Our History

Maranatha Baptist Church was started as a mission project under the Association of Independent Baptist Churches of Illinois (AIBCI). Dr. Wesley Potter and Rev. Michael Garrison were appointed as missionaries under AIBCI for the purpose of starting this new church in the northern suburbs of Chicago. They rented an abandoned park building from the City of Vernon Hills and began canvassing the community. The first service was held on January 18, 1987.

The church was incorporated and chartered on December 3, 1989. Twenty-seven men and women signed the charter. When Pastor Potter retired in 1990, Pastor Garrison became senior pastor and assumed full responsibility for the ministry.

In April, 1990, Maranatha Baptist Church purchased five acres of property just south of the City of Grayslake in unincorporated Lake County. After annexing into Grayslake, rezoning the property, and drawing up blueprints, construction began on a new, 10,200 sq. ft. building. Church members rolled up their sleeves and, under the supervision of Pastor Garrison, provided nearly all the skill and labor necessary to construct the new church.  The building was dedicated in July, 1994. Since then we've completed 3 additional building projects along with several renovations and upgrades. 

Besides all the regular and special meetings and ministries, Maranatha has managed to support missions in excess of $500,000. We have also sent 39 of our own people on short-term mission trips all over the world. 

God is so good! He has blessed this ministry in extraordinary ways and has shown His faithfulness and sufficiency over and over again. Praise the Lord for His goodness!