Learn About Uptown Church
Uptown Church is located in the heart of the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. We believe God has called us to disrupt suffering and mend what is broken with the hope of Jesus.
OUR CHURCH IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF WILSON AND CLIFTON, ACROSS THE STREET FROM TRUMAN COLLEGE. You can enter directly on Wilson Ave (1134 W Wilson), just west of Clifton Ave. Our facility is ADA compliant and accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.
OUR SUNDAY SERVICES ARE AT 9:00AM & 11:00AM. During our 9:00am service, we offer a kid's class for ages 3-11. In our 11:00am service, we offer live, Spanish translation. During both of our services, an infant/toddler care room is available for little ones.
IN BETWEEN BOTH SERVICES, WE OFFER COFFEE AND TREATS AT 10:30AM! Stick around after the first service or come a bit early for the second service for this time of connection, conversation, and relationship building.
THERE IS NO DRESS CODE OR EXPECTATION. Feel free to wear whatever you are most comfortable in. Most people dress pretty casually. You can always stay in your pajamas and check out our service live-streamed on our Facebook page.
Jeremy and Cara both have mid-west roots with Jeremy growing up in the Chicago area and Cara in the Detroit area. They have two daughters, Cecilia and Jolene. Jeremy and Cara have been in ministry together since 2003, pastoring in St. Louis, MO, Rapid City, SD, and Ann Arbor, MI. Most recently, they moved to Chicago in 2011 for Jeremy to pursue his Masters of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary. Upon graduating, they felt the call to plant Uptown Church here in Chicago. If the weather is good, you will find Cara playing volleyball at the beach. Jeremy will probably be running, watching the Cubs, or putting his sommelier training to good use.
The members of the Leadership Team are chosen by the congregation to provide vision and guidance as we carry out God’s mission together. They work with the senior pastor to oversee the well-being of the whole church spiritually and practically. Currently, the Leadership Team is comprised of five members: the church chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, and the senior pastor.
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Favorite meal: Taiwanese beef noodles
How I relax: Spend time outdoors
Favorite Bible character: John the Baptist
How I found Uptown Church: I was in the initial group that helped establish the church.
One hope I have for our church: That we would continue to grow in our ability and willingness to welcome those who are different from us.
A good leader: listens well.
Hometown: Littleton, Colorado
Favorite meal: The one I don’t have to cook 😂 my current cooking go-to is a versatile Buddha/taco bowl.
How I relax: Walking in nature, enjoying a book
Favorite Bible character: Esther. Her story and “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14c) is a reminder for me to trust God’s sovereignty to equip His people in the right place at the right time. I love reflecting on all these moments God has orchestrated in my life, and I look forward to the awe in heaven of viewing God’s handiwork in all of history.
How I found Uptown Church: Google Maps
One hope I have for our church: That we are a body pursuing and welcoming God’s transforming work in our lives, relationships, and world.
A good leader: Leads by example in humility
Hometown: I was born in Calgary, Canada but moved to the US in second grade. Since then I’ve lived in California, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, and now Illinois.
Favorite meal: Tacos (I am a taco snob!)
How I relax: Hanging with my wife Natalia and daughter Lucía, hiking, camping, canoeing. Also always up for a relaxing beer garden.
Favorite Bible character: Joseph - that famous denouement “You meant it for evil; God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) always sticks with me
How I found Uptown Church: Google Maps after my wife and I moved here for her job. We attended a number of churches but loved seeing the diversity at Uptown.
One hope I have for our church: One of my favorite lines from Paul is, “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection.” (Phil 3:10) I hope we are a place where people come to know our risen King and experience the power of His resurrection.
A good leader: Waits and listens
Hometown: Skokie, IL
Favorite meal: Indian or Korean Cuisine
How I relax: Walking my dog, binge watching True Crime TV
Favorite Bible character: Lydia from Thyatira
How I found Uptown Church: Google search engine
One hope I have for our church: That each Individual experiences intimacy with Jesus and develops a true appreciation and reverence for God’s word.
A good leader: Displays Godly discernment, care and compassion at all times.
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Favorite meal: Buffalo wings
How I relax: running, cooking, and reading
Favorite Bible character: Peter
How I found Uptown Church: How does the founding pastor reply to this?
One hope I have for our church: To impact our city for Jesus so deeply that many people would grieve if we ever had to close the doors
A good leader: is passionate for God, loves and serves people, and mobilizes a community for mission.
Uptown Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Our own statement of beliefs lets others know who we are, what we believe, and what we stand for.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven where he reigns as King and will return again to earth someday to reign in the fullness of the Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men and women aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He empowers every believer with spiritual gifts. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our lives.
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into one's life by faith.
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
Back to top