Living Water Community Church (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
The Living Water Community Church, Chicago, Illinois, USA, began public worship in 1995 in rented space at the United Church of Rogers Park. The church emerged from members of the Reba Place Church in Evanston, Illinois, who wanted a multi-cultural urban church. Initially, it called itself Reba Place Church of Rogers Park before selecting a new name. It became a full member of the Illinois Mennonite Conference of the Mennonite Church (MC) in about 1996.
In 2001, a fatal drive-by shooting at Pratt Boulevard and Ashland Avenue focused the church’s prayer for that corner and drew attention to the mini-mall at that location. The congregation purchased the building and renovated the 6500-square-foot storefront section> It became its permanent meetinghouse in 2005.
In the 2010s, the congregation helped its diverse immigrant community find sustainable employment, with some initial funding from Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes. A catering service called Urban Tables operated from the church.
Living Water Community Church has also hosted a "Free Store" and a nursery.
In 2024, Sunday services were primarily in four languages: English, Nepali, Swahili, and Khmer.
Bibliography
Heinzakehr, Hannah. "Living Water pioneers helping members find sustainable employment." theMennonite 20, no. 9 (September 2017): 21-23
Hollinger-Janzen, Lynda. "Living Water rises in the Windy City." theMennonite 4, no. 39 (16 October 2001): 9.
"Our history." Living Water Community Church. 2023. Web. 25 January 2024. https://livingwatercommunitychurch.org/about/history/.
Robinson, Laurie Oswald. "Bread and bridges for body and soul." TheMennonite 12, no. 3 (3 February 2009): 11-13.
Additional Information
Address: 6808 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago Illinois 60626
Phone: 773-764 – 5872
Website: https://livingwatercommunitychurch.org/
Denominational Affiliations: Illinois Mennonite Conference
Pastoral Leaders at Living Water Community Church
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Sally Schreiner Youngquist | 1995-2011? |
| Karl McKinney | 1995-2000 |
| Joe Manigilia (Youth) | 2002?-2007 |
| Amos Shakya (Khmer) | 2010-2012 |
| Samrach Nuth | 2009-2020? |
| Kristin L. Jackson | 2011- |
| Stephen M. Lamb (Associate) | 2012- |
| Olak B. Sunuwar (Nepalese) | 2010s- |
| Alexis Ruzahaza (Swahili) | 2020?- |
Living Water Community Church Membership
| Year | Members |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 63 |
| 2009 | 84 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | January 2024 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "Living Water Community Church (Chicago, Illinois, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 2024. Web. 27 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Living_Water_Community_Church_(Chicago,_Illinois,_USA)&oldid=178190.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (January 2024). Living Water Community Church (Chicago, Illinois, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 27 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Living_Water_Community_Church_(Chicago,_Illinois,_USA)&oldid=178190.
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