"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue, which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is from me, says the Lord.”  Isaiah 54:17
 
                On January 5, 2003, Elder Dwight Gunn held an informational session at the Mars Hill M.B. Church to announce the birth of Heritage International Christian Church.  Elder Gunn shared God’s desire for a Kingdom minded ministry operating under a Theocratic government and impacting its community.
 
Under the direction of God on January 12, 2003 Elder Dwight Gunn lead the Inaugural Worship Service with over 600 people in attendance at Lafollette Park Field House Auditorium located 1333 N. Laramie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, proclaiming the “Heritage of God’s People.”
           
            For the next 3 weeks, Elder Gunn continued to share the vision and purpose.  “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.  The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Psalm 16:5-6 On February 2, 2003 Elder Gunn extended the first invitation to discipleship.  Over 500 people were connected to Heritage International Christian Church to receive their allotted portion with 35 of them being candidates for baptism.  Our membership has grown to over 1,000 members.
 
            On Sunday, March 2, 2003, Elder Dwight Gunn was released into his Apostolic call by Bishop Simon Gordon of Triedstone Full Gospel Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois and he serves as the Chief Apostolic Gift to Heritage International Christian Church.  On March 2-5, 2003, the members of Heritage and the City of Chicago celebrated the Launching of a 21^st Century Ministry on the Westside of the City of Chicago.  The Heritage family received words of wisdom, caution and guidance from Bishop Simon Gordon, Bishop Derek T. Triplett, Bishop Ralph Dennis, and Bishop Larry D. Trotter.
 
            On Saturday, April 19, 2003, Heritage began Operation Impact.   Over 200 members and community volunteers gathered, to clean garbage from the streets, beautify the neighborhood and offer prayer and encouragement to those in need.  Endeavoring to impact the Austin Community, covering a 15-zone area ranging from Chicago Avenue to North Avenue and Cicero Avenue to Central Avenue.  In August of 2003, Heritage began its Mid-Week worship service on Wednesday nights at Rhema Word Church located 5100 W. Chicago Avenue.
 
            Our commitment to allow God to stretch us has enlarged our territory.  On November 26, 2003, Heritage International Christian Church purchased its first property, located at 5312-14 W. North Avenue.  This location serves as our Administration Office and Main Worship location.  Four weeks later on December 24, 2003, Heritage purchased it second building located at 5320-24 W. North Avenue in Chicago.  The next morning Heritage held its first Christmas service in its new chapel location – Heritage’s Chapel.  This location serves as our Fellowship Hall and Chapel.  After much prayer and sacrifice the Heritage family dedicated the Temple unto the Lord in December, 2004.  As Heritage’s theme states, “Launching into 21^st Century”, ministries began carrying the Vision of the House.
 
In 2005, the Year of Crazy Favor, Heritage International Christian Church’s Spring Concert featuring Special Guest Artist, Albertina Walker, with Bro. Tyrone Block and the Heritage Mass Choir, Psalmist Cerita Brown, and other Heritage talents, Summer Nutrition Programs, Annual “Stop the Violence Protest”, Annual Gun Turn-In, Annual Neighborhood Clean Up Program, and CARIS “Hike for Life” and Annual Benefit Dinner. 
 
In 2006, the Year of Phenomenal Blessings, Heritage was indeed blessed with many endeavors such as being instrumental to support the building of the 1^st Wal-Mart on the City of Chicago Westside, along with Heritage Management Integrity, HICC After School Tutoring, Medicare Part D, Clean and Green Campaign just to name a few community initiatives.
 
In 2007, the Year of Expansion, God enlarged our territory.  In July 2007, the Lord blessed us again to purchase three properties, 5308 W. North Avenue (Ministry Center), 5316 and 5318 W. North Avenue (Rental Properties).
 
In 2008, the Year of Advancement, “Changing the Way We Do Church” was Heritage’s directive.  Our projects consist of “Making History” with our Vision Builders Campaign, Seeking Wisdom to Advance, Heart to Heart Message by the Pastor, Outreach Prayer Signs, Advancing the Culture of Caring, Apostolic Teams, Power of 12, “Save our Schools”, School Funding Reform, Corporate and Community Appreciation Luncheon, Heritage Youth Leadership and Development Programs and in 2009, in the Year of “Mindful of our Mission” Heritage continued its impact in the community by creating the CEDA Weatherization & LiHeap site at our Ministry Center along with the “Coffee Sips” for the members to meet and greet political candidates, the National Christian Education Teachers’ conferences to edify the Body of Christ and the annual neighborhood Thanksgiving Service and Fellowship Dinner.
 
In 2010, the Year of Kingdom Excellence, Heritage provided a “Summer and Winter” Safe Haven and Operation Impact Back-to-School Fest for our children, the Annual First Ladies Walgreens Health Initiatives and the Community Care Teams in the neighborhood.
 
In 2011, the Year of Kingdom Reality – In recognition of our Pastor, Overseer Dwight Gunn promotion to the Bishopric of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship under the leadership of Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr, a Consecration Service was held in Atlanta, GA.  Heritage is affiliated In Chicago, the Heritage’s family continued to celebrate Bishop Dwight Gunn with a Post Consecration Celebratory Banquet & Service held at the Carlisle Banquet in Lombard, Illinois. In 2012, Heritage continue to impact the community with the “Came to Believe” program, “Parish Nursing Ministry’s “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, Heart Healthy Group, Mission Ministry’s Kitchen (Feeding Program),  Heritage’s Summer League, Heritage’s Christian Education classes to edify the Body of Christ, etc.
 
In 2013, the Year of Impact, Heritage will focus on: 
                        Being Submitted                                James 4:7; Hebrews 13:1
                        Being Committed                              I Peter 4:19
                        Being Accountable                            Romans 4:12; I Cor. 4:1
 
            We have ministry partners in Kenya, South Africa as well as Gilgal Gospel Mission, in India.  We are truly an international ministry.  As we continue to establish the Kingdom, Promote spiritual order, increase Kingdom wealth, edify the Body of Christ and evangelize the world, we know the best is yet to come. 
 
We are a “Kingdom Minded Church, on a Mission for the King”
 
Bishop Dwight Gunn
Senior Pastor