DUPAGEDUPAGE African Methodist Episcopal ChurcAfrican Methodist Episcopal Churc hh

2011 2011 ANNUAL REPORTANNUAL REPORT

“I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

REV. DR. JAMES F. MILLER – SENIOR PASTOR REV. LANA PARKS MILLER – EXECUTIVE PASTOR

REV. DR. LOUIS TONEY — PRESIDING ELDER

REV. DR. CECELIA WILLIAMS BRYANT — EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR RT. REV. JOHN R. BRYANT — PRESIDING PRELATE & SENIOR BISHOP

4300 Yackley Avenue _ Lisle, IL 60532 _ 630-969-9800 www.DuPageAMEC.org

Possessing The Land Possessing The Land Possessing The Land In Jesus’ NameIn Jesus’ NameIn Jesus’ Name

We’ve come this far by Faith!

PASTORAL GREETING

Rev. Dr. James F. Miller & Rev. Lana Parks Miller

To Bishop John & Rev. Dr. Cecelia Bryant, Presiding Elders, Pastors, Ministers, Delegates, Missionaries, Friends, and Visitors to this 129th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference:

First let me thank Bishop John & Rev. C for their sterling model of spiritual leadership.

We at DuPage thank God for keeping seeing us through this blessed year of spiritual growth and victory. Twenty-two years ago we began with 150 faithful persons in a quaint church building valued at ninety-thousand dollars. As you read this report, an eleven million dollar worship facility including parking, and several undeveloped acres has been dedicated to the Lord. We are thankful for the faithfulness of God’s people who worked tirelessly in supporting the vision and we praise God not only for keeping His vision promise, but for the spiritual blessing of healing, new jobs, family reconciliation, and the opportunity to “train up our children in the way that they should go.”

We congratulate Presiding Elder & Mrs. Toney for completing a remarkable career in Christian ministry. It has been a divinely ordered blessing to serve with you! Our prayers of strength and perseverance go to Dr. Mickarl, Mrs. Thomas and the entire Grant Memorial Family for hosting this Annual Conference.

Rev. Lana and I remain God’s servants working with the DuPage family to bring God glory in Jesus’ name!

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Rev. Dr. James F. Miller

Expansion Project

HHIGHLIGHTSIGHLIGHTS

2010-2011     

_ Completed construction on our Administrative wing to house: Enlarged fellowship hall, bookstore, day care, chapel, enlarged narthex and restrooms, elevators and administrative level. This level will include: 20 person boardroom, an expansive suite of offices with staff lounge, reception area, and machine room.

_ Conducted Lenten Fast, 2 Revivals, Leadership Training Workshop, and Relationship Workshop.

_ Sponsorship of 2 persons to AME India.

_ Added 98 souls to the Kingdom and Baptized 10 persons.

_ Sent delegates to both Connectional Missionary & YPD Quadrennial and Lay Biennial Meetings.

_ Continued as hosts of the 4th District Christian Education Congress.

_ Distributed $9,000 in scholarships to High School Graduating Seniors.

_ Increased Holiday Thanksgiving Donation Baskets and Christmas Angel Tree Gifts through the Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society.

_ Through our 501(c)3, REACH, Inc., sponsored a monthly food distribution in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, averaging over 200 families and nearly 10,000 lbs. of food each month.

_ Enjoyed many days hosting connectional preachers and enjoying wonderful fellowship in the Lord. (see end pages)

Pastor Miller & Rev. Lana with Rev. C & Bishop Bryant

Presiding Elder Louis Toney & Mrs. Doris Toney

DuPage AME ChurchDuPage AME Church

MINISTERIAL STAFF

Rev. Dr. James F. Miller – Senior Pastor

Rev. Lana Parks Miller – Executive Pastor

Rev. Dr. Geneace Williams – Pastoral Support Minister

Rev. Marland J. Brazier – Youth Ministries Coordinator

Rev. Elliott R. Griffin – Pastoral Care/Men’s Ministry

Rev. Dr. Shirley Brummell – Pastoral Care Minister

Rev. Morgan E. Dixon – Youth Minister

Rev. Connie Dickerson – Youth Minister

Rev. Carol A. Douglas – Associate Minister

Rev. Valerie Toney Parker – Associate Minister

Rev. Theresa A. Dear – Associate Minister

Rev. Kevin D. Thornton – Associate Minister

Bro. Russell Hanes – Youth Minister

Rev. Bruce Meredith – Associate Minister

Rev. Henry Soles – on sabbatical

Rev. Effie Soles – on sabbatical

Sis. Maggie Mardis– Evangelist

Bro. Keith Allen – Licentiate

Rev. Dr. Darryl Franklin – Associate

OFFICE & FACILITY STAFF

Rev. Morgan Dixon — Church Administrator

Alicia Rupert — Executive to the Pastor Connie Brown — Executive Financial Officer

Nicollé Booth — Assistant Church Administrator

Dr. Charles Sweet — Office Assistant Ted McKee — Photographer

Steve Knox—Membership Care Lloyd Gillespie — Facility Manager

Eddie Lega — Facility Manager Rodney Brown—Facility Assistant

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMISSION Patrick Nanton, Chair

Gwen Frasier Michele Hubbard Willetta Hudson Riché Miller Rollie Steele

*Emeritus **Deceased

JaNiece Bell Ida Brewer

Sonia Campbell Pat Cephus

Tanya Daniels Sylvia Evans

Beatrice Gantt

Robin Gerdine Aluko LaMargo Gill

Mary Ginwright Debra Green Henry

Eula Green Gwen Hall-Steele Marsha Haynes

Linda Hickombottom Louvenia Hollins

Stacy Jackson Cheryl Jordan

Vernethia Kirksey Roberta Knox

Brenda Morrison

Erita Moyo Cheryl Nanton Inzafaye Scott Berline Short Lillian Smith Trellis Smith Edna Sullivan

Shirley Thomas-Bowie Viola Thronton

Leatha Ware Sherry Wheeler Lucille Williams

Jan Wright

STEWARDESS BOARD Mavis Hawkes, Coordinator Beverly Taylor, Assistant Coordinator

Laverta Mallory, Deaconess Diane Smith, Deaconess

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMISSION Yvette Rogers, Vice-Chair

Willis Carter Bernard Hines

Kendall C. Hodge Gloria Houston

Pat Mathis Clarence Smith

Derek Stovall-Leonard

Sheron Waller Dot Whitmore Debra Wilburn Connie Wyatt

EVANGELISM COMMISSION Leo Rasberry, Director

Bro. Keith E. Allen Greg Baker

Ebony Baker Willis W. Carter

Joan Freeland Russell Freeland

Rev. Elliott Griffin Gloria Houston Jack L. Houston

Charles Jones

Janett C. Klimek** Linda Lawrence

Garry Lewis Sis. Maggie Mardis

Ernest Miles Sally Miles

William Simmons Robert Steele Edna Sullivan

Wes Anderson Karen Barnes Patricia Blake

Michael Brazier

Irvin Brown Ron Cotton Terri Diggs

Russell Freeland*

Lloyd Gillespie Don Jackson* Betty Johnson Charles Jones

Eddie Lega Colette Mann Ted McKee

Patrick Nanton

Yvette Rogers Derrick Russell

Carl Smith* Robert Steele

Billy Williams* John Williams

Michael Wright

TRUSTEE BOARD Kevin Webb, Vice-Chair

Inés Araúz Vera Bass

Connie Brown Willis Carter

LeVern Danley, III Gwen Frasier

Robin Gerdine Aluko Gloria Houston

Linwood Johnson Avery Lambert

Elaine Mass Patricia Mathis

Lee McGinnis Yvonne Rogers

Anderson Smith* Rollie Steele*

Dr. Charles Sweet David Ware Renée Webb

STEWARD BOARD Clarence Smith, Vice Chair

Current

Membership 2087

677 families

2011 CONFERENCE REPORT

Conversions 10

Accessions 98

Baptisms 10 Total Raised $1,944, 560 (tithes & offerings)

0

50

100

150

200

250

2005‐6 2006‐7 2007‐8 2008‐9 2009‐10 2010‐11

176

222 204

158

201

98

EVANGELICAL REPORT

$0.0

$500.0

$1,000.0

$1,500.0

$2,000.0

$2,500.0

2005‐6 2006‐7 2007‐8 2008‐9 2009‐10 2010‐11

$1,963.9$2,176.4

$2,326.3$2,401.6

$2,144.6 

$1,944.60 

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

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Acc

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PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Cheryl Nanton, Coordinator

CLASS LEADER COUNCIL

Charles Baker, Coordinator

A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE—Linwood Johnson

ANGEL CHURCH—Kimberly Allen

ANNIVERSARY CHAIRPERSONS— JP & Deborah Hammond-Watts

BOY SCOUTS— William Brown

CUB SCOUTS— Kevin Harris

CHANCEL CHOIR— Patricia Brooks

C.I.M.S.— Derrick Russell

DUPAGE CARES SUPPORT MINISTRY—Rev. Shirley Brummell

DUPAGE THEATRE GROUP—Calvin Gibbs, Jr.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION—David Ware

EVANGELISM COMMISSION—Leo Rasberry

FINANCE COMMISSION—Tony Mann

GIRL SCOUTS—Anita Debarlaben Brown

GOLF FOR CHRIST—Anderson Smith

G.O.N.E. BRASS ENSEMBLE—Derrick Russell

GOSPEL CHOIR—Maria Carde

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY—Susan Hodge

HR COMMISSION—Patrick Nanton

INSPIRATIONAL CHOIR—Caleb Harris, Renéee Willaims, Bessie Thomas

INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY—Etiennette Harris

LOUIS A. GARLAND JR. LAY ORGANIZATION—Angela T. Pettis

MEDIA MINISTRY—Wes Anderson

MEN’S DAY CHAIRPERSON—Jimal J. Miller

THE BROTHERHOOD MEN’S MINISTRY—James Ferguson, Jesse Abrams

SARAH ALLEN MISSIONARY SOCIETY—Melody Coleman

NEW CREATIONS MINISTRY—Raymond Blake

PARKING MINISTRY— Rodney Brown

RELATIONSHIP MINISTRY—Sherita & Jonathan Boots

SISTER CIRCLE WOMEN’S MINISTRY— Denise Parks, Bea Gantt

SISTERS & WOMEN IN PRAISE—LaTonya Brewton & Linda K. Tyler

SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION—Osie B. Davenport

S.T.O.P.— Sirena Crosby, Rosalind Crosby

SUNBEAM CHOIR—Chandra Wright, Sally McGinnis,

Kelly Baker, Chanise Spencer

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT—Pam Jones

STEWARD BOARD—Clarence Smith,

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMISSION—Yvette Rogers

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY—Lloyd Gillespie, Eddie Lega

USHER BOARD—Michael Kirkland

VOICES OF PRAISE—Brandon Washington

VOICES OF TOMORROW—David Blount, Khalida Sleets

WOMEN’S DAY CHAIRPERSON—Patricia Brooks

Y.P.D.—Kyla Denwood, Keith Taylor, Connie Brown

Jesse Abrams Brandon Akins Vanessa Alcorn

Keith Allen Mary Allen

Robin Gerdine Aluko Claude Audley*

Greg Baker Kevin Baker

Pat Wilson Baker Joseph Barnes

Vera Bass Eric Blackmon

Raymond Blake

Crystal Blount Archie Bragg

Trena Brannon LaTonya Brewton

Sharon Brown William Brown

Carolyn Carter** Willis Carter Tonya Coats

Clayton Corley Ron Cotton

Tranda Covington Latriece Danley Osie Davenport

Judy Dawson Tinisha Dorsey

Tabia Earl James Ferguson

Michael Ferguson Olivia Garth*

Etiennette Harris Cheryl Henderson

Kendall Hodge Kade Holiday

Dennis Hollins Johnny Holloway

Jack Houston Michelle Hubbard

Kenneth Jackson Sandra Jackson

Linwood Johnson Kenneth Jones

Tom Jones Pat Kemp

Kristopher Keys Kelvin Kirksey Stephen Knox Avery Lambert

Garry Lewis Larry Love

Robyn Mason Jimal Miller

Leibert Morris Duane Parkin Nancy Payne Marc Peeples

Jamel Ivory Penn Carr Preston Leo Rasberry Alicia Riley

Frank Rodgers Yvonne Rogers Alicia Rupert Jeff Sargeant

Bernard Scott Inzafaye Scott

Kim Seay Sandria Simmons Cedric Singleton Dorothy Spears Donald Spencer Billy Stanback

Derek Stovall-Leonard Edna Sullivan

Ed Taylor John Williams

Carolyn Wilson Vincent Winkfield

Michael Wright

*Emeritus ** Deceased

Music Department “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord … come before God’s presence with singing!”

Psalm 100:1-2

Musicians: Jerome Baker, Jonathan Bragg, Kevin Brewton, Sam English, Quanajanice Garland, Marketo Griffin, Henry Johnson II, Carlos Lawrence, Craig Miller, Derrick Russell, Mary Samuel, JP Watts II, Lakshmi Willis

A Cappella Ensemble

Chancel Choir

Gospel Choir

Inspirational Choir

Men’s Chorus

Praise Team

Sunbeam Choir

Voices of Praise

Voices of Tomorrow

Women’s Chorus

Some of our Guest Preaching Witnesses Bishop John R. Bryant

Rev. Dr. Edward L. Wheeler

Rev. Conitras Houston Moore

Rev. Steve Perkins

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie & Supervisor Stan McKenzie

Rev. Dr. William D. Watley

Rev. Dr. John F. Green

Rev. Otis Moss, III Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason

Rev. Terence R. Gray, I

Rev. Dr. Jon McCoy

Presiding Elder Louis Toney

Rev. Vivian D. Clarington

Rev. Sharma D. Lewis

Rev. Dr. Trunell D. Felder

Rev. Furman M. Miller

Rev. Dr. Regina Groff

Presiding Elder Samuel Sumner

Rev. Dr. Kelvin T. Calloway

Rev. Albert D. Tyson, III

Dr. Peter C. Groff

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr.

Rev. Kevin Williams

Rev. Ronald A. Boykin

Rev. Smokie Norful

Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Jr.

Rev. Myra T. Billips

Rev. Dr. William Holt Liptrot

Rev. Stephen J. Thurston

Mr. Darrell Thomas

DuPage AME ChurchDuPage AME Church On September 12, 1979 a plea was made at the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Chicago Conference by Sydney Finley, Mary Lou Finley, and Ernie Gibson to establish an A.M.E. Church in DuPage County, and to assist with the organization and financial support of the church. On September 16, 1979 Bishop Hubert N. Robinson appointed Reverend Donald Harwell to organize a church.

The first organizational meeting was held September 20, 1979. The first church service was held on September 30, 1979 at the Holiday Inn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Subsequently, the congregation moved to the Park Boulevard Farmhouse at the College of DuPage. Beginning October 21, 1979, the congregation worshipped at the Park Boulevard Bible Church in Glen Ellyn until December 6, 1981. The DuPage Church congregation relocated to 412 Crescent Street (former location of Second Baptist Church) in Wheaton, Illinois. By 1989 the membership had grown to approximately 200.

On October 4, 1989 Bishop J. Haskell Mayo appointed the Reverend James F. Miller pastor of DuPage AME Church. The Bishop’s exact words were: “Go build a church!” On January 17, 1990, the parsonage in Wheaton was purchased. The parish house (the white house adjacent to the church) was acquired on January 9, 1991. On November 30, 1992, 1.6 acres of land located on Yackley Avenue, Lisle, Illinois, became the site for the new church. By this time, the membership had grown to approximately 600.

On April 17, 1994 the congregation moved from 412 Crescent Street to the Holiday Inn in Glen Ellyn. On April 22, 1994 our property on Crescent Street was sold in preparation for the groundbreaking of our new church. On August 28, 1995 we began construction of our new church home and approximately one year later, on August 25, 1996, we held our first service at 4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, Illinois. Bishop Robert Thomas Jr. led the dedication ceremony held November 1996, with a membership of approximately 800.

In April of 1998 DuPage AME Church received the distinguished honor of hosting the 4th Episcopal District Mid-Year Meeting. This represented our first opportunity to sponsor such a significant event encompassing churches from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

In 2001 Bishop Philip R. Cousin appointed our Pastor, Reverend Dr. James F. Miller 4th District Christian Education Director. Along with this appointment came the honor of hosting all the ministries within Christian Education at an annual Congress. As expansion of the church building continued, balcony seating and classrooms on the upper level were completed in April 2001, providing approximately 100 additional seats, two small meeting rooms, and a state-of-the-art computer lab. In June 2001 the church purchased a ½ acre lot across the street from the main building, which was developed and dedicated providing additional parking.

In October 2002 DuPage AME Church served as hosts to the 120th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Over 88 churches and congregations from the Chicagoland area were in attendance. In Spring 2005, additional property was purchased on Warrenville Road, which is currently being used for additional meeting space. In 2007, the Yender Property adjacent west of the church was purchased. In November 2008, the additional parking on that lot was completed. In August 2009 the expansion of our current church building began and was dedicated to Christian service in January 2011.

Currently the membership now exceeds 2100, with nearly 700 families.

We celebrate 32 years of sharing Christ’s love in the DuPage County community and thank God for continued blessings!

“Small Enough to Care, Large Enough to Share!”