HTC 2015 Annual Report by Paul Fowler

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH CHICAGO ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015

Letter from Senior Pastor 04 Leadership 07 Hyde Park 08 Downtown 12 North Side 16

Pilsen 18 Music Ministry 20 Chicago Partnership for Church Planting 22 Neopolis Network & Holy Trinity Fellowship 26 Community Groups & Missional Communities 30 Chicago Plan 32 Hope for Chicago & Encore Retail Store 34 Meet our Team 38 Finances 41 Vision Campaign Update 44 Stories of New Life 46

To all of Holy Trinity’s partners in the Gospel, What a year of ministry this has been! As we look back on the last 12 months (May 2014-April 2015) we can see God’s faithfulness to Holy Trinity. God has used all of you to minister to the neighborhoods, strengthen people spiritually, grow community groups, focus on discipleship, create music that uplifts our congregations, faithfully teach the Word, building up marriages, train children and strengthen the global church. And all of this has happened through your joyful generosity. Ministering in the Neighborhoods God has positioned Holy Trinity to uniquely minister across all kinds of neighborhoods throughout the city. Though we are a relatively small church we have the privilege of ministering in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago, Woodlawn, South Kenwood extending west to Pilsen and Lawndale then up north to Wrigleyville, Roger’s Park, Edgewater, and into the center of the city along the Magnificent Mile and the Loop. We are committed to reaching the neighborhoods of Chicago, and the foundation for this is strong congregations. We are grateful to the steps the Lord has allowed us to take to strengthen two of them. Last fall, the Lord called Kyle Edwards to lead the North Side congregation along with his wife Toria and their three boys, Duncan, Charlie and Winston. Also during the last twelve months, God has graciously helped us to position our Pilsen congregation to replant this fall. Oscar and Megan Leiva and their boys Obed, Judah and Ezra were refreshed by attending Redeemer’s six week intensive training in New York during early fall. And this has been a fruitful year of ministry in the Hyde Park and Downtown congregations. The Lord has blessed us with many new people, and has transitioned us to become more multi-ethnic and international. God is growing us! We saw our largest Sunday ever on Easter with just under 700 people in attendance. Strengthening People Spiritually Even as we minister to our neighborhoods and as God grows us, our main desire is to strengthen individual people spiritually. Recently I received a note from a young man in the Downtown congregation, a student from Brazil who came to Chicago last summer. The note illustrates well what we want to see happen when people from the nations or neighborhoods come into contact with the people of Holy Trinity. He wrote,

are moving within a ten-minute walking distance of one “My experience here in Chicago was fantastic. Surely, HTC was one of the best things that happened because it is where God made me grow through his word and through community. I have never grown so much in my Christian life. Thank you for making me feel loved.”

another in neighborhoods like Bridgeport, Albany Park, and Lawndale. Focusing on Discipleship Another aspect of the last twelve months and our Growing to Serve vision has been to refocus all of our efforts on discipleship. This year our elders have spent concerted time praying for all of you and discussing how we can minister best in the city. We have explored together a City Discipleship Paradigm that describes

Though this student was with us for just a short time,

our ministry model more concisely as consisting of a

God was gracious to use people like you to lovingly

citywide church ministering in congregations through

challenge him to spiritual growth in Christ. This kind

community groups. We’ve refocused our efforts also by

of spiritual growth in Christ is what we are committed

defining what kinds of disciples we are asking God to

to as a church and it is multiplied all across the

help us multiply. Our aim is to develop disciples

neighborhoods of Chicago.

who are

Growing our Community Groups

• Rooted in Christ and his word

One of the primary ways we see God helping

• Strong in faith and prayer

people grow at Holy Trinity is not only through the

• Growing in Gospel Community and witness and

preaching of God’s Word on Sundays and our ministry

• Engaging our neighbors and culture with the

in our neighborhoods, but our weekly gathering

love of Christ.

in community groups. Last year we saw a surge in attendance in our groups – in some congregations we

This discipleship focus implemented by a citywide

were scrambling to find enough leaders! During 2013-

church in our congregations through community

14 we had 285 people attending groups. During 2014-15

groups helps bring a tangible single-mindedness to all

this number, by God’s grace, climbed to 400. Many of

of our efforts.

these people have never attended a group before, and were now studying the Scriptures together and bearing

Creating Music that Uplifts the Soul

one another’s burdens. In my own community group,

As part of growing mature disciples, over the years

composed of almost entirely new attenders, I heard

we’ve found how important music can be. We have

people remark that they had been ‘spiritually revived’

sometimes said at Holy Trinity that ‘music is the

during the last year.

language of the soul.’ Since our inception, we’ve been committed to writing music and developing musicians

This growth is exciting since one of the key goals of

who can lead us in corporate praise and worship. This

our Vision 2018: Growing to Serve campaign (launched

year was a kind of milestone as it marked the first time

in March 2013) was to see community groups grow to

we’ve recorded some of the music written over the

60 groups by 2018. God is helping us move toward

years into a CD under the leadership of Jonathan Gilley

this goal.

in Holy Trinity Music.

In addition to community groups we are seeing many

Faithfully Teaching God’s Word

people relocate to new neighborhoods to build

The backbone of our church is our commitment to

Intentional Christian Communities for the purpose of

understanding, explaining and applying God’s Word.

mission and close community. As leases expire, people

Over the last twelve months, we have immersed

ourselves in the study of God’s Word from all over the

the hand of the Lord clearly moved to support Holy

scriptures including Jonah, Nahum, Haggai, Matthew,

Trinity. Our normal annual giving increased from the

Luke, Galatians and Philippians.

previous year from $847,661 to $921,454.

Building up Marriages

God has blessed Holy Trinity in many ways this year.

One other new initiative launched two years ago, as

Our highest blessing is the privilege of knowing God’s

part of the Growing to Serve vision was a pilot marriage

grace through his Son Jesus, and the infinite price he

group under the leadership of Clif and Judy Fenton.

paid to remove our sins and include us in God’s family.

Last year we saw this grow from one to three groups

Beyond this we are privileged to count you all as our

and spreading from one congregation to two. Next

brothers and sisters in Christ. We thank God for calling

year we believe that it will grow to five groups across

us to life together, ministering and proclaiming Christ

all four of our congregations.

and worshipping him week in and week out across the neighborhoods of Chicago. We believe that God has

Kid City

great days ahead for our church as we celebrate his

We are thrilled to say that our children’s ministry is

grace and generosity in Christ together. We trust that

gaining new momentum. Over the last twelve months

you will be greatly encouraged as you read this report

our elders have met with all of our children’s leaders,

of all that the Lord is doing through us and among us.

shared vision together and determined to appoint

May you be strengthened this next year by “the living

Donna Dortzbach of our Hyde Park Congregation to

and abiding word of God!” (1 Peter 1:23).

support the expansion of our children’s ministry across all of our congregations under the name of Kid City.

Your brother in Christ,

Strengthening the Global Church

JON DENNIS Senior Pastor

We are excited by the progress of our family of churches called Holy Trinity Fellowship. As part of our Growing to Serve vision we are committed to helping to establish three new churches bearing the name Holy Trinity and to strengthen twenty other churches. Holy Trinity Church Mathare Valley in Nairobi will be the first within Holy Trinity Fellowship. Last summer Paul Ogalo, whom we met in 2006, came and visited us for ten days. We met Paul through our relationship

Why an annual report?

with Stanlas Ndambuki of the African Inland Church

You might ask, “why would we want

in Huruma, whom we have partnered with for many

an annual report at this point in our

years. In September we will welcome Alexis and

history?” The answer is simple. We want

Lourdes Perez to Chicago to explore partnering

to give glory to God for all the amazing

together to plant a new church in Havana, Cuba. We

things he is doing in our midst, and to

praise God for providing graciously for these initiatives

document it for the future so that we

through your generosity for the building up of the

can be encouraged. God is doing many

global church.

things through Holy Trinity. We want to share them with you so that you can see

Extraordinary Generosity

the scope and the power of God’s hand

The picture in the New Testament of the local church

in our midst.

is one of sacrificial and joyful generosity. And this year To all of you who have given generously to Holy Trinity, may you share in our joy in seeing all that God has done. 6

PASTORS & STAFF FULL TIME

PART TIME

Jon Dennis

Julia Dennis

Senior Pastor HTC, Lead DT Pastor,

Lead for Kid City DT

Chairman Neopolis Network/Holy Trinity Fellowship Kyle Edwards Lead NS Pastor Paul Fowler Director of Finance and Operations

Peter Devins Director of Music NS Donna Dortzbach Director of Kid City Joseph Kim Associate DT Pastor

Jonathan Gilley

(currently on leave),

Director of Holy Trinity Music, Director

Executive Director CPCP

of Music DT, Lead for Congregational Music Development David Helm Lead HP Pastor Arthur Jackson Executive Pastor HTC, Associate HP Pastor, Director of Neopolis Network/ Holy Trinity Fellowship Oscar Leiva Lead Pilsen Pastor

Jeremy Lamour Director of Music Pilsen Ben Lynerd Director of Music HP Christian Park Pastoral Resident Pilsen David Ulrich Director of Youth Ministry HP (2014-2015 outgoing)

Joel Miles Pastoral Resident DT TJ Morrissette Director of Youth Ministry HP (2015 forward) Ashanti Pettaway Pastoral Resident DT

H O LY TRI NI T Y CH U RCH HY D E PA R K IN COMMUNITY, ON MISSION TOGETHER!

ARTHUR JACKSON

A few years ago four simple words were wedded together to form one simple phrase that describes the ministry thrust of Holy Trinity Church Hyde Park—IN COMMUNITY, ON MISSION! The impact of our congregation’s embrace of this ministry thrust has been significant. Our “In Community, On Mission Together” initiative is alive and well and with joy we share some of the highlights of the 2014-15 ministry year with you.

5 MINISTRY DISTI N CT IV ES HTC Hyde Park meets in the heart of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood but our congregation includes individuals and families from at least three south side neighborhoods—Hyde Park, Kenwood and Woodlawn. A few years ago, as we envisioned our future, we identified five distinctives that we should build our future upon.

THE ANC HOR OF YOUNG FAMILIES To even the casual observer, it’s inescapable that we are a child-bearing congregation. Pastor David Helm has dubbed us, “The Church of the Sacred Stroller.” Birth announcements are regular and infant baptisms or dedications not infrequent. Moving from elementary-age Christian education to the youth group is an annual rite of passage. Last year 8 community groups met regularly as did a marriage group and a resident-head gathering. Families among us have been enriched through the ministry of HTC Hyde Park.

T HE PR ES E NCE OF THE UNIVERSITY Roughly 50% of our congregants are associated with the University of Chicago. Almost weekly university students and others gather in one of our homes for lunch after the morning worship service for a meal and conversation. This year one of our fourth-year students trained in Chicago Plan, our church training program, and served as the university ministry coordinator. Though we didn’t have a university minister, university ministry did not stop and lives were touched through it.

A R E PUTATION OF SERVIC E Our “Serving Schools Together” initiative was a major avenue for service. HTC Hyde Park people volunteered their time to serve at Ray Elementary School and North Kenwood-Oakland Charter School. Our efforts included work projects, child-care, and planning and supervising recreational activities. We also came alongside members who serve in a nursing home and a men’s shelter. Our efforts have indeed been outward facing, nevertheless those with needs among us have not been neglected. The reach of our deacon fund for needy individuals and families has gone farther than ever before. We are pleased to report that the needy are being served through the ministry of HTC Hyde Park.

THE UNI V E R SAL LANGUAGE OF MUSIC HTC Hyde Park continues to be known for its unmistakable quality music. Under the leadership of Ben Lynerd, weekly our congregation is led in God-honoring, Christ-centered worship. Our vocal teams have been strengthened and, through the graciousness of a donor, we have added a Hammond organ to our instruments and we look forward to getting more use out of this amazing instrument in the days to come.

2 4

A S PACE TO WORSHIP For nearly 3 years we have met at Ray Elementary School, and what a blessing this has been! The Lord has given us favor with each of the principals who have served the school and the building engineer is practically a member of our team. Our plans call for another three years at Ray and we have identified potential 24/7 space to expand our ministry effectiveness in the area. 9

AND THE SURVEY SAID... Using the above distinctives as major headers, last fall we conducted a survey amongst the HTC Hyde Park family to help guide our efforts in each of the areas. Through the survey, our congregation spoke and our leaders heard and planned accordingly. In view of what we heard, and on the basis of our congregation’s pledges of $360,000 for budget year 2015-16, we are in varying stages of accomplishing the goals noted below.

Funding for the following ministry positions…

COORDINATOR

YOUTH MINISTRY DIRECTOR

A new position has been

We have secured a full-time

has been serving for a

created and a person

African American who is well

number of years and now the

secured to give special

qualified to fill the position

position is funded.

attention to women’s growth

and he has begun serving

and discipleship.

among us.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR The person in the position

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

ASSISTANT PASTOR OF UNIVERSITY & MISSIONAL MINISTRIES We will secure a full-time pastor to strengthen our work at the university by overseeing all phases of our endeavors there to include equipping scholars and those pursuing graduate- or post-graduate degrees to engage in their respective disciplines as Christians. Additionally our assistant pastor will help to foster a congregational identity of being ‘on mission’, oversee all aspects related to community groups, and equip congregants to engage the world in the reasonableness of the gospel in all areas of life.

Securing Additional Space We are well on our way to securing 24/7 space for offices and meetings of all sorts, space that will meet our needs for the near future.

Two Areas of Growth MULTI-ETHNIC GROWTH

WORD GROWTH

One comment that we often hear from those who return to HTC Hyde

While the congregational makeup of our church has changed over

Park after being away for a while is that the makeup of the congregation

the years, our values remain intact. At the forefront of our values

has changed. And, we are overjoyed to report that it has! On any given

is “The Centrality of the Word.” Much of the 2014-15 year found us

Sunday you will find European- and African- and Asian-Americans and

listening to, learning from and seeking to live under God’s word as

others worshipping together in song and sitting attentively under the

proclaimed from the Gospel of Luke. The words and wisdom and

preaching of God’s Word. Our adult Christian education series “Race,

works and death and resurrection of Jesus—all compel us to gospel

Justice and the Christian Church” broke all attendance records for

living in our neighborhoods and city and world as people who are

Sunday school and we look forward to ‘round two’ in the coming year.

“In Community and On Mission Together” for God’s glory!

H O LY TRI NI T Y CH U RCH DOW N TOW N CELEBRATING GODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FAITHFULNESS

JOEL MILES

Over the past year the Lord has been very gracious to Holy Trinity Church Downtown. By the provision of His merciful hand, we have seen the church grow, people come to faith, community groups multiply and mature, new leaders step up, hurting people comforted, and our congregation become much more international and multi-ethnic. We look forward to all this continuing! In terms of growth, during the last twelve months, we saw the Lord add more than one hundred people. One year ago in 2013-2014 our average attendance was just 141 people each Sunday. From September to May of 2014-2015 our average attendance was 247 people, a 75% increase in attendance. One year ago our largest Sunday was 259. Already in 2015, HTC Downtown saw 397 people join us on a single Sunday, growth of more than 50%. We thank God for all the new people. Most people, however, are not just coming on Sundays, but join in the weekly life of our congregation through community groups. Last August we had so many people interested in our community groups that we needed to call on every person capable of leading to take a group. Instead of 115 people involved in community groups, as we had in 2013-2014, we had 223 people involved in community groups. These groups are spread across the city, from Edgewater on the north side, to Bridgeport on the south side, to Lawndale on the west side, with four different groups just in Streeterville.

223

NORTH

WEST

CENTRAL

SOUTH

115

Building Community in Four Regions of the city 2013-2014

2014-2015

13 CO MMUNI TY GROU P ATTE NDANCE

This year we emphasized the concept of Growing Gospel Community near you, dividing the city into four regions and encouraging members to relocate within a ten-minute walking distance of one another to create Intentional Christian Communities. As church members move close together their sense of mission and community is strengthened significantly. We now have emerging communities in places like Lawndale, Albany Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park and Bridgeport.

Our aim is to build rooted, strong, growing communities and disciples who engage their neighbors and culture for Christ.

Furthermore, we praise God that we saw our ministry bear fruit this year through maturing believers and bringing people to faith in Christ. One Sunday this fall, after prayer and vision conversations, we saw fifty new internationals come to church on a single Sunday. We saw the Lord add people to membership whose faith has been reinvigorated through the preached Word and the community of Holy Trinity. We saw students from China come to faith despite growing up believing there was no God. We saw individuals have their faith completely renewed after studying Galatians in community groups and realizing salvation is by grace alone through faith. We saw God stretch our community to welcome new lawyers, teachers, medical students, business professionals, architects, and people from a wide variety of professions as well as singles, families, and children. And we are seeing our church increasingly include people from all over the globe. In fact, at one of our new-comers meals we had people from the Philippines, Ghana, Canada, India, China, France, Chili, Indonesia and the United States. God is good!

With our growing international congregation we

Park congregation and multiplying from one group

were able to launch a ministry this year called

to three. Next year we believe we will have five

“Holy Trinity International Fellowship.” This ministry

marriage groups across the church.

reaches out through Bible Studies, English classes, hospitality, one to one Bible reading and

Financially, we have seen God provide for us

fellowship gatherings. The International Fellowship

through his powerful hand and through your

then launched our Mandarin Fellowship. Led by

generosity. Last year during 2013-2014, our income

Mandarin speakers, this ministry meets every other

was $340,939. This year God graciously gave us

Sunday, and provides a space and community

$475,970, a 40% increase.

to experience friendships, worship, prayer, and

Bible study in this Chinese language and culture.

We have much to be thankful for. God has given us

Because of this ministry many of our Chinese

a great Savior, an extraordinary gospel, committed

congregants have grown in their faith, and their

leaders, a vibrant city context and people from all

ability to understand God’s Word.

over the world in our citywide congregation.

In addition to our International Fellowship we

As we look toward the future we believe God

also launched a University Ministry called College

will continue to bless our ministry, as we seek to

Connect including our first ever student retreat.

continue to proclaim His Gospel to HTC Downtown,

Our marriage ministry, piloted one year ago,

making disciples who make disciples throughout

continued to thrive this year spreading to the Hyde

the neighborhoods of Chicago.

Why do you say â&#x20AC;&#x153;HTC Downtownâ&#x20AC;?? Holy Trinity Church began with one congregation in Hyde Park. As we have grown, we have planted new congregations, but we remain one church with multiple congregations. HTC Downtown is a city-wide congregation with community groups and missional communities scattered across all four regions of the city.

H O LY TRI NI T Y CH U RCH NO RT H S I D E FRESH LEADERSHIP, RENEWED MINISTRY

KYLE EDWARDS

The Lord has blessed Holy Trinity Church North Side this past year. Ten people took membership vows, many of whom had been attending for a while, others who had been relative newcomers. The ministry was strengthened by the calling of Alan and Jeanne Shoesmith to the office of deacon, joining Joe and Kathy Calabrese as North Side deacons. The biggest development in the life of the congregation was the calling of Kyle Edwards as its pastor. Pastor Edwards and his family had been serving at the West Side Congregation for several years. When Tom Barrett was called to a new position at Park Community Church, the Session appointed Kyle to serve the congregation as its interim resident pastoral lead. In December the church voted to call Kyle as the congregationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead pastor. He was installed in January. Several new ministry initiatives began this past year. A fourth community group was established, led and hosted by the Edwards. Missional community events were incorporated into the monthly community group rhythms under the leadership of the Shoesmiths. One purpose of missional communities is to gather the community groups into a larger setting where newcomers might feel more at ease. Pastor Edwards also periodically taught an adult education class called Foundations. The class covered topics and issues foundational to following Jesus today, such as evangelism and the gospel. New evangelistic strategies were initiated. The congregation was encouraged to invite friends and family to the Easter service as part of the Journey to Easter discipleship plan. 78 people attended the service, the highest attendance in over a year. Christianity Explored, a seven week evangelistic Bible study based on the gospel of Mark, ran in April and May. About a dozen people participated as hosts, leaders, hospitality coordinators, or participants in the course. Lord willing, this course will run twice a year.

One question that occupied the attention of the leadership was the question of space.

Is Blaine Elementary School the right location for the

In the Lord’s providence, though, none of these other

congregation? It is located in a vibrant neighborhood,

options became available. The leadership felt that

but most of the congregants live in other parts of the

God intended the congregation to stay at Blaine, at

city. Moreover, the facilities available at Blaine to the

least for the next year. One consequence of this is a

congregation have some notable disadvantages,

greater attention to using the space more effectively

such as crowded classrooms that are used for the

and with a greater attention to aesthetic details.

nursery and Kid City. This clarity of medium term location has also Strenuous efforts were made to find a more suitable

provided a renewed emphasis to more effectively

location. The lease arrangement was changed to

reach the Lakeview neighborhoods and surrounding

allow for a potential move to a new location in August

communities. All kinds of people live in the

rather than in January, the terms of the original lease.

neighborhood, but two categories stick out: the

Pastor Edwards identified several possible locations,

“cultured despisers” of evangelical Christianity

including churches, theatres, and university chapels.

and families.

By "cultured despisers" we mean those who are learned and erudite, often loving the arts and fine things of the world--and yet who have some disdain or hostility towards Christian faith. To reach them, Pastor Edwards has planned a series of pub talks with Jonathan Hwang to speak to controversial issues at the heart of people's rejection of Christianity. To reach families, the leaders are currently planning a block party as well as teaching resources specifically targeted towards parents. Some changes were added to the Sunday service as well. Pastor Edwards instituted a formal call to worship in a reader response format. Also, the congregation now meets for meals on the first Sunday of each month. These meals are either potluck or catered and are one of the most enjoyable elements of congregational life. Pastor Edwards has also given new attention to leadership development. The Edwards host a dinner for the elders and deacons each quarter for fellowship and congregational planning. They also host a breakfast (formerly hosted by Paul Fowler) each quarter for the various ministry coordinators. Kyle plans to provide intentional training for the women leaders in the fall. He meets regularly with Jeremy Shepherd and Jonathan Hwang for training and discipleship, and will soon do likewise with Mero Guirguis and Sully Curtin, two Chicago Plan interns. Finally, the heart of the ministry remains the same: building up the body of Christ through the ordinary means of grace. The preaching of the Word is the bedrock of the Sunday service, and most weeks God’s people partake of the Lord’s Supper. We look with expectation and faith to what the Lord will do among his people in the coming year.

H O LY TRI NI T Y CH U RCH PI LS E N OSCAR LEIVA

The mission of the church is unequivocally to announce to the world the life, joy, liberty, and renewal that Christ gives in the gospel. It is to that end that we will plant a congregation in Pilsen that proclaims the love and grace of Jesus and promotes holistic community engagement. The apostle Paul in no uncertain terms labored to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ â&#x20AC;&#x153;so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in himâ&#x20AC;? (Ephesians 3:10-13 ESV). Since May 2014, Holy Trinity Church has been on an adventure to replant the West Side congregation into the Pilsen neighborhood. For the past 14 months the Pilsen Launch Team has sought to establish relationships in the community for the purpose of growing a critical mass for our first public service on September 13, 2015. It has been an exciting journey. Why should we invest in Pilsen? Pilsen is a vibrant and dynamic Mexican community. And over the years, Pilsen has seen a resurgence of gospel investments, yet rather than being known for its gospel vitality, Pilsen has become known as a place where the bones of church plants come to rest. Presently, there are very few gospel-centered churches in Pilsen. And it is that kind of community that Jesus seeks to recapture through a gospel-centered church. We are planting in Pilsen because people need to be reached with the love of Jesus. How do we plan to strive for this vision? We believe the gospel multiplies and sends out sustainable communities, so we commit to plant a strong, senior level congregation in Pilsen. From the outset we will create a culture of outward focus. We seek to ensure an integrative balanced ministry that equally prioritizes gospel revitalization, community reformation, social healing and cultural renewal. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll prioritize person-to-person evangelism and accessible Sunday morning services.

We long to see people from Pilsen find their ultimate rest, peace, community, and identity in the person of Christ. This will lay the foundation and infrastructure for long-term gospel transformation in Pilsen.

We are planting that people may find joy and gratitude in bowing before the Savior’s throne. What will enable us to say, ‘it was all worth it?’ Fruit. Faithfulness to proclaiming the gospel. Faithfulness in becoming a welcoming congregation. Faithfulness to live in the balance of affirming and challenging human culture. Faithfulness in balancing cultural engagement and living counter-culturally. Faithfulness for fruitfulness.

It will be worth it as we grow a vibrant and thriving

His Word to prove its power in us by its making

multiethnic, multicultural, transgenerational

us fruitful unto every good work to do His will!”

gospel community that equips joyful

Gospel fruitfulness will be the measure of our

ambassadors of Jesus Christ who are deployed

success. We long to see our faithful service result

for missional engagement. We want to be a

in a thriving and flourishing gospel community in

flourishing church where people can come and

Pilsen with exponential growth.

worship Jesus, where lives are changed, where families are restored and where we become

We’ll unite in complete confidence in this mission

culture creators and restorers of doing good.

that all in Pilsen may one day declare, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than

Charles H. Spurgeon said, “The Word of God,

all that we ask or think, according to the power at

the Gospel of Christ, is exceedingly powerful

work within us, to him be glory in the church and

in promoting sanctification, and bringing about

in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever

that whole-hearted consecration which is both

and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV).

our duty and our privilege. May the Lord cause 19

HOLY TRINITY M U S IC SONGS OF FREEDOM

JONATHAN GILLEY

The 2014-2015 ministry year began with a true

live that evening. Christmas on the Town LIVE

Holy Trinity Church FIRST: Holy Trinity Music

will be the second recording to be released…

released its inaugural recording, Songs of

just in time for Christmas 2015.

Freedom! Beginning in the summer of 2014, over 20 vocalists and instrumentalists from Holy

At all Holy Trinity Church congregations, Easter

Trinity Church began the production process.

2015 was a high-water mark for attendance,

Over the next few months, Songs of Freedom

with close to 700 people attending Easter

was recorded, mixed and mastered exclusively

services! Hyde Park’s Easter music included

at Greystone Studios (the home studio of Holy

the Temporal Brass Quintet from Roosevelt

Trinity Music Director, Jonathan Gilley).

University with soprano Jill White singing a celebratory Handel aria. Our central, Downtown

Songs of Freedom was written by songwriters

congregation was thrilled by soprano, Joelle

from within Holy Trinity Church, and almost all

Lamarre, who sang a duo version of Amazing

the musicians appearing on the album play or

Grace. Our NorthSide congregation, held at

sing regularly for our Sunday worship services.

Blaine Elementary School, warmly hosted many

Produced in time for the 2014 Christmas

new people. It was truly a memorable day.

season, it was first made available at Holy Trinity Church’s annual Christmas concert,

On the last evening in May, our Downtown

Christmas on the Town. It is now available

congregation hosted a very special event:

online everywhere (iTunes, Spotify, Amazon,

“Re:New”. This night of multi-ethnic music

Google Play, and 28 more).

included guest pianists/vocalists Jonny Barahona and Eric McAllister as well as hip-hop

The ongoing mission of Holy Trinity Music is to

artist CW Allen.

shine a spotlight on our Savior, Jesus Christ and on His glorious Gospel by producing new

The music and worship ministries at Holy

songs for churches to sing together. We

Trinity Church continue to grow by leaps and

are planning a regular release of follow-up

bounds. Hyde Park has a new member of

recording projects.

the band – a Hammond B3 organ. The stage at the Downtown congregation has been

The next milestone at Holy Trinity Music came

overflowing with musicians (exceeding the

with Christmas on the Town 2014, directed by

capacity of the sound system)! Our Pilsen

Ben Lynerd. This Christmas concert gathers all

plant has been gathering musicians for its

the HTC congregations as well as members of

new band. Hearts are truly being transformed

the surrounding communities. Held in a new,

and set free through worship of Christ and by

central, downtown venue, the multi-styled

the celebration of His Gospel. “In that day the

program was warmly received by all who

deaf shall hear…and out of their gloom and

attended. Moreover, the concert was recorded

darknessthe eyes of the blind shall see” (Isaiah 29:18).

But Why Bother Singing New Songs? One of the things I love about HTC is its rich heritage of singing & writing new songs for our corporate worship. I know leaders at other churches who struggle with congregations who just want to sing “the old favorites.” So, what motives do Christians have for pushing past the initial discomfort of singing a new song in worship? First, repeatedly throughout the Bible, the immediate, natural response of God’s people to an act of His grace was to write a brand new song about it and then sing it together! (The Song of Moses in Exodus 14-15 is a literally awesome example!) Second, even a quick reading of Revelation (5, 14) makes it pretty clear that we’ll be singing new songs throughout eternity. Let’s get ready! Third, in multiple locations scripture directly implores us: “sing to the Lord a new song!” Taken together, it seems that wherever there is genuine acknowledgement of God, there will be new songs being sung. Each historical revival or awakening has been accompanied by a proliferation of new songs. But it works in reverse as well: Our souls yearn for newness and our cold hearts regularly need to hear the Gospel sung or spoken in a different way. As we sing new songs to celebrate, to remember, and to hope, we find our cold, stony hearts being melted by God’s “new spirit within us.”

C H ICAG O PARTN E RSH I P FOR C HU R C H PL ANT ING JOSEPH KIM

Holy Trinity Church’s vision is to see the city of Chicago transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need multiple Gospel-centered churches to reach the city beyond our own church. To that vision, several years ago we became a founding church in the Chicago Partnership for Church Planting (CPCP)—along with Park Community Church and The Moody Church. Through and together with CPCP, we have a strategic goal of assisting 100 new church plants in the next 10 years. Since the beginning of the Chicago Partnership for Church Planting initiative between HTC, Moody Church, and Park Community Church several years ago, we have had a central objective of planting a church collaboratively for the sake of the Kingdom and the city (reiterated most recently January 2012). Since the founding, The Painted Door and Legacy Fellowship has joined us as core leadership churches. Such collaboration includes resources and opportunity to populate the core group from our respective churches. The model is to plant a church with Gospel DNA that may not have any of our respective cultural DNA (a “daughter” church). Our scope is the city and our goal is to accelerate a movement of the Gospel through church planting by looking at areas in the city and missional niches that may be addressed by collaborative efforts. This work is an important part of Holy Trinity Church’s Vision 2018: Growing to Serve campaign. We seek Gospel Movement in the areas of Mercy, Cultural Leadership, Training, and Church Planting. CPCP seeks to serve the church planting community in Chicago through networking, collaboration, and resourcing. Over the past several years, CPCP has participated in assisting a number of church planting efforts including: • Immanuel Anglican Church (Uptown) • The Painted Door (West Town) • The Line Christian Church (Lincoln Park) • Legacy Fellowship (E. Garfield, W. Garfield, Humboldt Park, Belmont, Beverly, Chatham, Dunning Square, Beverly) • Agape Chicago (Rogers Park) • The Lighthouse (Rogers Park) • Real Church Chicago (Logan Square) • The Brook Chicago (Montclare) • Missio Dei Uptown (Uptown) • Renewal Chicago Church (Near West Side)

I. Shandor via Wikimedia Commons

The following are testimonials from leaders of two churches and one ministry we have been honored to work with: Immanuel Anglican Church, The Brook Chicago, and Parakaleo.

Immanuel Anglican Church A NEW CHURCH IN UPTOWN AARON DAMIANI (Rector)

When I responded to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call to return to Chicago

I can tell you that the investment of the Chicago

to plant an Anglican church, I felt burdened by the

Partnership for Church Planting in our church plant

challenges. If this new church could thrive early, we

has born healthy fruit. We launched in October 2013

could bless our neighbors and the city faster than limp

with just under 100 people, and 1 year later we are

along as a perpetual church plant. But we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

seeing an average of 150 people on Sundays. Because

just will ourselves into existence - we needed loving,

our church body (and membership) was able to

strategic partners. For instance, I lead best when I can

grow quickly, our church is now 90% financially self-

enjoy camaraderie and friendship with other pastors

sustaining only 1 year after launch. This would not have

who share my heart. Where was that going to come

been possible without the CPCP.

from? Furthermore, the health of my launch team depended on me finding quality coaching from those

Most importantly, my heart has been shepherded by

who know Chicago church planting and love Jesus.

fellow Chicago pastors who care about me, my wife

How was I going to find that?

Laura, and our children. Two years into the church planting journey, we are in a healthy place.

Enter the Chicago Partnership for Church Planting. From the very beginning, this team of pastors

I look forward to the not-too-distant future when

and churches have resourced me and Immanuel

Immanuel Anglican Church can begin investing

Anglican with loving friendship, invaluable coaching

kingdom money, people and coaching in the Chicago

and training, strategic financial generosity, and

Partnership for Church Planting. It is one of the best

recommending their friends and congregations to join

investments in the Kingdom of God in Chicago by far.

us. As I tell people outside Chicago (and outside the church) about the generosity of CPCP, they are both incredulous and encouraged.

The Brook Chicago A NEW CHURCH IN MONTCLARE ERIC RIVERA (Pastor) Chicago is a great city with a tremendous need for the light of the gospel. When the Lord called my wife and I to plant The Brook on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northwest side, both the need for gospel witness in the neighborhood along with its diversity are the things that quickly attracted us to the community. However, urban church planting can feel like a daunting task. Having the right network around you as well as a committed team of people will prove invaluable. The Chicago Partnership for Church Planting was one such partnership that offered us coaching and training along with prayer and financial support. By walking alongside of us in this journey, CPCP has been a source of encouragement and a regular reminder that we are not alone. The Brook is now over a year old and has seen lives transformed, children raised, and families united by the power of the gospel. We are grateful for partnerships like CPCP that keep us focused on Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission in the city of Chicago.

Parakaleo: SUPPORT FOR CHURCH PLANTERS’ SPOUSES Former HTC member Traci Barrrett leads an exciting new initiative by CPCP called Parakaleo to support the wives and marriages of church planters in the city. We established this ministry as a tangible way to uphold the church planter family as central to the health and success of new churches across the city. Weekly, a Parakaleo leader meets with other spouses for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. New leaders are being trained and we anticipate the launch of several new cohorts in the upcoming year.

What’s Ahead We look forward to what God has in store in the

Bridgeport and Bronzeville. We also

year ahead. We continue to work with new planters

look forward to training events to help church

of varying backgrounds and denominations who

planters in the city with relevant content and

share a passion for the Gospel and Chicago. We are

networking opportunities.

working with independent church planters, those coming from networks, and those coming from

We are grateful to Holy Trinity Church and the

large, resourced area churches. As a preview, we

vision to partnerships in the Gospel for the

are looking to a new works in West Humboldt Park,

transformation of the city!

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” JEREMIAH 29:7 25

N EO P O L I S N E T WO R K HO LY T R INIT Y FELLOWS H I P ARTHUR JACKSON

Those who have been around Holy Trinity Church for a while are not surprised by “new initiatives!” Over the last 17 years our founding pastors Dave Helm and Jon Dennis have been incubators for fresh ideas that have resulted in new gospel ventures. The Charles Simeon Trust which trains expository preachers and the Chicago Partnership for Church planting, a church-planting cooperative in Chicago, are two such ministries.

ANOTHER NEW VENTURE—HOLY TRINITY FELLOWSHIP/NEOPOLIS NETWORK The latest gospel-centered ministries to take wings at Holy Trinity Church are the twin ministries of Holy Trinity Fellowship and Neopolis Network. A bit of background is helpful to understand these ministries. Some years ago senior pastor Jon Dennis pondered whether our church should join a family/network of churches or to start one. While there were a number of groups that were making an impact, we also observed that there were too few churches “in the city” with distinctives we felt were important for the dynamic holistic impact we want to make in Chicago and other places in the world. Over the years a particular “Holy Trinity DNA” had formed so eventually we opted to start a ministry with the following distinctives: reformed, urban, missional, complementarian, multi-ethnic, expository, cityto-city, global, family, gospel-centered, justiceaffirming, prayer-saturated and Spirit-filled. In 2012, documents were produced and shared with staff and elders including A White Paper for Holy Trinity Family of Churches—Church for the New City (by Jon Dennis). An HTC vision campaign (Growing to Serve) that included a “Gospel Network” component was conceived and launched in March 2013 and the vision included Neopolis Network and Holy Trinity Fellowship. Our literature distinguishes the two in the following manner: Our goal is to “extend the influence of the gospel” and we have expressed our desires for a “family” and “network” of churches.

FAMILY Holy Trinity Fellowship. In the next 5 years, we

gospel-centered, among the 120 top global cities,

will start 3 churches in global contexts (one in

urban-oriented (inner city, center city, global

Chicago as a model and two globally) as a part of

city), long-term commitment to the city and to

a new Holy Trinity Fellowship of churches. These

planting other churches, open to further training

churches will share our gospel and philosophical

through partnerships, and a strong preference for

DNA and bear the “Holy Trinity Church” name.

indigenous workers. Furthermore, we understand that gospel partnerships are essential for these

NETWORK

things to happen and the ability for gospel

Neopolis. In addition to the family of churches

resources to get to the places where they are

(Holy Trinity Fellowship) we will also help to start

needed most. Our training, therefore, will match

20 new churches globally as a part of a loose

our global gospel orientation and aspirations.

network of churches. Qualifications for assistance will include the following criteria:

We envision these churches multiplying across Africa, North and South America, Asia, and Europe, forming a mutually enriching chain of gospel work that reaches around the globe.

Holy Trinity Church Nairobi! We are so pleased to report that the vision of a few years ago is alive and breathing and well today! In less than a month (at the time of writing) a team of 15 people from Holy Trinity Church (Chicago) will be on the ground participating in the launch of Holy Trinity Church Mathare Valley in Nairobi, Kenya. As noted above, our goals include 2 international church plants. The church plant in Nairobi is one of them and Pastor Paul Ogalo, a friend of Holy Trinity since 2006, is our church planter. From May 2006 to May of 2011 Holy Trinity Church undertook to support Paul Ogalo by sharing in the expenses of his formal theological education. In 2013-2014 conversations began in earnest about planting a church in Mathare Valley which is the home to over 500,000 people, many who live in unimaginable poverty. Our relationship with Paul was strengthened through a Holy Trinity Fellowship/ Neopolis-sponsored visit to Chicago in the summer of 2014. Paul had the opportunity to meet and greet Holy Trinity people and stay in our homes. He was enthusiastically received. Since Paul’s visit efforts have been taken to formalize the relationship and to partner in earnest in the planting of Holy Trinity Church Mathare Valley. This included the following things: 1. The creation of a “Memorandum of Understanding” between Holy Trinity Fellowship/Neopolis and Holy Trinity Church Mathare Valley (Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa). 2. The creation of a proposed three-year budget that includes startup expenses and annual support for rent and pastoral salary. 3. The completion of a questionnaire by Paul Ogalo and his board that includes their personal profiles. 4. A personal visit by Pastor Arthur Jackson to Nairobi and Mathare Valley in November 2014 to see the ministry area firsthand.

In April of this year the HTC elders passed the following motion: To partner with Paul Ogalo Katete, to plant Holy Trinity Church/Mathare (Nairobi, Kenya) as an inaugural plant of Holy Trinity Fellowship and the Neopolis Network. The Mathare church-planting vision is consistent with the HTF/Neopolis goals of planting and supporting urban church plants in the urban centers of the world. This is our first international church plant effort. The significance of this cannot be underestimated. HTF/Neopolis funds will be used strategically for the next three years. Our prayer investments must not lag behind the investment of our money and other tangible labors. This new venture deserves the fresh prayers of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people.

WHAT NEXT? Needless to say, we are pleased with the progress of Holy Trinity Fellowship/Neopolisâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and we are just beginning. Up to this point we have also had conversations with church planters in Europe. Neopolis leaders have also identified major cities in Asia. Our fall calendar includes a visit from a Latino pastor who ministers in Central America. Join us in prayer; pray that we will lead well and listen well; that we will be compelled by nothing less than love for the Lord Jesus and His glory among the nations of the world. Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. Psalm 96:1-4a

COMMUNITY GRO U P S & MISSIONAL COMM U NIT IES JOEL MILES

We are thankful for the development our community group ministry experienced over the past year. Not only did our groups experience numerical growth (something we look to continue in the coming year), but also our structure developed to reach more people outside our church walls. Concerning numerical growth, at the end of 2013-2014 we had 27 groups churchwide. These 27 groups consist of 12 in Hyde Park, 11 Downtown, 1 in Pilsen, and 3 on the North Side. In 2014-2015 we grew to have 32 groups church-wide: 10 groups in Hyde Park, 16 Downtown, 2 in Pilsen, and 4 on the North Side. Although Hyde Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group number went down this year, that is due in part to the launching of a marriage ministry group. In the coming year we are looking at having upwards of 50 groups church wide, with the Hyde Park and Downtown congregations having 20 or more groups each. Coupled with this numerical growth are the structural adjustments we made to our community groups. While our community group ministry has always had a strong biblical foundation, we wanted to take steps to enable our groups to be more welcoming to outsiders, as well as create a culture of multiplication. To do this we changed the structure to include what are called missional communities, or flock gatherings. The primary differences between a community group and a missional community are size and atmosphere. While a community group generally consists of 6-12 people, missional communities are 20-50 people, and are made up of multiple community groups gathering together. Due to this numeric difference, the atmosphere varies between a community group and a missional community. While a group of 6-12 people is more intimate, and can perhaps be intimidating at times to newcomers, a missional community creates a social atmosphere that can be more comfortable for newcomers to attend. One of the main reasons for the monthly missional communities is to bring others together. Missional Communities are also key in creating a culture of multiplication. In the past we have had community groups grow to being multiplied to two or even three different groups. Yet they have not wanted to because of the strong relational link they have with one another. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to not see one another. However, if when a group multiplies they are still able to gather as a large group once a month in a missional community, then multiplication becomes a more exciting and appealing step. We believe that these structural changes have helped us continue to grow our community group ministry, and look forward to beginning our year with an even greater number of groups stretched all over the city of Chicago.

A Changed Life HOW COMMUNITY HAS IMPACTED MY FAITH JORGEN REHN, member of HTC Downtown

My story of faith begins with my family, and specifically

I simply attended the church and visited a couple of

my father’s full-time job as a pastor. Church was my

community groups, without ever committing to them.

life. Being a pastor’s kid in a small church meant I

I also worked with children’s ministry off and on for a

was always being relied upon to assist and serve in

year. After graduating from college and deciding to

the church. When I graduated high school, however,

stay in Chicago, I knew that I wanted to jump in with

my assumed core began to shift. I began to question

two feet. I have now served as a community group

the church and love and God in new and negative

leader in Bridgeport, been a steward, regularly read

ways. My identity had never been founded in Christ,

scripture and prayed during Sunday services and

but simply in the structure of church that I knew. I

participated regularly in community activities and

enrolled at Moody Bible Institute, where I struggled

men’s ministry.

with institutional Christianity as well as finding a place to belong in the midst of 1,600 “like-minded”

Community Groups specifically have created a

students that I constantly found myself having nothing

consistent and intentional place to grow spiritually

in common with. In many ways I felt like I had not

and alongside other believers. Being a smaller

yet outgrown my parents’ faith. After three years of

group allows us to be more direct and open with

studying I came to the hard truth that my questions

one another, which allows for more genuine sharing

from years earlier were still unanswered and that I

of my life: both struggles and successes. The fact

was relying on what I could do rather than on what

that Community Groups meet weekly allows for a

Christ had already accomplished. I took a leave of

regular time, outside of Sunday morning, to be with

absence from Moody and returned to my boyhood

other believers and jointly be pursuing God’s word

church. Once there, my faith finally began to solidify.

and His will for our lives. Leading a group has been

I interacted with the church not out of obligation, but

influential in stretching my leadership capacity,

because I finally glimpsed the organism operating

by forcing me to adapt my style to a small group

the way it ought to: a community of believers self-

discussion format. In turn, this encourages me to study

sacrificially giving of themselves to one-another in

the week’s passage/material in a different manner.

light of the self-sacrifice of God in Christ Jesus.

Through leading studies I am learning how to dissect passages for the benefit of others, not just myself or

I began attending HTC in the middle of college. I had

in an academic way. My Community Group has also

been bouncing around many churches in Chicago

encouraged my friendships with those in my group

and never feeling comfortable in any of them. One

and prompted the pursuit of those relationships in

Saturday night a friend asked me where I was going to

more casual ways as well. In summation, community

church the next day and I answered honestly: I have no

groups have greatly affected my life by consistently

idea. They invited me to HTC with them and from that

encouraging my walk with Christ and creating a space

Sunday on it became my church. For over two years

where I feel like a truly belong and am fully accepted.

CH I CAG O P LA N EQUIPPING LEADERS WITH “WORD COMPETENCY”

JOEL MILES

Eight people were trained for gospel ministry in Chicago Plan 2014-15: seven men and one woman. Four of them served in the Hyde Park congregation, three at the Downtown congregation, and one at the North Side congregation. They were involved in every aspect of ministry: preaching, teaching, community group leadership, youth work, university work, administration and evangelism. Kyle Edwards, Jon Dennis, Arthur Jackson, David Helm, Oscar Leiva and Joel Miles served as mentor pastors. Several aspects of the year remained the same from previous years. The three pillars of Chicago Plan remain unchanged since its inception: instruction, experience and mentorship. Similarly, we remain committed to centering our training on the exposition of God’s Word. Each week in the “Word Competency” portion of the Monday meeting several interns are assigned to present expositional work on a biblical text. This past year Haggai and Zechariah were the texts dedicated to exposition. What was genuinely new this year was the addition of preaching practice in the last thirty minutes of the Monday meeting. In previous years this time was dedicated to discussions of general ministry topics, usually with accompanying assigned reading. However, many of the interns voiced their desire to have more opportunities to preach. So this final portion of the meeting was changed from topical discussions to preaching practice. One intern would be assigned to preach most Mondays. The assigned preacher would have presented work on that same text the prior week in the Word Competency portion. After the sermon, people were to express positive affirmation of the ministry of the Word. Evaluation sheets were also distributed to help the preacher improve in his craft. To prepare for these preaching sessions, the first several weeks were devoted to reading and discussing the work of preaching itself. Dave Helm’s

book Expositional Preaching and Saving Eutychus by Gary Millar and Phil Campbell served as the instructional texts. On two occasions David Jackman, former president of the Proclamation Trust in the United Kingdom, and Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College, served as guest lecturers in these instructional sessions. The end of the year evaluations revealed that the interns really appreciated the addition of the preaching practice. They found Expositional Preaching really helpful. They did, however, express desire for discussion of issues besides preaching. These evaluations are under consideration as Chicago Plan 2015-16 is being prepared.

Intern Interviews MATT BOFFEY 1. Why is the Chicago Plan valuable to you?

• The critique of Pastors and other interns on my work has served

Chicago Plan is valuable to me because it is an avenue to grow in

to sharpen my observation and interpretation skills in Scripture.

my ministry capabilities as well as my character. Whether through mentorship, the preaching workshops, or the group meetings where we discuss various areas of pastoral ministry, I am learning what is required of ministers both in their skills as well as the condition of their heart, and then I am equipped and challenged in those areas.

2. How has it prepared you for ministry? It has most prepared me in my ability to handle the Word. Studying texts in context and with the input of the pastors and fellow interns has helped me gain the tools and instincts necessary for accurately dividing the Word of truth.

ERIC NIELSEN 1. Why is the Chicago Plan valuable to you? Chicago Plan was formational on my life in developing a deeper appreciation and conviction for rightly dividing God’s Word to feed Christ’s sheep. It is one thing to hear seminary lectures on the importance of good exegesis. However, the commitment of the Pastors to meet with us interns every week for devoted study of the Word spoke to me of the high priority of God’s Word for His Church and the high responsibility I have as an aspiring pastor to shepherd God’s flock well.

2. How has it prepared you for ministry? • The repeated emphasis in our study this year on the centrality

• It has reinforced the non-negotiable importance of careful study of the Word for the nourishment of Christ’s Church. • I believe God has used the weekly investment of the Pastors in us as interns—Pastors who love God’s Word and God’s people—to give me a greater love for the Church. This is because their words and actions have so often reinforced to me the importance of faithfulness to God’s Word in order to be faithful to God and caring for His people.

MARCELLO MELLIJOR 1. Why is the Chicago Plan valuable to you? The Chicago Plan has improved and elevated the way I handle God’s word. It has allowed me to understand the Bible more and has challenged me to study it not only for myself, but for others as well with the hopes of sharing and teaching scripture. CP has given me valuable insight on what ministry can look like through the discipleship of HTC’s pastoral staff. I have a greater appreciation for those who have answered the call of shepherding God’s flock.

2. How has it prepared you for ministry? With the skills and tools learned through CP, I am better equipped to teach God’s word. This summer, I had the opportunity to fill in for a pastor and preach on a Sunday morning.

of Christ’s death and resurrection in properly understanding Old Testament prophecy has strengthened my understanding of the unity of Scripture. 33

H O P E FO R C H ICAG O / E NCO R E MINISTRY YEAR 2014-2015

ARTHUR JACKSON

If you go to hopeforchicago.org you will find the extremely Chicago-centric website of Hope for Chicago. Emblazoned on the home page you will find these words: Empowering individuals, organizations, and churches to love and serve Chicago in response to Christ’s transforming work. The images and the words say it all. Hope for Chicago is a ministry to Chicago by believers in Chicago for God’s glory among the needy of Chicago. We are convinced that the heart of Jesus finds visible expression through the hands-on labors of His church.

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND CHURCHES TO LOVE AND SERVE CHICAGO IN RESPONSE TO CHRIST’S TRANSFORMING WORK

A HUMBLE BEGIN N I N G Hope for Chicago began as a ministry of Holy Trinity Church in August 2002 with the vision of extending the love of Jesus Christ to every neighborhood in Chicago. The church elders initially set aside $15,000.00 for the work. Later that year (November 2002) a board was established and Hope for Chicago became its own 501c3 organization. The early years of the ministry found us partnering with those who were already established and reaching people on the margins in Chicago—organizations like Hallelujah Faith Ministries in Englewood, Good News Jail and Prison Ministries at Cook County Jail, summer camp and VBS ministry at First Baptist Church of Chicago in Hyde Park, and Lawndale Christian Health Clinic in Lawndale. Subsequent years found us encouraging the Holy Trinity Church family to serve in Chicago at ministries like By the Hand Kids Clubs, Breakthrough Urban Ministries, Sunshine Gospel Ministries; others gave time serving meals to the homeless.

A FRESH INITIATIVE In 2011, under the guiding hand of Hope for Chicago, the “Serving Schools Initiative” was started in Holy Trinity’s Hyde Park congregation. This ministry program has taken us into schools in the Hyde Park, Kenwood and Woodlawn neighborhoods. The goal? Simply to come alongside teachers and school administrators and serve in ways that help them accomplish their mission. Movie nights, painting projects, child-care for PTA meetings, chaperoning a school dance and other endeavors have been ways for our people to serve. We look for this program to deepen its roots and spread to other HTC congregations.

ENCORE RESALE CLOTHING STORE If there has been a shining star in the Hope for Chicago sky over the last few years, it’s been the Encore Resale Clothing Store located in Hyde Park. Part of the excitement about Encore is its genesis. It started as the “ABC Thrift Store” and was the dream of a high school senior who was encouraged by his father to put together a business plan for the endeavor. Well, Grant Hensel did just that and passed the dream on to the Holy Trinity Church elders who thought this project fit best under the auspices of Hope for Chicago. And that’s where it’s been since 2010 when the store opened. Since then the store has had neighborhood impact and beyond. The Word on the Street about Encore… In Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, Encore, located at 1553 E. Hyde Park Boulevard, showcases a variety of treats for any fashion lover. Despite being a thrift store it does not include that characteristic smell of typical thrift shops. “Thrift store,” does not usually conjure excitement or the best thoughts, but if you check this place out, you will be pleasantly surprised. It is a small location but includes a large selection of well organized items in great condition. So if you’re looking to get the most you can for your buck, make a visit to Hyde Park and stop in at Encore. Don’t be fooled by the size of this place--it’s tiny, but the turnover is fast and what they’ve got is awesome. I got a schoolgirl skirt there for 5 bucks that’s probably the most worn piece of clothing I own at this point. The store is super clean, the prices are ridiculously low, the staff is really nice—love this place! I’m really glad Hyde Park has a place like this. Many have been the days when I have wanted to do a little retail therapy after a horrible day at the nearby UofC, and this is the perfect place to do it without breaking the bank….You won’t be digging through trash here, and you probably won’t find anything for ten cents like you 35

can at some of the huge thrift stores, and the selection is good, and the fact that it serves Hyde Park (which is surprisingly devoid of thrift or resale clothing) is great. Through Encore, Holy Trinity Church has a stable presence in the community, Holy Trinity people have a place where they can volunteer and connect with people in the community in the process, jobs have been created and we hope eventually to give back economically to our neighborhood and the city and eventually to have the means to start other Encore Resale Clothing Stores in other places in the city.

WHAT’S NEXT? A heart for mercy is beating at Holy Trinity Church. Over the years Hope for Chicago has been a part of that and we are positioning ourselves to help the beat to grow stronger. Recently we’ve added new board members, and if you go to the recommended web address, you will see a new website. Also, the board has reaffirmed its efforts to equip individuals, churches and other organizations to love and serve our city’s needy. These efforts represent our desire to serve Chicago, eventually all 77 of its neighborhoods—for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Meet our (Full-Time) Team

JON DENNIS, Senior Pastor HTC,

KYLE EDWARDS, Lead North

PAUL FOWLER, Director of Finance

Lead Down Town Pastor, and

Side Pastor, joined the Holy Trinity

and Operations, works in the central

Chairman Neopolis Network/

team this past year. He proudly

office connecting all four of Holy

Holy Trinity Fellowship, was a

hails from Alabama, although he’s

Trinity Church’s congregations. Paul

co-founder of Holy Trinity. He

grateful to now call Chicago home.

moved to Chicago in 2001 from

has helped establish various

He graduated from Union University

Iowa and graduated in 2005 from

ministries including Hope for

and Wheaton College Graduate

the Moody Bible Institute and later

Chicago (ministry to Chicago’s

School with degrees in biblical

in 2008 from Moody Seminary with

poor), the Charles Simeon Trust

studies and theology. He’s also an

an MDiv. After serving 5 years at

(training of expository preachers),

avid reader and aspiring marathoner.

Uptown Baptist Church as an inner

and The Chicago Partnership for

He loves living on the North Side

city youth director Paul was hired

Church Planting. He has an M.Div

of Chicago, especially its diversity

in 2011 as the Church Administrator.

from Trinity Divinity School as well

and energy, although he holds

Paul graduated in 2012 with an MBA

as a Masters of Liberal Arts from

the heretical position of preferring

from Florida International University.

the University of Chicago and is

the White Sox over the Cubs. His

Paul enjoys life in the city with his

working on a Doctorate of Ministry

deepest affections, however, lie with

wife, Heather, and their three kids:

from Westminster Seminary. He

the Alabama Crimson Tide. He’s

Tommy, Maïa, and Asher.

is the author of Christ + City and

been married to Toria since 2005

co-author of The Genesis Factor.

and is the father of three

Jon is passionate about building

young boys.

gospel-centered churches for global ministry. Jon and Amy have five children ranging from middle school to post-college. They live in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago.

JONATHAN GILLEY, Director

DAVID HELM, Lead Hyde Park

ARTHUR JACKSON, Executive

of Holy Trinity Music, Director of

Pastor, was one of the co-founders

Pastor HTC, Associate Hyde Park

Music Down Town, and Lead for

of Holy Trinity. In addition to serving

Pastor, and Director of Neopolis

Congregational Music Development,

our South Side congregation,

Network/Holy Trinity Fellowship,

is an active bassist in the Chicago

David is Chairman of The Charles

joined Holy Trinity’s staff in 2006

music scene as well as being

Simeon Trust, a ministry devoted

after serving for over 13 years as

a composer in various genres,

to equipping men in expository

Judson Baptist Church’s Senior

including the writing of new

preaching. A graduate of Wheaton

Pastor. He earned the ThM degree

songs for worship. He earned his

College and Gordon-Conwell

from Dallas Theological Seminary

Bachelor’s degree at the Eastman

Theological Seminary, David is

and has a BA in management

School of Music and his Master’s

ordained in the PCA and serves on

from Park University in Parkville,

degree at the Manhattan School

the council of The Gospel Coalition.

Missouri. Arthur brings a variety

of Music. Prior to coming to Holy

He has authored several books to

of experiences to the HTC family,

Trinity Church, Jonathan directed

help equip pastors in their pursuit of

including four years in Christian

music and worship at several other

biblical, expository preaching. David

publishing and five years as

churches including Redeemer

and his wife, Lisa, have five adult

Assistant Pastor at Rock of Our

Presbyterian Church in New York

children and reside in the Hyde

Salvation Church in Chicago. Arthur

City and The Village Church in

Park neighborhood.

and his wife Shirley have been

Greenwich Village. Jonathan is

married for more than 45 years

passionate about leading Gospel-

and are the parents of five children

centered worship in urban city-

and the grandparents of eleven.

centers and loves church planting.

They reside in the north Woodlawn

He and his wife Laurann have 2

neighborhood of Chicago.

sons. They absolutely love Chicago and are thrilled to be a part of the intensity and vibrancy of its musical and cultural life.

NEW LEADER

OSCAR LEIVA, Lead Pilsen Pastor,

JOEL MILES, Pastoral Resident

TJ MORRISSETTE, Director of

will be focusing this upcoming year

Down Town, directs Community

Youth Ministry Hyde Park, was born

on the Pilsen Plant congregation

Groups church-wide. Joel was

into a military family in Dallas, TX.

(launch date-September 2015).

born in London, Ontario, Canada,

He spent many of his years growing

Oscar was born in El Salvador

but moved to Chicago in 2005 for

up there, as well as in Germany,

and moved to the United States

school and has lived there ever

Virginia, Maryland, DC and Atlanta

at a very young age. He holds a

since. Joel holds a BA from Moody

before landing in Chicago in 2006

BA from Moody Bible Institute in

Bible Institute in Historical Theology,

at Columbia College where he

Pastoral Studies and graduated with

and a Masters of Divinity from Trinity

met his wife Jessica. TJ has served

a Master of Divinity degree from

Evangelical Divinity School. Joel

youth and families in a multitude

Moody Graduate School in 2006.

completed 5-years of HTC’s Chicago

of ways, most recently as Ministry

He completed Holy Trinity Church’s

Plan training, and was also part of

Development Coordinator for

ministry training program, The

Holy Trinity Fellowship's Church

Children’s Hunger Fund and now

Chicago Plan, in May 2006. He and

Planting Residency in 2013-2014,

as the Youth Director at Holy Trinity.

his wife, Megan, live in the Pilsen

before being hired full-time for the

Within the Hip-Hop industry he

neighborhood of Chicago. God has

church. Prior to working full-time

performs under the names Decipha

graciously given them three

for HTC, Joel worked as the Director

and is signed to CTZN Music. TJ and

young children.

of Training for the Charles Simeon

Jessica, a Middle School Special Ed

Trust under Dave Helm. Joel lives in

teacher, have now been married for

Bridgeport with his wife of 6 years,

3 years and both seek to serve their

Anna, and his two-year-old

community with what God has

son, Henry.

given them.

ASHANTI PETTAWAY, Pastoral Resident Down Town, was born and raised in NEW LEADER

Cincinnati, OH and comes from a family of men and women who have served God faithfully. He graduated from Purcell Marian High School, which was home to NFL great Roger Staubach (Go COWBOYS), and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. While in Atlanta, he began actively working in ministry and found his love for radio. He is a Moody graduate with a degree in Systematic Theology. Ashanti has worked as Coordinator for Urban Praise Radio, Moody’s #1 online station, and evenings on Moody Radio Chicago. Ashanti married his wife, Amanda, in 2009. They have a 16 month old son named Joseph Aaron Kingsley Pettaway. Ashanti has served in ministry for over 15 years and has a strong passion for serving God’s people.

A FI N AN CI AL U P DAT E IS ANYTHING TOO DIFFICULT FOR GOD?

PAUL FOWLER

As we closed the books for 2013-2014 we had to make some difficult cuts to balance our budget. This impacted staff and ministries alike for our 2014-2015 budget year. However, in spite of projecting an 8% decrease in congregational giving we were amazed to see God work through the gifts of his people as we reaped a 9% increase in congregational giving! Thanks to your generosity we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to follow through on the cuts that we made and were able to see God grow the church. Last year we saw our largest Easter attendance ever with nearly 700 people across our four congregations! This last year 50 people took part in our Meet HTC classes, 38 people took membership vows, 4 people were baptized, and 3 people made professions of faith. God is at work! All this is made possible by the over 250 individuals and/or families that gave. Thank you! Many of you gave over and above your regular giving to our Vision 2018: Growing to Serve Vision campaign and our Deacon Fund. Over $300,000 above our annual giving was donated to our vision campaign. See the update on the vision campaign on pages 44-45. Last year over $26,000 was donated to the Deacon Fund and close to $20,000 was given to meet pressing needs of those in our church membership. Thank you to all of you who give faithfully to the Deacon Fund. It is a joy to write these checks knowing that as the body of Christ we are meeting the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. As we enter our new budget year and the final year of the vision campaign we have our work cut out for us. We are pursuing our vision to reach the city of Chicago by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ by bringing new people on our team. With the addition of staff we have increased our needed giving across the congregations. As we enter our final year of the vision campaign we are encouraging all that made pledges to finish strong! Please continue to serve, to give, and to pray that God would allow us to see more people be transformed by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

CONGREGATIONAL GIVING: $847,661

CON G R EGAT ION A L GIVING : $9 2 1 , 45 4

Hyde Park: $286,295

Hyde Park: $297,474

Downtown: $340,939

Downtown: $475,970

Pilsen: $112,991

Pilsen: $44,147

North Side: $107,436

North Side: $103,955

TOTAL INCOME: $1,197,873

TOTA L IN COM E: $ 1, 2 2 7, 62 3

Expenses

2013-2014

EMPLOYE E COSTS: $764,426

VISION 2 01 8: $306, 07 7

2014-2015

EMP LOYEE COST S : $745 , 1 9 6

SHARED COSTS: $96,561 Missions: $32,866 Hope for Chicago: $13,000 Ministry Commitments: $11,250 Office Rent: $23,292 Operating Expenses: $16,153

SHA R ED COST S : $1 9 1 , 435 Missions: $29,721 Hope for Chicago: $20,333 Ministry Commitments: $64,450 Office Rent: $22,786 Operating Expenses: $54,145

HYDE PARK: $ 41,626 Ministry Commitments: $3,943 Operating Expenses: $37,683

HYDE PA R K : $5 5 , 5 63 Ministry Commitments: $8,036 Operating Expenses: $47,528

DOWNTOWN: $75,761 Ministry Commitments: $3,150 Operating Expenses: $72,7611

DOW N TOW N : $1 1 1 , 89 3 Ministry Commitments: $14,509 Operating Expenses: $97,384

PILS EN: $39,285 Ministry Commitments: $900 Operating Expenses: $38,385

PIL S EN : $7, 5 61 Ministry Commitments: $1,795 Operating Expenses: $5,767

NORTH SIDE: $48,197 Ministry Commitments: $2,250 Operating Expenses: $45,947

NO RT H S IDE: $43, 2 5 8 Ministry Commitments: $3,000 Operating Expenses: $40,258

TOTAL EXPENSES: $1,065 ,856

TOTA L EX P EN S ES : $1 , 1 5 4, 9 07

CAPITAL BUILD-UP: $132,017

CAP ITA L BU ILD-U P : $7 2 ,7 1 6

CASH RESERVE: $ 264,939

CAS H R ES ERVE: $337, 65 5

Income

VIS ION 2018: $350,212

2014-2015

2013-2014

Income

Expenses

98%

-80% 33% -10% 48%

14-15 13-14 14-15 13-14 14-15 13-14 14-15 13-14

SHA RE D CO ST S

14-15

TOTA L G IV ING

HYD E PA RK

13-14

14-15 13-14 13-14

14-15

HYD E PA RK

D OWNTOWN

1. Increase due to Vision 2018: Growing to Serve Expenses (see vision campaign budget) 2. Ministry Commitments are for men’s, women’s, children’s, community groups, etc. 3. Operating Expenses are for rent, printing, and miscellaneous supplies. 4. Decrease due to West Side working towards planting in Pilsen September 13th 2015

-3%

-44%

14-15 13-14 14-15 13-14

14-15 14-15

P IL SE N

13-14

P IL SE N

D OWNTOWN

NORT H SID E

13-14

NORT H SID E

TOTA L E XP E NSES

14-15

14-15 13-14

40% -60% -3%

TOTA L INCO M E

CA P ITA L B UIL D -UP

13-14

14-15 13-14 13-14

14-15

V ISION 20 18

27%

14-15 13-14

-13%

CASH RESE RV E

E M P LOYE E CO ST S

VISION CAMPAIGN U PDAT E 2014-2015 was the second year of our vision campaign and the most exciting

DOLLARS GIVEN BY YEAR

yet! $25,000 was given to the Chicago Partnership for Church Planting to help plant the Immanuel Anglican Church and the Brook Chicago. Holy Trinity Music 2014-2015

produced it’s first Album, “Songs of Freedom.” Holy Trinity Church West Side began attending downtown to re-launch in the Pilsen neighborhood as Holy

$744,482

Trinity Church Pilsen. The framework was built for our first international church

2013-2014

plant through Holy Trinity Fellowship with Pastor Paul Ogalo: Holy Trinity Church Mathare Valley. A special invitation initiative with the “Journey to Easter” helping to bring close to 700 people on Easter Sunday. Re-Engage Marriage groups are now taking place at all four of our congregations. Kid City is launching as our children’s ministry at all four congregations. We’ve also had a logo refresh and

$438,605

the launch of our new htcchicago.org website! By God’s grace working in your generosity, pledges to the Vision Campaign have reached 1.36M, exceeding our goal of 1.25M. That means even more kingdom resources! We encourage those of you that made pledges to finish strong. 2012-2013

About $615,000 remains to come in on pledges in this fiscal year and the next. Of that amount, we expect about $318,000 to come from our congregations, and the remainder from friends external to HTC. For those of you that have recently

$90,659

begun attending, please check out our vision campaign website growingtoserve. net and make a pledge to our Vision 2018: Growing to Serve campaign.

$1.25M GOAL $1.36M IN PLEDGES RECEIVED

VISION 2 0 18 INCOME

PRE-CAMPAIGN 2012-13 Actual

YEAR ONE 2013-14 Actual

YEAR TWO 2014-15 Actual

YEAR THREE 2015-16 Budget

GIVING FROM HTC CONGREGATIONS

$90,659

$284,846

$205,889

GIVING FROM EXTERNAL FRIENDS OF HTC

—

$63,100

$99,988

$150,000

TOTAL INCOME

$90,659

$347,946

$305,877

$518,450

MATURITY GRANTS

—

$60,076

$84,226

$126,653

TRAINING PROGRAMS (New)

—

$8,000

$368,450

EXPENSES COM M UNITY E X PE NS ES

$22,841

$25,000

PRE-CAMPAIGN 2012-13 Actual

YEAR ONE 2013-14 Actual

YEAR TWO 2014-15 Actual

YEAR THREE 2015-16 Budget

WOMEN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR

—

$3,000

—

TOTAL CHURCH-WIDE IMPACT: Technology, Web, App, Fusion

—

$16,898

$34,973

$52,875

TOTAL GROWTH INITIATIVES

—

$27,898

$57,814

$77,875

TOTAL COMMUNITY

$87,974

$142,040

$204,528

$20,333

$15,000

MOV EMENT E X PE N S ES MERCY: 12 new churches implement mercy ministries

—

TRAINING: 28 multi-ethnic residents & candidates

—

$1,869

—

$20,000

LEADERSHIP DEV FOR TRAINING

—

$25,131

—

CHICAGO PARTNERSHIP FOR CHURCH PLANTING: Support 10 new church plants

—

$25,000

TOTAL MOVEMENT

—

$74,001

$45,333

$60,000

$35,000

$22,000

NETWORK E X PE N S ES TOTAL PLANT 3 CHURCHES IN URBAN CONTEXTS: Network development

—

$18,642

$47,166

HTFELLOWSHIP MUSIC DEVELOPMENT

—

$16,664

$20,100

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

—

$7,720

$20,000

PARTNERSHIPS: Help start 20 new churches globally

—

$1,467

$2,955

$25,000

CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT

—

$2,064

—

EXPLORATION

—

$15,747

TOTAL NETWORK

—

$46,557

INTERNAL CAMPAIGN COSTS

$90,659

$21,955

—

TOTAL VISION 2018 EXPENSES

$90,659

$230,486

$277,594

$385,275

$90,221

$25,000

$20,000

$120,747

STORIES O F N E W L I FE IN C HR IST

Over the last year the Lord has used HTC to bring more people to Christ, especially from among international students. In fact, from 2012-2014 we have baptized five new believers from China, will be baptizing more this coming summer, and have even launched a ministry called International Fellowship. The two testimonies you will find below are from two young Chinese men who came to know Christ in the past year, are involved at HTC, regularly attend our International Fellowship events, and are planning on being baptized into the church community. We hope you enjoy hearing about how the Lord is using members of HTC to reach the nations in Chicago.

INTERVIEW WITH DAVID TSE (name changed to protect the persons identity) 1. What is your religious background? No religious background. The Chinese education tries to make everyone be an atheist. I had no idea on this kind of things. But my family has a little Christian culture because my parents was doing business with Taiwan. And I had already read some chapters of Bible at home. Also my primary school is an international school (not founded by government). So My English teachers from America and Canada always told us the story of Jesus. But I was still not religious. 2. How did you come to faith in Christ? After coming to America, my friends in Bridges let me know more about Christ and Christianity. It was easy for me to accept Christ because I already knew him when I was young. And I always had an idea that men have sins. They are easily controlled by greed, angry etc. I want to be a perfect man like Jesus Christ. So I made my decision to follow him. 3. How was Holy Trinity Church involved in you coming to faith? I always go to Sunday service in Holy Trinity Church. I pray to God there and learned how to praise His power and majesty by songs. I am growing in my new life by hearing preaching. And I meet a lot of new friends there. 4. How did you view Jesus and/or Christianity before coming to faith? I thought it was just a religion. I knew some of the story of the Bible and Jesus Christ but I didn't think about the relation between Him and me. Because the environment of China is atheistic I thought God is God, and He has nothing to do with me. 5. How have your views changed? My friends from Bridges told me about Four Laws. And I have the same idea that people have sins. So I know that Jesus doesn't have nothing to do with me. He can save us. By believing him, I can have a new perfect life.

INTERVIEW WITH CALEB WU (name changed to protect the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity) 1. What is your religious background? China is overall an atheistic country, and so was the education I received at school. Nevertheless, there are quite a number of Buddhists in my hometown, and my father is one. While I did go to temple with my father and knew quite a little about Buddhism, I was not very into it since Buddhism is all about reaching perfection through self-purifying. This made me even more depressed because I just couldn't purify myself. 2. How did you come to faith in Christ? I came to faith through Bridges International [the international branch of Cru] where Chris and Kaiti Long, members of HTC, work. I first met Chris at a White Sox baseball game in August last year, then we talked on campus [Illinois Institute of Technology]. He told me about new life in Christ which was exactly what I wanted because at that time I was in a state of self-hatred and wanted a change. So I began to go to Chris's house for Bible study. Then in October I began to visit HTC. During the following months, although every day I had new questions and doubts, my belief in Jesus grew stronger. In February of this year I decided to follow Jesus. 3. How was HTC involved in you coming to faith? I met a lot of cool people in HTC. By talking to them, my faith grew faster. The pastors' messages answered quite a few of my questions. The Mandarin Fellowship also helped me a lot. In a word, it's very nice to grow with a church. 4. How did you view Jesus and/or Christianity before coming to faith? My view of Christianity didn't change much because I barely knew it. As I said, China is overall an atheistic country. I did hear about Jesus and Christianity, but nothing more than the names. There was a textbook at school that characterized Christianity as superstition without explaining what it is. I'm glad I didn't listen to it. After I became a follower of Jesus, I did some research online to look for Christianity in China and found out there are actually a few Christians in China and there are a couple of churches in my city. They are just very quiet because they are not very welcome in a atheistic country like China. 5. How have your views changed? As above, I had little view, so there's hardly any change. After I came here, although I did have some doubts when I was looking into the Bible, in my heart I always wanted to prove those doubts were wrong because I wanted the new life. So, if anything, I wanted the Bible to be true before, and now I know it is true.