In August 1976, a missionary by the name of Bronnie Stroud came back to the states from West Africa. After much prayer and Godly counsel, he felt the Lord leading him to start a Church in the Park Forest, Illinois area.
On April 24, 1977, Christ Chapel Assembly of God, led by Rev. Bronnie Stroud met for the first time in the Pied Piper School in Park Forest. In that first service, there were thirty-five people in attendance. From the Pied Piper School, they moved to the Mohawk School, then to the Lutheran School in Park Forest. Rev. Bonnie Stroud was the pastor from April 24, 1977 to 1983.
From 1983-1988, Rev. Earl Wetter became the pastor. The Church moved from the Lutheran School to Lakewood School in Park Forest.
From 1988-1992 Rev. Marty Nagle was the Pastor. During his tenure, they purchased the building at 4100 West Maple Avenue in Matteson, IL. The first Sunday they moved into their new building, Marty Nagle resigned.
From 1992-1997, Rev. Terry Wilde became the pastor. During that time the Church purchased a parsonage on 416 Huron St. in Park Forest. Pastor Wilde also changed the name of the Church from Christ Chapel, to Christ Church. In September of 1997, Terry Wilde resigned.
When Pastor Morrow took over the Church in November of 1997, the Church only had eight people left. These eight people spent much time in fasting and prayer, believing that God would use this Church to reach the surrounding communities. After Pastor Morrow took over, the Church began to see God’s blessings in every area, including attendance.
In 1998, Pastor Morrow changed the name of the Church from Christ Church, to Christ Community Church. Because of the growth, the Church began to look to purchase a new building or expand their current building. In February 2005, the building across the Street at 4200 West Maple Avenue, Matteson, IL became available. The Church purchased the 13,500 square foot building for $625,000.00. They also changed the name of the Church to South Suburban Christian Center.
On Easter Sunday 2010, SSCC launched their very first church plant, Rock Assembly Church, in the Bradley-Bourbonnais area, under the leadership of Pastor Kenny and Rachel Hufnagle.
In 2010, SSCC also launched South Suburban Christian Academy. We had eighteen students our first year, and expect great things in this incredible ministry.
On Easter Sunday 2011, SSCC launched two more church plants, Restoration Church in Chicago Heights, with Pastor’s Robin and Laurie Jeffrey, and Chicago Christian Assembly, with Pastor’s Kofie and Tiffanie Andoh.
In the summer of 2011, SSCC launched Camp R.O.C.K. a day camp designed to Reach Our Community Kids.
In February 2013, after 15 years as lead pastor at SSCC, Pastor Morrow answered the call to go to Calvary Assembly in Galesburg, Illinois. In November 2013, Pastor Tony Moultrie was voted in as the new Pastor of South Suburban Christian Center. After serving SSCC faithfully for 8 years, Pastor Moultrie felt the Lord leading him to step down. In November 2021, Pastor Kofie Andoh was voted in as the new pastor of SSCC.
Today, the Church is witnessing a great move of God’s Spirit in their services, where many are being saved, set free, and filled with the Holy Ghost. Lives are truly being touched and changed at South Suburban Christian Center. To God be the Glory!