About Us
Our Story
In November 2011, Pastor Brad Brown, along with his wife Heather and approximately 100 individuals, gathered for the first time in a small rented church building on the northwest side of Mattoon, Illinois. Their original intention was simple and humble: to meet for a few months, find healing from past church hurt, and eventually integrate into other area churches once restoration had taken place. However, God had different plans.
As the Lord continued to pour into this new ministry, it became clear to everyone that His vision was to establish a non-denominational church centered on what matters most—making Jesus the focal point of everything we do. Our heart has always been to reach the unchurched and show them the true model of what "church" really is—not religion, but a genuine relationship with Christ.
A Journey of Faith
With this mission burning in our hearts, the ministry began to grow rapidly. The small 100-seat sanctuary that had been such a blessing in the beginning could no longer accommodate the people pouring through the doors. Our early members quickly learned a powerful truth: the church is not the building—the church is the people.
What followed was a journey that required bold faith and flexibility:
One Week at a Time – We rented a slightly larger sanctuary on the northeast side of Mattoon for just one Sunday. The pastor of that small church graciously provided us a transitional space, and all 200 seats were filled.
Overflowing Grace – The following week, we met at the Overton Barn, graciously offered to us. The crowd spilled out into the yard, making it clear we needed to find another solution.
From Tavern to Temple – We rented the Days Inn Banquet Room near Cross County Mall, where we met for 6-8 months. Every Sunday, faithful volunteers would arrive at 6-7 AM to clean up from the night before and prepare the space for worship. We often said we converted a "tavern" into a "temple" every Sunday.
Portable Church – For almost two years, we met at the Lake Land College amphitheater. Each Sunday, dedicated volunteers hauled in a complete portable church—including the children's wing—from a single trailer. It was exhausting, but it was worth it to advance the kingdom of God.
Finding Home
While meeting at the Lake Land College Ampitheater, God began to open doors for a permanent home. Pastor Brad was contacted by an area farmer and serving elder of the ministry. Over breakfast at the Airport Steakhouse, this generous farmer offered 8 acres at the corner of Seven Hills Road and Lerna Road. After breakfast, they drove to the property, walked the land, and prayed, seeking confirmation of God's will.
The excitement grew as we walked that property weekly, praying for God's provision and for the future ministry He had planned. Thanks to the generosity of the Annis Family, the church was able to purchase the land at a greatly discounted price.
In 2015, we moved into our permanent church home. On that first Sunday, we dedicated the facility back to the God who had blessed us with it. From that point on, growth was explosive as the community recognized we were here to stay and serious about our calling.
Multiplication Over Division
Throughout our journey, we've faced resistance, struggles, and challenges. We haven't always gotten it right as imperfect human leaders, but God has blessed us in spite of our failures, continually restoring and reigniting His original vision. We've been blessed to see many pastors and leaders come through our church, with many moving forward to other ministry opportunities and church launches of their own.
In 2020, God blessed us with the opportunity to purchase the former First Christian Church building at Jackson and 4th Street in downtown Charleston at a discounted price. We faithfully continued ministry there from 2020-2026. After much prayer and discussion within the leadership, we made the decision to gift the facility and its contents to the leadership there—choosing to "multiply" the vision rather than "divide" the blessings and ministry of God's kingdom.
Who We Are Today
We continue to gather weekly at 5475 Lerna Road (Mattoon), prayerfully seeking God's guidance and direction for what's next. We are an active "loving" church.
We welcome everyone.
We might not approve of everyone's lifestyle or choice of sin, but we accept everyone just as they are—just as Jesus did. The Bible says to be in the world but not of the world, and we've always believed that "we will do anything short of sin to reach people."
Proverbs 29:18 reminds us that "where there is no vision, the people are lost." Our vision is clear: to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, bringing them into a right-standing relationship with Him, so they can then build relationships with other believers who share the same vision and mission.
RELATIONSHIP
– with Jesus and with other believers
RESTORATION
– bringing our lives back to God
REACHING OUT
– sharing Christ's love with others
If you have any questions about our ministry, we would love to connect with you and share more about what God has done and continues to do. Welcome home.
WHY OUR CHURCH?
OUR VISION
We exist to see lives transformed as people journey toward spiritual maturity in Christ.
Spiritual maturity is reflected when believers GATHER, GROW, GIVE, and GO—four practices that demonstrate a devoted relationship with Jesus Christ.
HOW WE LIVE IT OUT:
GATHER – We come together to worship God, hear His Word, and connect with His people.
GROW – Through time spent in God's Word and community with other believers, we become spiritually mature.
GIVE – Spiritual maturity moves us to love others through fellowship and ministry—supporting one another's growth and meeting people's needs with our time, talents, and treasures.
GO – We share the hope of Jesus through ministry and evangelism, meeting needs and opening doors to share the good news of the gospel.
Our heart is to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving.
OUR COMMUNITY
We have a strong sense of community. People and children of all ages here are encouraged to learn about their own faith and the church's role in our community.
We want you to come as you are and leave knowing God is good all the time.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of Salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture or error.
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
About our Security in Christ
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
CORE VALUES
Relationships
It's all about having a relationship with Jesus Christ, NOT religion. The Family Worship Center focuses on helping people build deep relationships with Jesus Christ. We do not conform to the world's view of what "religion" has become. You begin to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ when you accept Him as your Lord and Savior.
"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish - But have eternal life." John 3:16
Restoration
Seeing lives changed through God's power of restoration. The Family Worship Center believes that God is in the business of restoring you to a measure above and beyond where you are! No matter where you are, or where you once were, God's mercy is bigger than any mistake you've ever made! Through your faith in God, He will restore you abundantly! Our God is a God of restoration. Restoration and sanctification go hand in hand. Sanctification is the process of becoming more Christ-like. This is a lifetime process of improvement that is revealed to each of us daily.
"God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth." II Thessalonians 2:13
Reach Out
Be the hands and feet of Jesus. The Family Worship Center is focused on reaching out to spread the Word of God and lead the lost to salvation. We believe that selfishness can ruin a church, but genuine humility will grow God's Kingdom!
"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress other. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too" Philippians 2:3-4