Ginger Creek, All Nations Churches Merge With New Name

AURORA, IL — Two large Aurora churches merged Oct. 8 with a new name and purpose.

More than 600 people gathered as All Nations Church and Ginger Creek Church launched Purpose City Church. The house of worship will occupy the former site of the nearly 40-year-old Ginger Creek Church, located at 2850 Ginger Woods Parkway.

All Nations, on the other hand, is a younger church, one that started in February 2022 in the auditorium of Metea Valley High School.

Chief Communications Officer Clayton Muhammad described the merger as "historic" and "purpose-driven." While All Nations' congregation was predominantly Black, Ginger Creek served a majority-white congregation.

"They're saying what we're doing is crazy," Pastor Talaat McNeely said after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "How can a white church ... and a Black church unite? I’m more concerned as to why that is such a foreign concept."

Talaat McNeely, who was All Nations' lead pastor, serves as the unified church's pastor.

"Our goal is to be of service to and a reflection of our beautiful, [diverse] city of Aurora," McNeely said.

Following the ribbon cutting, churchgoers gathered in the sanctuary for the inaugural service that featured a combined choir, a special children's church and the first sermon in a series about unity called "We."