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 The Oak Grove Evangelical Bible Church had its roots in a Daily
Vacation Bible School. In the summer of 1946 the Mennonite and
Missionary churches of Groveland held a combined Daily Vacation Bible
School in the Groveland Grade School.
Burdened for the children
in the Oak Grove area, Rev. Paul Rupp, pastor of the Groveland
Mennonite Church, canvassed the community, inviting the children to
attend the Groveland Vacation Bible School. A total of nineteen
children from Oak Grove were enrolled that year. The next four years
saw a steady increase in the number of children from the area who were
transported to the Groveland Bible School, and also to the Groveland
Mennonite Sunday School, by Rev. Rupp. This group became the nucleus of
the Oak Grove Church.
In 1950, Rev. John Kastelline held
evangelistic meetings in a tent on the corner of Springfield and Muller
Roads. At the close of these meetings on July 23, 1950, the first
Sunday School was held in the Oak Grove School house. Thirty five girls
and boys and eight adult workers were present. Sunday School was held
regularly from that point on at 9:30 each Sunday morning. Prayer
Meeting and Bible Study were held on Tuesday evenings while young
people's meetings were held on Sunday evenings. The school board
generously permitted the use of the school facilities rent free for
five years.
In September 1954, Rev. Paul Rupp became full time
Pastor and regular Sunday morning and evening worship services were
added. The church was organized in July 1955, with eighteen charter
members.
In 1956 the congregation purchased the school house
from the school district and leased the ground and small parking space
from the McClellans. As the attendance increased each year, the
building and small parking area became inadequate. As the congregation
prayed and planned for new facilities, the Lord opened the way.
As
early as 1963 Mr. Wesly Wenger, of Washington, Illinois was secured as
Contractor. Mr. Wenger, Rev. Rupp, and the Church Trustees visited a
number of churches in the surrounding area to help determine the type
of building that would be most suitable.
1n April, 1964 two
acres, containing the oak grove (34 trees) adjoining and including the
old site, were purchased from the McClellan estate. On May 23, 1964, a
ground breaking service was held. The building permit was not secured
until August.
Worship Services were first held in the new
facilities on October 3, 1965. The old building continued to be used
for seven Sunday School classes, while ten other classes were housed in
the new building.
God has marvelously and graciously guided and
blessed each forward step. May He continue to strengthen and guide as
we strive to glorify His name and to "make known Thy faithfulness to
all generations." Psalm 89
(text is taken from the program issued during the church building dedication - May 15, 1966)
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Cliff Elliott, Pastor
Pastor Cliff and wife Linda are both 1978 graduates of Wheaton College, Cliff double majoring in Christian Education and Biblical Studies with Linda majoring in English Literature and Secondary education.
With his youth ministry background, Cliff served on the ministry staff of Peoria Area Youth for Christ for 6 years and was senior pastor of an FEC church plant in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois for 3 years.
The Elliotts came to Oak Grove in 1987, where he served 10 years as
our Pastor of Family and Youth. Since 1997 he has served as Senior
Pastor. Linda is an English teacher at Peoria Christian High School.
Pastor Cliff, his wife Linda and son Josh live in Pekin, where he and Linda were born and raised, graduating from Pekin Community High School in 1974.
Josh is a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. The Elliotts also have a daughter, Sheri Kunz who lives in Morton, IL with her husband Phil and their three sons Jonathan, Luke and Andrew. Their son Jeremy and wife Ashley live in Pekin.
 Oak Grove is part of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FEC), a group of 38 churches and new church plants who have embraced a common vision to reach the unchurched and trust the Holy Spirit to breathe a fresh wind of spiritual vitality among every body of believers. They are dedicated to birthing new churches nationally and expanding their efforts with ministries around the world. FEC has its headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
You can visit their website by clicking here: FEC Ministries
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