Pastor proud to bring new church to Lombard
The Rev. Al Cleveland describes his Rehoboth Empowerment Christian Church in Lombard as "charismatic evangelical Pentecostal," but he also believes in finding common ground with other faiths.
Cleveland has preached as a guest in Methodist, Baptist, Catholic and Lutheran churches.
Now the pastor and his fledging independent church is collaborating with St. John Lutheran Church in Lombard to hold a health and education fair this weekend.
"We have the same basic tenants of our faith," Cleveland said. "We don't all have to do it the same. We don't have to all be in service at the same time. We do need to stand together for the things we do agree upon."
The Health, Wellness and Education Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at St. John Lutheran School, 215 S. Lincoln St.
It will feature a LifeSource blood drive, chiropractic and blood pressure screenings, nutritionist health screenings and body mass index screenings, as well as informational booths by DuPage County and the state's health-care program for children.
There also will be educational information on Elmhurst College, the Northern Baptist Seminary and general equivalency diplomas.
Activities will include a moon jump, face painting and a magic show for children, in addition to a dance ministry workshop, a healthy meals in minutes demonstration and a Christian gospel music concert.
Church leaders wanted to "reach out and let the community know we're here," said Cleveland's wife, Lori, who also serves as the church administrator.
Rehoboth, which gets its name from Genesis 26:22, began informally about a year ago with a dozen believers.
"I shared my faith vision and they said we're going to walk this faith journey with you," Cleveland said.
Cleveland had been an associate pastor at Progressive Life-Giving Word Cathedral in Hillside and decided he was ready to start his own ministry.
The 41-year-old Wheaton resident had suffered an ascending aortic aneurysm eight years ago that caused his kidneys to fail and his liver to stop functioning. He went from his typical 215 pounds of muscle down to 160 pounds. It took two years to regain his mobility, he said.
"After 100 days in the hospital and three surgeries, I promised God I was going to fulfill my life's mission to create more disciples of Christ," Cleveland said. "I'm a man on a mission."
He credits destiny for leading him to Lombard, first at Embassy Suites and later at Glenn Westlake Middle School, before ending up at St. John's. Destiny manifested through help from a mutual friend referring Cleveland to the Rev. Dan Wegrzyn, St. John's pastor.
"It wasn't the demographics or anything like that, it was just a strong sense ... through the Lord," he said. "It's just where all of the opportunities and the doors have opened."
Lori Cleveland adds: "It was a divine connection."
The congregation has been growing slowly but steadily and now includes about 40 members, the Clevelands say. They hope to see membership continue to rise.
"We've been sent to the area to not do something new, but to build on all the great Christian history that's already in the area," Al Cleveland said.
"I want to be one of the agents that will bring all of the Christian churches in Lombard together, because we are so much more powerful together than we are apart."
Rehoboth Empowerment Christian Church holds services at 2 p.m. Sundays and Bible studies at 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays in the old school at St. John Lutheran Church.
To contact Rehoboth, call (630) 629-2515, ext. 126.
If you go
What: Health, Wellness and Education Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: St. John Lutheran School, 215 S. Lincoln St., Lombard
Info: (630) 629-2515, ext. 126.