Ministry of the Month
Moody Radio Chicago's Ministry of the Month campaign recognizes local Chicagoland ministries for the service they provide and the impact they have in their community. Each month you'll hear from ministry employees, volunteers and people who have been blessed by their service telling the story behind the ministry. Moody Radio is excited to introduce you to these ministries. Be listening throughout the year to hear who has been selected as the Ministry of the Month.
August
Wayside Cross Ministries | Urban Youth Ministries
Scot Thurman | Director, Urban Youth Ministry | E-mailWayside's Urban Youth Ministry (UYM) is a Christian ministry, dedicated since 1989, to empowering "at-risk" inner city youth, between the ages of 6 and 10, to reach their full God-given potential through discipleship focused educational, recreational, athletic, and other spiritual programs. Partnering with neighborhood churches, schools, community organizations and groups, UYM provides activities that offer alternatives to gangs and other negative elements that occur when "hanging out on the streets."From summer-time activities such as little league baseball, girls softball, golf camps, day camp programs and other sports camp...to school-year programs that include tutoring, reading programs, kids club, etc., UYM reaches Aurora's urban youth both academically and spiritually.
Learn more about Urban Youth Ministries by visiting their website
July
Timothy's Ministry
Marian Alvarado | Executive Director | E-mail
Since February 2004, Timothy's Ministry has been dedicated to reaching out with love and compassion to people struggling with homelessness. They gather together for biweekly family-style potluck luncheons in the Douglas Room of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights where caring volunteers join together with guests to offer friendship, food, clothing, Bible studies, and prayer. In their desire to help alleviate suffering and help people to step out of homelessness, they also offer assistance in the areas of transportation (daily bus passes), housing, and medical needs. Timothy's Ministry is a relational ministry where volunteers of all ages and faith backgrounds come together with people struggling with homelessness and get to know each other and truly experience God's love. Learn more about Timothy's Ministry by visiting their website.
June
Chicagoland Prison Outreach
Dan Swets | Founder and Executive Director | (708) 331-3301 | E-mail
Chicagoland Prison Outreach (CPO) ministers to men and women in the Cook County Jail, Cook County Sheriff’s Boot Camp, various Illinois State Prisons, and at their Career Center in Roseland. Christian worship services, discipleship classes, individual counseling, vocational training, and job preparation are among the services provided to inmates and participants at these facilities. CPO’s Outreach Christian School provides Christ centered education to the incarcerated at the jail and educational opportunities for ex-offenders after release. The goal is to bring the love of Christ into the lives of these men and women in a tangible way, and directly introduce them to Him through scripture and prayer. Learn more about Chicagoland Prison Outreach by visiting their website.
May
Teen Mother Choices
Tammy Habel | (847) 599-8135 | E-mail
Teen Mother Choices (TMC) serves teenage mothers between the ages of 13 and 19. TMC empowers them to become independent, functioning members of society while giving their children the best possible life start by addressing their physical,emotional and spiritual needs, within the local community. TMC offers childcare while the teenage mother is at work or school, Lifeskills Workshops, mentors, guidance and assistance in setting goals, and more. Learn more about Teen Mother Choices by visiting their website.
April
Salam Arabic Fellowship
Hesham Shehab, Acting Pastor | (630) 666-1930 | E-mail
Salam Arabic Fellowship's mission is to share the love of Jesus Christ with Muslims and other people from the Middle east and North Africa. It is a ministry of the Word that preaches Christ crucified and reaches out to Middle Eastern and North African immigrants and refugees through mercy works; loving them to Christ, using both words and deeds. Learn more about Salam Arabic Fellowship by visiting their website.
March
The House That Grace Built
Debra Gonzalez, President | (847) 208-5615
Gale Yarbrough, Vice President
Every year approximately 1,000 women are released from Lake County Jail. The House that Grace Built will be able to provide transitional living and support for 7 of these ladies. This support includes a safe place to live, job and office skills training, personal and spiritual growth and development, parenting skills, financial management and coping skills that will allow them to become self-sufficient and independent of the welfare system. Learn more about The House That Grace Built by visiting their website.
February
New Moms
Audalee McLoughlin, President and CEO | Email
New Moms, Inc. seeks to enable, empower, and equip at-risk adolescent parents and their children through services and mentoring based on Christian values. Their vision is to be the model for an effective, efficient, and enduring ministry that breaks the cycle of poverty among at-risk adolescent parents and their children. New Moms serves a population that is highly at-risk—overlooked, underserved, and under-funded. Most often, participants arrive at New Moms with nothing more than a baby in their arms and a trash bag full of their belongings. 97% are either Latino or African-American, between the ages of 13 and 21, with children 5 years old or younger. When these young women come to us, approximately 80% have dropped out of school, and are operating at an average 4th grade educational level. Learn more about New Moms by visiting their website.
January
Catalyst
Bill Yaccino, Executive Director | (847) 281-3370
Nicole Howe, Executive Administrator | Email
Debbie Stackhouse, Director of Renewal | Email
Catalyst's vision is to mobilize the church to experience a sustained Christ-awakening that transforms the people, churches and communities of Chicagoland. They do this by connecting people and resources for greater kingdom impact. One item they focus on is "restoring the reputation of Christ across Lake County through collaborative acts of compassion," better known as ShareFest. Catalyst brings churches and people together to serve their community by hosting backpack drives, food drives, painting schools to prepare for classes and more. Learn more about Catalyst by visiting their website.