Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Custom
Custom
Custom
Timeline
Generic

CAREY GIDRON

Merrillville,IN

Summary

A dynamic, Gospel-centered leader with over 37 years of ministry experience, dedicated to transforming lives and communities through faith, discipleship, and organizational leadership. Adept at vision-casting, church growth, and strategic planning, with a proven ability to develop leaders, expand outreach initiatives, and drive sustainable ministry impact. Passionate about fostering spiritual growth, mentoring, and creating innovative solutions for church and community development.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Founder & Senior Pastor

Amazing Life Church Chicago
01 2008 - Current
  • Provide visionary leadership, preaching, and strategic oversight to a thriving congregation
  • Develop and implement the church’s mission, vision, and community outreach initiatives
  • Lead discipleship programs, leadership training, and ministry development
  • Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship initiatives
  • Build strong partnerships with churches, businesses, and community organizations

Overseer

Jackson Chapel M.B. Church
01 2013 - 03 2021
  • Provide spiritual leadership, mentoring, and organizational guidance
  • Implement strategies for church growth, leadership development, and community impact

Vice President, Department of Evangelism

1st Jurisdiction, Illinois (COGIC)
01.2023 - Current
  • Led evangelistic efforts, training, and mobilization for outreach and missions

President & Founder

YRAVE (Youth Restoration and Violence Elimination)
01.2023 - Current
  • Company Overview: Faith-based non-profit providing intervention programs for at-risk youth
  • Faith-based non-profit providing intervention programs for at-risk youth

Director of Youth Outreach

Chicago Public Schools
01.2023 - Current
  • Partnered with schools and community leaders to address youth violence

Firefighter

Sauk Village Fire Department
01.2023 - Current
  • Served as a first responder and community servant, earning the 2009 Ambassador for Peace Award

Employee

Chicago Transit Authority
01.2014 - Current
  • Safely operate public transportation services while maintaining high standards of professionalism and customer service

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Theology

Grace Christian College
12.2005

Honorary Doctor of Divinity -

St. Thomas Christian University

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) - Leadership

Indiana Wesleyan University,

Skills

  • Expository Preaching & Teaching
  • Visionary Leadership & Church Growth
  • Community Engagement & Outreach
  • Organizational & Financial Oversight
  • Discipleship & Leadership Development
  • Biblical Counseling & Pastoral Care
  • Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Mission & Evangelism Initiatives
  • Interdenominational Networking
  • Crisis & Conflict Resolution

Custom

  • Author: Promoted by Betrayal: God’s Purpose, God’s Plan, and God’s Use for Your Life
  • Church Growth & Development: Spearheaded successful facility renovations and expansion projects.
  • International Preacher & Speaker: Ministered globally, including South Africa and Maui, Hawaii.
  • Interdenominational Influence: Preached for renowned leaders across multiple Christian denominations.
  • Strategic Leadership: Developed economic strategies for church sustainability during downturns.
  • Disaster Relief Missions: Led national and international relief efforts.

Custom

  • Chicago Transit Authority, 01/01/14, Present, Safely operate public transportation services while maintaining high standards of professionalism and customer service.
  • Sauk Village Fire Department, Firefighter, Served as a first responder and community servant, earning the 2009 Ambassador for Peace Award.

Custom

  • Founder & Senior Pastor, Total Faith Church International, Present, Provide visionary leadership, preaching, and strategic oversight to a thriving congregation., Develop and implement the church’s mission, vision, and community outreach initiatives., Lead discipleship programs, leadership training, and ministry development., Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and stewardship initiatives., Build strong partnerships with churches, businesses, and community organizations.
  • Overseer & Senior Pastor, Jackson Chapel M.B. Church, Present, Provide spiritual leadership, mentoring, and organizational guidance., Implement strategies for church growth, leadership development, and community impact.
  • Television & Evangelism Ministry, Expanded outreach to over six million homes through Total Living Network (TLN). Founder of Taking It to the Streets Ministries, engaging in national and international evangelism.
  • Vice President, Department of Evangelism, 1st Jurisdiction, Illinois (COGIC), Led evangelistic efforts, training, and mobilization for outreach and missions.
  • President & Founder, YRAVE (Youth Restoration and Violence Elimination), Faith-based non-profit providing intervention programs for at-risk youth.
  • Director of Youth Outreach, Chicago Public Schools, Partnered with schools and community leaders to address youth violence.

Timeline

Vice President, Department of Evangelism

1st Jurisdiction, Illinois (COGIC)
01.2023 - Current

President & Founder

YRAVE (Youth Restoration and Violence Elimination)
01.2023 - Current

Director of Youth Outreach

Chicago Public Schools
01.2023 - Current

Firefighter

Sauk Village Fire Department
01.2023 - Current

Employee

Chicago Transit Authority
01.2014 - Current

Founder & Senior Pastor

Amazing Life Church Chicago
01 2008 - Current

Overseer

Jackson Chapel M.B. Church
01 2013 - 03 2021

Bachelor of Arts - Theology

Grace Christian College

Honorary Doctor of Divinity -

St. Thomas Christian University

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) - Leadership

Indiana Wesleyan University,
CAREY GIDRON