New Aurora church takes faith off beaten path

The Rev. Gilbert Flores and his wife, Alicia, don't like too many rules when it comes to worship.

These Aurora residents said its better to just go with the teachings of the Bible.

"If you go strictly by the Bible, you'll find many people interested in that (rather) than following rules and regulations," Gilbert Flores, 65, said. "(God) laid it in my heart that there were too many rules made by men."

In August, the nondenominational Heart of Worship Christian church purchased its new home on Illinois Avenue in Aurora and began to run services twice a week. Wednesday night's service combined a Christian-style garage band with the Floreses' own sermons from the Bible.

Services at Heart of Worship are small. About a dozen people were present Wednesday while on Sunday, up to 40 usually attend the less than 2,500-square-foot building.

"It's a miracle in and of itself because we weren't expecting to be where we are at," Gilbert said. "We put it up to the Lord. If you want this, let us to do it ... He opened the doors."

The couple had started their own church four years ago, at first holding services in residents's homes and eventually moving to the Marywood Community Center in Aurora.

"We had a person at Marywood that really didn't appreciate the loud music on Sunday morning," Gilbert said.

Prior to starting Heart of Worship, the Floreses had attended Church of God in Montgomery. They have previously worked in youth ministries and Gilbert originally had attended Bible school in the 1970s.

Music and the lyrics, which plays a large role in the church's worship, on simple messages and praise, often mimic Heart of Worship's attitude toward faith.

One line reads, "So why should I worry 'bout the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs when by my faith I know."

Songs sometimes switch back and forth and some are sung entirely in Spanish, reflecting the couples heritage and broad reach they are attempting to have in the community.

While many other established churches are losing membership, the Floreses are hoping to keep growing. Though less than four months in their new building, the church already has plans for their community.

"Aurora is a big place with a lot of people hurting spiritually and I think we have our work cut out for us here," Alicia Flores, 60, said.

Carol Goeman, 65, of North Aurora, who first knew Alicia Flores as her hairdresser, is a prayer counselor for the church and said Flores makes everyone feel welcome to the church.

The church appeals to her spiritual needs, Goeman said.

"It's the whole thing. It's the lifting and praying of the Lord," she said.