Young Couples
Blah, Blah
Thank You
Thank you for supporting the ministry at Maranatha Assembly of God. May God richly bless you for your generosity.
All Events
There’s an event for everyone. Here’s a list of all of the events or select a category to find events for a specific group. Blah blah blah.
What is L.I.F.E.?
L.I.F.E. Groups (Small Group Ministry)
Are the main discipleship arm of the church where people connect relationally through Bible study, worship, fellowship and the sharing of common interests for the purpose of growing to be more like Christ, loving one another, contributing and developing ministry gifts, and evangelizing the lost.
L.I.F.E. Groups are based on four principles:
Learning together (discipleship)
Including all who come (relationship)
Finding others who need to know (evangelism)
Emerging for ministry (service)
Find a L.I.F.E. Group!
Virtual Tour
Photos
Staff
Click on a name to read more about the staff at Maranatha.
Pastoral Staff
Pastor Doug Lowery, Senior Pastor
BORN: 04/06/1951
MARRIED: 06/08/1969
CHILDREN: 3
HOMETOWN: Weldon, IL
CREDENTIALS: BA Bible, Central Bible College Honorary Doctorate, Evangel College (Merced, CA) Ordained through the Assemblies Of God (1978)
JOINED STAFF: 01/08/1978 (Founding Pastor)
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:
- Youth Pastor, Decatur, IL (1973-74)
- Pastor, West Point, IL (1976-1977)
- Youth Pastor, Escondido, CA (1977-78)
Pastor Rosemary Lowery, Executive Pastor
BORN: 04/06/1951
MARRIED: 06/08/1969
CHILDREN: 3
HOMETOWN: Weldon, IL
CREDENTIALS:
JOINED STAFF: 01/08/1978 (Founding Pastor)
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:
Pastor Jack Vance, Assistant Pastor
BORN: 11/03/1976
MARRIED: 06/27/1998
CHILDREN: 1
HOMETOWN: Decatur, IL
CREDENTIALS: BA Bible, Central Bible College; Licensed through the Assemblies Of God (2005)
JOINED STAFF: 01/01/2003
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS: Youth Pastor; Granite City First Assembly (2000-2001)
Pastor Ron Howerton, Visitation Pastor
Pastor Ron Howerton
Visitation Pastor
(217)423-2452 (Office)
HEALED, FILLED, AND CALLED Luke 4:18-19
Pastor Nathan Goodin, Youth Pastor

Pastor Nathan & his wife, Logan, joined the staff in 2007. They have two kids.
Pastor Mike Stephens, Kid’s Pastor
Pastor Mike took over children’s ministry in 2007. He is originally from California.Directors
Suzie Hartwig, Christian Education Director
Info about SuzieInfo about Suzie
Lynne Ferguson, Financial Director
Info about Lynne
Support Staff
Tia Walker, Receptionist
Info about TiaInfo about Tia
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Jeff Ferguson, Maintenance
Info about LynneInfo about Jeff
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Sunday School
| Sunday School |
Music
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Debby Inman
Choir Director |
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Pastor Nathan
Worship Pastor |
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Music is a vital component for the worship services of our church, and we have many opportunities for you to utilize your gift of music.
Our choir has traveled internationally, including mission trips to England, Poland, Germany, and Spain where many lives were changed for eternity. Choir members are also involved in a variety of outreach opportunities such as: visiting in hospitals and nursing homes, singing at community programs, just to name a few. At each holiday, the Maranatha Sanctuary Choir sets the mood with festive music and drama productions. Some of our productions include: “Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames”, “Three Days”, “Watch the Lamb” and “The Gospel According to Scrooge.” Check out the event calendar for upcoming performances. |
Men’s Ministry

Women

Singles

Young Couples

LIFE Small Groups
Invade Young Adults
Meeting Time: 6:30-9:30 pm 1st & 3rd Saturdays of every month
Meeting Location: Leader’s home, Decatur 62526
Participation: College & Career Age Singles
Leaders: Joe & Kelli Kopetz
Noah’s Ark
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Noah’s Ark Preschool exists to: |
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Decatur Cares Rescue Ministry
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“For I was hungry, and you |
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| Visit the DCRM Web Site | ||
Paradym Youth
This is a blurb about Paradym youth. Pastor Nathan is a wild and crazy guy. Yada yada yada. If you have teens you should check out Paradym.
Vortex Kids
Vortex Kids Ministry Rocks. This is a blurb about the children’s ministry at Maranatha. For more information about Vortex:
Service Schedule
Our Regular services are:
Sundays
- 8:00am Traditional Service
- 9:15am Sunday School
- 10:15am Contemporary Service
- 10:15am Vortex Kids (gym)
Wednesdays
- 7:00pm Royal Rangers
- 7:00pm Missionettes
- 7:00pm Paradym Youth
- 7:00pm Invade College Group
- 7:00pm General Elective
Directions

Phone our office for free transportation to and from Services (Decatur only)
FROM THE NORTH (Bloomington):
Follow Route 51 South (South Main Street) thru downtown and cross Lake Decatur.
Continue south through 3 stop lights.
About 1/2 mile past the 3rd stop light turn left (East) on Imboden Drive. (Imboden is the next left south of the railroad trestle.)
Maranatha is approx. 1/4 mile ahead on your right (South).
FROM THE EAST (Tuscola):
Follow Rte 36 West until reaching Route 51 South (Civic Center).
Turn South on Route 51 South (Main St).
Continue thru downtown and cross Lake Decatur.
Continue South thru 3 stop lights.
About 1/2 mile past the 3rd stop light turn left (East) on Imboden Drive. (Imboden is the next left South of the railroad trestle.)
Maranatha is approx. 1/4 mile ahead on your right (South).
FROM THE SOUTH (Pana):
Follow Rte 51 North through Elwin and continue towards Decatur.
Just prior to entering the Decatur city limits, you will pass under the Rte 51 Bypass.
Continue North for about 1.5 miles and begin looking for Imboden Drive on your right.
Turn right on Imboden. Maranatha is approx. 1/4 mile ahead on your right (South).
FROM THE WEST (Springfield):
Follow Rte 36 East until reaching Route 51 South (Downtown)
Turn South on Rte 51 South (South Main St).
Continue through downtown and cross Lake Decatur.
Continue (South) through 3 stop lights.
About 1/2 mile past the 3rd stop light turn left (East) on Imboden Drive. (Imboden is the next left South of the railroad trestle).
Maranatha is approx. 1/4 mile ahead on your right (South).
555 West Imboden
Decatur, IL 62521
Phone: (217) 423-2452
Fax: (217) 423-2454
Hours: M-F 8:00am - 4:00pm
Contact Us
Contact Us
Beliefs
WE BELIEVE…The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
WE BELIEVE…There is only One True God–revealed in three persons…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
WE BELIEVE…In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God’s son Jesus was both human and divine.
WE BELIEVE…though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
WE BELIEVE…Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through ‘Salvation’ (accepting Christ’s offer of forgiveness for sin). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
WE BELIEVE…and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation.
WE BELIEVE…the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
WE BELIEVE… The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
WE BELIEVE…Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
WE BELIEVE…The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe ‘the Church’ is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE…A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.
WE BELIEVE…Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ’s atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
WE BELIEVE…in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
WE BELIEVE…in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. At that time many in the nation of Israel will recognize and accept Him as the Messiah, the Savior who died for them and all mankind.
WE BELIEVE…A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
WE BELIEVE…and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. ‘And so shall we forever be with the Lord!’
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About

Our Mission: Mark 16:15
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Maranatha means “The Lord Cometh!”
- Reaching our world with the love of Jesus!
- Teaching the church to live as Christ lived!
- Sending out the disciples of Christ to reach this world!
Maranatha is a group of believers who desire to live our lives for the Glory of God! We believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the model for how we should live. The Bible is the inspired word of God and a letter from Him to us to give us direction, correction, and instruction for our lives.
While we are blessed to have wonderful facilities here at Maranatha, we believe that the church is not a building but rather each of us who are followers of Jesus make up the Church.
In our services we strive for a balance of powerful praise and also the preaching of the Word of God!
Being an Evangelical Church, we strongly believe in the Great Commission. (Matt 28:18-20)
From our beginning, we have been affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies Of God, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. Accordingly, we hold to a statement of faith (”Fundamentals of Faith”) summarized in the beliefs section.
History
Maranatha Assembly of God was founded on January 8, 1978 in Decatur, Illinois through the effort, leadership, and guidance of Pastor Doug Lowery and his wife, Rosemary. Upon returning to the area where they had been raised, Pastor Doug, Rosemary, Becky (5), Bobby (3), and Debby (on the way), started Maranatha in the Victorian Room of the Hotel Orlando. There were 38 people present that first Sunday morning. God began to bless and by Mother’s Day of that year they had outgrown the Victorian Room. As Maranatha has continued to grow, it has gone through 3 location changes to where it is today.
Maranatha Assembly has grown to be included in the top 100 churches in the Assemblies of God in: Sunday School attendance, Morning Worship attendance, and World Missions giving. We are presently in the top 5 in the Illinois District in those categories as well. To God be the glory!
We thank God for the Lowery’s and the vision they have faithfully followed. Pastor Doug has been a dynamic, dedicated, and determined leader. We honor him and his wife for their devotion to the Lord.
God’s hand of blessing has been upon our church and we have seen growth in attendance, visitors, and decisions made for Christ. We, the Church Board, Staff, and Members of Maranatha, thank God for the ministry of Pastors Doug and Rosemary Lowery.
In June of 1978, a high point in attendance was reached with 151 people being present. Maranatha was on its way! The growth was steady and continuous through the next year as the Ballroom in the Hotel Orlando housed this new church.
In December 1979, the church faced another move. The Hotel Orlando was deemed unsafe to public gatherings by the City Fire Marshall. They were forced to move to another location. A year prior to this time, Maranatha had signed a contract to buy the Riverside Baptist Church at 945 South Jasper Street. However, the move-in date was not until March 17, 1980. So for a three and one half month period, Parsons Grade School auditorium served as a temporary meeting place.
Finally, March 17, 1980 came and Maranatha moved into a “permanent” location, the former Riverside Baptist Church facility. Nearly 400 worshippers were on hand for this first service. As the Lord continued to bless Maranatha, the church purchased 23 1/2 acres of land in the year of 1982 on Imboden Drive. In the spring of 1984, Maranatha moved into the multiple purpose building. The facility was used as a gym and sanctuary. As the church continued to grow, multiple services and staff were added.
In the fall of 1990, ground was broken for a new sanctuary. During camp meeting of July, 1994, the congregation moved into the new facility. The formal dedication service was held on Sunday, October 30, 1994. God has blessed this congregation in a marvelous way. We praise God for His faithfulness and look forward with expectancy to what lies ahead in the days to come for Maranatha Assembly of God!
Young Couples L.I.F.E Group
Young Couples Life Group
Focus: Connecting with other Young Couples
Meeting Time: Every 2nd & 4th Sunday night at 6:00 pm
Meeting Location: Varies
Participation: Young Couples (20’s & 30’s)
Leaders: Jack & Heather Vance







