Our purpose is to glorify God and spread His fame by assisting the Church in making disciples of all nations through our global partners. Our mission is to connect our global partners and each one at MBC through prayer gatherings, correspondence, in-person visits, mission trips and financial support.

Our year started off with a visit from global partners, Bruce & Janet Scott, missionaries to the Jewish people. A Saturday morning brunch, Sunday worship service, and lunch afterwards gave us great opportunities to learn from, meet, and encourage Bruce and Janet.

We enjoyed a summer visit by Stan & Andrea & family (S. Asia) on Sunday, July 13 at MBC.

Fall 2025 began with a visit from retired partner, Marge Scholz. Then, MBC was invited to host one of CHIEF’s 50th Anniversary celebrations on October 2nd. More than 40 members of MBC served together to welcome guests, provide hospitality, and encourage our Native American friends, led by our global partners, Rev. and Mrs. Huron (Lois) Claus. Though the attendance fell short of the expected numbers, the CHIEF team was deeply touched by our ministry to them.

A brief visit by Juan Ortega and wife Anna, our global partners in northern Spain and directors of L’Arcada Camp, was enjoyed by a few who could meet them on October 30. That weekend, MBC opened its doors to host PIEI’s 40th Anniversary celebration, and many enjoyed reuniting with partners, Pablo and Rosa Gallego, church planters in Malaga, Spain.

Our global partner ‘adopters’ pray for, keep informed about, and encourage our partners. Anyone at MBC is invited to become an ‘adopter’ (see Caryl) and also to join us weekly for prayer for our partners on Wednesdays at 7 pm in person at church, or via Google Meet (see Kim for link).

In 2026, we 1) want our prayer team to grow, 2) consider taking on a new national missionary, and 3) consider a visit to one or more of our existing partners in their places of ministry.  Our committee includes Lisa Chohan, Vince Guerrero, Sr., Caryl Zoladz and Kim & Jenny Rasmussen. Want to join?

The role of the Connection Team extends far beyond welcoming individuals at the door. We serve as the first point of contact for guests and regular attendees alike, with the mission of representing both God and our church with warmth, excellence, and authenticity.

Our team intentionally helps bridge connections between visitors and the church community. By gathering contact information and engaging in meaningful conversations, we help guide individuals toward ministries that support their spiritual growth and service to Christ. Ministry leaders and directors rely on the Connection Team to help identify and connect with individuals who are eager to be discipled and involved, while the church depends on us to help recruit and support volunteers who are ready to serve. At the heart of our ministry is relationship-building and fostering active engagement within the church body.

We continue to see God at work through the steady presence of new attendees, many of whom return week after week. It is especially encouraging when individuals recognize us and say things like, “I’ve seen you at the front.” These moments affirm the importance of consistency and visibility. We are reminded that we are not simply greeters—we are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), committed to seeking His presence, serving His people with love, and reflecting His character. God has used simple moments of welcome and connection to help people feel seen, valued, and at home.

We had some people join and leave the ministry in 2025 due to life changes. Current Connection Team Members: Marne Bariso, Liz David, David Martinez, Lissi Pagan, Josh Pagan, Lizette Reyes, Mike Kijowski, Terry Kijowski

Prayerfully Made Plans for 2026:

• We pray for several new members to join the Connection Team, allowing us to better serve our growing church, share responsibilities more effectively, and create sustainable schedules that support rest and balance for all team members.
• We pray for opportunities to refresh and strengthen our training, equipping our team with updated tools, clear expectations, and renewed confidence as ambassadors of Christ.

The prayer station remains a steady presence each year at six corners and we have made several friendships with those who frequent the busy area. A new Target, condos, and the Clarendale Senior Living Building have brought a renewed vitality. This year Alex Flores joined us and what a treat to see the eagerness of our future generation seeking to share the gospel.

We met Phil this summer and he has attended Midwest ever since. He was looking for a church to fellowship with where they cherished the word of God. As always we want to thank our faithful group for spending their Saturday mornings reaching out to our neighbors with the hope of Christ’s gospel.
 
Thank you to Chris and Dorcas Tsakiridis, Chris Martin, Manny Arroyo, Alex Flores, Angel Pagan, Lilly Morales and all of those who stopped by or came for a time whenever they could.                                                
     
With new stores being built and the neighborhood growing we look forward to meeting many more this year; won’t you join us?

In His Service,
Luis and Nancy Pagan

This past year, the main focus was troubleshooting and finding a solution for some of the flooding that tended to occur on our property, including the drains by the bathrooms and kitchen, as well as water coming up in the front office. After consulting with a few different companies and obtaining quotes, we were able to identify and fix an issue with our sewer drain when it connects to the main sewer on Cicero Avenue. Special thanks to those who helped in various ways with this project, especially Tony Perez, who provided plumbing expertise, and Pam Frenden, who connected us with the company we eventually used to do the repairs.

This coming year we hope to provide opportunities for people to help with projects around the church, including small fixes and some painting. We will also be evaluating and planning for some of the larger items that need attention in the next few years.

The prayers, conversations, and thoughtful planning that ultimately resulted in the creation of an adult education initiative on the doctrines of the Bible, as an auxiliary ministry of Midwest Bible Church, began in June of 2024. Five months later, on November 6, the School of Christian Theological Studies (SCTS) was launched with a registration cohort of 38 students—many of them young adults, some members of other churches, some long-time adult members of MBC, but all of them sincerely eager to learn about the doctrine of the Bible (Course: Introduction to Bibliology). The course Instructor, Vidal Cordova, presented compelling topics such as the importance of systematic theology, the preservation of the Bible throughout an extensive timespan, the uniqueness of the Bible as compared to other religious texts, the authority of Scripture, and the sufficiency of Scripture, among other related subjects. Another successful (and free) 3-week course was led by Pastor Marco on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology) in January 2025 with 47 registered students. Powerful topics ranged from the gifts of the Holy Spirit, false teachings concerning the works of the Holy Spirit, over-contextualization, and the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Why A Church Ministry on Theological Studies?
The development of the School of Christian Theological Studies as a ministry of Midwest Bible Church was born from the urgent need—especially today—for all believers to have the same “noble” heart as the Jews from Berea whom “received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:10). Our prayer is that students of these essential courses will come away eager to learn more from God’s Word as it is “examined,” in order to become strengthened in their faith—determined to do their “…best to present [themselves] to God, as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2: 15).

Mission Statement:  
The mission of the School of Christian Theological Studies is to train MBC leaders and other members, as well as other members of Christ’s Body, in the disciplined study of God—His Attributes, His Word, and other core Bible doctrines—soundly utilizing Scripture as the foremost Source. The goal is to become well equipped to better understand God’s Word, to be stirred by His Spirit so as to consistently apply His Truths, and to “honor Christ the LORD as Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks [you] for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet [doing] it with gentleness and respect...” (1 Peter 3: 15).

The Bible Study at Clarendale has continued this year with 4 regular attenders. We’ve had some guests along the way. We’ve done a number of Book studies including Isaiah, I and II Peter, selected Psalms, and a devotional on the names of God by author Christopher Hudson. Good discussions have ensued. It’s been a rich time. Since it’s been said by some residents that we’re “trying to convert people,” we’ve decided in the literature that promotes the study to say “Exploring the Bible…” to not be so intimidating or pegged as “that religious group.” In the New Year we’ll start by exploring the Sermon on the Mount. We feel for the people there being they are in their older years, and there’s not much time left for them before they go into eternity.