Home of Life Missionary Baptist Church was founded by Pastor Johnny Henderson under the guidance of the Holy Spirit on January 24, 1982 at 1421 W. 69th Street in Chicago, IL. There were 45 people in attendance that included one deacon, Robert Henderson who was later called into ministry and served as the Pastor of New Third Heaven M.B. Church until God called him home, and one visiting Minister, Reverend Zimmerman.
Singing “Amazing Grace”, Pastor Henderson preached his first sermon, “So Close But Yet So Far” from Acts 26:28.
On February 2, 1982 Home of Life M.B. Church was incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois, and the motions were finalized on February 28, 1992. This was only the beginning. As our membership slowly outgrew our current residence, God saw fit to relocate us to the heart of the Westside where our ministry would be beneficial. On December 19, 1982, we marched into our new church home at 4647 W. Washington Boulevard.
The Home of Life Community Development Corporation was later established to better service the needs of our members and the surrounding communities. It was incorporated on October 28, 1993, offering programs for child care services, food pantry, job training and placement, senior care, and affordable housing.
The vision expanded beyond Washington Street to continue our ministry, and a sacred edifice arose from the rubble of vacant land of what today is known as our new home. We moved into our new building that includes a beautiful sanctuary, upgraded child care center and banquet facility located at 4650 W. Madison Street on November 2, 2002.
Our story continues, and we are excited about what God will enable us to do next.