History Of GCC

In 1976 Verneil Garren was approached about starting a Christian Church in Centralia, IL promoting special ministries. Verneil and others had a dream of being a part of a church that would offer something special for every age group, like a day care, a school, and a retirement home. On Easter Sunday, April 10, 1977, Greenview Christian Church held its first service located on the east side of Route 51south.

Greenview was similar to many churches—it offered preaching, teaching, singing, Sunday school, and youth meetings. However, GCC is different because of her desire to be involved in special ministries. In May of 1978, Greenview Christian Day Care opened her doors in the “Little Red Caboose.” The purpose for this ministry was not to take the place of mom and dad, but to provide a Christian alternative while mom and dad both worked. In 1980, the Day Care moved into its current location and has become better equipped and more effective in helping parents in our community.

Greenview is also different in her desire for a Christian school that would not only provide the 3 “R’s”, but also a Christian education from the Book of Life, the Bible. In the fall of 1980 grades K—5 were offered and Greenview Christian School began.

In 1983, a new multi-purpose building was erected that would meet the worship, educational, and recreational needs of a growing congregation and school. Due to financial difficulties, the school was forced to close in 1986. With the help of other churches in the area, New Horizon Christian School opened its doors in the fall of 1995 and served grades K – 2. The school has continued to grow each year, and in the fall of 1999 served approximately 115 students in grades K – 7. In 2001 the school served students in grades K – 8.

November 28, 1999 Mark Mitchell accepted the call of Greenview Christian Church as the Senior Minister. Mark’s duties include leadership, pastoral care and preaching the Word. As the church continued to grow the need for a Minster to the Youth & Children’s areas became clearly evident. August 19, 2001 Greenview Christian Church extended the call for this position to Matt Johnson. Matt accepted and has continued to grow our Youth and Children’s Ministry. As the church continued to grow the leadership team saw the need to bring a staff member on board to lead in the area of small groups and assimilation. Donnie Case accepted the call as Spiritual Formation Minister.

Greenview Christian Church continued to be a growing church. Our average attendance through June, 2005 was 241 in both services.

2006 brought about many changes as Mark continued to lead GCC, making a conscience effort to reach out to our surrounding communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. By mid January Matt Johnson had accepted the call to Youth Ministry in Olney, Illinois. As our elders continued to search for a new youth minister, Penny Sparks, who had been a key volunteer in Matt’s Youth Ministry, accepted the position as Children & Youth Minister in the interim. . In July of that year it was obvious that God had intended for Penny to continue on in the Youth & Children’s Ministry position and she gladly accepted the call. In August, Donnie accepted a position as Senior Minister of Maple Avenue Christian Church in Macomb, Illinois.

Kenny Todd joined the GCC staff in September of 2006 as our Student & Young Adult Minister, reaching out to high school & college age students as well as sub 30’s. God has put together an incredible ministerial team that love God and love people in such a way that their methods of ministry are continually changing. As Paul says in I Corinthians 9:22 . . . “become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some”, through the unchanging message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

2007 would be an incredible year as we committed to back to back campaigns . . . . A spiritual growth campaign and now a stewardship campaign. On Easter Sunday 2007 GCC returned to one service as we began a Spiritual Growth Campaign entitled 40 Days of Community.

Rob Rash served as GCC’s part-time weekend Worship and Creative Arts Minister from January through mid August of 2007. Following the birth of their first child in May weekend travel became more difficult. After much prayer by the GCC leadership, as well as Rob & Christine, Rob ended his weekend ministry with Greenview.

On August 13, 2007 the NHCS Board, with full support of the Greenview Elders, appointed Penny Sparks as the school administrator for the 2007/2008 school year. Penny balances both positions through the vision of one ministry, as all students of New Horizon Christian School are a part of the Children’s Ministry of Greenview Christian Church.

As Greenview Christian Church grows we will always strive to honor God Above All Else and continue to listen for His leading us in new ways as we love God and love people.