Fifty-five-nine souls. That’s how many members call Goshen SDA Church their spiritual home. Imagine the collective faith woven into the very fabric of this building.
Welcome to Goshen SDA Church a vibrant hub of spirituality in Chicago’s South Side. This isn’t just a church. It’s a testament to perseverance and community. Goshen’s story is one of remarkable resilience. It began humbly with Belizean worshippers meeting in a First Day Church basement. Pastor Ruben Middleton sensing limited growth led them to 29th and Ashland. There they flourished. The church then became Mount Zion.
Then came a pivotal moment. Evangelist Oscar Lane’s crusade drew over 800 converts. The Illinois Conference merged this influx with Mount Zion. The name Goshen Seventh-day Adventist Church was born in August 1984. Pastor Marvin Brown took the helm. They rented Phillips High School briefly then found a haven at the Kenwood United Church of Christ. They stayed there for almost three decades a testament to Pastor Leroy Sanders’s gracious hospitality.
The search for a permanent home was a long and winding road. The original building project faced setbacks. Difficulties with contractors led to a two-year delay. Heartbreakingly the building was demolished. Dreams were shattered. Members left. Pastor Brown’s tenure ended in 1992. Pastor LeeRoy Coleman continued the search. He found land at 54th and King Drive. The initial jubilation was short-lived. The project stalled. The land was eventually sold.
Then in February 2008 Pastor Gordon Fraser arrived. Hope was rekindled. The building committee was revived. In October 2010 the church finally purchased its current location at 8221 South State Street.
Goshen SDA Church thrives today. Under Pastor Fraser’s leadership the church actively serves its community. They organize clothing drives. They provide meals to the homeless. They support local families through initiatives like Loads of Love a laundry assistance program. They hold community children’s parties and baby showers. They host iWork Chicago a job fair. They even march against violence. They partner with the Angel Tree Network.
In 2018 Goshen installed its first Executive Pastor Dr Casey Adams. Dr Barbara Bellar joined in 2019 as Associate Pastor becoming Goshen’s first female staff member. The church’s rebranding includes a remodeled stage a new website live streaming and a television channel.
Goshen SDA Church stands as a beacon of faith and service in South Chicago. It’s a story of unwavering hope. A testament to the power of community. A place where faith blossoms against the odds. A place where 559 souls and countless more find their spiritual home.