2012–2013

annual report 2012-2013
The Orchard 60th Anniversary Celebration
It was only a Bible study.
Pastor Gordon Addington,
The Orchard’s first pastor,
shared these words with
Pastor Colin Smith at The
Orchard’s 50th Anniversary
Celebration as he looked at
the crowd assembled in the
gym at Hersey High School.
This year, as we celebrated
The Orchard’s 60th year
of ministry, Pastor Colin
reminded us that, according
to Pastor Will Norton, what
started as a Bible study with
just 43 people gathered
around a mission is now a
multi-site church comprised
of more than 2,000 people
worshipping in three
locations.
With thanksgiving, we
celebrated God’s faithfulness
during our 60 years of
ministry and were reminded
that “Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday, today, and
forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Pastor Colin challenged the
congregation to send out 43
people each year for the next
decade. Think of the impact
The Orchard can have in the
Chicago area and around
the world if we launch 430
servants of Christ over the
next ten years.
We have been truly blessed
this year. The Lord is at work
in and through His people
at The Orchard Evangelical
Free Church.
The Orchard’s staff is
comprised of four capable,
skilled teams: the Arlington
Heights Campus team, the
Barrington Campus team,
the Itasca Campus team, and
the Central Staff team. The
following report includes
highlights from the past year
from each team.