The History of Mount Moriah Christian Church
In the face of great doubt and speculation on a “start-up” church; a modest church began with five people in a living room here in Bloomington in May of 1998. We formalized our existence on May 15, 1999, with 37 members and became known as Mount Moriah Christian Church (MMCC).
MMCC continued to grow into every room of the Senior Pastor’s four-bedroom home. Classes for all age groups were held in the dining room, the kitchen, the living room, the den and two sides of the basement. The first water baptism was held in the bathtub of a bedroom. Sunday morning worship outgrew the living room, den, breakfast nook and kitchen area and the basement was remodeled to accommodate the 75+ members that were attending on a regular basis.
In October 1999, we literally out grew the house for morning worship and the Town of Normal was kind enough to rent us a room at the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Center. The room had a maximum capacity of 150 people. It was full the first day we entered the facility. Please keep in mind that we were transporting chairs, musical equipment, and office equipment at least twice a week from home to the center at One Normal Plaza, Normal, Illinois. Eventually, we were moved to the larger room at the center that seated 250 people. By our 1st year anniversary in May of 2000, we had outgrown the larger room. In March 2001, we moved to two services at 8:00 and 10:15 AM.
In February 2002, when the numbers didn’t look right on paper and rumors that we were too small and too new of a church, God supplied our every need and we moved into our current home at 814 Jersey Avenue in Normal. We were again out of room in a sanctuary that seats 275 people to squeezing in more when guests and visitors are considered. Wednesday Night Bible Study and the Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (AWANA) Program completely consumed every room on site.
2004 was a banner financial year as a result of God speaking to us through the sermon series on stewardship. To further hone our skills, Dr. Mitchell of Antioch Progressive Baptist Church, Sacramento, California, came to us and gave us a thorough evaluation of our progress.
God has been good to us! Our theme to give Excellence for the Eternal in 2005 is off to a great start. Lives are being reclaimed and new mountains are available to climb. On May 16, 2005, Mount Moriah Christian Church purchased the 510 E. Washington Street building namely The Attractive Alternative. The opportunity to evangelize has never been greater. God’s reality (our vision) is moved forward by at least five years by this move alone. Currently we have 22 rental tenants occupying parts of the building. Eventually Mount Moriah intends to occupy the entire space. The Attractive Alternative currently operates the facility from their main office located just inside the northwest entrance.
Since 2004, we had over 300 new members join; 111 of them were candidates for baptism. With over 900 members; we also have 40 ministries and outreach ministries. Our office staff expanded in 2004, and within three years we have six full-time employees and one part-time employee, along with many other staff employees.
Furthermore next month or in July, we will embark on our next move from 814 Jersey Avenue to 510 E. Washington Street after the lease purchase of 814 Jersey Avenue to Normal Church of God. Our new home presents a wealth of opportunities for ministry and mission work. As we move forward with our renovation of 510 E. Washington Street, it is our concert prayer that the surrounding community will truly see us as The Attractive Alternative.
As a result of his counsel, we revisited our mission statement and embarked on monthly leadership meetings. Also, in an effort to marry accountability and authority, the Elders Ministry was formed at year end 2004.
