Meet The Pastors

Pastor Al and Chrissy Toledo were both born and raised in New York City. Al Toledo, born of Cuban parents, was headed for a promising career as a professional baseball player when the Lord revealed Himself to him at the age of 17 while on a baseball field. Shortly thereafter, he began attending The Brooklyn Tabernacle and soon felt God calling him to full-time ministry. In 1990 he attended bible college with a tremendous passion for the things of God.

Chrissy, the daughter of Jim and Carol Cymbala, pastors of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, always had a love for music, like her mother. Although she loved the Lord since she was a child, Chrissy strayed away from the Lord during her teenage years. Her testimony has encouraged many as it is found in her father's book, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire." God called Chrissy into full-time ministry at the age of 20, directing music at a bible college in New England.

Pastor Al and Chrissy are blessed with three children - Susan, Annie, and Tommy. The Chicago Tabernacle was born in 2002 when the Toledo family felt God leading them to Chicago to pioneer a church on the North Side of the city.

Chicago Tabernacle's most important meeting of the week is the Prayer Meeting. The Toledos believe that the church has been built on their weekly prayer meetings. God has, and is, uniting people from various walks of life and ethnic backgrounds in this congregation as they seek the Lord, calling on His name together. They also consider "family" to be a priority and find it essential to the Christian walk to teach the biblical principles of leadership as it relates to everyday life. One of Chicago Tabernacle's core values is "serving others into greatness." Jesus said, "The greatest among you will be the servant of all." The leadership and members of this church experience joy in seeing others become all that God has created them to be.