Head Pastors: Charles and Kehinde Moodie
In response to God’s distinct call, Charles and Kehinde Moodie left New York in July of 2012 to minister in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, bringing with them their two sons Joshua and Josiah. The Moodies moved to Chicago knowing Englewood’s reputation as one of the worst crime areas in the country for its violence, drugs, and deep urban poverty. They had no church or job lined up and moved solely by faith. Once arriving in Chicago, they connected with Pastors Chris and Monica DeLaurentis, who would eventually trust them to head the ministry they’d established on the south side.
In a community where babies die at four times the national rate and a high school education is the exception rather than the rule, the Moodies support families through facilitating the Life Center. Since pastoring Chicago City Life Center, Pastors Charles and Kehinde have fostered relationships with families in the community through holiday outreaches, weekly services, and street ministry. They serve faithfully: reaching Englewood for Christ by representing Christ’s character.
Outreach Coordinator: Mark Steven
Mark Steven was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. He gave his life to the Lord in 1985 and soon thereafter began his passion for inner city ministry in Trench Town, Jamaica. While serving faithfully and working assiduously in the inner city, he felt the calling to further his education to better equip himself for his continued ministry. Mark’s love for the poor and outcast has led him to serve those who have been incarcerated and those who are without homes (homeless). Mark has also been involved in numerous short-term mission trips to the continents of Africa, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. He loves to meet different groups of people and learn about different cultures.
He married his beautiful girlfriend Cynthia in 1999, and that union produced four children, two boys (Josh & Joel) and two girls (Jenelle & Joanna). In 2019 Mark and his family relocated to Chicago. While doing ministry on the streets of Chicago he was introduced to Chicago City life Center under the leadership of pastors Charles & Kay Moodie whose ministry reminds him of his church and community back home. Mark now serves as the men’s group coordinator and outreach director at the Chicago City Life Center.
Student Ministry Director: Cynthia Steven
Cynthia Steven has been involved in ministry since 1996 after she surrendered her life to the Lord and was baptized. Cynthia and her family migrated to the U.S. from Jamaica to support her husband in studying theology in 2004. She has been married to her husband for 24 years. Their union produced four wonderful children: Josh, Jenelle, Joanna, and Joel. Their family resided in Atlanta Georgia for several years. However, after much prayer in seeking God’s direction, Cynthia and her family moved to the Chicagoland area for college at the Moody Bible Institute. She has worked alongside her husband in church planting, evangelism, and outreach ministry in her native country Jamaica and several communities in the U.S.A. including the South and West Side of Chicago. She also has been involved in children’s, women’s, praise & worship, and intercessory ministries. Cynthia is the founder of Women & Purpose for God Ministry currently known as Prayers on Purpose Ministry Global.
She is currently pursuing a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Moody Theological Seminary. Cynthia believes that it is important to minister to the whole person (spiritually, mentally, and physically). As the Student Ministry Director of Chicago City Life Center, Cynthia desires that each child will experience God’s amazing love in his/her life. She hopes to partner with parents/guardians to help the children of Chicago City Life Center and beyond become firm in the foundation of their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Her goal is to live on purpose with God.
One of her favorite scriptures is Isaiah 41:10.