Welcome to the MBC website!

Maranatha Baptist Church exists to glorify God through exalting Christ in our community so that others will be drawn to Him. We invite you to visit us soon.  You’ll find a warm welcome from friendly people of all ages, worship which magnifies the holy character of God, and Christ-centered, expositional (careful, explanatory) preaching of the Bible.  MBC is an oasis where your soul will be fed and your spirit refreshed.  At Maranatha you will find "Solid Ground in an Uncertain World."  We are located on Alleghany Road, 1.5 miles south of Rte. 120 in Grayslake, IL.

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Our Pastor - Michael Garrison, a graduate of Bob Jones University, began his ministry as a Youth Pastor in Palos Hills, Il.  After several years he moved north and, working with his former pastor, Dr. Wesley Potter, established Maranatha Baptist Church in Grayslake, IL. When Dr. Potter retired from the ministry in 1990, Pastor Garrison became the Senior Pastor of MBC.
	Pastor Garrison and Laurie, his wife, also a graduate of Bob Jones University
	Our Assistant Pastor  -  Joe Bauwens has an Associates Degree in Youth Ministry from Bob Jones University.  He is MBC’s Assistant Pastor and the leader of the Youth Group.  His wife, Becca, is also a Bob Jones graduate.  She works closely with Joe in his ministry with the teens of MBC.  They have two pre-school children, Taylor and Joey.

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.  Their 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.