District Elder Bernard S. Kendrick, founded Glad Tidings Apostolic Assembly in the Village of Bolingbrook in August 1986. His history is filled with a steadfast
commitment and dedication to the vision and purpose of glorifying God, ministering to the sick and downcast, and uplifting the lives of its members and those in
the surrounding community. Most impressive is how the ministry of GTAA has steadily persevered and prospered in the face of many trials and tribulations
during its 30 years of existence.
Pastor Kendrick was given the vision to establish an Apostolic Church in Bolingbrook, Ill. in 1986 while serving under Elder John Morris where he was Assistant Minister. At that time, Elder Kendrick was also an active member in the PAW IDC. In 1986 he organized a Bible Study group, and from this seed the GTAA foundation was laid. The initial membership included twelve people who met for Tuesday night Bible Study in the basement of one of their homes. One of the major trials that GTAA has overcome has been securing a location to worship. Over the course of its existence, GTAA has held services in several schools throughout the Bolingbrook area, when one location became unavailable for services due to scheduling conflicts, God always provided a sanctuary!
In April of 1995, GTAA obtained a vacant 7-Eleven convenience food store to hold services. After meeting the demands of the village officials of Bolingbrook, GTAA acquired the property, and performed the labor necessary to transform the property from a vacant 7-Eleven convenience food store into a place of worship. It was here that GTAA prospered. Membership increased to more than 200 individuals, and two morning worship services were implemented due to the limited capacity of the building.
Equipped with a vision to further outreach in the community, in August of 2000, GTAA purchased an eight-acre parcel of land on which to build a worship center, elementary school, food and clothing pantry, and a computer learning center. Plans to break ground were delayed, however, due to challenges in securing adequate funding; however in September 2003, GTAA broke ground and began construction on our new Sanctuary which opened for services in March 2006. God increased the ministry with several different ministries that serve our congregation and our community, as the membership increased. But God had a better plan; a plan of proclamation via elimination, for elevation and restoration!
Dist. Elder Bernard Kendrick & Glad Tidings Apostolic Assembly have been pillars of the Bolingbrook community. He has not only been pastoring GTAA, but has been faithfully serving in this community, being a magnet to our Youth, and is blessed with the capacity to reach out to people of various backgrounds, denominations and races. He has served as a Bolingbrook Police Chaplain for the past 20 years, as a community mediator and role model. Our Ministry is dedicated to serve the Village of Bolingbrook and Pastor Kendrick also serves as a member of the Bolingbrook Christian Clergy Association, and the International Conference of Police Chaplains Association. Pastor Kendrick has also produced and hosted several local radio broadcast ministries on stations WDND and WKMB in Joliet. As a participating member of the IDCPAW, he served as Assistant Secretary and also as Secretary of the Pastor’s Alliance of the Illinois District Council, and was appointed District Elder over the 6th District, Illinois District Council PAW in January 1995 and is still faithfully serving in this capacity. Pastor Kendrick was a former employee of FedEx Corporation for 23 yrs. and retired in November 2002 and has since dedicated his time to full time ministry.
Presently at our new worship facility, Pastor Kendrick’s vision of habitation has propelled GTAA to execute various outreach programs: Summer Lunch Program; Community Food Pantry; Vacation Bible School; School Supplies distribution outreach for local residents; Nursing Home Outreach Ministry; delivering food baskets throughout the area during Thanksgiving & Christmas Holidays and toys for children during Christmas. We glory in the blessing that we are well known for our exuberant praise and an atmosphere of Love! Most impressive is how this ministry has steadily persevered and prospered in the face of many trials and tribulations during our years of existence. Pastor Kendrick is a man of integrity, prayer & purpose, and has a big heart with compassion and caring for the people of God. Dist. Elder Bernard S. Kendrick and his lovely wife, Rena of 52 years of marriage has three beautiful children: Tracy, Bernard (LaTanya), Janea (Anthony), and three awesome grandsons, Jeremiah Samuel, Anthony Ira and Josiah Alexander. To God Be The Glory, for the Great Things He has Done!
.jpg)