Rooted in Purpose, Guided by Faith

Join Laurel Another Chance Church in Merrillville, Indiana

Heart above an open hand icon in black outline on a white background

Our Mission

Bless the World Around Us. We exist to reach people where they are, equip them to grow in faith and character, and send them out to make a difference in the lives of others.

Black circular icon with a stylized house and figure inside

Our Vision

Be a Source of Hope. We picture a community marked by hope in the uncertain, practical help for the hurting, and genuine healing for those carrying wounds they haven't yet named.

Black geometric logo with overlapping circles and a small square at the bottom left on a white background

our Goal

 Build Something That Lasts. We're investing in people first — because transformed lives build healthy families, healthy families build strong communities, and strong communities build a church worth belonging to.

Our Values

We believe our worship goes beyond the confines of a church service. A transparent attitude of adoration and thanksgiving ought to be reflected in our day-to-day living. We understand the value of integrity and reflecting the divine character in our walk. That character is evidenced through acknowledging God's Word and the generosity of giving to those in need spirit, soul, and body. In this, we grasp the fullness of the Gospel by knowing God and making Him known.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Laurel Church takes a straightforward approach to Bible teaching. Keep it simple, interesting, and relevant while anchored in sound Christian doctrine.

  • OUR BOOK

    We believe the entire Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God and should be the supreme and final authority in our lives and faith. [2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21]

  • OUR GOD

    We believe in one God who exists and reveals Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14]

  • OUR SAVIOUR

    We believe that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, was raised from the dead and is at the right hand of the Father as true God and true man. [Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 9:5, Hebrews 12:2]

  • OUR SALVATION

    We believe that all mankind was created in the image of God but fell from relationship with God by voluntary disobedience. Only through accepting Jesus Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice of His shed blood for our sins, can we be forgiven and restored into fellowship with God. [Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23; 5:1; 6:23, Ephesians 1:7]

  • OUR HOPE

    We believe in the personal and imminent return of Our Hope, The Lord Jesus Christ and the following bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, with everlasting joy for the saved and everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost. [Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15]

  • OUR FAMILY

    We believe that the Church is God's Family comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Saviour and that scripture instructs believers to identify and regularly assemble with other believers to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Bible, fellowship, and works of service. [Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47; 16:5]

  • OUR COMFORT

    We believe that at the point of salvation, the Holy Spirit enters each believer’s life as the source of comfort, strength, assurance, and wisdom. [1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 6:19-20]

  • OUR POWER

    We believe that the Holy Spirit has supernatural abilities to distribute to Christians for the instruction and empowering of every believer and when operated in balance and order will bring God glory. Every believer has available to them a distinct and subsequent experience as promised by the Father known as the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, which is evidenced by speaking in a heavenly prayer language as the Spirit gives utterance. [1 Corinthians 12:1-12; 14:40, John 16:13-14, Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:4, 38-39]

  • OUR BAPTISM

    We believe that water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the authority of Jesus’ name, should be followed by all believers as a public profession of their faith in Christ. [Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38; 8:36-38]

  • OUR COMMUNION

    We believe that the holy ordinance of Communion should be received by believers walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, The Bread of Life, as a remembrance and celebration of what Christ accomplished for them on the cross. [Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

Jeremias Alicea

Pastor

Pastor Jeremias Alicea has been in ministry for over 20 years ranging from children and youth ministry to associate pastorship. He has served in multiple capacities within various ministries before stepping into his tenure at Laurel Another Chance Church, where he received his Certification in Ministry from Laurel Bible Training Center and was ordained a minister in 2010.

Pastor Jeremias also holds a BA in Communications Radio/Television from Purdue University and is an alumnus of Leadership NWI and the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy. He is also a speaker, writer, and spoken word artist. Currently, Jeremias serves as the Senior Pastor at Laurel Another Chance Church. He, along with his loving wife, Lisa, and two children, reside in Northwest Indiana.

Black circular logo with a simple white house icon inside

Reach out

Have questions? Our team would love to help. Call us at (219) 738-1991 or reach out anytime.