Bushnell, Illinois, has long been a place of craftsmanship and resilience, known for its iconic hammer factory and its rich history of hosting the Cornerstone Festival, a beacon for Christian creativity and worship. Now, a new chapter begins with the creation of Hammer & Flame Church, a vibrant community where lives are shaped, strengthened, and refined by the love of Christ.

Our Vision

Hammer & Flame Church is being started in order to ignite faith, forge community, and fan the flames of spiritual growth. Like the skilled hands of a blacksmith shaping metal, we believe God is actively at work in each of us, transforming and refining us for His purpose. We aim to be a church that embraces Bushnell’s heritage of hard work and creativity while pointing people to the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ.

Our Mission

• Ignite Faith: Through dynamic worship and Bible-centered teaching, we strive to spark a passion for God in every heart.
• Forge Community: By fostering authentic relationships and serving our neighbors, we’ll create a church family that supports and uplifts one another.
• Fan the Flame: Equipping believers to grow deeper in their faith and share the light of Christ with the world.

Why “Hammer & Flame?”

The name reflects both Bushnell’s industrial heritage and the spiritual journey of transformation. Just as a hammer and flame are used to shape and refine metal, we believe God uses life’s challenges and His Word to shape and refine our character, making us stronger and more resilient in faith.

What to Expect

• Inspiring Worship: Once we begin our weekly worship service, which may be sooner than we expected, you will experience heartfelt music and worship that draws you closer to God.
• Relevant Teaching: Discover practical and life-changing messages rooted in Scripture, whether directly from God’s Word or through relevant book studies. Currently, until our weekly worship begins, Pastor Rich is sharing messages each week on his YouTube Channel: The Weekly Word.
• Engaging Programs: As we grow, we seek to develop children’s ministries and small groups to fit our needs. We also seek to stay connected with our community through community outreach. While we are just starting and don’t have everything yet, our goal will be to have something for everyone.
• A Welcoming Atmosphere: Whether you’ve attended church for years or are exploring faith for the first time, you’ll find a warm and inviting community ready to welcome you.

Plan to Join Us

We’re excited to invite you to Hammer & Flame Church as we embark on this journey together. Whether you’re looking for hope, a sense of belonging, or a place to grow in your faith, we invite you to join us from the ground up. Together, let’s build something lasting and beautiful in the heart of Bushnell.

For more information, or to express your interest in helping us build this new faith community, email us at office@hnfchurch.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hnfchurch.

At Hammer & Flame Church, we believe God has a purpose for every person, and we can’t wait to see how He will shape the future of Bushnell through this new church family. Let’s build together!

Hammer & Flame Church – “Forged by Faith, Fueled by Grace.”