A house of worship stands before you. Ashburn Baptist Church has a rich history. Let’s delve into its past and present.
Ashburn Baptist Church began its journey on January 7 1951. Rev. Vernon Lyons led the first service. It started as an independent fundamentalist congregation. The church was located on Chicago’s southwest side.
In 1988, it birthed a sister congregation in Orland Park. Ashburn’s Easter services were booming in the 1980s. They attracted over 1500 people. By the 1990s, members of the two churches were tithing generously. They gave over $1 million a year. About 10% supported foreign missionaries. Ashburn helped launch 36 additional churches.
By 2018, attendance at the sister churches was still significant. Over 400 people attended. However, the church had plateaued. There was no new growth. Lyons invited a younger pastor, Tommy Thompson, to succeed him. Lyons was then 90 years old. He felt he was losing his vigor.
Tommy Thompson is now the Lead Pastor of Ashburn. He is responsible for the church’s visionary leadership. He also directs the missional direction of Ashburn Church. Tommy is passionate about expository preaching. He also enjoys church planting and revitalization.
Ashburn Church is a multisite church. It reaches Chicago. There are services in Chicago at 10 AM every Sunday. There are also services in Spanish at 11:30 AM. The church also has locations in Orland Park and Frankfort. Additionally, you can find them in Crystal Lake.
Unfortunately, the pastoral transition was not smooth. It devolved into conflicting claims. This decimated the church. Ashburn Baptist Church voted to excommunicate Vernon Lyons. The vote was 46-9. The vote happened on a Wednesday night.
Like many independent fundamentalist churches, Ashburn Baptist Church has long practiced excommunication. This was for members who failed to meet the expectations of its church covenant.
Ashburn Baptist Church has faced challenges. Yet it continues to serve its community. It offers worship services and various ministries. It strives to provide a place where everyone belongs.
As you stand here, consider the resilience of faith. Think about the importance of community. Remember the ongoing story of Ashburn Baptist Church. It is a testament to the enduring power of belief.