2026 Elgin Wayside Center Fundraising Banquet
When: The dinner will be held Friday, October 9th, 2026
TIME: Doors open at 5:45 pm, and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm
Where: Christ Community Church, 820 Randall Rd SOUTH ELGIN, IL 60177 
Keynote Speaker: Radio Personality & Former State Representative — John Anthony
Cost: Free to attend, a freewill offering will be gladly accepted

Please join us for a special evening to celebrate and support the life-changing ministry of Elgin Wayside Center.

For every person God calls into something new, there comes a moment of crossing—a decision to leave behind the brokenness of the past, addiction, poor choices, and hopelessness to embrace the better future God has prepared.

The Jordan River marked the end of one season and the beginning of another. It was where fear gave way to faith, wandering gave way to purpose, and God’s people stepped into the promises of God.

At Elgin Wayside Center, we witness these crossings every day as men who have been beaten down by life, experience a new begin, and new lives through the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Your support provides the homeless and recovering with safe shelter, meals, showers, laundry, pastoral care and the support they need to move forward in life.

Join us Friday, October 9 at Christ Community Church in St. Charles as we celebrate another year of God’s faithfulness and the exciting progress made since last year’s expansion of the Elgin Wayside Center. You’ll hear inspiring stories of lives being transformed, receive an encouraging ministry update, and enjoy a powerful message from keynote speaker and radio personality John Anthony.

Come See What God Has Done.

Whether you’ve faithfully supported this ministry for years or are joining us for the first time, your presence is an encouragement to everyone committed to helping our neighbors cross from despair to hope and from brokenness to transformation.

Reservations are required:

To RSVP, email dkrieger@waysidecross.org or call Dave Krieger at 224-242-8137.
If you are unable to join us, you can still support this ministry. Please call or email Dave to learn more.

About our Keynote Speaker:

John Anthony is a former Illinois State Representative • Radio Host • Author • Former Law Enforcement Officer. John’s remarkable story is one of perseverance, leadership, and unwavering faith.

Raised on Chicago’s South Side, John overcame significant adversity before serving with distinction in law enforcement and later becoming the first Black Republican elected to the Illinois General Assembly in decades.

Today he hosts Black and Right Radio on AM560 The Answer, mentors fathers, ministers to families in crisis, and speaks across the nation on faith, leadership, family, redemption, and the future of America. His personal journey of overcoming hardship and embracing God’s calling makes him uniquely suited to speak into this year’s theme of Transition to Transformation.

You’ll leave encouraged, challenged, and inspired by a message of hope grounded in biblical truth.