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Uptown Baptist Church
Chicago
IL
60640
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Who we are
Uptown Baptist Church exists to be a real church of the real God to the real world.
REAL church: connecting people & place in authentic community
REAL God: connecting with the God of the universe through private devotion & public worship
REAL world: connecting our heads & hearts with our hands & feet to serve our world and meet real needs
The mission of Uptown Baptist Church is to grow and develop servant-followers of Jesus Christ who will impact our world as servant-leaders. We will be a diverse people who are growing as prayer-based, Bible-shaped, worship-energized, and mutually caring followers of Christ who will be change agents for God's Kingdom in Uptown, Chicago and Around the world.
REAL church: connecting people & place in authentic community
REAL God: connecting with the God of the universe through private devotion & public worship
REAL world: connecting our heads & hearts with our hands & feet to serve our world and meet real needs
The mission of Uptown Baptist Church is to grow and develop servant-followers of Jesus Christ who will impact our world as servant-leaders. We will be a diverse people who are growing as prayer-based, Bible-shaped, worship-energized, and mutually caring followers of Christ who will be change agents for God's Kingdom in Uptown, Chicago and Around the world.
Location of worship / Church Address
Church Pastor
Michael Allen
Senior Pastor
1011 W Wilson Ave
Chicago,
IL
60640
United States
Phone: 773-784-2922
Download Senior Pastor Michael Allen vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Denomination
Baptist
Baptist churches in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Baptist churches in Illinois, United States
Baptist churches in United States
All churches in Chicago, IL
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Leadership
Leader Name:
Michael Allen
Leader Position:
Senior Pastor
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Leader Bio:
Senior Pastor Michael Allen and his family began their ministry at UBC in the Summer of 2005. Pastor Allen was born in Jamaica, and his wife Marla in Brazil.
Prior to serving at our church, Pastor Michael served the membership of the Moody Church as Assistant Pastor of Urban Outreach and Evangelism under the leadership of Dr. Erwin Lutzer. Pastor Michael also served the membership of Sagemont Church in Houston, TX as Associate Pastor of World Evangelism.
Pastor Michael earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Trinity College in Miami, FL and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Now TIU) in Deerfield, IL.
He has served for many years as the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Pacific Garden Mission.
In his leisure time he loves doing anything with his family - traveling, walking, biking, tennis, swimming, eating, laughing, playing, reading.
Favorite TV shows: America's Funniest Videos, Extreme Make-over Home Edition.
Favorite News Programs: Good Morning America, BBC World, NPR Morning Edition, Bill O'Reilly commentary.
Favorite Movies/Actors: Tyler Perry movies, Fire Proof, The Blind Side, Roots, Act of Valor, Gifted Hands, Remember the Titans, Antwone Fisher, James Bond, Bruce Lee, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Cuba Gooding, Denzel Washington
Favorite sports and Sporting Events: Hunting, Fishing, Tennis, Golf, Basket Ball, Table Tennis, SCUBA Diving, Live Roof Top Cubs game; NBA Championship, Super Bowl, World Cup, World Series, Wimbledon
Favorite Music/Musicians - Christian/Gospel: Hymns, Jazz, Rap, Nicole Mullen, Larnelle Harris, 4-Him, Michael Card, Israel
Houghton, Glad, Kirk Franklin, Cross Movement, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bebe & Cece Winans, Babie Mason, LeCrae
Favorite Preachers - Tony Evans, E.V. Hill, S.M. Lockeridge, John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll, John Piper, James McDonald, E.K. Bailey, Charlie Dates
Prior to serving at our church, Pastor Michael served the membership of the Moody Church as Assistant Pastor of Urban Outreach and Evangelism under the leadership of Dr. Erwin Lutzer. Pastor Michael also served the membership of Sagemont Church in Houston, TX as Associate Pastor of World Evangelism.
Pastor Michael earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Trinity College in Miami, FL and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Now TIU) in Deerfield, IL.
He has served for many years as the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Pacific Garden Mission.
In his leisure time he loves doing anything with his family - traveling, walking, biking, tennis, swimming, eating, laughing, playing, reading.
Favorite TV shows: America's Funniest Videos, Extreme Make-over Home Edition.
Favorite News Programs: Good Morning America, BBC World, NPR Morning Edition, Bill O'Reilly commentary.
Favorite Movies/Actors: Tyler Perry movies, Fire Proof, The Blind Side, Roots, Act of Valor, Gifted Hands, Remember the Titans, Antwone Fisher, James Bond, Bruce Lee, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Cuba Gooding, Denzel Washington
Favorite sports and Sporting Events: Hunting, Fishing, Tennis, Golf, Basket Ball, Table Tennis, SCUBA Diving, Live Roof Top Cubs game; NBA Championship, Super Bowl, World Cup, World Series, Wimbledon
Favorite Music/Musicians - Christian/Gospel: Hymns, Jazz, Rap, Nicole Mullen, Larnelle Harris, 4-Him, Michael Card, Israel
Houghton, Glad, Kirk Franklin, Cross Movement, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bebe & Cece Winans, Babie Mason, LeCrae
Favorite Preachers - Tony Evans, E.V. Hill, S.M. Lockeridge, John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll, John Piper, James McDonald, E.K. Bailey, Charlie Dates
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Michael Allen on Social Media:
Uptown Baptist Church Leadership Photos
Administration
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Uptown Baptist Church Chicago Service Times
Sunday service
We hope you'll join us for our Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. to see what we're all about.
Sundays 10:30am -12:15pm
Wednesday Prayer Meeting
We gather each Wednesday and pray as a church. Join us for a time of fellowship in the presence of our Lord and Savior.
Wednesdays 6:30pm-7:30pm
Service Times last updated on the 11th of February, 2020
We hope you'll join us for our Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. to see what we're all about.
Sundays 10:30am -12:15pm
Wednesday Prayer Meeting
We gather each Wednesday and pray as a church. Join us for a time of fellowship in the presence of our Lord and Savior.
Wednesdays 6:30pm-7:30pm
Service Times last updated on the 11th of February, 2020
Worship Languages
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Children and Youth Activities
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Under 18s:
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Uptown Baptist Church Photo Gallery
Uptown Baptist Church History
From its beginnings as a home Bible study to a flourishing inner-city church, the ministry of UBC stands as a symbol of hope and light in the midst of a seemingly dark and hopeless city. After years of ministry in Chicago, the church strives to carry out the vision and mission that God implanted in its founding members.
UBC was birthed out of the dramatic conversion of one man, Rev. James Queen. "I had a burden for the people of Chicago," Jim said. "Early in my Christian life, I made a commitment to see the city won to Christ."
This dream took form when the Chicago Metropolitan Baptist Association called Jim to be a church planter in Uptown. As a recent graduate of Southern Seminary and a boyhood resident of Uptown, he readily accepted the challenge in 1976. Through the support of other churches, groups and individuals who shared this vision, UBC took root as a small gathering in Jim's home. God blessed the group and opened doors in the community. The church moved into a warehouse in the summer of 1976.
Community outreach programs increased the visibility and effectiveness of the church in Uptown. UBC received national exposure within the Southern Baptist Convention through Home Mission Board Awareness Tours and support of the Women's Missionary Union.
Although the church enjoyed a prospering program, the SBC Home Mission Board, through its Friends of Evangelism program, wanted to find UBC a permanent home. Several existing buildings and locations were considered, but as Rev. Tim Larkin (Associate Pastor 1979-90) recalls, "God closed the doors, and we were not able to secure any of these locations."
A turning point came one night in 1979 when 12 church members met to write a constitution that would document their Christian philosophy of outreach to this complex inner-city neighborhood. Together with the ongoing dedication and enthusiasm of church friends, there was a powerful conviction that UBC would realize its dream.
Beginning in March 1979, UBC held monthly community Praise Services in a rented church building. "We wanted to buy the building. In November of 1980, I made one last appeal to their church board asking them to consider selling their building," Queen remembers. "They had no plans to sell." God had other plans. By March 1981, UBC had a permanent home in the same building. UBC was dedicated and constituted on September 27, 1981.
Many people contributed to the shaping of UBC. The worship style was forged from the gifts of Jim Larson. The outreach was forged by Tim Larkin, embracing focus groups from the neighborhood that that include street people, ethnic/language groups, single parent families, and seniors. Hmong, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Eritrean language congregations were started at the church. Through Lindsay Cobb and Kevin Kane, refugee resettlement began and ESL classes were held at the church. Through the organizational gifts of Ken Oliver, the REST Shelter and Uptown Habitat For Humanity were started at UBC. The 80's and 90's brought many student leaders from Wheaton College, Trinity International University and Moody Bible Institute. During this time, Brian Bakke, son of pioneer urban missionary Ray Bakke, joined the staff and led UBC in arts (such as murals on several Uptown walls) and community activism and outreach.
UBC also led the Uptown neighborhood through a successful "Vote Dry" campaign. It took seven years of court battles before the liquor trucks started pulling alcohol off store shelves in the neighborhood.
In 1995, after looking at over 100 candidates, the search committee called Rev. Tom Maluga to be the new senior Pastor, and church ministries continued to grow. The second English service started on Easter Sunday of 1996. Soon afterward, Pastor Tom and the Elder board led the church in a movement of prayer. Wednesday night ministries (such as Bible studies and Sr. High Youth Group) were moved to other days of the week, leaving that night dedicated solely to prayer. Other new ministries included monthly all night prayer vigils, and stopping all ministries for a Week of Prayer, with the participants coming together for the sole purpose of prayer.
The physical facility has always presented a challenge. By 1987 tithing supported only 21% of the church budget and the building was in dire need of repair. The kitchen rehab was started and took six years to complete. Repair of the building's broken stained glass windows in the sanctuary and nursery was completed through the generous donation of UBC friends. The next year, a total renovation of the church sanctuary started. Over the next three years, all the oak trim was removed from the walls and windows for refinishing. The most dangerous section of stained glass was completely rebuilt and reinstalled, and all new electrical was run throughout the sanctuary.
In 1999 the women's drop-in center called Family Place opened. All staff (except the Senior Pastor) were now 100% supported by church tithes. UBC is now sponsoring three new works including a Gen-X church, a church plant in Albany Park and a Japanese church plant.
Mike Choby joined the staff as Worship Leader in 1998 but now serves as a band member for the Belorussian evangelistic band, "Spasenie." In summer of 2005, the members called Rev. Michael Allen to serve as Senior Pastor at UBC.
UBC continues to be a strong mission minded church both here and abroad. Outreach continues to different local ethnic groups and 10% of tithes goes to support local, state, and overseas missions. UBC has now sent out missionaries to eight different countries.
In 2011, Pastor Allen lead the church to fasting & praying to meet the 7 goals
To grow by 100 baptisms and new members
To experience a genuine renewal/revival of the Holy Spirit (personally, corporately, community-wide, city-wide and across our nation)
To successfully implement the new 4 Pillar Church-wide Strategy
To adopt the new constitution and bylaws this March
To lower $280,000 from “the windows of Heaven” for our new elevator
To become the steward of the parking lot currently in the stewardship of TCF Bank.
To have greater Church unity
UBC was birthed out of the dramatic conversion of one man, Rev. James Queen. "I had a burden for the people of Chicago," Jim said. "Early in my Christian life, I made a commitment to see the city won to Christ."
This dream took form when the Chicago Metropolitan Baptist Association called Jim to be a church planter in Uptown. As a recent graduate of Southern Seminary and a boyhood resident of Uptown, he readily accepted the challenge in 1976. Through the support of other churches, groups and individuals who shared this vision, UBC took root as a small gathering in Jim's home. God blessed the group and opened doors in the community. The church moved into a warehouse in the summer of 1976.
Community outreach programs increased the visibility and effectiveness of the church in Uptown. UBC received national exposure within the Southern Baptist Convention through Home Mission Board Awareness Tours and support of the Women's Missionary Union.
Although the church enjoyed a prospering program, the SBC Home Mission Board, through its Friends of Evangelism program, wanted to find UBC a permanent home. Several existing buildings and locations were considered, but as Rev. Tim Larkin (Associate Pastor 1979-90) recalls, "God closed the doors, and we were not able to secure any of these locations."
A turning point came one night in 1979 when 12 church members met to write a constitution that would document their Christian philosophy of outreach to this complex inner-city neighborhood. Together with the ongoing dedication and enthusiasm of church friends, there was a powerful conviction that UBC would realize its dream.
Beginning in March 1979, UBC held monthly community Praise Services in a rented church building. "We wanted to buy the building. In November of 1980, I made one last appeal to their church board asking them to consider selling their building," Queen remembers. "They had no plans to sell." God had other plans. By March 1981, UBC had a permanent home in the same building. UBC was dedicated and constituted on September 27, 1981.
Many people contributed to the shaping of UBC. The worship style was forged from the gifts of Jim Larson. The outreach was forged by Tim Larkin, embracing focus groups from the neighborhood that that include street people, ethnic/language groups, single parent families, and seniors. Hmong, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Eritrean language congregations were started at the church. Through Lindsay Cobb and Kevin Kane, refugee resettlement began and ESL classes were held at the church. Through the organizational gifts of Ken Oliver, the REST Shelter and Uptown Habitat For Humanity were started at UBC. The 80's and 90's brought many student leaders from Wheaton College, Trinity International University and Moody Bible Institute. During this time, Brian Bakke, son of pioneer urban missionary Ray Bakke, joined the staff and led UBC in arts (such as murals on several Uptown walls) and community activism and outreach.
UBC also led the Uptown neighborhood through a successful "Vote Dry" campaign. It took seven years of court battles before the liquor trucks started pulling alcohol off store shelves in the neighborhood.
In 1995, after looking at over 100 candidates, the search committee called Rev. Tom Maluga to be the new senior Pastor, and church ministries continued to grow. The second English service started on Easter Sunday of 1996. Soon afterward, Pastor Tom and the Elder board led the church in a movement of prayer. Wednesday night ministries (such as Bible studies and Sr. High Youth Group) were moved to other days of the week, leaving that night dedicated solely to prayer. Other new ministries included monthly all night prayer vigils, and stopping all ministries for a Week of Prayer, with the participants coming together for the sole purpose of prayer.
The physical facility has always presented a challenge. By 1987 tithing supported only 21% of the church budget and the building was in dire need of repair. The kitchen rehab was started and took six years to complete. Repair of the building's broken stained glass windows in the sanctuary and nursery was completed through the generous donation of UBC friends. The next year, a total renovation of the church sanctuary started. Over the next three years, all the oak trim was removed from the walls and windows for refinishing. The most dangerous section of stained glass was completely rebuilt and reinstalled, and all new electrical was run throughout the sanctuary.
In 1999 the women's drop-in center called Family Place opened. All staff (except the Senior Pastor) were now 100% supported by church tithes. UBC is now sponsoring three new works including a Gen-X church, a church plant in Albany Park and a Japanese church plant.
Mike Choby joined the staff as Worship Leader in 1998 but now serves as a band member for the Belorussian evangelistic band, "Spasenie." In summer of 2005, the members called Rev. Michael Allen to serve as Senior Pastor at UBC.
UBC continues to be a strong mission minded church both here and abroad. Outreach continues to different local ethnic groups and 10% of tithes goes to support local, state, and overseas missions. UBC has now sent out missionaries to eight different countries.
In 2011, Pastor Allen lead the church to fasting & praying to meet the 7 goals
To grow by 100 baptisms and new members
To experience a genuine renewal/revival of the Holy Spirit (personally, corporately, community-wide, city-wide and across our nation)
To successfully implement the new 4 Pillar Church-wide Strategy
To adopt the new constitution and bylaws this March
To lower $280,000 from “the windows of Heaven” for our new elevator
To become the steward of the parking lot currently in the stewardship of TCF Bank.
To have greater Church unity
Uptown Baptist Church Historical Photos
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