ABOUT US
We’re so glad you’re here!
God has established our church in this city to be a “place of becoming.” Becoming takes place as we pursue God, love with His heart, and devote ourselves to serving others into greatness. Our prayer is that each and every person that walks through our doors can experience the love of Christ in a new way. We hope that you will become part of all God is doing in and through our church family.
A Campus in Philadelphia
God has continued to bring us beyond our walls, our generation and imagination in miraculous ways. In 2022, Chicago Tabernacle participated in powerful Kingdom expansion with the launch of a new campus in Pennsylvania — Philadelphia Tabernacle. We are now one church in two locations, and Pastor Al and Chrissy are excited to have sent Pastor Josh and Susie Leblanc to serve the people of Philadelphia.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Philadelphia Tabernacle is to be a place of becoming for all who long to know and serve the Lord. Becoming takes place as we pursue God, love with His heart, and devote ourselves to serving others into greatness. As we do this, we are transformed into His image and become all that God has called us to be.
LEAD PASTOR
Pastor Al & Chrissy Toledo
Al and Chrissy Toledo were both born and raised in New York City. Al, 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 on a baseball field. After being drafted by a major league team and playing in college, Al began attending the Brooklyn Tabernacle, a short distance from the apartment where he grew up in. He sensed that God was calling him into ministry and left Brooklyn to attend Bible School in Rhode Island. While at Bible School, Al fell in love with Chrissy Cymbala, his longtime friend, who was serving on staff at the time leading the music ministry. They were married in 1992 and began serving in full time ministry together.
Chrissy, a pastor’s daughter, accepted the Lord at a very young age. She was blessed to grow up in that same inner-city church, the Brooklyn Tabernacle with people from all walks of life. Chrissy grew up loving her world. As a pre-teen, however, something began to happen in her heart, unbeknownst to her family and friends, that would set her down a road of turning her back on everyone she loved. Chrissy shares about the miracle that took place in her life in her book Girl In The Song.
Al and Chrissy have been happily married for nearly 30 years and have three adult children, and five grandchildren. In 2001, while on a trip to Chicago for a time of rest, God placed a seed of love in their hearts for the people of the city and in 2002 they took a great step of faith and planted the Chicago Tabernacle.
The Toledo’s feel privileged to have a front row seat to so many testimonies of God’s grace and power. It has been the gift that continues to energize their faith to live their lives in service to Him.
CAMPUS PASTOR
Pastor Josh & Susie LeBlanc
Josh and Susie LeBlanc have been in full-time ministry for over 15 years and love helping people grow closer to Jesus and discover their purpose.
Josh grew up in a pastor’s home and gave his life to Jesus at a young age. After college, he built a successful career in project management—but God had other plans. While attending Chicago Tabernacle, his faith went deeper, and in 2011, he joined the church staff, serving in several leadership roles.
Susie moved to Chicago in 2002 when her parents started Chicago Tabernacle. She felt called to ministry as a teenager and began serving as an intern in 2008 before officially joining the staff the following year. Her heart has always been in the creative side of ministry, using her gifts to help people connect with God.
Josh and Susie got married in 2011 and are raising two awesome boys—Wesley and James. Their passion is to see people grow strong in their private walk with God so they can live out everything He’s called them to do.
In 2022, they took a big step of faith and planted Philadelphia Tabernacle, where they now serve as campus pastors. Prayer is at the center of everything they do, and they’re seeing lives changed as people surrender to God. Through teaching, discipleship, and the DNA of a Leader course, they’re helping raise up healthy, impactful leaders to build God’s Kingdom.