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About Us
Our Theme
"Excellence for the Eternal!" Psalms 8 and Mark 7:37
Our Vision
A Hub of Hope to a Hurting World;Calling All People to a Safe Place in Christ Jesus!
Our Mission
We, the congregation of Mount Moriah, seek "To preach and teach the uncompromising word of God in an atmosphere whereby God is glorified, Christ is crucified and God's people edified. By application of God's word, we are committed to establishing, developing and maintaining a cohesive family unit. We are dedicated to providing effective educational programs whereby a clear understanding is achieved through training that is tailored for all levels and an environment that faciliates learning. We seek to follow the ways of Jesus and provide a place of worship where everyone is significant, and an atmosphere whereby 'whosever will' is welcome in our mission.
Our History
A modest church began with five people in a living room here in Bloomington in May of 1998. This despite great doubt and speculation on a “start-up”. 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 home. We held classes for all age groups in the dining room, the kitchen, the living room, the den, and the basement. The first water baptism was held in a bathtub. Sunday morning worship outgrew the living room, den, breakfast-nook, and kitchen area. The basement was remodeled to accommodate the 75 plus members that attended on a regular basis.
In October 1999, we out grew the house for morning worship. The Town of Normal was kind enough to rent us a room at One Normal Plaza, the former Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home. The room had a maximum capacity of 150 people. It was full the first day we entered the facility. 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. Eventually, we moved to a 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.
In February 2002, the numbers didn’t look right on paper, and the rumors said we were too small and too new of a church, but God supplied our every need. We moved into our first home at 814 Jersey Avenue in Normal. We were again out of room in a sanctuary that seats 275 people. We were 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.
Because of his counsel, we revisited our mission statement and embarked on monthly leadership meetings. In order to marry accountability with authority, the Elders Ministry was formed at year-end 2004.
God has been good to us! Our theme to give Excellence for the Eternal in 2005 continues to drive our ministry. Lives are being reclaimed and new mountains are available to climb. On May 16, 2005, Mount Moriah Christian Church purchased 510 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. The former Bloomington Junior High School was renamed “The Attractive Alternative”. The opportunity to evangelize has never been greater. God’s reality (our vision) moved forward by at least five years with 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 500 new members join; 150 of them were candidates for baptism. With over 900 members; we also have 40 ministries and outreach ministries.
In July 2007, we embarked upon a God-driven move from 814 Jersey Avenue to 510 E. Washington Street, our current place of worship. 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 concerted prayer that the surrounding community will truly see us as The Attractive Alternative.
Through 2008, we continued to renovate the sanctuary, and add classroom spaces. The tenants of the Attractive Alternative have changed to reflect Mount Moriah’s mission in the community. We provide space for The Urban League, two alternative schools, The Central Illinois Organizing Project, The Immigration Project, and a credit union. In addition, we still own our original home at 814 Jersey. That is the home to another church, and another alternative school.
Happy 11th year anniversary, Mount Moriah! “We are not what we shall become…” (1st John 3:2)!!
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