ANNUALREPORT

RIDICULOUS! An iron worker constructs the Sears (now Willis) Tower, Chicago circa 1972.

WHAT IF WE TOTALLY SURRENDERED EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES TO GOD? THAT IS THE QUESTION WE, AT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF CLARENDON HILLS, ASKED OURSELVES IN 2015. SO WE STEPPED OUT IN FAITH CONFIDENT WE WOULD WITNESS SOMETHING RIDICULOUS TOGETHER.

This booklet tells some of the resulting stories. Lives changed; help and healing in the name of Jesus brought to people here, near, and far; and room for more to find new life in Jesus on our site in Clarendon Hills.

As we sought God’s direction for our own individual involvement in resourcing the RIDICULOUS vision, we each carried around a reminder to pray: a little glass tile that was then returned on Commitment Sunday in March. Those tiles, now artistically crafted into a mosaic cross, form a stunning reminder that “together we will help people find new life in Jesus Christ.”

I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of God’s people at CCCH. You are the most selfless and sacrificial group of people I have ever known. Thank you for proving to be RIDICULOUS in the year 2015!

The Rogers Family: Kim, Jordan, Faith and Matthew

BEYOND OURSELVES

EVERY DOLLAR YOU GIVE TO CCCH GOES TO HELP PEOPLE FIND NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST. IN 2015 ALONE WE SAW 36 PEOPLE GET BAPTIZED AND 53 PEOPLE PLACE THEIR MEMBERSHIP HERE. WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE MANY LIVES HE HAS CHANGED AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE MANY MORE TO COME!

HERE We started attending CCCH after a discussion

I had with a co-worker about how my family and I were looking for a fun, well-founded church. He highly recommended CCCH, so we decided to visit and check it out.

Previously, when we had attended church, it was hard to pay attention. We have five kids, so it was a challenge to find a church that offered care for all of them at the same time.

The first time I (Chris) was at CCCH, it felt so different. People may think I’m crazy, but I had a deeply moving experience that day. There was a point during the service where it was as if I was staring at myself in judgment. God was there, holding me in front of myself, pointing out where

I was. I saw a beat up, run down, tired individual--same person I saw in the mirror every day, same guy I was hiding from. That morning after church I met Matthew, and I broke down in his arms. I haven’t missed a Sunday or any other CCCH gathering since.

I decided to get baptized because I wanted to wash away the old Chris and make room for a bright, new amazing Chris.

I started attending the Saturday Men’s Breakfasts. Everyone there is so kind and warm and has helped me grow in my faith. I plan to get more involved at CCCH as I grow and meet more people.

CHRIS & CAROLYN OLSON

Chris and Carolyn Olson at their baptism, November 2015.

ONE PIECE OF OUR RIDICULOUS INITIATIVE WAS TO ENGAGE WITH A LOCAL MINISTRY TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. OUR MISSIONS TEAM SELECTED RECLAIM13 BECAUSE OF THEIR CHRIST-CENTERED APPROACH TO THIS GROWING PROBLEM, AS WELL AS THEIR PROXIMITY IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS. CHERISH HOUSE (A SUBURBAN SAFE HOUSE FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS) OPENED ITS DOORS IN DECEMBER OF 2015 AND HOSTED ITS FIRST RESIDENT SOON AFTER.

The mission of Reclaim13 is to end the cycle of sexual

exploitation. This cycle often begins in the lives of young children who are already vulnerable due to multiple problems (e.g. abuse, substance abuse, low self-esteem, poverty, etc). People who abuse and exploit prey upon defenseless children. Sex trafficking is often the result of abused children who do not have a healthier support system.

The Christian Church of Clarendon Hills has been a model of what could happen if we work together, as the body of Christ, to reach into the darkness and care for broken children. Through several showers, including the one held by CCCH on Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Cherish House was blessed with a fully stocked kitchen! The gift bags packed by members of CCCH, which we received at the Women’s Christmas Dinner, will be used in our direct services to victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Many people volunteered their time, talent, and resources in support of abused and exploited

children who now have the exper ience of love and compassion. We are SO blessed to be a part of your RIDICULOUS Initiative!!!! It is truly a ridiculous goal to try to change a cycle that is so insidious and one that continues in such darkness and secrecy. And yet we, together, serve a God who tells us that “my ways are higher than your ways.” We hope, together with CCCH, for ridiculous goals and ridiculous dreams — that one day all children can grow up feeling safe and loved.

BEYOND OURSELVES

HERE

Matthew Rogers praying over Reclaim13 volunteers and staff.

CCCH member Hilary Vincent at the Women’s Christmas Dinner

with donations for Reclaim13.

CASSANDRA MAReclaim13 Executive Director

THE RIDICULOUS INITIATIVE LOOKED TO HELP PLANT A CHURCH IN MASSACHUSETTS, AN AREA KNOWN FOR HAVING FEW CHURCH OPTIONS FOR RESIDENTS. CCCH PARTNERED WITH RESTORE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN QUINCY, MA AND IT HELD ITS FIRST SERVICE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2015 WITH 120 IN ATTENDANCE!

“There is no doubt that having the CCCH team here equipped us to reach more households than we could have on our own.” JOHN MUETH

Associate Pastor, Restore Christian Church

NEAR

My time helping the new Restore Christian Church in Quincy, MA

was my first missions trip experience. I initially signed up for the trip, not realizing that I would later be invited to a family wedding near Quincy that would take place the same weekend! Rather than cancel either event, I decided to do both. It turned out to be a good decision and I was able to serve in ways I hadn’t imagined.

We had a great team from CCCH, and we all had a blast! We accomplished many things, even though the weather slowed us down a bit. We did in office prep for thousands of promotional door hangers for Restore, putting rubber bands through holes so we could later attach them to front doors. We distributed these throughout the neighborhood and were able to talk to a lot of people about Restore.

I was able to take some door hangers to my cousin’s wedding where I handed them

out to people who lived near Restore. I also reached out to a high school friend who is a realtor and gave her a huge stack of Restore cards for her office. She was so helpful, and even gave another stack to a different office location. I’m sure a whole group of people was reached because of these actions who might otherwise never have heard of Restore.

I honestly believe God was instrumental in every step of my trip to Quincy. I am so energized by the experience and I can’t wait to support the Restore team in the future.

The Mueth Family: Christin, John, Charlie (4) and Jack (6)

CHERYL HEDAYAT Participant in the 2015 missions trip to Quincy, MA

Last year my son, Blake, and I heard about a missions trip to

Colombia being offered through CCCH. Although it was not an easy decision to go, we felt God pushing us to experience a new ministry opportunity. The current project in Colombia involves construction at a Christian camp to be used for retreats and spiritual growth.

Many Colombians believe in God, but they don’t understand who He really is. They think that intentional suffering leads to a closer relationship to God, and because of this people are turning away from Him, which leads to broken marriages, families and relationships. Dale Meade

is trying to break this negative cycle through counseling, teaching and ministering to people, especially the youth. He started a school for kids in grades K-12, and our group was able to spend a morning helping students with their English. The smiles on the kids’ faces as we interacted with them were priceless! Since the trip, Dale has posted pictures of the ongoing work being done in Colombia, including more children being added to the Kingdom. Although the Colombian people have very little in the way of funding for their ministries, they are using what they do have to build their church, not only with walls, but with people, too. The trip had a significant impact on both of us, but particularly on Blake. We do not know where the future will lead, but Blake’s heart is with the people of Colombia. God willing, we will return again next summer. It will be awesome to watch the seed planted in Blake’s heart continue to grow!

BEYOND OURSELVES

CRYSTAL & BLAKE SHELEYColombia

Colombian national Castaneda Barrera with CCCH members Crystal Sheley and son Blake, Colombia 2015.

A GLOBAL GOAL OF THE RIDICULOUS INITIATIVE WAS TO CONSTRUCT BUILDINGS AND OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG MEN AT A CHRISTIAN CAMP IN THE NATION OF COLOMBIA. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN 2015 ON A NEW CABIN AT THE CAMP, AND A CONFERENCE FOR MEN WILL BE LAUNCHED IN JUNE OF 2016.

FAR

DALE & JEANNIE MEADEColombia

CRYSTAL & BLAKE SHELEYColombia

This summer, the CCCH team helped us with starting the third

cabin at our church camp, including laying the foundation and having the walls up and completed. This cabin will be used for our youth camps and leadership training programs, and is a much needed infrastructure improvement. Currently we often have 100 or more at camp but have only 48 beds. The cabin is now at the point where the next stage will be to roof it.

The team also visited a church plant in a local village, and spent a day working with the kids at our school for the poor and children of Christians.

During their time here they encouraged our leaders, especially in the critical area of men’s ministry, as we strive to get men more involved with the church and consequently with their own families and children. We believe that the involvement of fathers and husbands in families is the ultimate solution to many social problems. We are concerned about people, and the Gospel we preach is practical and applied to making life better for everyone.

We are very grateful for the team’s help, and the Colombians have expressed their gratitude and appreciation as well.

Dale Meade, Missionary to Colombia

“Our team had a great time with the kids at Colegio Penial. What a blessing to visit a school in Colombia that seeks to raise up the next generation knowing Jesus!”

BRENDA HODGSONCCCH member and participant in the 2015 mission trip to Colombia, SA

PEOPLE AT CCCH SERVED OTHERS HERE, NEAR & FAR IN 2015.

Sunshine Gospel Ministries, Chicago

Westline Christian Church, Glen Ellyn, IL

DuPage PADS, Downers Grove

Feed My Starving Children, Aurora

CareNet Walk for Life, Hinsdale

Restore Christian Church, Quincy, MA

Appalachia (HS)

Dominican Republic

Indonesia

Colombia

Tornado Relief, Coal City, IL and Indianapolis, IN

325PEOPLE SERVING

IN MISSIONSIN 2015

HERE = 281 NEAR = 22 FAR = 22

10

390

1068

1417

824 72

9

BEYOND OUR WALLS

61 NEW PARKING SPACES CREATED!

In early October 2015, bulldozers, backhoes and several workmen made their way to CCCH to begin building a new parking lot. While the bulk of the work they did (underground water retention) is now hidden from view, 61 much needed new parking spaces were eventually created. Finishing touches (final coat of blacktop, lighting and landscaping) will take place in the spring of 2016, but enough work was acomplished by Thanksgiving 2015 to make the space usable. Already these new spaces have allowed us to host the CCCH family and its guests during the Christmas season with a record-breaking 2015 Christmas Eve attendance of 1,289!

5 YEARGIVING TOTALS

TOTAL $1,454,826 $1,539,579 $1,833,563 $1,831,550 $2,413,701

$0

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015RIDICULOUSInitiative begins

5 YEARFINANCIAL DETAILSGiving Other Incomes** Expenses Over/Under Debt

2015 $2,413,701 $24,223 $2,264,934 * $172,990 $3,691,1282014 $1,831,550 $26,314 $1,704,881 $152,983 $3,767,6912013 $1,833,563 $22,191 $1,505,189 $350,565 $3,552,0632012 $1,539,579 $31,888 $1,456,801 $114,666 $3,575,0932011 $1,454,826 $25,212 $1,494,340 ($14,302) $3,596,168

* includes RIDICULOUS projects ** building rental, etc.

NEW MEMBERS& BAPTISMS IN 2015

BAPTISMS36NEW MEMBERS 53

10 YEARATTENDANCE AVERAGES

600

700

400

800

500

683

2011

661

2010

585

2009

489

2008

478

2007

451

2006

732

2012

761

2013

2015

714

770

2014

Christian Church of Clarendon Hills | 5750 Holmes Ave, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 | www.ccch.org | 630.323.3456

WWW.CCCH.ORG FOR TIMES AND DETAILS2016 CCCH CALENDAR

VACATIONBIBLE

SCHOOLJUNE 20-24

MAY 15

EASTER

SUNDAY, MARCH 27SERVICE TIMES: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM

Thanksgiving Lunch

Bring Friends and Family

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

MAY 8Mother’s Day

C C C H A N N U A L F A T H E R ’ S D AY

CARSHOW

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

CHURCH AUGUST 14

Cypress Cove Water Park, Woodridge

FAMILYMOVIENIGHT

December 18