About Our Church

The birth of our church began with a deep concern that one man had for the dozens of children who lived in the subdivision called Phelan Acres.  Charles Melhorn saw that there were many children in this rural community built upon the banks of the Kankakee River.  Most of these children did not attend a church. There was no church or Sunday School in the area.  Charles Melhorn’s heart was burdened for their spiritual welfare.  Surely most of them did not know much of anything about our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  They did not know that He is God the Son, who came to this earth and died on the cross to pay for our sins, and then rose again.  They hadn’t heard they needed to place their faith in Christ in order to be saved spiritually and go to heaven.

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In April of 1969 Charles Melhorn asked a godly man if he would start a Sunday School in the large garage he owned.   This man, Don Horschler, taught a Bible class of teenagers at Faith Bible Church in Joliet, IL. Four teenagers volunteered to come with Mr. Horschler to begin a Sunday School at 9:00 AM every week.  Fifteen children attended the first meeting.  What started as a children’s ministry developed into an organized church that eventually grew to a point where 90 people would be in attendance.  Don Horschler celebrated his 101st birthday on December 5, 2022. God has given him a long life to be a great blessing to us.

 

One year later, the church acquired the lease on its present property.  Construction was begun on a church building in October 1971 by the New Lenox Lumber Company.  Much of the interior work was completed by friends and residents of the area.  Our present building will seat up to 150 people.

 

Phelan Acres Bible Church was started for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ so that any person can receive Jesus by faith and be saved.  The church also had the purpose of providing a systematic study of the Bible.  The “gospel” is the “good news” that Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead and appeared to many people being physically alive (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  Whoever makes the decision to depend upon (trust in) Jesus to save them from their sin will be given eternal life.  They need to call upon Jesus in faith (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10,13).  Salvation is a free gift no one deserves, but can only be humbly received (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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The first Board of Trustees consisted of Mrs. Robert Leet, Mr. John Thomas, Mrs. William Stalker, Mr. Don Horschler, Miss Karen Thomas, Mr. Carl Miller, Mrs. Lorraine Horschler, and Mrs. Leroy Newman.

 

Rev. Jonathan Forsythe served as our church’s first pastor for the first year.  Rev. Rodney Chappell served as pastor 1973 to 1977.  Then Rev. Michael Todd served as pastor for one year.  Then Rev. Rodney Chappell returned to serve as pastor from 1979 to 2018, nearly 40 years.  Jeff Whittum was our pastor for one year.  Then Rev. Dennis Greene served as our interim pastor 2019 to 2022.  Rev. Ron Kooyman is currently preaching on Sundays having started in October 2022.

 

Over the 50+ years of our church’s history we marvel at the work God as done.  Excellent and accurate Bible preaching has occurred over all those years, and a wonderful Sunday School ministry reached children and teens for Christ and taught them the Bible.  A favorite highlight of the church’s ministry was the Vacation Bible School held every summer.  Doug Whittum was a tremendously fun game leader, and he earned the nickname “Recess Man”.  Very notable and outstanding are Family Camp, and “under the tent” Bible services.  Many people of all ages received Jesus Christ as personal Savior during the years, and lives were transformed.  Every year the church hosts a popular Christmas Candlelight Service.  A great number of beautiful banquets are held.  Throughout its history the church has, and still is, supporting missionaries who are spreading the gospel of Christ in foreign nations.  For many years Jim Dixon was the church’s excellent worship leader.  Throughout the years quality worship music has been performed by groups and individuals.  The church has earned a good reputation by  compassionately and effectively meeting the needs of people spiritually and materially, in Phelan Acres and other nearby communities.  Our church is actively seeking new ways we can extend a friendly, helping hand to people who have deep spiritual needs.