Champaign Church of the Brethren

Nestled along Neil Street, in a less affluent area of Champaign, IL, is the Champaign Church of the Brethren. The congregation was at one time the largest in the District of Southern Illinois, with membership numbering 321.¹ Membership today is less than one-tenth of the mid-twentieth century peak. But that doesn’t deter this congregation from continuing the work of Jesus in ways that positively impact their faithfulness and graciously affect the surrounding community.

The congregation understands the importance of continual spiritual renewal. Members meet regularly for Bible study, most recently studying the Old Testament book of Hosea. Because Hosea is a less familiar biblical writing for the congregation, interest in learning about something less well known has piqued curiosity, thus garnering good participation in the study. Studying together is producing the benefit of a spiritually stronger congregation.

Congregational strength is made practical through the ministry in which they are engaged. Providing space for a community garden is just one way of being involved in their context. The project is available to people in the neighborhood, not only church members. It is, as one church member described, a great way to make contacts in the community.

Champaign-Urbana is home to the University of Illinois. Although the university is on the other end of town, such separation isn’t a factor in making connections with the students. Through open lines of communication and by invitation, students from the university come to the church to actively participate in ministry activities. It’s amazing that a small congregation on the northern end of Champaign can reach across the city to the southern end of Urbana and connect with students in one of the largest universities in the state, evidence of God working across boundaries without deference to size.

The church is also involved in a program called Zero Percent. The program connects restaurants with local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. When restaurants have surplus food, they can post a donation on the Zero Percent platform, which immediately alerts volunteers at local agencies. The system was created to make it as simple as possible for restaurants to donate food, and hence encourage donations of prepared and perishable yet edible food. The congregation has incorporated this food with their already active food pantry. Now when a basket of food is delivered, it can contain freshly prepared foods as well as other items.

This past summer, the church was able to be a feeding site for the summer lunch program for children through the local health department. Any child under the age of 18 could come between 11 and 12 on a weekday and get a free lunch. The church is hoping that some of the children may come back for Sunday School.

The Champaign Church of the Brethren doesn’t dwell on size; they focus on what God is calling them to do, where God is active in their midst, and how they can heed that call to join with God in faithful and fruitful ministry. All they do may attract few people into the pews on Sunday morning, but it places the love of God in the hearts of lives they touch. Well done, good and faithful servants!

¹ Church of the Brethren in Southern Illinois, Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, IL, 1950