DuPageDuPage African Methodist Episcopal ChurcAfrican Methodist Episcopal Churchh

2009 2009 ANNUAL REPORTANNUAL REPORT

“It doth not yet appear what we shall be…” I John 3:2

REV. DR. JAMES F. MILLER – SENIOR PASTOR REV. LANA PARKS MILLER – EXECUTIVE PASTOR

REV. LOUIS TONEY—PRESIDING ELDER

REV. DR. CECELIA WILLIAMS BRYANT—EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR RT. REV. JOHN R. BRYANT—PRESIDING PRELATE

4300 Yackley Avenue _ Lisle, IL 60532 _ 630-969-9800 www.DuPageAMEC.org

Our Humble BeginningsOur Humble Beginnings

Our Blessed PresentOur Blessed Present

Our Victorious FutureOur Victorious Future

Pastoral GreetingPastoral Greeting

Rev. Lana Parks Miller & Rev. Dr. James F. Miller

To Bishop John & Rev. Dr. Cecelia Bryant, Presiding Elders, Pastors, Ministers, Delegates, Missionaries, Friends, and Visitors to this 127th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference:

First let me thank Bishop John & Rev. C for their sterling model of spiritual leadership. We at DuPage thank God for keeping God’s promise and bringing the vision of our Church Expansion to pass. Eighteen years ago when we first purchased 1.6 acres for our new church home we envisioned a a campus facility on the surrounding land. As you read this a $4Million building addition, with parking, is being constructed. DuPage AMEC owns seven acres and the future remains bright. We are receiving spiritual blessings of healings, new jobs, and family reconciliation, as well as continued membership growth.

Congratulations Presiding Elder Reff, Mrs. Janice Reff, and the St. Paul District on your hosting of this significant Annual Conference. May God bless all the churches and ministries which emanate from this sacred gathering.

Rev. Lana and I thank DuPage for their continued faith and expressed love as we labor together IN JESUS’ NAME!

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Rev. Dr. James F. Miller

HighlightsHighlights

2008-2009  

 

 

 

_ Completed construction to add 75 parking spaces and began construction on our Administrative wing to house: enlarged fellowship hall, bookstore, day care, chapel, enlarged narthex and restrooms, elevators and administrative level This level will include: 20 person boardroom and an expansive suite of offices with staff lounge, reception area, and machine room.

_ Conducted Lenten Fast, 24-Hour Prayer Vigil and Churchwide In-Home Bible Study Night

_ Mission outreach to the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, & 20th AME Districts overseas, as well as Miller Chapel, Turner Memorial, Wayman Chicago, Celia Gregg, Greater St. Paul, St. Mary, Payne Memorial, St. Matthew Argo, and Bethel Michigan City, and several other local churches and mission projects.

_ Remained the fastest growing AME Church in the Midwest with over 150 persons joining.

_ Continued as hosts of the 4th District Christian Education Congress.

_ Distributed $8000 in scholarships to High School Graduating Seniors.

_ Through our 501(c)3, REACH, Inc., hosted a county-wide Economic Empowerment Conference with nearly 400 attendees and supported by several corporate sponsors.

_ Increased Holiday Thanksgiving Donation Baskets through the Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society.

_ Through our 501(c)3, REACH, Inc., sponsored a monthly food distribution in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, average over 200 families and nearly 10,000 lbs. of food each month.

_ Took a bus delegation of prayer warriors to the International Women’s Prayer Convocation in Toronto.

_ Enjoyed many days hosting connectional preachers and enjoying wonderful fellowship in the Lord. (see end pages)

Pastor Miller & Rev. Lana with Rev. C & Bishop Bryant

Presiding Elder Louis Toney & Mrs. Doris Toney

DuPage AME ChurchDuPage AME Church

MINISTERIAL STAFF

Rev. Dr. James F. Miller – Senior Pastor

Rev. Lana Parks Miller – Executive Pastor

Rev. Dr. Geneace Williams – Pastoral Support Minister

Rev. Marland Brazier – Youth Ministries Coordinator

Rev. Elliott Griffin – Pastoral Care/Men’s Ministry

Sis. Shirley Brummell – Pastoral Care Minister

Rev. Theresa Dear – Community Ministry

Rev. Valerie Toney Parker – Beautiful Feet Youth Ministry

Rev. Morgan Dixon – Youth Minister

Rev. Connie Dickerson – Youth Minister

Bro. Russell Hanes – Youth Minister

Rev. Carol Douglas – Praise & Worship Minister

Rev. Henry Soles – Associate Minister

Rev. Effie Soles – Associate Minister

Rev. Bruce Meredith – Praise & Worship Minister

Sis. Maggie Mardis– Evangelist

Rev. Dr. Darryl Franklin – Associate Minister

Sis. Melanie Wilkinson – Licentiate

OFFICE & FACILITY STAFF

Rev. Morgan Dixon — Church Administrator

Alicia Rupert — Executive to the Pastor Connie Brown — Executive Financial Officer

Nicollé McKee — Assistant Office Manager Dr. Charles Sweet — Office Assistant

Ted McKee — Photographer

Steve Knox—Membership Care Lloyd Gillespie — Facility Manager

Rodney Brown—Facility Assistant Barbara Williams—Facility Assistant

STEWARD BOARD Louis Garland—Vice Chair

TRUSTEE BOARD Kevin Webb—Vice Chair

STEWARDESS BOARD Tanya Daniels—Coordinator

Laverta Mallory—Deaconess Diane Smith—Deaconess

Inés Araúz Vera Bass

Connie Brown Willis Carter

Conrad Crosby LeVern Danley, III

Harriet Doolittle Gwen Frasier

Gloria Houston Linwood Johnson

Elaine Mass Patricia Mathis Yvonne Rogers

Anderson Smith* Clarence Smith

Rollie Steele Dr. Charles Sweet

David Ware Renée Webb

Wes Anderson Karen Barnes

Michael Brazier Irvin Brown Ron Cotton Terri Diggs

Russell Freeland*

Lloyd Gillespie Charles Haynie

Don Jackson* Betty Johnson Charles Jones

Eddie Lega Colette Mann Ted McKee

Patrick Nanton Yvette Rogers

Derrick Russell Carl Smith*

Robert Steele Billy Williams* John Williams

EVANGELISM COMMISSION

Jack L. Houston, Director Keith E. Allen

Greg Baker Ebony Baker

Willis W. Carter Joan Freeland

Russell Freeland Rev. Elliott Griffin

Gloria Houston Charles Jones

Janett C. Klimek Linda Lawrence

Garry Lewis Sis. Maggie Mardis

Ernest Miles Sally Miles

Leo Rasberry William Simmons

Robert Steele Edna Sullivan

HUMAN RESOURCES

COMMISSION Steve Doolittle, Director

Charlotte Adams Gwen Fasier

Louis Garland Patrick Nanton

Rollie Steele

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE

COMMISSION Louis Garland, Vice-Chair

Loretta Abrams Sherman Baker

Willis Carter Bernard Hines Kendall Hodge Gloria Houston Betty Johnson

Pat Mathis Yvette Rogers Rollie Steele

Dot Whitmore Connie Wyatt

*Emeritus

Pat Wilson Baker Deborah Baldwin Demetrice Bettis

Ida Brewer Sonia Campbell

Debra Carter Lisa Carter Pat Cephus

Tanya Daniels Linda Darden Sylvia Evans

Robin Gerdine

Mary Ginwright Debra Green Eula Green

Gwen Hall-Steele Marsha Haynes Mavis Hawkes

Linda Hickombottom Louvenia Hollins

Marlyn Jones Stacy Jackson Bertha Jordan Roberta Knox

Brenda Morrison

Erita Moyo Cheryl Nanton

Lorri Scott Berline Short Trellis Smith Edna Sullivan Beverly Taylor

Shirley Thomas-Bowie Sheree Tyson Leatha Ware

Lucille Williams Jan Wright

Current

Membership 2200

733 families

2009 CONFERENCE REPORT

Conversions 51

Accessions 158

Baptisms 25 Weddings 2

Total Raised $2,401,587

Total Mortgages $4.19 M

0

50

100

150

200

250

2004‐5 2005‐6 2006‐7 2007‐8 2008‐9

Evangelical ReportA

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sion

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rsons

join

ing t

he ch

urch

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$0.0

$500.0

$1,000.0

$1,500.0

$2,000.0

$2,500.0

2004‐5 2005‐6 2006‐7 2007‐8 2008‐9

$1,780.3 $1,963.9$2,176.4

$2,326.3 $2,401.6

Stewardship Report

Tot

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in th

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PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Latriece Danley, Coordinator

CLASS LEADERS COUNCIL

Sherman Baker—Coordinator

A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE—Natalie Winkfield

ANGEL CHURCH—Kimberly Allen

ANNIVERSARY CHAIRPERSONS—Joe & Karen Barnes

BOY SCOUTS—Steve Carnes

CUB SCOUTS—Kevin Baker, Kevin Harris

CHANCEL CHOIR—Patricia Brooks

C.I.M.S.—Tony Franklin

CHRISTIAN ED COMMISSION—Lee McGinnis

DUPAGE CARES SUPPORT MINISTRY—Sis. Shirley Brummell

DUPAGE THEATRE GROUP—Calvin Gibbs, Jr.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION—David Ware

EVANGELISM COMMISSION—Jack Houston

FINANCE COMMISSION—Elaine Mass

GIRL SCOUTS—Anita Debarlaben Brown

GOLF FOR CHRIST—Anderson Smith

G.O.N.E. BRASS ENSEMBLE—Derrick Russell

GOSPEL CHOIR—Beverly Taylor

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY—Willis Carter

HUMAN RESOURCE COMMISSION—Steve Doolittle

INSPIRATIONAL CHOIR—Tehillah Hunley, Sandra Render, Kendra Shelby

INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY—Etiennette Harris

LOUIS A. GARLAND LAY ORGANIZATION—Louis Garland

MEDIA MINISTRY—Wes Anderson, Eddie Lega

MEN’S DAY CHAIRPERSON—Bernard W. Scott

THE BROTHERHOOD MEN’S MINISTRY—Alex Morla, Leibert W. Morris

NEW CREATIONS MINISTRY—Raymond Blake

PARKING MINISTRY— Maurice Green, Rodney Brown

RELATIONSHIP MINISTRY—Serita & Jonathan Boots

SARAH ALLEN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY—Betty Dixon

SISTER CIRCLE WOMEN’S MINISTRY— Robin Gerdine

SISTERS IN PRAISE—Krystal Jordan

S.T.O.P.—Rashad Crosby, Rosalind Crosby

SUNBEAM CHOIR—Chandra Wright, Sally McGinnis, Colette Mann

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT—Francine Russell

STEWARD BOARD—Louis A. Garland

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMISSION—Louis A. Garland

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY—Lloyd Gillespie

USHER BOARD—Kade Holiday

VOICES OF PRAISE—Riché Miller

VOICES OF TOMORROW—Nina Shelby, Cheryl Nanton

WOMEN’S DAY CHAIRPERSONS—Yvette Rodgers, Yvonne Rodgers

Y.P.D.—Kaitlin Bell, Jada Haynes, Nicollé McKee

Brandon Akins Vanessa Alcorn

Keith Allen Claude Audley* Charles Baker

Greg Baker Pat Wilson Baker

Joseph Barnes Vera Bass

Eric Blackmon Raymond Blake Crystal Blount

Don Bowie

Archie Bragg Sharon Brown Rodney Brown William Brown

Jennifer Bugg Carolyn Carter Willis Carter Tonya Coats

Clayton Corley Ron Cotton

Tranda Covington Latriece Danley Osie Davenport

Tinisha Dorsey James Ferguson

Michael Ferguson Olivia Garth*

Robin Gerdine Etiennette Harris

Cheryl Henderson Kade Holiday

Johnny Holloway Jack Houston

Michelle Hubbard Jamel Ivory Penn Kenneth Jackson

Sandra Jackson Linwood Johnson

Tom Jones Pat Kemp

Kristopher Keys Kelvin Kirksey Stephen Knox Avery Lambert

Garry Lewis Larry Love

Robyn Mason Jimal Miller

Karmen Minter

Leibert Morris Jennifer Outlaw Duane Parkin Marc Peeples Leo Rasberry Makeda Reed

Alicia Riley Warren Roberts Frank Rodgers Yvonne Rogers Alicia Rupert Jeff Sargeant

Bernard Scott

Kim Seay Sandria Simmons Cedric Singleton Dorothy Spears Donald Spencer Billy Stanback

Derek Stovall-Leonard Edna Sullivan Crystal Taylor John Williams

Carolyn Wilson Vincent Winkfield

Michael Wright

Sarah Allen Missionary

Society

Louis A. Garland, Jr. Lay Organization

Usher Board

Golf For Christ

Angel Church DuPage Theatre Group

Women In Praise

Sisters In Praise

Stepping Team Of Psalms

REACH Mobile Food Pantry

Music Department “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord … come before God’s presence with singing!”

Psalm 100:1-2

Musicians: Jonathan Bragg, Kevin Brewton, Sam English, Quanajanice Garland, Marketo Griffin, Vinnie Hunley, Carlos Lawrence, Craig Miller, Derrick Russell, Mary Samuel, JP Watts II, Lakshmi Willis

A Cappella Ensemble

Chancel Choir

Gospel Choir

Inspirational Choir

Men’s Chorus

Praise Team

Sunbeam Choir

Voices of Praise

Voices of Tomorrow

Women’s Chorus

Praise TeamPraise TeamPraise Team

Voices of TomorrowVoices of TomorrowVoices of Tomorrow

Men’s ChorusMen’s ChorusMen’s Chorus

Women’s ChorusWomen’s ChorusWomen’s Chorus

Sunbeam ChoirSunbeam ChoirSunbeam Choir

Voices of PraiseVoices of PraiseVoices of Praise

A Cappella EnsembleA Cappella EnsembleA Cappella Ensemble Gospel ChoirGospel ChoirGospel Choir

Chancel ChoirChancel ChoirChancel Choir Inspirational ChoirInspirational ChoirInspirational Choir

Expansion Project

Some of our Guest Preaching Witnesses

Presiding Elder Walter Bauldrick Ash Wednesday Service

Rev. John White II Stewardship Sunday

Bishop John R. Bryant Men’s Day

Rev. Kimberly Detherage, Esq. Women’s Day Prayer Breakfast

Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant Missionary Day

Rev. Peter Edward Matthews Pastoral Appreciation

Rev. Patrick D. Clayborn YPD Day

Bishop Sarah F. Davis Usher Day

Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Thanksgiving Eve

Bishop Gregory Ingram Officer Installation

Rev. Dr. Anthony Reed Souled Out Youth Conference

Rev. Darryl Williams Men’s Day Prayer Breakfast

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie Class Leader Day

Rev. Dr. Jessica K. Ingram Women’s Day

Rev. James Bailey Annual Youth Day

Rev. Sheri Smith Clayborn YPD Day

DuPage AME ChurchDuPage AME Church On September 12, 1979 a plea was made at the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Chicago Conference by Sydney Finley, Mary Lou Finley, and Ernie Gibson to establish an A.M.E. Church in DuPage County, and to assist with the organization and financial support of the church. On September 16, 1979 Bishop Hubert N. Robinson appointed Reverend Donald Harwell to organize a church.

The first organizational meeting was held September 20, 1979. The first church service was held on September 30, 1979 at the Holiday Inn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Subsequently, the congregation moved to the Park Boulevard Farmhouse at the College of DuPage. Beginning October 21, 1979, the congregation worshipped at the Park Boulevard Bible Church in Glen Ellyn until December 6, 1981. The DuPage Church congregation relocated to 412 Crescent Street (former location of Second Baptist Church) in Wheaton, Illinois. By 1989 the membership had grown to approximately 200.

On October 4, 1989 Bishop J. Haskell Mayo appointed the Reverend James F. Miller pastor of DuPage AME Church. The Bishop’s exact words were: “Go build a church!” On January 17, 1990, the parsonage in Wheaton was purchased. The parish house (the white house adjacent to the church) was acquired on January 9, 1991. On November 30, 1992, 1.6 acres of land located on Yackley Avenue, Lisle, Illinois, became the site for the new church. By this time, the membership had grown to approximately 600.

On April 17, 1994 the congregation moved from 412 Crescent Street to the Holiday Inn in Glen Ellyn. On April 22, 1994 our property on Crescent Street was sold in preparation for the groundbreaking of our new church. On August 28, 1995 we began construction of our new church home and approximately one year later, on August 25, 1996, we held our first service at 4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, Illinois. Bishop Robert Thomas Jr. led the dedication ceremony held November 1996, with a membership of approximately 800.

In April of 1998 DuPage AME Church received the distinguished honor of hosting the 4th Episcopal District Mid-Year Meeting. This represented our first opportunity to sponsor such a significant event encompassing churches from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

In 2001 Bishop Philip R. Cousin appointed our Pastor, Reverend Dr. James F. Miller 4th District Christian Education Director. Along with this appointment came the honor of hosting all the ministries within Christian Education at an annual Congress. As expansion of the church building continued, balcony seating and classrooms on the upper level were completed in April 2001, providing approximately 100 additional seats, two small meeting rooms, and a state-of-the-art computer lab. In June 2001 the church purchased a ½ acre lot across the street from the main building, which was developed and dedicated providing additional parking.

In October 2002 DuPage AME Church served as hosts to the 120th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Over 88 churches and congregations from the Chicagoland area were in attendance. In Spring 2005, additional property was purchased on Warrenville Road, which is currently being used for additional meeting space. In 2007, the Yender Property adjacent west of the church was purchased. In November 2008, the additional parking on that lot was completed. In August 2009 the expansion of our current church building began. Currently the membership now exceeds 2100, with over 700 families.

We celebrate 30 Years of Growing Through Faith in the DuPage County community and thank God for continued blessings!

“Small Enough to Care, Large Enough to Share!”