Large, colorful banners proclaiming the name Jesus Christ in multiple languages are part of the DNA of Uptown Baptist Church in Chicago.
When the banners were first hung on the walls surrounding the old sanctuary, no one knew how important they would become. Originally, they helped beautify a 100-year-old building the church plant had purchased from the declining congregation that built it.
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“The building was not well maintained,” explained Uptown’s teaching pastor Joshua Yoak. “There were trashcans being put out to collect water, a beautiful organ was beyond repair. Leaders in the church were looking for a way to make the walls look better so this was the solution.”
However, after more than 30 years of declaring the name of Jesus Christ in languages spoken by people groups found in Uptown, it was time to replace the banners.
“Last year we decided were going to take on the task,” Yoak said. “We had 23 banners up there but realized there were some duplicate languages. We decided we were going to use the literal translation for ‘Jesus Christ.’ The reason there were duplicates was because they might have said ‘God’s son’, or something like that.”
To make sure the number stayed at 23, Uptown added banners representing people groups that are being reached by missions and missionaries that the church supports.
Church members didn’t outsource the project, but recreated the banners themselves. “While they’ll be completely new, we want them to have the same look and feel of the old banners,” Yoak said.
The names of Jesus in one of the 23 languages featured on the banners is read during the service.
‘Mission-focused church’
At a special service on May 30, the banners were revealed to the congregation and visitors. There was a guest speaker to talk about each banner and people group, proclaim the name of Jesus in that language, and share the work God is doing.
“It was a blessing to be in the midst of the Uptown family and also to meet so many missionaries who Uptown has supported and encouraged over the years,” said Illinois Baptist State Association Executive Director Scott Foshie. “Uptown is a great example of a mission-focused church that wants to reach its neighbors and the nations with the gospel.”
One speaker shared how Hmong refugees were searching for a place to worship in their language. They were told no again and again. When they met founding pastor Jim Queen, he gave them his key and said yes. It was the start of the refugee and language ministries that Uptown is known for today.
“We’ve been a part of starting multiple different churches in different languages and have held joint worship with them,” Yoak said.
The north side neighborhood where Uptown Church is located is home to more than 50 people groups today. Yoak said it gives a glimpse of what Heaven will look like according to Revelation 7:9, “…a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…”
“We want to reach the world for Christ,” Yoak said, “and you can find the world here in Uptown.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Kayla Houchin and originally published by the Illinois Baptist.
