Greetings and thanks for visiting our Web site. If you are seeking a church that is friendly, family-oriented, and excited about worshiping and living a life of Christian faith, you will discover that when you visit us.

We'll welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Our spirit-filled staff and gifted lay leaders are here to serve you and to help you discover God's purpose for your life.

Our services are a blended worship style consisting of traditional and contemporary music, lead by our worship team and band. Infant care is provided along with ample parking for your convenience. We are a "Church for All People"; and, we look forward to seeing you in worship with us.

REV. DR. CRAIG MELVIN SMITH is the Senior Pastor of the Freedom Baptist Church of the Greater Chicago Area in Hillside, Illinois. He was called preach the Gospel in February 1972 in his junior year at the University of Illinois. He was ordained in April 1974 by his home church, the Morning Star Baptist Church of Peoria, Illinois, where the late Reverend Calvin Hightower was pastor.

Rev. Smith receivd the Bachelor of Art Degree in June 1973 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in finance and banking. In June 2003, he received the Masters of Divinity Degree (M.Div.) from the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. He was honored at the graduation ceremonies with the Distinguished Presidential Award for exemplary leadership in the seminary communioty. In December 2009, he earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree (D.Min.) from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His previous professional and ministry assignments have included:
Personal Banker, Commercial National Bank of Peoria, 1973-74 Crime Analyst, Peoria Police Department, 1974-78 Pastor, Providence Baptist Church, Rockford, IL, 1978-87 Pastor, Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, IL, 1987-2000 On April 9, 2000, the Holy Spirit led Reverend Smith and over 300 faith-fueled, progressive-minded and serious saints in the first worship service of the Freedom Baptist Church. The first worship service was held at the former Hillside Theater which continues to be Freedom's church location. Since then, over 1,800 persons have joined the church.

In July 2001 Freedom purchased the Hillside Theatre and after a 56 week period of worshipping in the nearby high school while renovation took place, embarked upon a project to convert it into a house of worship. On April 13, 2003, Freedom celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the $1.6 million newly renovated facility which includes a 1,200 seat sanctuary.

The Rev. Dr. Craig Melvin Smith has been married to Patricia for 39 years. Together they are the parents of 4 adult children. His wife serves with him as one of the 18 men and women of Freedom who have been called to preach the Gospel.