Why Start a Church in Wicker Park?

I thought I would share the reasons why we at Metro Praise are starting a new church in the Wicker Park community.

1. Wicker Park is Mostly Unchurched: Though I cannot get an exact number on this, however, from being out there for 6+ years on the streets it is obvious most do not go to church. So where do cable salesman try to sell cable... uhhh, "Where those who don't have cable!" Thus, Wicker Park is perfect for us!

2. Wicker Park is Full of Young Adults: Being 34 myself, I have always attracted younger people in my church. The average age in our Irving Park Campus is around 25-28. The average age in Wicker Park is 29. So the age is spot-on!

3. Wicker Park is Very Educated: I love learning! Having received a Master's in Religious Education from Liberty Baptist Seminary I am pumped to meet other college grads and discuss life's most important questions!

4. Wicker Park is Mostly Single: I love single people! Why? They have tons of free time, great hobbies, and motivation to make one's self better. I spent most of my life single, I didn't get married until I was 28. So I feel I can relate to all the single folks and help them find true love and start a family when the time is right. In the last six years I have averaged 2-3 weddings a year just from within the church! And all the single people said, "Heeeey!"

5. Wicker Park is Beautiful: Wicker Park is so "cool" with great architecture, diverse people, and tons of great activities! I just like hanging out in the parks and on the streets meeting people!

So there you have it, five reasons why we are going to Wicker Park. However, the best is the one not mentioned, but obvious to most, "Because God said, 'Go!'" However, to avoid sounding shallow or just "super-spiritual," I felt led to give the above reasons. At the same time, I believe God said for us to do it because He knew it would be a perfect fit for us!

Acts 16:9, "During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Click here for exact demographics of Wicker Park!

Metro Praise is launching a new campus in Wicker Park Tuesday Sept. 13th at 7pm. Located at the world famous Chopin Theatre on 1543 W. Division. For for information visit us at www.metropraise.org

Maybe Wicker Park is For You!

As I have been getting so excited about starting the new campus of Metro Praise at Wicker Park I have been spurred to invite others to come and help! So if you are out of state, live in the city, or maybe in another country and you feel called to reach 20-30 somethings in Chicago's hip swank neighborhood- then come on down!

Here are some things to consider before coming:

1. Pray: Seek God and discover if you are called to come be apart of Metro Praise. Read our website under "Revolution" (Click Here) and see if you feel a connection to our passion. The Lord knows how to lead His people. Psalm 23.

2. Seek Permission/Blessing from Your Pastor: If you are already in a good church please seek his or her advice and guidance. We do not want to remove anyone from their church wrongfully. Therefore, do it right and in order. We prefer those not in churches, but on certain occasions we have seen this work well.

3. Call Me Up: Ya, pick up the "telly" and hit me up on the "celly!" Nancy and I would love to talk and meet with you and see if you joining us is a fersure "God thing!" So don't be shy, make some time to call us and share your heart! My phone number is 773.870.9860 and if you feel better with email it is jwyrostek@metropraise.org

Here is what we are looking for:

1. Those who are out of church and looking for a place to belong: Our "Type A" person would be someone in between churches and looking to reconnect with God and you feel this is your time.

2. Disciples feeling led to start something new and fresh: Someone who has been raised up and is feeling released from where they are to a new season.

3. Talented and trained leaders who have a call to Chicago: Great leaders who are either in Bible College or just finishing up and your looking for a great place to serve!

Check out our current team in this cool video and let us know what God says! Chicago for Jesus!

"5 Things I Once Was..."

Today, as I was enjoying some good Chicago pizza with an ole' friend downtown- some things jumped into my mind. During our talk I was reminded of who I was when I first started ministry. I know it is easy for us as Christians to confess our past before Christ, but sometimes we give the impression that since being saved we have been perfect and have not really needed to change.

However, during this conversation I made some confessions to this friend on the things I am not anymore and I thought you might enjoy them. Some of you reading this might remember who I was 10+ years ago, but please be nice because I also remember who you were!

1. I used to judge people on things not found directly in the Bible- but from tradition: For example: I judged people if they watched movies, listened to non-Christian music, or even celebrated Christmas! Can I still make a good case for certain things not to be listened to or watched? Sure, but I now would much rather teach the "black and white things" of the Bible and let trained disciples make their own personal decisions in the "grey areas," Matthew 5-7.

2. I used to boast in prayer and fasting: Wow, that was hard even to write, but yes it was so true! I would be harsh in comparing my prayer and fasting life to others- to the point if you didn't pray 2 hours a day and fast once a week like me- I thought you were lukewarm! Now, I still love to spend hours alone with God in daily prayer, however, I like to keep it personal. I still teach disciples that they should aim to pray a minimum of an hour a day but not in a judgmental way, but rather in an encouraging way for spiritual growth.  And they don't, "no condo-bondo," just try to give God your best everyday!

3. I looked down on anyone who didn't street preach like me: I remember a time when I wanted to go street preaching on a Sunday night and my good friend said he wanted to go to the evening service and I said proudly back to him, "You can go to church, but I am going to be the church!" Funny how back then I was so quick to judge! Now, I love to teach evangelism and share the love of street preaching, but I won't condemn those who do not. Therefore, I still believe its very important, but its better to help teach people to witness rather than condemning them for not witnessing! (Note: God has sent more people into my life in this season to help than ever before!)

4. I believed low numbers in ministry was because leaders lacked a true passion and anointing: Ouch! I actually remember talking to struggling pastors and leaders and just laying into them with some serious rebukes because they weren't seeing the same things I was. God forgive me! Today, I believe God expects the best out of His people, but I don't let goodhearted disciples blame themselves and sit in guilt just because things go wrong in ministry or don't grow as fast as mine. The event that helped me learn this lesson the best was having to close down my first church.  Its funny how personal failure helps you give more grace to others in their times of failures and testing!

5. I really thought I needed my friends approval to be considered great by God: Even to this day its hard to admit it, but in the early years of my ministry I was such a manpleaser. I would bend over backwards just to have friends and try to get people to like me. Now, I still love to be loved but I have a holy confidence that gives me a peace regardless of what others think. I remember when Nancy and I started Metro Praise in Chicago so many people were against it, didn't understand it, or just ignored us. However, God worked in our lives and did so many great things. Sure, I'm happy to have friends in the city now, but I can truly say I'm just being myself with or without them.

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I hope you can relate to my short list of things I have changed over the last 16 years and can also look back on your Christian walk and see how you have grown!

2 Peter 3:18, "... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."