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 Community Church - Park Forest 

                                                  Pastor Dan:

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 Dereck:

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.

                                           Pastor Melvin & Ann Benford:

Melvin and Ann have been members of New Community Church since 1992. They have two children, Pastor Matthew (wife Angela) of San Francisco, Ca. and Melanie. He has served in several ministries through-out the years including Guest Services, Board of Elders, and most recently as the Pastor of Congregational Care at the Park Forest site. Ann has served with Women’s ministries, Prayer ministers and Sunday school teaching for children and adults.

                                                 Pastor Ed Domagal:
Ed and Susan Domagal (children Tony and Anna) were previously on staff with World Impact since 1989. They began their ministry with World Impact in St. Louis, Missouri teaching Bible clubs and vocational training. During their 14 years in St. Louis, the work evolved from ministering mainly to young people to planting churches. Currently, Ed is on staff at New Community and is our Community Outreach Pastor. Ed is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, St. Louis Christian College, and Lael College.

                                                Pastor Anna Caison:
Anna Caison grew up in Chicago, IL, the 3rd of 11 children. She confessed Christ as her Savior at an early age. Since age 13 she has been active in church and outreach ministries that began in her youth group, "Young Ambassadors for Christ" in the 70's. Pastor Anna's ministry experience includes conducting worship services for inmates at Cook County Jails and Illinois prisons; she developed a Spiritual Life Recovery program for Am I My Brother's Keeper
Outreach Church's Residential Recovery Homes; and served as director of its women#s home, the Ruth House. Anna also trained other churches in developing residential homes for their ministry. Anna was ordained as an Associate Pastor with Am I My Brother's Keeper Outreach Church in Chicago Heights, IL. She completed a Bachelor Degree in Biblical Studies and received an Honorary Doctorate in Community and Christian Service from International College of Bible Theology in Sikeston, MO. Anna joined the staff at New Community in the Fall of 2009 as its pastor to women.

                                                 Pastor Eduardo Guerra:
Eduardo Guerra has been on staff at Lorimer for over 2 years as the Pastor of Congregational Care Ed and his wife Agnes have three daughters: Cecelia, Melinda, and Bernadette.


                                                Worship Leader Abi Lopez
Abi Lopez has been on staff at New Community for nearly three years Abi plays a variety of instruments including the guitar, piano, violin, keyboard and many more. Abi studied music at Academia Muzyczna in Poznan Poland. Abi and her husband Rick have three kids Dylan, Naomi, and Sophia.

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