[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1228-E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                25TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN OPEN DOOR CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
before you today to congratulate An Open Door Church on its 25th 
anniversary. In honor of this momentous milestone, a celebratory 
reception will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at An Open Door 
Church in Hammond, Indiana. For 25 years, An Open Door Church has been 
committed to the spiritual and social conditions of residents living in 
the Hammond area as well as in the greater Northwest Indiana community.
  Founded on July 6, 1986 in South Holland, Illinois, by Doctors and 
Pastors Meredith and Marilyn Shackelford, An Open Door Church began as 
a small congregation in the basement of the pastors' home. Quickly 
outgrowing this small space, the church began to rent space, and, after 
eight years, it was able to purchase its first building in Hammond. The 
church's congregation continued to grow and the church moved to its 
current location on Hohman Avenue in Hammond, Indiana six years ago. 
Currently, the church has an impressive membership of more than 350 
congregants.
  The church and its parishioners follow a visionary motto, ``reaching 
people to reach the world,'' which is carried out through the church's 
various ministries and programs that work to support change in the 
lives of others. An Open Door Church places a strong emphasis on the 
family unit, and has built its organization around the belief that 
strong families build strong communities. The church's dedication to 
the welfare of residents in Northwest Indiana is demonstrated through 
its many outreach projects which include: a summer concert series at 
Harrison Park where school supplies are distributed to children in 
need; Wee Care, a child development ministry; a food pantry ministry 
that feeds over 75 families per month; Give God a Chance, a marriage 
ministry; a prison outreach ministry; various children and teen 
ministries; and the Christian Academy, which provides education for 
grades kindergarten through grade eight. In addition, the church has 
partnered with numerous community organizations in order to improve the 
quality of life for countless individuals. These organizations include 
Calumet Project, Interfaith Worker Justice, and Northwest Indiana 
Reinvestment Alliance. An Open Door Church, its founders, and its 
ministry directors show uncompromising loyalty to the community of 
Northwest Indiana and they are worthy of the highest praise.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in

[[Page E1229]]

honoring An Open Door Church for its exceptional community service 
ministry and to congratulate the organization on its 25th anniversary. 
The founders and congregation of this truly admirable organization 
continue to touch the lives of numerous people, and for this selfless, 
lifelong service they are to be commended.

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