Purpose of the Coalition

Pride Flag.

The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 80 churches and other ministries in the Chicago metropolitan area which welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We have two goals:

  • To spread the message of our members' LGBTQ-inclusion across the Chicago metropolitan area, mindful that a positive message about sexual and family diversity is a gift to all people.
  • To connect the leaders, members, and guests of our partner churches for fellowship and education, enabling support and resource-sharing for the practices of faithful welcome.

Join or Renew Your Partnership

Thank You

Grace Baptist Church (ABCUSA)

This congregation contributed to the CCWC during 2023!

1020 West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660

773-803-9777

pastor@gracebaptistchicago.com

gracebaptistchicago.com

Take the Red el line to the Bryn Mawr stop and walk east a block to Kenmore.

Mission Statement

To create a Christ-centered community calling all people, as partners, to proclaim and practice the transforming Good News of God's Grace.

Other Information

At Grace, we are LIVING God's acceptance here. You'll find in this acceptance the blessing you need to live out YOUR call as a person of faith. In the classic Baptist tradition, we affirm individuals of all backgrounds in their right and duty to live out this call. Grace Baptist Church was founded 15 years ago, when a Bible Study on the book of Acts inspired a group of friends to start a church faithful to the Holy Spirit's expanding welcome of all people. In 1992, we partnered with the American Baptist Churches-USA in order to have wider fellowship and mission opportunities.

From its beginning, Grace has had a ministry of welcome and acceptance to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons and their friends. Grace has provided a safe space to worship, to grow in faith, to reclaim and sift through religious upbringing, and to experience a renewed faith--often after years of isolation and rejection at the hands of other Christians. Through our years of life together, we have discovered that these truths undergird our ministry:

*The Good News of God's unconditional love is for EVERYBODY!
*People are disconnected from or wounded by the institutional church in many ways-and the Body of Christ needs places of helping and forgiveness to restore people to their calling as Christian disciples.
*Simple acceptance offered like a cup of cold water is life-changing ministry on behalf of Christ.
*People who receive God's acceptance are renewed and empowered for Christian service.

There is space for you here to be just where you are, exactly who you are. We invite you to journey with us and experience the refreshment of Christian love and hospitality.

Go to top