Meet The Pastors
Lead Pastor
Al Toledo, and wife Chrissy
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 seventeen 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 twenty, 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.
Associate Pastor
Matthew Reneau, and wife Mandy
Pastor Matt and Mandy Reneau met at Moody Bible Institute, where they graduated and were married in 2006. They have a daughter, Anna, and a son, Justice. Matt grew up in a godly home and as a teenager surrendered his life to God at a summer camp in Wisconsin. During his time at the Moody Bible Institute, he became an intern at the Chicago Tabernacle, and after graduating, came on staff full-time. He has served as Pastor Toledo's assistant, Youth Pastor, and taken part in many other ministries at the church. His passion is to train and disciple people in their personal lives as well as in their spheres of leadership. Mandy also grew up with godly parents and has served the Lord from a very young age. She has served as the children's ministry leader, worked with her husband in the youth ministry, as well as serving the women of the church. They both love God passionately and are committed to serving God's people and seeing the lost come to Jesus.
