Our History

Activate Church International, formerly known as The Church of Jesus Christ International, was founded by Bishop Esteban and Pastor Isabel Wray (originally from the Republic of Panama) in October 1986. Pastors Esteban and Isabel Wray started their church services in the basement of their Englewood home.

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Within a few months, the church grew and Pastor Esteban and Isabel along with their three daughters Gicele, Shanida, and Naomi and a few members left their home and rented their first location at 1941 W. 69th Street. After a fire, they were forced to relocate to another rented location at 512 E. 75th Street. In 1992, after much growth, they purchased a permanent location at 8110 S. Racine in Chicago. In July 2015, the Lord spoke to Pastor Isabel about re-locating the church to accommodate the international mandate (multi-cultural) that was upon the ministry. In July 2016, the Lord blessed us to purchase (in cash) our new location at 7711-23 S. Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60652. In 2021 we received a prophetic word to buy the block. In August of 2021, we purchased the Anex 7722 S. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60652.

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After much prayer and Divine instruction, Bishop Esteban and Pastor Isabel Wray had passed the pastoral baton to their late first born Gicele Wray-Lindley. Bishop Esteban and Pastor Isabel Wray are confident that God will take the ministry that started with them over 30 years ago to another dimension of growth and expansion for the Glory of God.

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