Faith Christian Reformed Church in Tinley Park is known for a Sunday gathering that pairs organ-led traditional hymns with contemporary praise songs while caring for children and neighbors. At 9:30 a.m., the church at 8383 W. 171st St. welcomes people whether they are exploring the Christian faith, following Jesus Christ, or have been committed Christians for many years. The service can be attended in person or watched live on the church's YouTube channel.
From School Meetings to a Tinley Park Church
Faith Church was organized in 1979. Its first meetings were held in a school, followed by a rented church facility. When that building became too small, the congregation purchased land in Tinley Park. The present church was built in 1983, and an addition followed several years later. Pastor Chris Pedersen serves a congregation that has also been served by three earlier pastors: Mark Timmer, John Ouwinga and Ty Hofman.
Sunday Worship: Traditional Hymns and Contemporary Praise
Sunday worship lasts about 60 to 70 minutes. The musical mix changes from week to week: some Sundays feature organ-led traditional hymns, while contemporary songs are led by praise teams. The service also includes prayer, an offering, and, on some Sundays, Communion or Baptism. A Bible message from the pastor anchors the gathering. Dress is deliberately relaxed: some worshippers dress up, while others wear jeans, so visitors are invited simply to come as they are.
The building is barrier-free. Most accessible parking spaces are near the office door, just east of the main entrances. After the service, people can enjoy coffee or tea, refreshments and conversation in the Fellowship Hall. A livestream and an archive of past services are available on YouTube, giving worshippers who cannot attend in person a way to join.
Children at Faith: Nursery, Walk Out Worship, and Church School
Nursery and Walk Out Worship
Faith Church treats children as full participants in congregational life. A nursery for infants and toddlers is staffed by qualified volunteer members in a friendly environment, and a private room for mothers sits next to it. Children ages 3 through kindergarten begin worship with their families, then leave after the children's message for Walk Out Worship. In that class they hear a Bible story, sing and make crafts. Teachers meet families at the exit to explain where to find the room, and parents may remain or collect their children afterward. Walk Out Worship pauses during summer because of vacations.
Church School
During the school year, Church School serves grades 1 through 12 from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. Adult classes also meet at 11:00 a.m., often to watch and discuss a variety of DVD series. Families with preschoolers can use a worship bag containing a soft toy, crayons and a coloring page. Children's activity sheets are also available in the foyer for ages 3 and older, with separate sheets for ages 7 and up.
GEMS, Cadets, and STIR
GEMS Girls Club
GEMS, short for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior, gives girls in grades 2 through 8 a relationship-building club on the first and third Wednesdays from September through April, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. The safe and nurturing program combines new friendships, praise and worship, Bible study, arts and crafts, and service projects for people locally and around the world. All counselors have completed Safe Church requirements. An optional Camp Tecumseh overnight is offered to girls in grades 4 through 8. Faith's club also helps girls learn about GEMS in other countries and pray for those clubs. The wider ministry reaches across borders, and Faith participates as a Global Partner.
Cadets Boys Club
Cadets is the church's boys club for grades 1 through 8. Bible lessons, merit badge work, projects and activities are designed to help boys in the church and wider community become more Christlike in every area of life.
STIR
STIR serves singles, married couples, single parents and post-college adults through their 30s. The group and its monthly Bible study meet from September through May. Nursery care for infants and toddlers, plus activities for children, make it possible for families to take part together.
Bible Studies, Card Making, and Adult Fellowship
Adult friendships continue through luncheons, baby and bridal showers, a ladies' tea party and other fellowship events planned during the year. Small group Bible studies meet in homes. The women's Bible Study Fellowship, an international interdenominational class, meets at Faith on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. from September through May.
The Card Ministry offers an easy way for women and teens to make inexpensive cards for personal use, the church's card box and Love INC. No experience is necessary: materials are supplied and instruction is provided. Each $6 class covers six cards, with three for personal use, two for members and one for Love INC.
A Library Open Around Sunday Worship
Faith's library holds more than 2,000 varied resources, including books, audio CDs, DVDs and magazines, in a friendly space staffed by helpful volunteers. It is open Sundays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., before and after worship, and jigsaw puzzles may be used or traded.
The First-Thursday Table and Beds for Neighbors
Each first Thursday of the month, area churches take turns serving dinner to Tinley Park residents. Faith's turn includes all neighbors, with dinner served from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.; RSVPs go to faithcrcmeals@gmail.com. Every month, Faith also collects nonperishable food for the Tinley Park Food Pantry.
Beds and Blessings, part of Love INC of Tinley Park, collects, washes and distributes new and gently used bedding for people in need. The ministry joins the church's wider practice of practical care for neighbors.
From Local Care to Global Mission
Faith's mission emphasis is to mobilize the local church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. Its mission connections include:
- Resonate Global Mission: Central America, Japan and campus ministry.
- ReFrame Ministries: Portuguese ministry leadership.
- Honduras: health empowerment for women and children.
- India and London: mission involvement.
Held to the Historic Christian Reformed Faith
Faith summarizes its beliefs in historic Christian Reformed summaries of faith:
- Apostles' Creed
- Nicene Creed
- Athanasian Creed
- Heidelberg Catechism
- Belgic Confession
- Canons of Dort
- Our World Belongs to God
At the heart of its confession is that the world belongs to God, people have rebelled against him and come under judgment, and grace is found in Jesus Christ, God's only Son. Faith believes Christ bore judgment by dying for sin and being raised from the dead, and that turning from sin to him restores the opportunity to enjoy and delight in God. The church also affirms the Holy Spirit's work, the Bible as God's complete and true Word, grateful service in the world and eternal life with God.
Together, these convictions and ministries shape Faith Church in Tinley Park as a community of ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God through blended worship, care from childhood through young adulthood, and service to neighbors.