The Founding of a Ministry
The LORD JESUS called Evangelist, Dr. Louisa E. Peel to the pastorate and she said YES to the will of the LORD. On Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 6:30 PM she met with her Pastor Rex A. Peel to discuss her plan for the ministry that GOD had designed for her. The name of the Ministry would be named TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD. Upon receiving the blessings of her Pastor, she agreed to continue serving at The Greater Love Church of GOD in CHRIST until the church would begin its weekly services in an assigned location.
Dr. Louisa met with those interested in planting a church with her on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 4:00 PM at the Doubletree by HILTON Hotel in Downers Grove, IL.
On February 2, 2019, TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD began having weekly Bible studies on Saturday mornings via Teleconference. The First Jurisdiction Missions President, then, Elder Charles R. Lewis agreed to teach Old Testament Survey to the laity. Those joining in the weekly Bible studies included Mother Girlie Gates, Elder Charles and Evangelist Arlene Lattimore, Elder Ronald Harris, Evangelist DeShaune Gaskin, LaTisha Carter and other guests including Mother Edwinna Hill, Dr. Danita Howze, Whitney Robinson of Cedar Rapids, IA and Pastor Leona Stewart of Erie, PA.
The other classes that were taught were New Testament Survey and the Role of a Minister.
Key Milestones
From a Divine Call to a Formed Church
Feb. 19, 2019
A Proposal and a Union
On Friday, February 19, 2019, Elder Charles R. Lewis proposed to Evangelist Louisa A. Lewis. They were married on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Before leaving for their extended honeymoon to Colon, PANAMA on Sunday August 18, 2019, Pastor Rex Peel prayed for the couple’s ministry for which GOD had ordained.
Aug. 2019
A Word from the LORD in Panama
While in PANAMA, preaching and honeymooning, the LORD spoke: “DO NOT TARRY, GO NOW AND DO WHAT YOU’VE BEEN CALLED TO DO!” Upon returning, the couple informed Pastor Rex Peel that they would be organizing TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD CHURCH, NFP, and Pastor Lewis was led to join under the Church of GOD in Christ, Inc., for the purpose of accountability and covering.
Oct. 14, 2019
Bishop’s Blessing and Jurisdictional Presentation
Pastor Rex Peel had the couple meet with then Superintendent (Bishop) Napoleon Harris, who then presented them to the First Jurisdiction of Illinois Bishop, Bishop Ocie Booker. Bishop Booker gave the couple his blessings and presented the Pastors to the Jurisdiction at large on Monday, October 14, 2019. On Sunday, October 20, 2019 Pastor Rex Peel prayed blessings and sent out the Pastors Charles, Dr. Louisa and those who would help start the work as a formed church. The couple completed the necessary paperwork to officially begin TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD CHURCH, Inc., under the umbrella of The Church of God in Christ, Inc.
Nov. 2, 2019
First Saturday Services at the Lattimore Home
On Saturday, November 2, 2019, TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST began having weekly Saturday services in the home of its gracious hosts Elder Charles and Arlene Lattimore. The church continued to have services in their home until Saturday, January 4, 2020.
Jan. 4, 2020
Moving to Eagles Nest
The congregation moved into the Eagles Nest church located at 4416 West Gladys Avenue Chicago, IL 60624. Services continued there until the Coronavirus pandemic caused a shutdown in the city and prevented meetings of large groups.
2020 – Present
Continuing via Zoom
We have continued to meet weekly via Zoom Conference line for Tuesday Night Christian Edge and Saturday Morning Worship. The LORD is doing great things in this ministry and the lives of HIS people.
In Honor of Our Beloved Founder
The ministry, through the vision of Pastor Charles Lewis, developed our 501c(3) social organization named Transformed by the Word Ministries. This organization serves to help us in the aid of Missions and in serving humanity. He and Mother, Missionary Janis McReynolds discussed the planning for this organization.
Our Beloved Founder, Pastor Dr. Charles Rodney Lewis departed this life on Friday, February 25, 2022. We praise GOD for blessing us to continue to do the work of the Kingdom of GOD! Even in this we Praise our GOD!!!
.jpg)
.JPG)
Community Service & Global Missions
The work of Transformed by the Word extends from the streets of Chicago to nations around the world. Below are some of the ways this ministry has answered the call to serve.
Chicago Community Outreach
Our church has provided over 10,000 packages of food and sanitation packages to the homeless population in Chicago. We have also held fellowship services in the Circle Family Senior Housing complex while serving food and sanitation gifts to its residents.
Global Missions Giving
We have given funds for the continuum of Missions work. In Ghana, West Africa we assisted in building a new church. In India we gave to help families in villages stricken with COVID-19. In Haiti we gave toward the Bishop Carlis Moody School construction. Christmas gifts and dinner vouchers were provided to impoverished families in the Dominican Republic. We supported The Church of God in Christ Educational Journey Center in Nigeria, West Africa, and assisted a family needing emergency travel to Mexico due to the death of a family member.
Ministry Life in Photos
A glimpse into worship services, community events, and fellowship moments from across the life of Transformed by the Word.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Pressing Forward in Faith
We Shall Continue to Do the Work of the LORD
We shall continue to do the work of the LORD until the day of JESUS CHRIST return for HIS CHURCH. We invite you to be part of what GOD is doing.