Domestic Mission Dinner Oct. 19 aims to connect communities through service

Children and teens are known for their joyous demeanor and sharing the love for life commonplace to their age group. But they also are among the most vulnerable populations.

That is why Christ Church in Oak Brook and Downers Grove supports dozens of domestic mission partners in local, regional and national communities.

Like Christ Church, these partners are passionate about serving at-risk populations - from feeding the hungry, caring for the abused and homeless, to crisis and disaster intervention, leadership development training and prison and street ministries.

"Caring for neighbors, friends and even strangers in need is at the heart of who we are as residents of the western suburbs," said Rev. John Klingelhofer, Christ Church pastor of Outreach. "We care about people in our area, but it is part of our mission to care for people everywhere. Christ Church's values are rooted in giving and doing for the sake of others, and that's why we support the wide variety of mission partners that we do."

The public is invited to attend a "Domestic Mission Dinner" at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, to meet representatives from 30 service organizations, learn what these groups do to help those in need, and be inspired by their stories.

Enjoy a Thanksgiving-style dinner and conversation with the domestic mission partners at the Oak Brook location around the theme "Children at Risk."

The evening will feature a presentation from Felecia Thompson, executive director of Resilient, a nonprofit Christian Community Development Organization, which supports and shares the love of Christ with under-resourced youth in the Villa Park, Lombard, and Oak Brook Terrace communities.

Hear interviews with Tyler Mallory, area director of Young Life Eastern DuPage; and Derek Polansky, juvenile justice ministry director at Youth for Christ.

Tickets are $10. Registration is required at ChristChurch.us/DMFest. There is child care upon request.

The public is also invited to an open house and dedication of the church's new expanded worship space from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at York and 31st in Oak Brook.

For more information about Christ Church, visit www.christchurch.us/.