A Suburban Church Develops a Research Study Aimed at Empowering its Community: A Case Study of Rejuvenation

The aim of this qualitative research was done to chronicle the transformation of a church community and its transformative effect on the community surrounding it. Special focus has been given to the careful examination and relationship that was formed with the community because of the interviews that were held with over a nearly two-year period, where respected institutions of southern DuPage County, Chicago were the spearhead for what began the formation Resilient, a Christian Community Development Corporation, which is like few in that community. The research study documents the strategies used in the development of the services, activities, and programs requested by the community. The research study also described the biblical characteristics of what the Old Testament scriptures portray as an empowered community, and the same characteristics are applied to the current community development endeavors. The communities who partnered for this research study will continue to be filled with the presence of spirit and the joy of possibilities for empowerment and resiliency while in continued relationship with each other. This research can continue to be instrumental in the development of long-term partnerships that transform individuals in businesses, social service organizations, and not-for-profit organizations by being a roadmap for other churches to impact their communities in the same manner. The readers of this research study will notice continual reference to the bible book of Nehemiah whose practitioners created processes that worked for a biblical middle eastern culture and those same processes practices worked for this study.