About Us
The Jeremiah Development Mission
Our mission is to promote the well-being of our neighborhood. This mission was influenced by the following passage from the Bible “seek the well-being of the city…for in its well-being you will find your well-being.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
Our purpose statements are as follows:
- Create and maintain quality, safe, affordable housing which enhances the fabric of the neighborhood (the area bounded by State Street, Kilburn Avenue, Whitman Street and the Rock River), and empowers people through the creation of community and family assets;
- Partner with other organizations to create and implement programs which enable residents of the neighborhood to develop the capacity to succeed in a changing society, with a special emphasis on youth;
- Advocate for the beautification and enhancement of public areas and facilities in the neighborhood; and,
- Create and support opportunities for neighborhood businesses to grow and prosper.
Our Founding Churches
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/
Rev. Pamela Hillenbrand helped Emmanuel Episcopal to begin to step outside its four walls and partner with the neighborhood in new ways through Jeremiah Development. Currently Rev. Andria Skornik and her congregation remain strong advocates of improving our neighborhood.
Court Street United Methodist
http://www.courtstreetumc.org/
The Rev. Keith Kelsey-Powell was the founding pastor who helped prepare the members of Court Street United Methodist church to embark on this new journey. The Rev. Calvin Culpepper and his congregation actively participate in the various missions of Jeremiah Development.
First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Bob Hillenbrand helped to prepare his church for the next phase of their existence. The congregation no longer resides in this landmark building, they have federated with another Jeremiah Development church and continue to support a variety of mission efforts in the downtown area.
2nd Congregational United Church of Christ
Rev. J. Michael Solberg encouraged his congregation to look to the neighborhood as a way of increasing the faithfulness of his followers. Currently, Rev. Rebecca White Newgren serves as the minister of the newly minted Second First Church and both churches work to serve their neighborhood.