Our Mission
A reconciled people reproducing disciples and congregations
Our Church Name
We are New Community Church serving two locations: Dolton and Park Forest
Our Leadership at New Comminty Church - Park Forest
Pastor Daniel J Gute (DGute@comcast.net)
Pastor Dan Gute grew up in Guatemala, Central America, the son of missionaries. He trusted Christ as his Savior early in life. He and his wife, Diann, have three children, Sarah, Derek and Melinda. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
After over 14 years in youth ministry, he became the senior pastor of New Community Church in October, 1990. In that year New Community Church chose to remain in its neighborhood, Dolton, IL, and intentionally seek to reflect the community’s demographics in its congregational composition. Beginning with the hiring of a multi-ethnic staff, New Community has transitioned to become a multi-ethnic fellowship of believers that does reflect Chicago’s south suburban region of African-Americans, Caucasians and Hispanics.
Pastor Melvin Benford
A long-time member and recent elder at New Community Church, Melvin has been recently appointed as the Pastor of Congregational Care at the Park Forest campus. He and his wive, Ann, have two children, Matt and Melanie.
Pastor Dereck Jackson (DereckJ@comcast.net)
Dereck Jackson is the Associate Pastor of Youth and Children's Ministries at New Community Church. He is a native of Birmingham, AL. Dereck and his loving wife Rebecca are the proud parents of two children: Sarah and Benjamin.
Pastor Dereck's ministry experience includes volunteering with youth organizations, being a Youth minister, and serving as Programs Manager with The Center For Urban Missions. Dereck was ordained as an Associate Pastor with The New City Church in Birmingham, AL in 2000. He has also been a certified trainer for Son-Life Youth Ministries, Cadre Ministries and for S.A.F.E. sexual abstinence program. The graduate of the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative program completed a B.S. in Biblical Studies at Southeastern Bible College. He and his wife are co-founders of Earthen Vessels Ministries, a consulting ministry that focuses on training volunteers in the church for effective ministry.
Our Background
New Community Church, an exciting multiracial church in Dolton, IL, started another multiracial congregation in the Park Forest/ Richton Park/ Matteson area in March of 2000. In 2005, we moved into our own church building in Park Forest. From the beginning, God has been changing lives, growing believers, equipping workers, and providing at every turn.
Our Organization
New Community Church has two campuses. One campus is here in Park Forest and the other campus is in Dolton.
New Community Church is affiliated with Converge Worldwide and locally with Converge Mid-America