Christ Church to begin services at new Lombard location in October
Church homes are built around traditions and community. The physical structure is less important than the people whose mission is to represent the Body of Christ and share His love with the greater world.
That's why when Christ Church Oak Brook opened its first multisite location in 2018 within the doors of the Esplanade Lakes campus in Downers Grove, the focus remained on building a robust community within this temporary space. The prayer remained they would eventually find a space that would meet the community's needs.
Each weekend church staff and volunteers have been transforming the atrium area into a house of worship. This will no longer be necessary when the more than 200 weekly worshippers move to their new permanent location at 2S361 Glen Park Road in Lombard within the Butterfield area.
The site is the former location of Fountain of Life Church which closed in June.
"We are grateful the leadership of Fountain of Life Church were so committed to find another evangelical church to continue ministry in this thriving community," said Mark Kolkman, Ed.D., chief ministry officer at Christ Church.
Kolkman stated the move from the Esplanade Lakes campus was anticipated all along, but the opportunity to purchase a permanent location for Christ Church Downers Grove was yet another example of God's provision and perfect timing.
"Knowing our limitations of being in a corporate building setting: recurring set up and tear down; lack of adequate space for conducting midweek discipleship activities; limited space for children's ministry; absence of permanent signage; and more, leaders at Christ Church had been praying that God would open up an opportunity for our Downers Grove congregation to find a permanent home," he said.
The new location is less than one mile from the church's 3500 Lacey Road space and will help better serve the surrounding communities within the greater Butterfield area.
The new site will provide:
• Versatile worship space that can seat up to 600 people on a weekend and offer weekday usage for large groups, student ministry, events and congregational gatherings.
• Dedicated Children's and student ministry areas for Family Ministry outreach; expanded opportunities for vacation Bible school and student ministry events.
• Classroom and meeting room spaces for church group meetings and for outside groups in the community to use breakout rooms for a variety of conference formats.
• Gymnasium that will serve children and student ministries as well as provide outreach space for local use by outside groups.
Many congregants from the former Fountain of Life Church are worshipping at Christ Church Downers Grove and have begun eagerly serving alongside others at the church.
The public is invited to discover the many services and opportunities within this thriving community.
Services at the new location will begin in October at 10:45 a.m. Sundays at 2S361 Glen Park Road in Lombard, which is just off the I-355 Butterfield exit.
In a year's time, the Downers Grove branch has grown from 100 founding members to more than 200 weekly worshippers. This is something Campus Pastor Rev. Eric Camfield is thrilled to see as people are finding a loving and redemptive community where they are encouraged to worship, grow and serve.
"We are amazed at God's provision and the opportunity to expand our Christ Church vision for impacting thousands in the local suburbs by growing our influence and footprint throughout the wider Butterfield corridor. We are especially pleased to be able to fill a need and provide the opportunities that encourage people's minds, hearts and souls to thrive," Camfield concluded.
Learn more about Christ Church Downers Grove at ChristChurch.us/DG.