Pastor Timothy E. Criss is the seventh of eight children born to Pastor Robert Criss and the late Evangelist Georgianna Criss.  Pastor Criss comes from a family of singers and ministers. At the age of ten, Pastor Timothy Criss accepted Christ as his Savior.  He became an ordained minister in July 1979, and has served in several ministerial capacities before accepting Pastoral duties at Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church in Peoria, Illinois on March 19, 1995. Pastor Criss resides with his loving wife of 31 years, Sherry, and their two daughters, Timony Criss Kirkwood and Ariene Criss Thornton.  He is also a graduate of Peoria Manual High School and Bradley University.  Pastor Criss is close to completing his Masters in Biblical Studies through Logos Bible College. Since becoming the pastor at Blaine Street Full Gospel Baptist Church, with a mission of illustrating the love and compassion of Christ for the community by providing distinctive human care services, which result in improvement, stabilization, family strengthening and self-empowerment. With the spiritual enrichment, the congregation has grown from seventy-five before his leadership to nearly seven hundred members.  The congregation also has been enriched with four  Co-Pastors and several Associate Ministers. Within the last six years, under the leadership of Pastor Criss there has been a diversity of community outreach ministries developed such as: Pastoral Care Hurting and Healing Children's Church Teen Ministry Computer Education & Tutoring Financial & Education Planning Male Mentoring Singles Ministry Teen Moms Neighborhood Outreach Prison Ministry And many others With the awareness of the community and seeking advancement for the community. Pastor Criss established the Blaine Street Learning Center n 1998 with the goal of being as thorough as possible in assessing the educational, physical, emotional, and employment needs of the community. At the start of the new millennium, Pastor Criss was given a "vision" of "safe haven" for the city of Peoria.  Thus, in March 2000 the "City of Refuge Worship Center" was born as "A ministry in the heart of the city, with the city in its heart!"  There is a continuous effort to keep the congregation knowledgeable; therefore, in May 2000 the City f Refuge Bible Academy was formed with an average of 50 to 60 members per class. Pastor Timothy Criss, a spirit-filled, sanctified man of God, has written publications that have been printed in Christian magazines.  He is the founder of a Male Mentoring Program that has been recognized citywide.  Pastor Criss was recently appointed the District Area Elder for the Full Gospel Fellowship Churches of the State of Illinois.  He is also an accomplished songwriter and recording artist traveling throughout the country spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Pastor Reverend Timothy Criss has accepted an awesome responsibility!  His members are very excited to have him as their leader, and are compelled to "run with the vision." Pastor's Calendar      Statement of Faith