Our Values
Our Beliefs
Holy Trinity Church is a non-denominational church in the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith.
Holy Trinity Church uses the historic Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) as our doctrinal statement. The elders of Holy Trinity Church have amended this document for theological clarity in our current context.
Holy Trinity Church is governed by a Constitution, also called the Book of Church Order. It is, in part, based on the Presbyterian Church in America Book of Church Order. It is comprised of three separate parts, with each part and subsequent amendment adopted by full vote of the membership of Holy Trinity Church.
Our Story
Holy Trinity Church began as a dream in the hearts of founding pastors David R. Helm and Jon M. Dennis to establish a reproducing Word and gospel-centered church in Chicago. By June 1998 a core group of 37 adults had relocated from suburban Chicagoland to launch Holy Trinity Church with a vision for ministering in five spheres: the world, the city, the neighborhood, the university, and the poor. By further exploring city-based models and the ministry of Tim Keller, Dick Lucas, and Philip Jensen, the elders became convinced that God was calling them to a vision of seeing Chicago transformed by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2001, in response to Christ’s commands to serve the poor, Holy Trinity Church began Hope for Chicago, a mercy ministry designed to empower people to love and serve Chicago’s needy. In December 2002, Holy Trinity Church launched a second congregation downtown from a core group of 35, which quickly grew to over 100 and has continued to grow.
In 2006 the elders of Holy Trinity Church developed a vision for “the Antioch concept,” a plan to build a pastoral team that reflected the diversity of Chicago. Through this vision the pastoral team of seven now represents the ethnic heritages of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and North America.
In 2007–2009 God opened the possibility to expand from one church with two congregations, to one church with four congregations. Holy Trinity Church attendees now span the length of the city from Chatham (south) to Rogers Park (north) to Oak Park (west) with congregations Downtown, on the North Side, and in Pilsen.
As a Word- and gospel-centered church, we believe God is calling us to build a church for the new city, a city comprised of rich and poor; black, white, Latino, Asian, and Arab; center-city and inner-city. We don’t believe this vision will be accomplished through our own strength, but with a total reliance on God and in partnership with other churches. Our aim is to spark a church-planting and community-renewal movement that spreads from Chicago to the great cities of the world, for God’s glory alone.