So, what exactly does a "vacation with purpose" mean? At Maranatha, it means worshipful concerts, poignant messages, singing children, challenging Biblical conversations, crafts, tie dye, ice cream...and so much more.
Week by week, see what's happening at Maranatha.
↓ 2023 Summer Program Guide Week at a Glance ChannelDr. Mike Fabarez is the founding pastor of Compass Bible Church and the president of Compass Bible Institute, both located in Aliso Viejo, California. Pastor Mike is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Talbot School of Theology and Westminster Theological Seminary in California. Mike is heard on hundreds of stations on the Focal Point radio program. He has authored several books, including 10 Mistakes People Make About Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife, Raising Men Not Boys, Lifelines for Tough Times, and Preaching that Changes Lives. Mike and his wife Carlynn are parents of three grown children, two sons and one daughter, and have four young grandchildren.
Jonathon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, MI. Jon loves preaching and loves walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He loves to invite people to follow Jesus in the community on a mission. He has been the keynote speaker at multiple conferences and camps. He also occasionally teaches preaching courses at
Western Theological Seminary, where he completed his Doctoral degree. Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn have four daughters.
Good News Nepal's Mission Statement reads simply “Reach to Unreached”, following the words of Jesus to go into all the world and make disciples of
all nations.
Dr. Mark Jobe, Moody Bible Institute’s tenth President, is the founding pastor of New Life Community Church, a multiplecampus ministry in Chicago. In 2005, Dr. Jobe founded New Life Centers that provide programs for such issues as gang violence, unemployment, and teen pregnancy. He is also the author of Unstuck: Out of Your Cave into Your Call and is the host of the daily program “Bold Steps” on Moody Radio.
Karl Clauson is the host of Karl and Crew Mornings on Moody Radio and the lead pastor of 180 Chicago. Since completing the 1,100-mile Iditarod in Alaska at 18, Karl has
been running the race set before him as a speaker, ministry leader, husband, and father. His mission is "to inspire a spiritual revolution in the church that reaches the world." Karl and his bride, Junanne, have two adult children.
Winfred Neely, an ordained minister of the gospel, is the Vice President and Academic Dean of Moody Theological Seminary and professor of Biblical Interpretation, Old Testament, and Biblical Preaching. Winfred brings to his ministry a global perspective, having served as a missionary/pastor in Senegal, West Africa for 9 years. He is a published author and a regular radio commentator for Moody Radio. Winfred has been married to Stephne Neely for 46 years.
Moody exists to equip people with the truth of God’s Word to be maturing followers of Christ who are making disciples around the world.
Dr. Ray Pritchard serves as president of Keep Believing Ministries. He ministers extensively across the US and in South Korea, Ukraine, Uganda, Kenya, China, and the Philippines. He has written 31 books, and is a co-host of "Today's Issues on American Family Radio". He has been married to Marlene for 48 years. They have three sons (all married) and eleven grandchildren. Dr. Pritchard’s hobbies include biking, surfing the Internet, and anything related to the Civil War. He recently hit the 50,000-mile mark on his bicycle riding
Greg Speck is a youth and family communicator who travels around the world through his organization, Greg Speck Ministries. He has authored several books including Mustard Seeds on Youth Ministry. He has been a caseworker, a youth pastor, a youth specialist for Moody, President of Youth Ministries International, and the youth and family communicator for Bethel University.
Mission India equips India's Christians to plant reproducing churches.
A former Muslim who came to Christ after a 9-year investigation of major world religions, Dr. Murray is an acclaimed lawyer and apologist. He is co-founder and
president of Embrace the Truth, a ministry dedicated to offering the truth of the Christian gospel to Muslims. Abdu has spoken to diverse international audiences and
participated in debates and dialogues across the globe.
Christopher Books is the Senior Pastor at Woodside Bible Church in Metro Detroit. He is also the host of the nationally
syndicated radio program, “Equipped with Chris Brooks”, which is heard on over 200 stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Chris has also authored numerous books
on apologetics and marriage. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Asbury Theological Seminary, where he is studying the Integration of Economics and Theology. He and his wife, Yodit, are proud parents of six.
The mission of T.A.C.T.I.C.A. is to fulfill the great commission by investing into the lives of Central American authorities and their families through high
quality police training, evangelism, and discipleship.
Philip Miller is the 17th Senior Pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. Philip holds a B.A. in Pre-Seminary Bible from Cedarville University (’04) and a Th.M. in Pastoral Leadership and New Testament Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary (’10). His wife, Krista, also holds a B.A. from Cedarville University and a Th.M. degree from
DTS. They have four children: Claire, Violet, Cora, and Jude. Philip enjoys cycling, Garrett’s Caramel Crisp popcorn, Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza, and craft root beer.
Crawford Loritts grew up in New Jersey and as a teenager, he trusted Christ as his Savior. He has traveled throughout the US and much of the world, speaking in
churches, evangelistic outreaches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries. He has been a church planter, served 27 years on the staff of Cru, and served 15 years as Senior
Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church, Rosewell, GA. He and his wife, Karen, have been featured speakers at FamilyLife marriage conference. Crawford is the author of 9 books, including one he co-authored with his wife. Crawford and Karen have 4 adult children and 11 grandchildren.
Child Evangelism Fellowship ministry's vision is to reach Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day.
Dr. Nicolas Ellen is the Senior Pastor of Community of Faith Bible Church in Houston, TX and Senior Professor of Biblical Counseling at the College of Biblical Studies.
Dr. Ellen has also developed a biblical counseling training center called expository Counseling Center LLC. Dr. Ellen is a certified biblical Counselor with the Association
of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), a Fellow with the ACBC, and travels nationwide with the organization teaching biblical counseling principles. Dr. Ellen and his wife, Dr. Venessa Ellen have two children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Josh Stephens serves as the lead pastor of Cape Bible Chapel in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He is also the Co-Director of the Masters in Biblical Counseling program
at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Plymouth, MN. He is also the Founder/Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Alliance which serves to produce resources
and online instruction in the area of Biblical Discipleship/ Counseling. Josh is a certified Biblical Counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Josh and his wife, Michelle have been married for 24 years, and blessed with five wonderful children.
How to Life Movement's mission is to Reach, Disciple, and Mobilize Gen Z young people for Christ in North America and Around the World.
Dr. Erwin Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of the Moody Church.
He is an award-winning author of more than twenty books,
a celebrated international conference speaker, and the
featured speaker on three radio programs: The Moody
Church Hour, Songs in the Night, and Running to Win. He
and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and have
three married children and eight grandchildren
Dr. Cisco Cotto is Campus Pastor of Village Bible Church
in Naperville, Illinois and the morning host on WBBM
Newsradio in Chicago. Cisco has also served as an
adjunct preaching and discipleship instructor at Moody
Bible Institute. Cisco is a graduate of Moody Theological
Seminary and Talbot School of Theology. He and his wife
Anna have been married for almost 20 years. They’ve spent
summers at Maranatha along with their three children for many years.
Crossroads connects people in prisons with mentors from churches to
develop Christ-centered relationships as they study God's Word together
Josh McDowell has been at the forefront of cultural trends and ground-breaking ministry for more than 58 years. Josh has written or co-authored 151 books with some translated in 128 languages. He authored Evidence That Demands a Verdict, named by World Magazine as one of the twentieth century’s top 40 books and one of the thirteen most influential books on Christian thought of the last 50 years. He and his wife Dottie have four children and ten grandchildren.
For more than three decades, Phil Tuttle has been a vital member of the Walk Thru the Bible family as Dean of Faculty, Senior VP for International Ministries, and Global Teaching Pastor, and now President and CEO. His unique blend of biblical instruction, real-life illustrations, and spontaneous humor makes learning easy and enjoyable. Phil and his wife, Ellen, have two adult children, a daughter in-law, and three grandchildren.
Walk Thru the Bible's mission is helping people everywhere to live God's Word.
Brent Aucoin is the President of Faith Bible Seminary, Chair of the Seminary’s M.Div. Program, Pastor of Seminary and Soul Care at Faith Church (Lafayette, IN); ACBC certified;
instructor and counselor at Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries; and a retreat and conference speaker. Brent and his wife Janet have been married since 1994 and have two
adult children. The Aucoins consider it a privilege to be able to share God’s truth with God’s people.
Faith Bible Seminary is a graduate-level training institution designed to glorify God by equipping students with a biblical education for effective Christian ministry.
Daniel Batarseh is the pastor-teacher at Maranatha Bible Church. While living in Canada and pursuing a degree in Creative Advertising (2012), Daniel sensed the call to
ministry shortly after being born again. Through God's providence, he was led to Chicago, Illinois to serve as a young adults pastor, teaching the Bible twice a week, while
studying at Moody Bible Institute for his Masters in Biblical Studies. It was through a series of events and God's clear timing that led Daniel and others with him to begin Maranatha Bible Church in 2021.
Maranatha's mission is to provide spiritual renewal in a recreational setting emphasizing Bible teaching and worldwide missions.
Between your kids' morning and evening sessions full of Bible teaching, worship, and games, there are so many activities happening around Maranatha's campus! From swinging down the zip line to swinging on the beach, from building muscle in our exercise room to building friendships over a game of pickleball - we've got something for you.
Week by week, see what's happening at Maranatha.
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Use your free time in the afternoon and after the evening program to explore our campus. From building muscle in our exercise room to building friendships over a game of pickleball, there’s something for everyone.