{"id":36093,"date":"2024-12-12T10:10:56","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T10:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.alphacrtv.com\/celebration\/?page_id=36093"},"modified":"2025-03-13T06:33:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T06:33:28","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/projects.alphacrtv.com\/celebration\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

OUr story<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
Home<\/a>\u2502<\/span><\/span>No breadcrumbs<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

We exist to connect people<\/span> to Jesus<\/span> and each other<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

At the core of our mission is the unwavering belief that true fulfillment comes through a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We are committed to guiding individuals on this spiritual journey, helping them discover the hope, peace, and purpose found in faith. Through worship, teaching, and prayer, we aim to connect people to the transformative power of Jesus and inspire them to live lives rooted in love and service.<\/p>\n\n

Equally important is the sense of community we nurture within our church. We believe that meaningful relationships with others are vital for growth and support. By fostering connections and creating spaces for fellowship, we aim to build a compassionate, uplifting environment where individuals and families can learn, thrive, and grow together in faith. Through shared experiences, we strengthen bonds, encourage one another, and cultivate a community that reflects God\u2019s love in action.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

BEGINNINGS<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCelebration Church, formerly known as the International Christian Assembly of God Church (ICAG), has a history deeply rooted in faith and dedication. Established in the 1970s by Pastor Kanjappally Abraham Thomas alongside his father, Kuttappan, and Pastor A.C. John, the church began as a pioneering Malayalam-English bilingual congregation in Chicago. Starting with just 21 members, ICAG\u2019s early services were held at the Ravenswood YMCA. The congregation later moved to a Czechoslovakian church building before receiving a worship facility as a generous donation from Mr. Milan Huba. This gift provided a stable home for the growing community, cementing its presence in the heart of Chicago.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

GROWTH<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 1978, Pastor George K. Stephenson succeeded Pastor Thomas, ushering ICAG into an era of outreach and expansion. Through initiatives like house visits and media programs, Pastor Stephenson extended the church\u2019s influence across Chicago and beyond. In 1990, ICAG transitioned to its current location on W Irving Park Rd, marking another milestone in its journey. With a focus on building a vibrant and connected community, the church became a spiritual beacon, impacting countless lives through its programs and ministries.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

TRANSFORMATION<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 2023, ICAG welcomed Pastor Samson Sabu, who cast a bold vision for the church\u2019s future. Inspired by a commitment to renewal and relevance, the leadership embraced change, culminating in a name change to Celebration Church in 2024. This marked the start of a fresh chapter, celebrating the church\u2019s multicultural identity by offering separate English and Malayalam worship experiences to better serve its diverse congregation. Today, Celebration Church continues to impact lives locally and globally through initiatives like Sunday school, mission trips, and community outreach. We invite you to join us on this journey of faith and fellowship, making a difference in the world together.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

BEGINNINGS<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCelebration Church, formerly known as the International Christian Assembly of God Church (ICAG), has a history deeply rooted in faith and dedication. Established in the 1970s by Pastor Kanjappally Abraham Thomas alongside his father, Kuttappan, and Pastor A.C. John, the church began as a pioneering Malayalam-English bilingual congregation in Chicago. Starting with just 21 members, ICAG\u2019s early services were held at the Ravenswood YMCA. The congregation later moved to a Czechoslovakian church building before receiving a worship facility as a generous donation from Mr. Milan Huba. This gift provided a stable home for the growing community, cementing its presence in the heart of Chicago.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

GROWTH<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 1978, Pastor George K. Stephenson succeeded Pastor Thomas, ushering ICAG into an era of outreach and expansion. Through initiatives like house visits and media programs, Pastor Stephenson extended the church\u2019s influence across Chicago and beyond. In 1990, ICAG transitioned to its current location on W Irving Park Rd, marking another milestone in its journey. With a focus on building a vibrant and connected community, the church became a spiritual beacon, impacting countless lives through its programs and ministries.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

TRANSFORMATION<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 2023, ICAG welcomed Pastor Samson Sabu, who cast a bold vision for the church\u2019s future. Inspired by a commitment to renewal and relevance, the leadership embraced change, culminating in a name change to Celebration Church in 2024. This marked the start of a fresh chapter, celebrating the church\u2019s multicultural identity by offering separate English and Malayalam worship experiences to better serve its diverse congregation. Today, Celebration Church continues to impact lives locally and globally through initiatives like Sunday school, mission trips, and community outreach. We invite you to join us on this journey of faith and fellowship, making a difference in the world together.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t