Our History

It is said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”  A group of young Christians, who loved to sing to the glory of God, led by a minister of music, who was an accomplished organist and music director, saw a need for a choral group on the south side of Chicago, IL.  The young minister of music envisioned a youth-oriented, Bible-based, and love-founded choral group. 

 

Wesley Hayden was the young minister of music who founded Love Unlimited Choral Ensemble. In the beginning, we were few in number and unknown. However, we did not let that stop us from proclaiming the good news of Jesus in songs. The Ensemble was officially organized on April 21, 1984 at the Rock of Love M.B. Church, under the watchful eye of Rev. Samuel Douglas, the church’s pastor and the Ensemble’s first spiritual advisor. 

 

 

As time passed, the Love Unlimited Choral Ensemble was accepting invitations to houses of worship throughout Chicagoland. We grew in popularity, and so did our ensemble.  We became strong and the grace of God was on us. Minister Hayden accepted the call of God to preach the gospel, and became a licensed and ordained minister. Soon, we began touring other cities and states, singing about God’s wondrous works and demonstrating His love through Christian outreach and community service ─ all to build up the Kingdom of God. 

 

Paul said, “When I would do good, evil is always present…” And, when we were not vigilant, Satan came in, and the group disband for a short time. 

 

There can be growth even in a setback. The Ensemble reunited. And in 1997, Minister Hayden purchased a building at 1841 West 63rd Street, which initially was used for the Ensemble’s rehearsals and Bible classes.  God, not being the author of confusion had given Minister Hayden a vision.  So, after traveling and ministering, and knowing the story of Jonah, Minister Hayden thought it best to be about his Father’s business. 

 

The vision God gave Minister Hayden was larger than just a Choral Ministry. The vision expanded his work to a Word Ministry.  With the vision came a new name─ Love Unlimited Christian Ministries Center─ and new goals.  On September 3, 1998, we held our first service as a Church/Word Ministry, committed to “Seeking to save that which was lost.”  And, committed to teaching saints how to apply biblical principles, so they can live the abundant life that Jesus said we could have. 

 

As the Pastor/Overseer, Wesley Hayden lived and worked to bring to fruition the vision God gave him. In 1998, under Pastor Hayden’s leadership, the Ministry officially became a 501(c)3, and its name was changed to Love Unlimited Christian Ministries Center. Ten years later, in December 2008, a new location at 1844 West 63rd Street (across the street from the 1841 building) was purchased. LUCMC held their first service in the new location on the first Sunday in January 2007.  Pastor Hayden’s leadership, and his commitment to building strong families and communities fueled our expansion. Today, our Ministry has expanded to include not only the Choral/Music Ministry and the Word Ministry, but an Intercessory Prayer Ministry, Ministers/Elders, Children/Youth Ministry, Media Ministry, Men's Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Mission/Evangelism, Ushers/Greeters, and a host of departments. Pastor Hayden guided LUCMC to the achievement of some fundamental goals, which established a foundation that is, and can be, used to provide people the tools, education, and opportunities they need.  In addition to the music ministry, pastoring, writing songs, authoring several books, and other kingdom work, Pastor Hayden held down a full-time job, until he retired after 35 years as a Stationary Engineer for the City of Chicago’s Department of Water.   

 

Pastor Wesley Hayden shepherded LUCMC from September 1998 until his death on March 9, 2021. His works and God’s vision are the foundation this Ministry continues to build and expand on.  The Pastor’s wife, Demetria Hayden, a licensed and ordained minister, currently serves as the Pastor of LUCMC. 

 

We are a Christian organization, whose members and partners, are committed to be God’s “hands and feet” and actually do something on behalf of the poor and needy.  All for the glory of God, and for the edification of those that God has called to be members of the Body of Christ. Who are the needy? The homeless, hungry, addicted, unemployed, under employed, disadvantaged at-risk youth, impoverished, and even organizations trying to help the community ─to name just a few.  We have come to understand that many lives have been, and will be, influenced and changed through this ministry. 

 

Love Unlimited Christian Ministries Center is chartered with the State of Illinois and registered with the federal government as a non-profit entity. Likewise, Love Unlimited Continuing Education Institute (LUCEI) is registered with the federal government as a non-profit entity. LUCEI was specifically organized to “weaponize education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship to deliberately target poverty and unemployment in our families and communities, through the application of biblical principles, access to training, mentorship, and the creation of well-develop business ownership opportunities. 

 

 

There are other goals in the vision given to Pastor Hayden that we are working to achieve. However, over the years we have learned to remove self and let God bless as He sees fit, and in His time. We remain a Bible-based, commissioned by God, people focused ministry.  

 

We ARE Love Unlimited Ministries Center, where Jesus is Lord and where His love flows.