The Isaiah 58 Project
"Those from among you shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In."
-Is. 58:12
In September of 2001 we at Calvary Chapel O’Hare embarked on a journey that we affectionately call “The Isaiah 58 Project”. Based on the above prophetic verse we were given, our church has been engaged in a building project of Goliath proportions for our ‘David-Sized’ congregation.
In our search for a new and permanent home, God (through a series of miraculous interventions) planted our church in an old run-down bowling alley. At the time, while exploring and praying about the possibility of such a huge undertaking for a small congregation, God gave us assurance that He would accomplish an amazing work of restoration through the hard work and sacrifice of His people.
“Those from among you…”
Built in 1957, and to become a popular landmark of the community for some 40 years, the Grand Bowl Lanes began to suffer the fate of many bowling establishments by the 1990’s as a slow decline in attendance and revenue caused the building to be in a state of disrepair. Upon the purchase of the building by CCO, the step by step process of remodeling was under taken, and the truth of the prophecy was being slowly unveiled.
“Shall build the old waste places”
As of September of 2008 about thirty percent of the reconstruction process has been completed with most of the demolition, unseen infrastructure, and preparation work having been done. With the capacity for a spacious future Sanctuary, Coffee Bar/Fellowship hall, Recreation/Outreach area with six bowling lanes, and a Bookstore/Resource room, in addition to a full basement for children’s ministry, we look eagerly to the continued fulfillment of the promise given.
“You shall raise up the foundations of many generations”
We continue to pray for needed financial resources, as well as laborers to complete the work that God has given us. We believe we are called to love Gods people, teach them His ways, and reach the world around us with the life changing and soul saving gospel of Jesus Christ. The old building He has given us is just the place at this time in our history where He helps us to do and become the rest of the promised verse while we continue to Follow Jesus, Building His Kingdom.
“And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In”.
