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Jamie Thompson- President & Director of Men's Ministry
Jamie grew up in a very broken community of Chicago call Humboldt Park. For Jamie it was common to see drug dealing, prostitution, gang activity and violence most days he stepped outside his front door. But it wasn't until coming back from Guatemala that he felt compelled to reach out to the broken communities like the one he grew up in. He shared this vision and together with dedicated people Armitage Church Garfield was birthed in the broken Garfield Park community on the West side of Chicago. It was out of the vision to make even greater impact that Reborn Ministry was conceived. Jamie says, "this is a ministry where lives are being reborn as people are getting taught truth, given a solid foundation, received counseling, tutoring tools and the necessary skills so that they can have a new chance to live life. What better thing could any one do with their life then this?"
Much of Jamie's training has been hands on including: directing Way Above the Rim (basketball outreach to "at risk" men) for 8 years, founded and directed Project Faith, directed (C.A.U.S.E.), an urban training program, a youth leader at Armitage Baptist Church, was an Associate Minister of Armitage Baptist Church and now is the Pastor of Armitage Church Garfield in the Garfield community where he lives with his wife and boys. He graduated with a bachelors of Arts from Moody Bible Institute in 2003. jthompson@rebornministry.org
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Michael Lancaster
Michael attended University of Illinois and graduated from Chicago State with a Liberal Arts degree. He has been married to his wife, Vivian, for 23 years and has 3 children. Michel currently serves as a deacon and oversees Armitage Church Garfield's membership. He has lived in the Garfield community for 8 years and on the West side of Chicago 12 years. He was the House Supervisor for Good News Jail and Prison Ministry and has worked with The Navigators and helped with Awana clubs for several years.
Mlancaster@rebornministry.org
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Robert Nobile- Vice President & Youth Minister Director
Robert was the Executive Director and founder of the youth organization entitled, "Chosen Kingdom Generation" until the ministry merged with "Reborn" in 2009. He currently is a Special Education Teacher in one of Chicago Public School's high schools. He lives in the Garfield community and has worked with inner-city teens for over 10 years. Before moving to Chicago to serve, he worked with teens in Washington State where he was raised. He has ministered to youth in places like the Cook County Juvenile Detention facility, and served in community youth centers and organizations throughout the city. These have included: Young Life, Metro Youth for Christ, and has been a member the international association called C.C.D.A. (Christian Community Development Association). Robert has his Masters degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Education and a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute in Urban Youth Social Work. He also has worked with Focus on the Family, an international ministry in the Public Relations department. Robert published his autobiography, The Reluctant Messenger in 2008 outlining the calling to the West side of Chicago.
Rnobile@rebornministry.org
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Tanya Vargas-Treasurer & Community Network Coordinator
Tanya brings much needed depth to REBORN Board of Directors. Tanya has lived in Garfield Park or the West Side of Chicago most of her life allowing her to become very familiar with the issues that plague the area. Since 1989 she has served with various for- and non-for-profits including: being a business manager and a counselor for a gang intervention program, and a director of an after school program. She has taught entrepreneurial classes both at high school and college. She has coached teens and tutored both the gifted and the Special needs teens/children. Over the years, Tanya has served as a house parent for children who where wards of the state. For over ten years she has taught and created systems and programs to better serve homeless men and women, been a liaison between organizations and those in need including: the At-Home Moms Network helping moms work from home. She acquired her Executive Accounting and Business Management degree from Northwestern Business College. She is currently getting a degree from North Park University in Business Administration and Non-profit Management. Tvargas@rebornministry.org
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Michelle Thompson- Secretary & Children Ministry Co-Director & Through My Hands Coordinator
Michelle moved to Chicago in 1999 from Virginia. She attended Northeastern Illinois University where she received a Bachelors' degree in Social Work. She also has an associates' degree in Spanish and Biblical Studies from Cedarville University. After graduating Michelle raised support to serve with Inner City Impact. Michelle worked for three years as the church liaison and program director of the 4 th -6 th grade girls' program in the Humboldt Park community. Michelle and her husband, Curtis, have one young daughter. They are a licensed foster care family and currently have one foster son. They reside in the Garfield Park community. Michelle's passion is to mentor, disciple and provide Godly counsel to at-risk children in the community. She currently teaches, leads Bible Studies, and disciples children. Mthompspn@rebornministry.org
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A few of our Other Leaders
Curtis Thompson- Business Advisor & Children's Co-Director
Curtis with his wife Michelle has worked with urban kids for over a decade and lives in the community. He grew up in Chicago's gang infested Humboldt neighborhood. He serves as the business director of his church, overseeing all the financial and daily operational needs.
Gloria Ortiz- Women's Ministry Director
Feeling called to serve, mentor, and disciple woman, Gloria has left her career and daily meets with women. She has a passion for those who want to get their life on track. She reaches out to those in prison and hopes to oversee the Reborn Ministry Women's House soon. |
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