LOVING OUR Communities
What is a microchurch?
In 2015, a group of friends began a journey of rediscovering what it meant to be the church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. They focused on getting to know their neighbors helping their community, and being friends with people who didn't typically go to church. What emerged from that time in their lives is what we call a microchurch.
A microchurch is simply this: It is a web of relationships that is being gripped by God’s kingdom. If a person were to map his or her life through the lens of their relationships (co-workers, neighbors, family, friends, etc.), it might look like a spider web, full of interconnected nodes and strands. We believe God often chooses a Christ-follower within these pictures and gives him or her a vision for how things may look if the love and reign of Jesus spread throughout the rest of the web. That vision becomes a calling. And when a few Christ-followers within that neighborhood, or workplace begin partnering with each other and the Holy Spirit in this kingdom vision, orienting their hearts toward Jesus in worship, and treating each other like family, we think something beautiful emerges. And this is what we call a microchurch.
So a microchurch is not a particular place. It is not a particular event. Its basic elements are simple: Worship, Community, and Mission. But we think it pleases God to use simple, nimble, Kingdom expressions of Christ’s church to reach every kinds of person.
So The Undercurrent exists to serve microchurches, microchurch leaders and missionaries who are discovering all of the ways God’s kingdom is gripping the webs of relationships that encircle them. We want to Inspire and empower every kind of Christian to do all kinds of ministry to reach every kind of person
Our Microchurches
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Big Family Dinner
Big Family Dinner is a collection of families and friends, mostly in the West Streamwood area, who have a desire to grow in their connection to God, each other, and to serve the neighborhood and community they live in. Their rhythms include after-school programs at the local elementary school, ministry in the neighborhood, and weekly gatherings.
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PARC (Political And Religious Conversations)
PARC is an online community that interacts with current events, social issues, and political discussions in a way that’s loving, encourages dialogue, and demonstrates the love of Jesus. PARC hosts rhythms of gatherings around social topics and Bible Studies that look more deeply at the ways of Jesus.
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The Oaks
The Oaks is a microchurch designed to remind the residents in the Oaks neighborhood of Streamwood that they have value in the eyes of God. This microchurch has rhythms of gathering, for prayer and worship, and lead a monthly neighborhood trash pick-up.
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Bella Terra Microchurch
Bella Terra Microchurch provides the love and fellowship of a church to our friends at Bella Terra Nursing Home and Rehab. They want residents to know that God has heard their requests, and that they are not forgotten. Their rhythms include a monthly worship gathering, BINGO tournaments, and a lot of love.
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Mercy House
Mercy House is a community grounded in 12-step spirituality that helps every person who sincerely desires to overcome their brokenness see the amazing work of God in their lives. Their rhythms include a biweekly gathering on the first and the Sundays of the month
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Soccer Night
Soccer Night is a ne ghborhood community of middle school and elementry aged kids who learn about the character of Jesus through soccer,.
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Who has God called you to?
Is there a group of people on your heart or do you have a community you serve already? CLICK HERE to explore what it looks like to be part of the Undercurrent family? You can also fill out the form below to start a conversation!
Additional Ministries
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Crossroads Kids Club (Hilltop)
Crossroads is an after-school program that brings the love of Jesus to Hilltop Elementary School. They meet Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30 at Hilltop Elementary School
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Crossroads Kids Club (Parkwood)
Crossroads is an after-school program that brings the love of Jesus to Parkwood Elementary School. They meets Fridays from 2:30-4:400
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New Hope Men's Soccer League
New Hope serves the community by offering a quality Men’s Soccer league that builds community by offering a natural bridge of relationship to God and other people.
For more information about microchurches, fill out the contact form below:
Staff
David Herrick
Network Director
David is first a husband and father of three girls. He has also served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years in various roles. Since 2015, he and his family has been exploring ways they can embody a simpler expression of ministry and church.
Zac Marshall
Assistant Director
Before joining The Undercurrent Zac worked for two decades in the health and fitness industry. Zac’s passion involves building relationships and communities that help people come to know the love and life of Jesus. He holds academic degrees in History (BA, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), Counseling Ministries (MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), and Kinesiology (MA, San Diego State University). He and his wife Jessica live in Carol Stream with their four children.
Board
Matt Armstrong
Board Secretary
Chael Tiller
Board President