Quiet side streets of neatly-kept bungalows and two-story brick flats surround this stretch of Cicero Avenue; one of Chicago’s busiest, most industrial , and – on this morning – pothole ridden thoroughfares.

The front entrance of my destination was bustling with activity as I approached on this warm summer morning. Two mini-buses were parked by the curbside, having recently dropped off people for the event.

The four sets of fiberglass doors remind me of the entrance to a movie theater. A short set of steps leads me into a modern and lively foyer. As I look around, it seems like my initial hunch was right, this building must have been an old-school movie theater in its previous life.

I see two theater-like entrances, with signs Ages 1-4 and Ages K-5 above their respective doorways. To my right, a series of iPads rest on stands for people to register for upcoming events and/or make donations. An alternative rock inspirational song is playing over the speakers in the main auditorium, which is a grand hall.

Midway through the event, a speaker welcomes the audience, and shares a little bit about the history of this gathering. She concluded her remarks by saying, “We pray, and God moves. That is our history.”

The journey continues in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on the northwest side, at the corner of Cicero Avenue and Belmont.

Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: www.bensound.com/

Pick up your copy of the companion book at https://godinchicago.com/

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