A Parish Story from Lawndale | Chicago, IL
In the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side, Lawndale Community Christian Church (LCCC) stands as a bright example of how faithful presence over the long haul in the same neighborhood can compound into generations of positive impact.
Chelsea Johnson, whose journey with LCCC spans from its inception to her current role on staff, shared her compelling story during a recent Coffee Break Zoom call. She provided a unique, personal perspective on the church's profound impact on the community. Chelsea and Pastor Jonathan "Pastah J" Brooks frequently reminded us, "You have to come and see!"
Watch our Coffee Break with Chelsea and Pastah J!
Founded in 1978 by Wayne “Coach” Gordon, LCCC evolved from a simple Bible study group into a community cornerstone. Now under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Jonathan “Pastah J” Brooks, the church is deeply committed to the foundational belief that loving one's neighborhood is an extension of Jesus' command to love our neighbors.
Chelsea first came to the church as a child through its Vacation Bible School. She vividly recounted during our Zoom call how this belief has been actualized through LCCC's extensive community engagement. The church's ministries began with a gym and community health center, expanding as community needs increased. This led to the establishment of the Lawndale Community Development Corporation, focusing initially on transitional housing and later on affordable housing solutions.
Throughout the years, the leadership of the church has developed and maintained relationships with various local leaders across Chicago, gaining support for their initiatives. In 2010, the Lawndale Christian Legal Center was opened, offering restorative justice services for youth among other services. Chelsea explained the center's approach: “Instead of them having to go through the judicial system for their cases to be heard, they now can come through the restorative justice court. For example, if you robbed me, you can come and have a court session with me, apologize to me, and ask for my forgiveness. I can choose to forgive and show grace. It seems unimaginable that this can be a possibility, but this is a design that I think God had in mind all along for all of us: to be able to address the person you violated, be forgiven by that person and then live in community with them, and have fellowship with them.”
In 2019, they started the Farm on Ogden, in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden and others, that includes a 50,000-gallon aquaponics system and a 7,300-square-foot greenhouse, and offers Veggie Rx packages, grown and packed on-site, prescribed and distributed to patients at risk for diet-related diseases. Most recently, they opened a substance abuse clinic in the neighborhood.
Chelsea added, “We try to think of every obstacle and try to work hard to help people overcome the obstacle because you don't want to lose people in your community. We don't want people to move out. We want them to stay here, and we want them to stay here and be able to utilize resources right here in the community.”
The church has steadily worked toward their vision for their neighborhood; a future where residents live in harmony and security, vacant lots are converted to affordable homes, and jobs are abundant. Nearly 90% of the membership of the church lives in the North Lawndale neighborhood, fostering a deep sense of belonging and active participation among members, fulfilling the church's mission to steward their neighborhood well.
We are so excited that Lawndale Church will host this year's Inhabit Conference. We hope you’ll join us and experience the power of neighborhood transformation through the eyes of those who live it every day. Chelsea Johnson and the entire LCCC family welcome you to witness how faith in action is leading to the flourishing of North Lawndale.
Chelsea concluded, “I mean, it's unbelievable. You guys, when you get here, you'll get to see all of this because you got to come visit. I'm not doing any justice with it. You got to see it all.”