The Church
In August of 2011, Village Church of Oak Park was born. We’re a church plant of the Evangelical Free Church of America in the near west suburbs of Chicago. Right now, we’re gathering a team of people to build the church and plan on launching public services in early 2012.
Our hearts are full of love for people in Oak Park and the surrounding communities. Our plan to reach them involves three things that we classify as our GPS:
The Holy Spirit uses the preaching and teaching of God’s Word to transform lives. This will be central to our ministry.
Modeling the authentic Christian life for our unsaved neighbors will show them the God of the Bible is real.
Consistently giving of our time and resources to the benefit of the community will help us earn a hearing for the Gospel.
While we build a solid foundation for a new church, you can help in two ways: prayer and financial support.
Prayer
Pray that the Holy Spirit does a mighty work in the hearts of people in Oak Park and neighboring communities. Without His help our work will be fruitless.
Financial Support
We plan on our congregation being self-supporting by the end of our third year. In the meantime, to get us through the first three years we need more than $500,000 in support for rent, salaries, insurance, equipment, and so much more. If you feel God leading you to support us financially there are two ways for you to give:
Online
Simply click HERE to make a secure donation online. This is a website used for many different EFCA church planters so be sure to select my name when making a donation so the money makes its way to our church.
Check
Please make checks payable to Great Lakes District. Write “Fund #121” in the memo line of your check. DO NOT make the check out to me or put my name in the memo line. If you do that you can’t deduct your gift from your taxes.
Mail your check to:
Great Lakes District
PO Box 286
Osceola, IN 46561
Please share our information with any churches or individuals that you believe would have a heart to support this church plant with prayer or finances.
For His Glory,
Cisco Cotto
Lead Pastor
Village Church of Oak Park
Hey … small world! I am a friend of Big John Howell. I am also a member of an Evangelical Free Church in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and former attendee of Door Creek Cuurch in Madison. I know Cisco will do a wonderful job in this new role. In intellect, he reminds me a lot of Lee Strobel – a skilled reporter with a passion for the Lord and an ability to defend the Gospel with strong logic and gentle persuasion. If Cisco is here, leading a congregation at this time, then the hand of God is guiding him. God Bless this fine young man! ~ Gary Stoika
Hi Gary! I remember you well because John always has spoken highly of you. I remember your calls too! Thanks so much for the kind and encouraging words. This is a challenge, but God has been good at every turn.
Where can I get more information? I was hoping you were going to be a completely independent congregation of just plain Christians with the Bible as your Superior. I see the Indiana address and Great Lakes District and I am a little wary. I have begun to equate church umbrella organizations with the federal government; interfering.
The beauty of being a part of EFCA is they are technically a denomination, but they’re comprised of autonomous churches. We are completely able to structure and operate our church the way we feel God is leading us. The EFCA is simply there in a support capacity in case we need help. It’s really the best of all things denominational!
I live in Oak Park, and I am wondering if and when you are planning on starting to meet for worship services. Thanks.
Hi Cisco,
I wish the best of luck to you.
I am interested in learning more about becoming part of your team to help establish and give the church momentum. I have been the president of a religious performing arts parents group at a highschool. I have some experience in school fundraising. I would like to help. Please leave a reply as to how I can attend a meeting. Thank you
Gina