During the winter months, church staff and volunteers have engaged in various outreach efforts, including serving free coffee and hot chocolate to commuters at the Belmont Metra train station to let people in the community know they care and to offer prayer and conversation to those interested. This is part of the strong belief Christ Church has to grow community and offer services.

Church leaders believe it's important for attenders to fellowship outside of church services and have meaningful conversations relating to everyday life.

"Welcoming new people was understood. We were opening a new church branch and looked forward to all that would join our church community," said Amy Moran, campus logistics and office administrator at the Downers Grove location. "What we have learned is the importance of truly knowing one another through prayer requests, connection time and serving together. We look forward to seeing one another each Sunday and checking in to see how everyone is doing. Friendships are being formed and a true community is developing."

The church's "One-Hour Connections" are the small groups held before Sunday services for attendees to share time together in prayer and reflection before worship, said Randi Lundgren, ConneXions coordinator at the church.

Services and groups continue to expand as well.

"These groups are providing a safe space for people to ask difficult faith questions, sharing life experiences and welcoming both laughter and tears," Lundgren said. "The participants often describe their group as family and a place where you are loved for who you are. Vulnerability is treated as sacred."

"We also have a new men's group which meets twice a month and is planning for their first retreat, and we will be starting up a women's group and several other home groups in the next couple of months," she said.

Eric and Rita Brezina became members of Christ Church Downers Grove last fall and said the experience has positively engaged their entire family, including their four children, in service or leadership training programs.

"We went from being a family who went to church when it was convenient to being a family who goes to church because it is where we go on Sunday," Rita Brezina said.

The Brezinas don't simply go to church and sit for sermons. They are engaged in all church activities, volunteering in various roles, participating in programming for adults and children, as well as singing with the band during worship services, including singing as an entire family during a service over Christmas.

They believe being involved fully in the church gives them a complete worship experience, as well as enables them to fulfill volunteer needs. They encourage anyone seeking a faith home to look for the elements they have found at Christ Church Downers Grove.

"We have a lead pastor who is both down-to-Earth and a gifted speaker," Rita Brezina said. "The entire staff is kind, open to new ideas, creative and really makes you feel welcomed every time you walk in the door. The music is exceptional. The group of volunteers making service happen is amazing and committed. We love it."

The public is invited to the anniversary celebration for Christ Church Downers Grove at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3500 Lacey Road in Downers Grove, as well to all upcoming weekend services.

Downers Grove is the newest location of Christ Church in Oak Brook, which was established in 1965 as a nondenominational community church and has grown to more than 6,000 members. The Oak Brook location offers both contemporary and classic worship styles.

Christ Church also seeks to reach those who cannot come to services through its online media library, livestream services twice Sunday morning, as well as its broadcast ministry on radio and television. For information, visit ChristChurch.us.