The One Matters Discipleship Award was created by the Discipleship Ministries (GBOD) in 2015 with the purpose of lifting up churches who have in recent years moved from zero baptisms and zero professions of faith into positive numbers as they redirected their focus toward intentional discipleship. In addition to the One Matters Discipleship plaque, each church will receive $1,000 to encourage the continuation of their work in discipleship.

The Northern Illinois Conference is one of the most diverse conferences in The United Methodist Church, so instead of recognizing one congregation, we have the opportunity to offer six awards with the help of the Office of Connectional Ministries.

Most  importantly, as we celebrate these churches and hear their stories, we are invited to ask “What are they doing differently that is helping them to turn things around, by God’s grace?” And when we discern an answer to that question, we can ask ourselves, “What can we do to make a difference?” Each person matters to God! This we celebrate!

2019 awards presented to:
(click each to read their stories)

• Aurora District: Baker Memorial (Rev.  Mary Zajac)
• Chicago Northwestern District: United Church of Rogers Park  (Rev. Lindsey Long Joyce and Rev. Hope Chernich)
• Chicago Southern District: Chicago: First UMC at the Chicago Temple  (Rev.  Myron McCoy and Rev. Wendy Witt)
• DeKalb District: Mendota: Zion (Rev. Hogun Kim)
• Elgin District: La Luz de Cristo/El Mesias (Pastor Ruben Rivera)
• Rockford District: Shannon: Bethel (Rev. Michael Jones)

2018 awards presented to:
(click each to read their stories)

• Aurora District: Naperville: Grace UMC (Rev. Cindy Marino)
• Chicago Northwestern District: Chicago: Indo-Pak UMC (Rev. Ernest Singh)
• Chicago Southern District: Chicago: South Shore UMC (Rev. Adonna Davis Reid)
• DeKalb District: Reynolds UMC (Rev. Seamus Enright)
• Elgin District: Crystal Lake: First UMC (Rev. Scott Field)
• Rockford District: Belvidere: Emerge Hispanic NFC (Pastor Cris Ramirez)