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Pastor Moses Pacheco prays before communion

God is at work through a church you helped to plant. Even people who are wary of Christianity have noticed the transformation in the neighborhood!

East Garfield Park has historically been a poorer neighborhood in Chicago. Crime is rampant. In 2020 a drug market sprang up on a busy street.

But right around the corner you helped to start a church that worships in an old storefront.

“We needed to find a way to stop the violence and the drug activity, or at least give some pushback,” said Moises Pacheco, a church planter you support through Resonate.

Every Square Inch

Moises and his family have lived in East Garfield Park for many years. Within a month, three people were shot in front of their home. But even while thousands of people have moved out of the neighborhood in the past few decades, Moises and his wife have decided to stay. They wanted to start a church that would spread God’s grace in the city.

You’ve helped make that possible.

Even people who don’t have a very fond idea of what church is—or Christianity, period—kind of see our church as a group that’s doing good and seeking the benefit of the community.

“One of the things I was really encouraged by when getting involved with the Christian Reformed Church was the idea that every square inch falls under God’s kingdom,” said Moises.

With your support, Resonate was able to work with Moises and Hope Christian Reformed Church of Oak Forest, Illinois, to plant Grace in Garfield. The church started by worshiping in backyards, and they soon developed a plan to connect more with the community. They found a more permanent location in an empty building around the corner from a drug house that had started up in 2020. A Resonate grant that you funded helped to make it possible for the church to move in.

Safe Again

Inch by inch, you’re working with God to transform the neighborhood through Grace in Garfield. You’ve helped make it possible for the church to host community gatherings that have drawn people from throughout the neighborhood, including a trick-or-treating event for Halloween and caroling at Christmastime.

And Moises is not only a pastor. He also works in real estate, which not only helps him support himself while pastoring a small church but also helps him to work at reclaiming the neighborhood. He purchased four houses, renovated them, and sold them to people who would make those houses homes and love their community.

“My street is a safe street again,” he said. “My kids can play outside again. It’s really appreciated and noticed by all the community residents. Even people who don’t have a very fond idea of what church is—or Christianity, period—kind of see our church as a group that’s doing good and seeking the benefit of the community.”

Thank you for supporting Moises and this new church through Resonate! Your generous giving is making it possible to spread the hope of the gospel in a neighborhood that desperately needs more light.