Who We Are
We are a non denominational church that is comprised of a body of believers. We stand firm in our beliefs knowing that there is refuge in faith and fellowship through community involvement, prayer, and encouragement. As we stand firm in our beliefs, we can look forward to a better today and a brighter tomorrow.
Our History
The Church of Abundant Life Center began in 1991 in the heart of Chicago Illinois. We began servicing the public by providing food, shelter and clothing. The church was structured to address issues negatively affecting our community. Issues such as drugs, alcoholism, violence, hunger, poverty and homelessness. Church of Abundant Life Center combated these issues by socially interacting with the community to evaluate the needs. Our church leaders were comprised of disciples and missionaries, that prayed for, counseled and fellowshiped with those in need. Displaying these actions of love and kindness built trust and healthy relationships within the community. Through the word of the Lord and by faith alone we were able to help heal and mend the hearts of hundreds of broken individuals and families that had lost their way.
Our God
We believe that God is the Creator and Supreme being over every existing form of life. We believe in the trinity, one God eternally existing as essence, and three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Our faith is bounded by these scriptures, II Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any is in Christ he or she is a new creation… Matthew 28:19, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them…, As a body of believers we know that there is salvation and refuge in Christ Jesus. Our life’s work is to bring souls to Christ, give hope to the hopeless and spread the good news and gospel to all mankind.
God's Love for People
We believe that God’s love is unconditional, unchangeable and everlasting. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Salvation
We believe that God’s love is unconditional, unchangeable and everlasting. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
About Marriage
We openly accept all mankind into the body of Christ and believe wholeheartedly that all should come to Christ as they are. However, we believe that God ordained the union of marriage as a sacred commitment between a man and a woman. Our beliefs are enforced by the word of God through scripture. Matthews 19:4-5, Genesis 1:27;2-24 and Ephesians 5: 31-32 these are scriptures that clearly identify one Male and one Female coming together as God’s design for marriage. These scriptures among others in the Bible, fortify our beliefs and exclude the possibility that the union of marriage can be defined any other way.
Dr. Catherine Fox
Dr. Catherine Fox started in ministry as an aspiring missionary, preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ locally and abroad. She traveled near and far ministering to those in need, giving hope to the hopeless, as well as helping restore faith in the lives of those that were down trotted. She later became a licensed and ordained minister in the early 1990’s. Thereafter Pastor Fox received a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling with an emphasis in Christian Education and later earned her Doctorate of Divinity. Pastor Fox believes in the power of prayer, forgiveness, faith and redemption through Christ. Pastor Fox mission and ministry, is to remain a beacon of light for those that are lost and looking for change through Christ. Pastor Fox will continue her work just as she has been called to do, and be a pillar in communities locally and abroad, leading in compassion and love.
- Salvation through Christ and faith alone
- Building Productive and loving relationships within our communities
- Biblical text as the sole authority for faith and practices
- Communication, church affiliation and partnership
- Financial stewardship
- Working with leaders and key stakeholders within the community
- Effective planning, structure and productivity
- Team involvement and empowered leadership
Prison Outreach Ministry
The prison outreach ministry was formed in 2001. The prison ministry’s purpose is to render awareness, spread the love of Jesus Christ and open up dialogue in reference to change, acceptance and salvation through Christ Jesus. As disciples we go into the prisons and communities speaking to presently and formally incarcerate individuals as well as their families. Our goal is to provide support and guidance to those that seek reform. We offer prayer, counsel along with resource and referral services for those that are seeking hope, transformation and a means to a better life. We share the gospel to those that may not know, and tell all, we are all made in Gods likeness and image…, Genesis 1:27, and that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God…., Roman’s 3:23, and that no man nor woman is beyond Gods reach. Using the each one reach one method, we continue to change the lives of prisoners one by one, name by name. Through God’s word we know that one of our core purposes in life is to be a conduit and beckon of light for those needing God’s forgiveness and His grace. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”… Through our continuous dedication and devoted volunteer base, lives are being changed, renewed and revived and hope that was once lost is being restored.
Senior Ministry
One Call Away Program
Senior Ministry
At Church of Abundant Life Center we believe that it is essential to look out for the interest of others. Philippians 2:4 supports this belief. We have developed different program sectors within our Senior Ministry to help support the elderly. These programs are structured to create interaction, build relationships and give extra added assistance and care to those that are in need within the church.
Shut-In Program
One Call Away Program
Senior Ministry
This is a program specifically tailored to those that are “shut-in” rather it be due to physical impairment or health reasons, we make it our responsibility to come out and check-in. We know that it is of equal importance to spread the word and minister to those that are unable to attend weekly services; this is why our Pastor, members and church volunteers weekly take time to go out and assist those that are in need.
One Call Away Program
One Call Away Program
One Call Away Program
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do.” This program is where we designate members that are willing to serve the elderly by taking turns calling them once per day to check in on them, ask about their well being and listen to prayer request.
Helping Hands Program
Fortitude & Fellowship
One Call Away Program
This program is where we recruit members and church volunteers to go into the Senior’s homes and perform meal prep, cooking, assist with grocery shopping, cleaning and other household duties. We also assist with transporting seniors to doctors appointments and hospitals visits.
Respite Care
Fortitude & Fellowship
Fortitude & Fellowship
This is program is tailored towards assisting our members that are caregivers for our Seniors. We know that taking time to assist those in need can be tasking at times, and although it is a blessing to be able to care for others it can also be overwhelming when there is no relief. This is why we like to offer one day a week, for a maximum of three hours, respite care to those caregivers that need relief. Rather its relief to take a few hours of personal time or rather it be a short grocery run, we want our members that are care takers to know that we are there. We ask for a 48 hour notice so that we can assign a volunteer.
Fortitude & Fellowship
Fortitude & Fellowship
Fortitude & Fellowship
This is where the senior members visit one another, socialize, pray for one another, mingle and fellowship. Meetings are typically held in individual homes and/or restaurants. All members are welcomed and encouraged to come out in support of our seniors on this day. Fortitude and Fellowship is every other Saturday at 3:00 p.m. As believers we know that these services and programs build relationship, strength and an overall positive structure within our church community.