Inviting Chicago to Feast on the Love of Jesus

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What is Agapé?

Agapé is the most common Greek word in the Bible translated “love”

Agapé is the name given to meals shared by the earliest Christians often surrounding the Lord’s Supper. Those who gathered for these Agapé meals transformed their world by teaching and embodying the good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. What happened at the tables of Agapé meals was more than merely partaking of meals; indeed these meals were a continuation of the revolution begun by the King they celebrated at these tables.

Watch Pastor Jeremiah talk about Agape’s Mission, Vision, and Table Values.

Our Leaders

LEADERSHIP

JEREMIAH VAUGHT

ELDER

Jeremiah and his wife Maysa founded Agape Chicago in collaboration with a group of Rogers Park residents, many of them attending the sending church, Evanston Bible Fellowship. Prior to launching Agape, Jeremiah served in youth ministry, college ministry, and justice ministries. While in seminary at Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield and serving in Evanston, Jeremiah engaged the challenge by pastor Timothy Keller to see more healthy churches planted in urban areas.

In conjunction with strong conviction of the need for more churches in Chicago, while serving many people living in Rogers Park, the Vaughts came to the conclusion God wanted to use them to plant a church for Rogers Park. While getting to know many neighbors in the early years of seeking to start this church, Jeremiah noticed people would constantly throw around the word "love" only to describe their feelings of attraction, and appreciation, but hardly ever to discuss desires to sacrifice and serve to help others. Since love is who God is (1 John 4:6) and love is what Jesus demonstrates best through sacrificial death and victorious service (John 15:13), so Jeremiah remains convinced Rogers Park needs to encounter the God's love more than anything else. We all want to love and be loved, but without seeing and knowing the best love, how can we love like we should? This desire to experience God's love by making it known still drives Jeremiah & Maysa.

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STEVE JOHNSON

ELDER

Steve Johnson is a native Chicagoan born and raised right here on the Northside. He and Lorre, his wife of 18 years, have both been long-time residents of Rogers Park. After struggling with addiction for several years, the Lord delivered Steve into His service about 25 years ago. Since being called to faith, he and Lorre have dedicated themselves to serving the under-resourced, the under-served and the disconnected through a street ministry and outdoor church in Rogers Park called the Blue Sky Cathedral.

Steve has worked in the title industry for over 40 years and has earned a reputation as a knowledgeable and well-respected title resource for real estate attorneys and mortgage lenders. When he’s not working, he and Lorre tend toward reading and relaxing in Jamaica – when the opportunity to do so presents itself. Steve has been with Agape Chicago since it started and was tapped by Pastor Jeremiah to be a member of its first elder board, on which he has served faithfully for the past 3 years. As an elder of Agape Chicago, Steve facilitates the goings-on at the Blue Sky Agape Community which “strives to live out the Great Commission by bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to people on the streets of Rogers Park”. He also contributes to the pulpit ministry and preaches regularly on Sunday mornings. Pastor Jeremiah and the family of believers at Agape Chicago are appreciative of Steve’s contribution to our growth and maturity. We feel that the Name of the Lord has been glorified through his work.

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STEPHEN MCCAUSLAND

ELDER

Steve is finishing up his ordination with the Free Church, teach part-time at a local university, and work in the jewelry industry. He has four kids and a hound dog. He moved to Chicagoland from Seattle for further education and have enjoyed the wealth of experiences offered in this great city. Agape is a healthy, safe place to grow in Christ! The church's warmth and genuineness was immediately apparent to them, and they knew it would be a great place to raise their kids. He was personally drawn to the diverse socio-economic and intercultural community of the church and neighborhood.

STAFF AND DEACONS

MOLLIE HASSETT

WOMEN'S DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR

I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. It was the land of snowstorms and yes I did love the snow! I attended college in my home town to pursue a degree in Nursing. I have enjoyed an amazing career for many years. As I approached 40 years old I had accomplished some goals .I owned my own home., had an advanced practice degree, good friends,family and freedom. However there was something missing that I could not explain until a dear friend invited me to her small church.

It was there that I was introduced to Jesus Christ and His Word. My life would never be the same. I moved to Chicago in 2002 to pursue a Bible Degree. It is the joy of my life to serve the Agape community. I am blessed to mentor women and teach discipleship and Bible studies at Agape. Praise God for His faithfulness to me!
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JOHN BRUGGERS

DEACON OF A/V, FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR

John has been a part of Agapé since its launch, and is currently serving as the Deacon of A/V. A role well suited for a techie, as it involves overseeing the proper function and staffing of the audio and visual equipment each Sunday. Prior to coming to Chicago in pursuit of a graduate degree at DePaul University and becoming a programmer at Chicago Public Schools, most of his formative years were spent in Peru as a missionary kid.

RALPH MAGUNDAYAO

ADMINISTRATOR

Ralph is a professional screen and stage actor who also serves as the administrative assistant at Agape Chicago Church. Ralph assists the pastor and elders in communications, branding, as well as organizing volunteers in the church. Ralph is an alumni of the Moody Bible Institute and Richard J. Daley College and has been acting on and off for the past 10 years. In his spare time, he likes hanging out and traveling with his friends and spending time at home.

ANGELINA MUSSRO

CONNECTIONS CO-LEADER

Angelina Mussro came to Agape after she relocated to Chicago from South Carolina. She is a theatre artist with a degree in musical theatre, and she has worked professionally as both an actor and teaching artist. For Angelina, having a church family has always been an essential component of her life. Having the rooted, loving community of Agape made all the difference as a new Chicagoan, and it continues to be a source of joy and well-being.

AMY MCCAUSLAND

MUSIC LEADER

Amy is a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, training to be a mental health counselor. She enjoys making music, both in worship settings as well as with the Trinity college choir. She holds performance degrees in violin and harp from the University of Louisville. She enjoys all genres of music, and values the fullness of expression that music gives believers in their praise and worship of the Lord.

DENNIS HONG

CONNECTIONS CO-LEADER

Dennis graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana for both undergrad and graduate school. He spent time as a radio DJ, bank teller, special education teacher and financial advisor. Moving up to Chicago led him to attend and graduate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Masters of Divinity. Dennis has spent a significant portion of his life in college ministry, but has also served in the Korean church and in several church plants. He is currently living in and loving the city of Chicago, convicted to live missionally. He loves coffee, food, travel, woodworking and art.

Beliefs

As a member church, we subscribe to the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), statement of faith.

Join Us
For Worship

Sundays at 11:00AM

At Loyola Park Field House

Come and join us for our Worship Gathering as we feast on the love of Jesus together. Starting September 22, worship starts at 11 am at the Loyola Park Field House (1230 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL 60626).

Our kids groups are divided into two classes, pre-school (2-4) and other age groups (5-11). We know not all children learn the same way so we do our best to teach age-appropriate lessons using hands-on, audio, writing/reading, and visual means of teaching.

Explanation of Gatherings

Our Service Order reminds us about how God calls people to feast with Him. The invitation to this feast is the Gospel. The Gospel is the proclamation that God the Father commissioned His Son Jesus, uniquely God and man, to live the life we never would and to sacrificially die that we might forever feast on God’s love. Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we can be assured that death will not separate us from God’s eternal heavenly banquet. Jesus’ death is our preparation to be with God. Christ’s resurrection from the dead ensures that all are united with Christ will too enjoy a resurrection from the dead making it possible to forever feast with Jesus.

This invitation requires a response. We respond with faith and repentance. We look to Jesus, who prepares us for the feast. Jesus cleanses us and makes us ready for the feast through His pardoning blood. In Christ, we always have access to this feast. We feast as we reminded of the love of God. We feast when we hear God’s Word. We leave with a reminder that God’s work to invite the world to His feast is shared with us. We leave, prepared to share the invitation.

Recent Sermons

During the Coronavirus crisis, we will be posting past service videos here.

This Week's Sermon | Previous Sermons

How to Stay True

March 1, 2020
As a church, our study of the Gospel of Mark draws close to its end. Jesus' opponents will crucify their King. Yet, as Jesus is arrested and His closest friends…
Preacher :
Passage: Mark 14:27-52

The Meal Which Tells The Story That Explains It All

February 23, 2020
As our church focuses on "What's The Story?", we will consider how Jesus gives all disciples a meal to enjoy that symbolizes and teaches the "Big Story." Of course, this…
Preacher :
Passage: Mark 14:12-31

The One Worthy of Every Sacrifice

February 16, 2020
Most of us are willing to sacrifice for some ultimate goal. We work countless hours for that important degree, to improve our physical health, or to have more money. This…
Preacher :
Passage: Mark 14:1-10
1 2 3 … 22 23 24

See all previous sermons here.

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Daily Bible Reflection

  • 1 John 1:1-2:2, Psalm 146
    December 5, 2018
    “We write this to you to make our joy complete”. (1 John 1:4) There are joys that must be shared. We could think of many experiences that are better enjoyed with others: a stunning lunar eclipse, unique ice formations, the breaching of a humpback whale, fourth of July fireworks, or our favorite rock concerts. A feast, also is just too much food when it is only for one person. But when others are [Read More...]
  • 2 Peter 3, Psalm 144
    December 3, 2018
    Many critical New Testament scholars last century argued that the first Christians believed Jesus would return in their lifetimes. Part of their theory requires believing that Peter could not have written 2 Peter, for embedded in this letter is the acknowledgement that while scoffers question the return of Jesus, believers should understand “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise.” (2 Peter [Read More...]
  • 2 Peter 2, Psalm 143
    December 2, 2018
    It would be difficult to find a group of people that that the New Testament epistles oppose more than false teachers, especially those instructing under Christian guise. I guess the devil would be the closest competitor. Peter, like Paul does not mince words about the fate that awaits those who act as messengers of Christ yet in some way “deny the Sovereign Lord who bought them.” Yet my anecdotal [Read More...]
  • 2 Peter 1, Psalm 142
    December 1, 2018
    My seminary education culminated when at a graduation ceremony I walked on a stage to receive a diploma certifying receipt of a “Masters of Divinity”. While working towards this diploma I would regularly tell people I was “mastering the divinie.” If I were not being transparently ridiculous, it would have been sacrilegious. God is alone divine, and there is no mastering the Master of all things. [Read More...]
  • 1 Peter 4.12-5.14, Psalm 141
    November 30, 2018
    By Kesny St Louis Peter wants us to prepare to suffer so we won’t be “surprised” by it (1 Peter 4:12). Suffering exists, but our salvation is more real. Two realities, yet one is greater than the other. Pain is real, but it’s nothing compared to our glorification. Peter goes on to do the same thing (1 Peter 5:10). Scripture not only gives us the reality of suffering in hardship in this present [Read More...]

See all reflections here.

Agapé Communities

As a church, we are committed to growing in our love for Jesus, our church, and Chicago

Agapé Communities are the primary venue in which we seek to intentionally cultivate these three loves. This is why we encourage everyone to get involved in one of these groups. Currently, we have four communities.

Thanks for your inquiry! Please tell us a bit about yourself and we'll get to your question right away.

We Love Kids!

The Children's Ministry of Agape Chicago is an active part of the church.

During the service, we teach Bible lessons from LifeWay's Gospel Project Curriculum according to ages. We also do activity sheets, crafts, songs, memorization, and games all centered around the lesson for that day. Our class is divided into two classes, pre-school (2-4) and other age groups (5-11).

We know not all children learn the same way so we do our best to teach age-appropriate lessons using hands-on, audio, writing/reading, and visual means of teaching. We use Bible storybooks for the pre-schoolers and complete Bibles for the other children. Our teachers and helpers seek to love and encourage the children to learn the Bible and love Jesus, using positive reinforcement. We believe learning about Jesus should be fun but we take our roles as leaders seriously.. We share the Gospel at least once a month using a variety of age-appropriate means. We view the Children's Ministry as a means of discipleship where kids can develop friendships with one another. All children are welcome to join us.

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More Info

We would love to send you more information about Agapé Chicago Let us know how we can be of help. We would love to pray for you! Open Prayer available at the church office, Thursdays ay 9:30 AM - to 4:00 PM

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