Village Bible Church

This morning I preached at Village Bible Church in Sugar Grove, IL, a suburb on the far western edge of Chicago. After the service I stayed and spoke at a leaders’ luncheon at the request of Pastor Tim Badal. Marlene and I both thought this was one of the most exciting churches we’ve visited in a long time.

Tim told me that, contrary to the usual expectations, the church has even grown during the summer months. Today we had around 450 in attendance. In late October construction will be completed on a new educational building with an attached gymnasium providing much-needed space for offices and various ministries. Because the church is located at a prime spot on Highway 47, they add new families almost every week. We’ve all heard that the number-one rule in real estate is Location, Location, Location, and they’ve got that one covered well.

Beyond that, the church is young, filled with energy and excitement. As we were starting the service, Marlene leaned over and said, “This is a hopping place,” and she’s right. I would characterize the worship as thoughtful contemporary, which means we actually sang an updated version of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Readers of this blog know I put a high value on congregational singing as a good measure of church health. By that standard, the church seems very healthy. I noticed that just before the Lord’s Supper, one of the elders gave an exhortation about the true meaning of Christ’s death. It was a strong statement about Christ standing in our stead, taking our punishment, bearing the wrath of God so that we might be set free. I sensed from all that was said that the church puts a high value on straightforward Bible teaching.

By the way, unlike most churches Village Bible Church does not take up a weekly offering. They announced that anyone wishing to give could put their offering in one of four boxes at the back of the sanctuary.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to the congregation on When You Pray, Never Give Up from Luke 18. They listened very intently and many said that the message was exactly what they needed to hear. During the leaders’ luncheon we heard from a young man who serves as a missionary to the Bedouins of Lebanon. Pastor Tim announced that the elders were going on a two-day retreat to pray and talk together about the future of the church. He shared some of their ideas about the future and said several times that nothing was set in stone. Later I challenged the leaders to pray, “Lord, do things we’re not used to” and predicted that the church will see many new people coming in the new few years.

Jess Moody used to say that people choose a church with their noses. They can smell the joy. We could smell the joy this morning at Village Bible Church in Sugar Grove. I have no doubt that they will grow larger, stronger and deeper in the years to come. Something good is happening there, and Marlene and I were blessed to be part of it this morning.

PS We enjoyed seeing some friends from our time in Oak Park, including Coach Al Allen, Thom and Joan Gibbons, Jim and Darlene Miskovic, and Ellis, Janette and Kasey Dionisio.