Our History

Community Bible Fellowship stems from humble beginnings over twenty five years ago, when six local families began meeting in homes together with Pastor Wes Ooms and his young family from Texas. The Ooms family had migrated to central Illinois, specifically to East White Oak Church in rural Carlock, with the express intent of planting a church. East White Oak Bible Church acted as our “mother church” for the first years of our existence until we were able to support the church and our Pastor financially.

From its early beginnings in January 1990, God has been very generous in providing CBF a place to worship, in growing our ministries, and in supplying financial sustenance. The former CBF location at 27 N. Main Street in El Paso was obtained at a miraculous initial cost of $2,000, including an adequate parking lot for an additional $500. Church growth over the next several years demanded five renovations of the old creamery then Pfister Hybrid Corn Office then Community Center building. 

During the initial twenty five year growth period, Community Bible Fellowship has centered its values on the Bible, youth, community, missions, and fellowship. The opportunity to do ministry better was the big stimulus for seeking a new facility. Unlike the property in town, our new facility has room for expansion and growth. What you see here is the two phase of a Facilities Master Plan that, God willing, will take us into the future with a fully-developed Christian campus. 

It is our hope that over the next twenty five years, CBF will be able to expand its current ministries and develop new outreach programs, thereby bringing more and more people into the knowledge of and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.