WILMINGTON – “Maybe I’ll search elsewhere.”

That was the Rev. Rodney Chappell’s impression when he first saw the Wilmington mission that became Phelan Acres Bible Church. Little did Chappell realize at the time that he would return and stay 41 years.

Phelan Acres Bible Church will host an open house in honor of Chappell’s retirement on May 28. The new pastor is Jeff Whittum, 34, of Braidwood, who came to the church when he was 2 and left in his mid-20s to serve other churches.

Several years ago, Whittum asked his wife, Brindy Whittum, if he should join Phelan Acres in a ministerial role if the church called him to it. Jeff said Brindy found the question odd as Jeff didn’t have any seminary training.

But that’s just what happened. Jeff, along with Brindy and his children Emma, now 11; Tyson, now 9; and Maggie, now 7, came to Phelan Acres in October 2015 so Jeff could assist Chappell and teach Sunday school.

In addition to becoming senior pastor, Jeff and Brindy are adopting 3-year-old Daniel from Uganda next month. Jeff said it’s challenging becoming the pastor to people who watched him grow up, but after joining the National Guard at age 17, Jeff said he is used to challenges and leadership roles.

“The people have been very gracious to me,” Jeff said,

Interestingly, even Chappell had planned another direction for his life.

“I wanted to major in art in college, but God wouldn’t let me get into any art classes,” Chappell said. “I realized God called me to do something else.”

The call

As a student at Bob Jones University in Georgia, Chappell tried unsuccessfully to get into an art class, and finally “realized I should be in the preachers class with the preacher boys,” he said.

Chappell graduated in 1969 with a bachelor of arts degree in the area of ministry. After graduation, Chappell served the youth at a church in Macon, Georgia. This church also had a school for students in kindergarten through high school.

After several years, Chappell put the word out that he'd like to pastor a small country church. Eventually, Chappell was connected with Donald Horschler of Joliet, a Sunday school teacher at Faith Bible Church in Joliet who also was leading a Sunday school in Wilmington.

To Chappell’s dismay, the Sunday school wasn’t connected with a church and it wasn’t in the country.

“It was in the middle of nowhere,” Chappell said, “with dirt gravel roads and a one-lane bridge where you had to wait for the other car to cross.”

In fact, the building where the Sunday school was held was merely an old garage.

“They took the floor, painted it, moved a couple of tables and set up shop,” Chappell said.

But Chappell couldn’t shake the sense God wanted him to serve there. The Sunday school grew. Eventually, members built a small church and dedicated it in 1972.

“I came down in 1973,” Chappell said.

He and his wife, Colleen Chappell, lived in an apartment while a prefabricated home and garage was added to the church. The Chappells moved into the home; the Sunday school moved into the garage. The Chappells lived in that house until 17 years ago when they moved to Coal City.

The church is the original building although “we’ve built onto the front and the back of it,” Rodney said.

In addition to caring for the spiritual needs of Phelan Acre members, Rodney also taught Bible classes at Ridgewood Baptist Academy for 17 years, he said. Colleen taught third grade for 21 years at the same school, he said.

Although Phelan Acres is a small church – about 80 members at its peak and around 40 now – it’s dedicated to supporting missions and missionary work. It also hosts vacation Bible schools (where past members get involved), Christmas candlelight services and themed mother/daughter and father/son events.

“One year we turned it [the church] into a castle with a drawbridge and a fireplace,” Rodney said.

Although Phelan Acres Bible Church is Baptist by denomination, Rodney said it was important to use the name “Bible church.”

“Because we focus on teaching the word of God,” Rodney said.

Rodney said he plans to continue serving Phelan Acres as the visitation pastor. Jeff has a full-time job, Rodney said, and won’t be available in the daytime if people – especially seniors, need a pastor.

“I love working with older people,” Rodney said. “I’ll share the Word with them and pray with them.”

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Rev. Rodney Chappell’s last service and retirement open house

WHEN: Events are May 28. Service is 11 a.m. with lunch to follow. Open house is 2 to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Phelan Acres Bible Church, 26009 Willow Road, Wilmington

INFORMATION: 815-476-7818

This story has been updated to correct the name of Crystal Chappell. The Herald-News regrets the error.