ABOUT
THE GNBC / SALEM STATEMENT OF FAITH
ABOUT THE BIBLE: We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.
ABOUT GOD: We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST: We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven & is at the right hand of the Majesty on High. He is now our High Priest & Advocate.
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
ABOUT MANKIND: We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
ABOUT SALVATION: We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus become children of God.
ABOUT BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER: We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation.
ABOUT THE CHURCH: We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. We believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.
ABOUT THE RETURN OF CHRIST: We believe in the personal, premillennial, and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.
ABOUT ETERNITY: We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.
4 COMMITMENTS
We Make in Walking Together
I Commit my TIME
I Commit my TIME
I Commit my TALENTS
I Commit my TALENTS
I Commit my TREASURES
I Commit my TREASURES
I Commit my TONGUE
I Commit my TONGUE
History
Good News Bible Church came into existence as a result of the working of God in the hearts of a group of young adults from Chicago’s Humboldt Park community. They began in 1976 as a “Young Adults” Bible study sponsored by Inner City Impact, a local Christian community outreach center. This young adult Bible study met weekly for three and a half years before deciding during a camping retreat on September 1-3, 1979 to begin meeting regularly as a church.
On Sunday evening, September 9, 1979, fifteen people met in the basement of a home for their first worship service. The following week Sunday morning worship began. And by the end of the month, the group chose the name “Good News Bible Church.”
Soon, the need for a Sunday School for children became apparent and classes were started. By the end of January 1980, more space was needed and arrangements were made for a larger facility. This was the first of several moves the congregation made over the years throughout the Humboldt Park and Logan Square communities.
Along the way we welcomed two other congregations into our fellowship and finally found our home on the corner of California and McLean in 2003 when we became the English-speaking congregation at Salem Evangelical Free Church, an historic congregation (the launching pad for TEAM Ministries and Lydia Children’s Home) that dates back to the late 1800s.
Although the history of Good News has lots of twists and turns, one thing has always been clear: we have always been a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result.
We celebrate what God has done over the years and are excited for what still lies ahead.
Salem Evangelical Free Church has a long history in the city of Chicago.
On September 6, 1887, a group of eleven Danish and six Norwegian immigrants had a meeting in a rented store on Armitage Ave. in Chicago. They organized themselves into what was called the “First Scandinavian Congregational Church of Chicago.” In 1895 they changed the church affiliation and the name to “Salem Evangelical Free Church of Chicago.” At first, this new congregation met in a small facility built on Point Street. But years of consistent growth required a new, much larger space to grow into. The cornerstone of the current building on the corner of California and McLean was laid on May 14, 1908.
Good News Bible Church is now part of a historic faith tradition that started out serving Norwegian Chicagoans for 86 years (1887-74). To better serve immigrant children, an English department was added in 1924. The church launched a Spanish-speaking department in 1970.
Vision
The Good News Bible Church family exists to equip Holy Spirit empowered followers of Jesus to love God, love others, and make disciples.
LOVE GOD
LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS
LOVE OTHERS
MAKE DISCIPLES
MAKE DISCIPLES
Our Commitments
praying with an upward gaze
a passion for God’s word (the Bible) through expository preaching & teaching
an appreciation for worshipping God through music and prayer
the importance of time spent in relationships with each other
valuing that we can have a committed relationship with God through his free and unmerited favor
an understanding that God can transform any life that is committed to Him
commitment to spending regular time in prayer to God privately and corporately
meet the Team
At Good News Bible Church, our leadership team is dedicated to serving God and our community with faith, love, and compassion. Each member brings unique gifts and a shared commitment to guiding our church family in spiritual growth, worship, and outreach. Get to know the passionate individuals who lead, support, and inspire our congregation as we walk together in faith.