Dillon said, “Like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, the historic Aurora Advent Christian Church is no more, and New Hope is rising up to become a beacon of hope and light within our community!” 

She added, “Our hope is to be a church body that communicates the extravagant love of God to everyone. All are welcome. 

“We wish to support each member to experience God’s love and find their ongoing path in the world to be a faithful follower of Christ.” 

Dillon added, “One of my greatest delights has been to see the gifts of the body of Christ emerge to make our church happen. Everyone is active in one way or another. Congregants Marilyn Parolini and Norma Sondgeroth faithfully plan our worship service and provide music. Vice-chair Larry Solomon and myself, both former elders in the historic church, alternate leading worship. 

“Our most active ministry currently is a prayer ministry. Robin Marlowe coordinates our prayer chain. Committees coordinate ministries of the church, including organizing our foundation, financial accountability and creating a logo, website and Facebook page. Bob Dillon, former AU faculty, is our Zoom administrator, providing service to one or two members every week; we hope to expand our online ministry as time goes by. We have provided food supplies to Friends Forever, a yearly conference wide ministry to high school students, AU students studying for finals and supplies for migrants. 

“As we continue to grow, prospective ministries include small group options for Bible study and faith formation, and we are seeking direction for other outreach opportunities.” 

According to Dillon, increasing attendance and a call for new ministries prompted the move from the West Side home, culminating a three-month search. Marilyn Katz, temple board chair, reported that the board felt an obligation to help support the new church. 

From the church’s inception, Rev. James Missick of Oswego has faithfully served as pastor, giving gentle guidance and encouragement. He has previously served other AC churches in Illinois and Indiana, as well as Virginia and New York. Rev. Missick said, “Our new church is seeking God’s direction as to ministry and mission of our congregation. We are so grateful for the provisions that have been provided for our new congregation. Please pray for our growth in this new ministry; we are so excited to see what God has in store.” 

Rev. Bill Norwood, superintendent of the Central Region of the Advent Christian denomination, has been instrumental in supporting the congregation and providing direction for denominational membership. The Church of the Highlands Advent Christian Church, pastored by Aurora University chaplain Rev. Mark Woolfington, served as a solid support to hold denominational membership and fiscal accountability until New Hope was able to become independently recognized legally and within the denomination. 

On March 15, the Advent Christian Prairie States Conference welcomed New Hope into the denominational body at its triennial meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. Eight members of New Hope attended. “Welcoming the church was one of the highlights of the conference,” reported Justin Nash, executive director of the Advent Christian General Conference. 

New Hope’s website is in process and should be live by June 2 at  www.newhopeacc.org.

About Aurora Advent Christian Church

According to a church history, Aurora Advent Christian was founded in October 1854 with meetings in local homes, tents, theaters, halls and schools, after a series of services in Aurora by traveling evangelist J.C. Bywater. Other meeting locations were the YMCA, Galena Boulevard Methodist Church, First Baptist Church and Disciples of Christ Church. 

In 1860, the Aurora church was formally established in a meeting at First Baptist. Elder C.W. Smith was called to be the church’s first pastor, serving from 1863 to 1890. His grandson, Clarence R. Smith, was a longtime professor at Aurora College, now Aurora University.