About our Lead Pastor.......

Rev. Dr. Wayne L. Gordon is the founding Pastor of Lawndale Community Church and Chairman of the Christian Community Development Association (C.C.D.A)  Wayne Gordon is a graduate of Wheaton College and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1975 Wayne moved to North Lawndale located on Chicago's Westside.  At that time, North Lawndale was the 15th poorest neighborhood in the U.S.  He was a teacher and coach at Farragut High School, also located in North Lawndale.  Wayne and his wife Anne have raised their three adult children: Angela, a graduate of Taylor University who lives in Chicago and is a Chicago Public Schools teacher; Andrew a graduate of Baylor University and a trader with the Chicago Board of Trade, married to Stacy, and Austin graduate of Azusa pacific University, living in Chicago, in the Lawndale community.  Wayne and Anne, along with some local high school students, founded the Lawndale Community Church.  Today, LCC has over 1000 worshipping families and Wayne continues as pastor.

Over 33 Years of "Loving God and Loving People"

In over 37 years of ministry "Coach," as he is affectionately known, has played a key role in numerous community development initiatives. He is one of the founders of the Lawndale Christian Health Center, a healthcare ministry that sees over 150,000 patients per year.

Wayne was the founding president of the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation.  The Development Corporation is the arm of Lawndale Community Church that facilitates economic development, education and housing.  LCDC has seven different housing ministries and under Wayne's leadership, over 400 units of abandoned housing have been rehabbed.  LCDC places special emphasis on home ownership for residents of the community.

One of the major goals of “Coach” has been developing a new generation of leaders for North Lawndale.  Over 200 young people have graduated from college with more than half returning to live and work in North Lawndale.

Wayne Gordon helped to formulate the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA).  CCDA is a network of individuals and ministries nationwide who engage in Christian community development efforts. At various times, CCDA has had 1000 organizational members and 10,000 individual members.  CCDA meets annually to share skills and network together.  Over 3000 people attend the national CCDA conferences and the CCDA movement continues to expand.

Coach is an adjunct professor at several seminaries and graduate schools.  He heads up a Lawndale campus of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and along with Dr. John Perkins directs a Doctorial program in Christian Community Development.

Wayne authored the inspiring book "Real Hope in Chicago."  This book details the power of God working in a community in need.  Wayne has co-authored books and written numerous articles on God's heart for the poor and Christian community development.  His most recent book he helps to gain an understanding on how to love people in “Who is My Neighbor?” Lawndale Community Church was given a "Point of Light" award by President George Bush in 1989 and Chicago Magazine named Wayne one of the Chicagoans of the year in 1995 for his commitment and creativity.  Wayne was Wheaton College’s Alumnus of the Year in 2010 and received the William Wilberforce Award from Prison Fellowship in 2011.

John Perkins and Coach have just released a new book on Leadership titled: Leadership Revolution. 

Wayne Gordon is a real testimony to the grace of God and the witness of God's call upon a person's life.  Wayne possesses the ability to empower people and believes that the heart of Gospel is reconciliation.  For more than 35 years of his life he has exemplified breaking down all racial barriers to pave the way for God's truth in the lives of all that he encounters.

Our founding Pastor receives the 2011 Wilberforce Award

On January 15, 2011, our founding Pastor and Northern Graduate, Rev. Dr. Wayne "Coach" Leroy Gordon, received the prestigious 2011 William Wilberforce Award.

"On January 15, Dr. Wayne 'Coach' Gordon was presented the 2011 William Wilberforce Award at the annual Wilberforce Weekend Conference in Lansdowne, VA.  

Since 1988, the board of Prison Fellowship Ministries has presented the award to a man or woman who serves as an example and model of the witness of real Christianity making a difference in the face of tough societal problems and injustices."

Dr. Gordon is a graduate of Northern Seminary, the founding pastor of Lawndale Community Church in Lawndale, IL, and on the board of the Christian Community Development Association

CHECK OUT OUR FOUNDING PASTOR'S LATEST BOOK:  WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

Who Is My Neighbor?: Lessons Learned From a Man Left for Dead

An “expert in the law” once asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life—and his question initiated a very interesting conversation. The Law says to “love your neighbor as yourself,” Jesus pointed out, so the next logical question is, “Who is my neighbor?” Rather than offering the lawyer an exhaustive list of neighbors and non-neighbors, Jesus told a story . . . a story we know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Out of that famous parable, Dr. Wayne Gordon draws more than 40 characteristics of the man who was beaten, robbed and left for dead on the road to Jericho—the character Jesus created to show Christians how to recognize their neighbors. Dr. Gordon brings that character vividly to life in Who Is My Neighbor?, and helps readers use Jesus’ parable as a reference point for their interactions in their community and the world. And as readers catch Jesus’ vision of neighborliness, they will also find practical suggestions for meeting needs and changing the lives of those around them . . . that is, their neighbors! 

Now:  $11.04

 

Check out "Coach's other Books"

                   

A Sneak Preview of.....Who Is My Neighbor?

Check out a "Sneak Preview" of our Pastor preaching at Park Community Church of Chicago on  Who is My Neighbor?  I'm sure you'll enjoy it so much you'll be moved to purchase the book!!! 

Who is My Neighbor? from Park Community Church on Vimeo.

 

 


Lawndale Community Church
3827 W. Ogden Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60623
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