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Pastor Craig Melvin Smith
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Statement of Faith
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.
ABOUT PASTOR CRAIG MELVIN
SMITH
CRAIG MELVIN SMITH, M. Div., is the Senior Pastor
of the Freedom Baptist Church of the Greater Chicago Area,
located in Hillside, Illinois. He was called to preach
the Gospel in February 1972 in his junior year at the
University of Illinois; and ordained on April 1974 by
his home church and pastor, the Morning Star Baptist Church
of Peoria, Illinois where the late Reverend Calvin Hightower
was pastor.
Reverend Smith received the Bachelor's 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 from the Northern Baptist Seminary of Lombard, Illinois. He was also honored at the graduation ceremonies with the Distinguished Presidential Award for exemplary leadership in the seminary community.
Reverend Smith is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree (D. Min.) at 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, 1977-87
- Pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Chicago, IL, 1987-2000
On April 9, 2000, the Holy Spirit led Reverend Smith and over 350 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 their church facility.
In July 2001 the Freedom Church purchased the former Hillside
Theater. Freedom's current membership exceeds 1,000. On
April 13, 2003, the Freedom Church celebrated the ribbon-cutting
ceremony on the $ 1.6 million newly renovated church facility
which includes a 1,200 seat sanctuary.
Reverend Smith has been married to Patricia for 35 years. They are the parents of 4 children. His wife serves with him as one of the 18 men and women of Freedom who have been called to preach the Gospel.
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