Our Vision
Our vision is to become a Christ-centered church that is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-generational community hub, providing our neighborhood a connection point for creating deeper relationships with God and with one another.
Our Purpose
Our commitment is to guide individuals towards becoming authentic followers of Jesus Christ. As the Bible suggests, a disciple earnestly follows Jesus and abides by His teachings. The very purpose of MHCC’s existence is to cultivate such disciples for Jesus.
Our Affiliation
Mt Hawley Community Church is a non-denominational Protestant congregation with roots in the holiness tradition. We are part of a group of independent congregations that associate together in a movement known as the Church of God with general offices in Anderson, Indiana.
Darnell Starks
Pastor at Mt. Hawley Church
Pastor Darnell Starks: A Journey of Faith and Leadership
Early Life and Calling: Born in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, Pastor Darnell Starks is the eldest of nine siblings. His spiritual journey began at a young age at the Harding Street Church of God, where he embraced Christ at the tender age of seven. His commitment to service was evident early on, as he joined the United States Marine Corps after high school, specializing as an Aviation Ordnance Munitions Technician.
Family and Ministry: In 1986, a significant meeting occurred when Karen started attending his church. Their shared faith and love blossomed into marriage in July 1987. Together, they have nurtured a loving family of five children and are blessed with twelve grandchildren. Their partnership extends into their ministry, a testament to their devotion to family and faith.
Mentorship and Education: The year 1996 marked a new chapter as they joined Morgan Park Church of God, where Darnell found a mentor in Rev. Dr. Carl Flewellen. Encouraged to deepen his theological understanding, he embarked on a journey of academic pursuit at Moody Bible Institute, majoring in Pastoral Studies.
International Ministry: An opportunity for international study took the Starks family to Scotland in 2003, intending a brief three-month stay. However, divine intervention led them to call Scotland home for seventeen years. During this time, Pastor Darnell shepherded three churches and engaged in extensive itinerant ministry across the U.K., Africa, and America.
Academic Achievements: Pastor Darnell’s academic endeavors culminated in a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from the International Christian College in Glasgow and a Master of Theology in Biblical Interpretation from the University of Aberdeen.
Current Pastorate: Since October 2020, Pastor Darnell and his family have been serving the community of Peoria, Illinois, at Mt. Hawley Community Church. As Lead Pastor, he continues to inspire and guide his congregation with wisdom gleaned from a life dedicated to faith and service. Pastor Darnell also serves as a Chaplain for the Peoria Fire Department.
Karen Starks: A Testament to Faith and Service
A Promise Fulfilled: When Karen’s husband Darnell proposed to her, he promised that “they would go places”. Little did they know, this promise would unfold into a remarkable journey of faith and service. Their union not only bridged two hearts but also spanned continents. From the United States to the rolling hills of Scotland in 2003, their lives have been a testament to the biblical truth that “God can do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we can ask or image”.
Global Mission: Karen’s commitment to serving others has taken her across the globe on short-term mission trips to Haiti, Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda touching lives and spreading hope. Her travels have also led her to explore the rich cultures of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Jamaica, Caymen Islands, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica each experience enriching her understanding and compassion for people of all walks of life.
Inspiring the Youth: In 2010, Karen’s heartfelt narrative of teenage pregnancy resonated with students in Scottish high schools, thanks to the Hope Crisis Pregnancy Centre in Perth, Scotland. Her candid sharing offered both a challenge and inspiration, leaving a lasting impact on young minds. Her voice has also uplifted many at women’s meetings and church retreats, where she speaks with authenticity and grace.
Personal Mission: Karen’s life echoes her personal mission statement: “To love Christ, grow in Christ, share Christ, and serve Christ through his church, and to lead my family and others to do the same.” This declaration is not just words but a living action, evident in every step she takes and every life she touches.
Karen Starks
Meet the Team
Marilyn Eberly
Facilities Team Leader
Michele Lawrence
Outreach/Missions Leader
Ernest McCall
Fellowship Team Leader
Chrissy Morris
Spiritual Development Team Leader
Darrick Saylor
Church Treasurer
Mark Trompeter
Team Leader
Bobby & Sarah York
Youth and Associate Pastor
Purpose and Support Teams
To truly embody the divine plan for God’s church, clarity in our mission and precision in our actions are essential. It is not enough to be busy; our busyness must align with God’s overarching vision for His people. Regular introspection and evaluation of our church activities ensure that we are not just active, but effective in fulfilling His purpose.
The blueprint for our church’s structure is divinely inspired, drawn from the early church as depicted in Acts 2:42-47. This scriptural model outlines five fundamental purposes: discipleship, evangelism, worship, fellowship, and ministry. These pillars form the bedrock of our faith community and guide our collective journey.
To operationalize these purposes, we have established three dedicated Purpose Teams:
- The Spiritual Development Team: This team leads us in our pursuit of spiritual growth, overseeing discipleship, evangelism, and worship. They are the architects of our faith journey, ensuring that each step we take brings us closer to God.
- The Fellowship Team: Fellowship is the heartbeat of our community, and this team nurtures the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the church. They create spaces where relationships can flourish in the spirit of Christian love.
- The Outreach & Missions Team: Our ministry extends beyond the church walls, reaching into the heart of our community and across the globe. This team spearheads our efforts to serve, support foreign missions, and connect with missionaries, embodying Christ’s call to be His hands and feet in the world.
Through these teams, we strive to live out the five purposes God has set before us, ensuring that every endeavor is a step toward realizing His vision for the church.
Our History
The current congregation of Mount Hawley Community Church owes its existence to God working in the heart of an old man named Joseph Kobles way back in 1859. Kobles, who “appeared to be a tramp” to some with a deeply spiritual testimony, was introduced to the Church of God Reformation Movement through a paper called the Gospel Trumpet. He fell in love with the message and began sharing it on foot throughout the Midwest and on the streets of Peoria. His efforts berthed the beginnings of Peoria First Church of God.
The congregation met in various homes over the years, before purchasing a basement church at 2500 N.E. Madison in the old Averyville neighborhood of Peoria in the 1920s. The church continued to grow, eventually berthing other congregations on the south side of Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin and Highview Road in Washington.
The church moved to its current location in 1973, under the leadership of Pastor Tom Malbone. In the early 1990s, one of the prominent African American families in the church felt God calling them to start a church on the south side of Peoria – leading to the Central Church of God on the corner of Starr and Western.
While maintaining its affiliation with the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, the congregation changed its name to Mount Hawley Community Church in the late 1990s. The change came as an effort to be more community friendly and avoid the confusion of the 100-plus different denominations using the name Church of God.
The church celebrated its 50th year at Mount Hawley in 2023. And while things change over time, God’s word and his church remain the same. At more than 160 years young as a body, the church remains dedicated to the mission of spreading the good news of the gospel for many more years to come. There are new stories, new memories, and new history to be made.