A Christian Church – Open to All!

MCC Illiana is a Christian church with a focus on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer spirituality. With a firm foundation in the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Holy Scriptures, we reach out with an affirming message of the full inclusion of all people in the sacraments of the church. Taking our faith from the dark places where other churches seem to drop us, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the isolation of the tomb to the light of a transformed world. We seek to move our community from the darkness of hatred and fear and into the light of God’s love. We believe in the diversity of being created in God’s image and create opportunities for GBLTQ people of faith and their allies to gather for Biblical study, spiritual development and social justice.

Our focus on GBLTQ faith

Many in our community have been deeply wounded by homophobia and transphobia embedded in most of the traditional churches. From being denied full participation in all aspects of the worshiping life of the church to expulsion or forced therapies, people have become separated from God because of fear and hatred. The MCC movement started in 1968 when a group of gays and lesbians gathered in a living room because they desired to reconnect with God. From their courageous sharing they developed a world-wide affirmation of the contributions that GBLTQ people make to Christian ministry. MCC Illiana is an extension of that uniquely affirming expression of the church in its Christian mission to transform the world towards greater compassion, justice and love.

MCC Illiana was started in September 2002, when a group of people decided that there was something missing in the GBLTQ community in Northwest Indiana – a church that would not only welcome GBLTQ people, but that would celebrate their God given diversity. That first group spent several months studying the Bible, planning and praying. They laid a solid foundation for becoming a church dedicated to outreach into the dynamic and sometimes isolated community.  MCC Illiana offered its first public worship service on December 15, 2002 and  since then has been an active force in developing an affirming and open Christian community.

A Church in the GBLTQ Community – Open to All!

In 2010 the congregation was able to expand our ministry through the purchase of our church property in Portage, IN.  As we develop our ministry center we look forward to offering more programs for the spiritual and religious development of people in our inclusive and affirming Christianity. MCC Illiana remains a vibrant voice sharing God’s love. We invite you to come to experience this with us and to become a part of this force that is transforming lives.