Our Story

Pastor Durst moved his family to Peoria on July 5, 1978. After knocking on 10,000 doors, Pastor Durst began ministry in Peoria with two families and one elderly lady. The church was then known as "Crusaders Church." It met in the YWCA in downtown Peoria and began on October 7, 1978 with 25 people in attendance. Our services used a traditional, old-fashioned, Methodist model of three hymns, a message, a benediction, and you're out the door. After rolling out the pulpit, altars, organ, piano, and chairs for each week for two years, Pastor Durst and the congregation realized that they needed a more permanent location. The church was blessed by God's miraculous hand to have landed in its current location in North Peoria with a new name, "PrayerView Community Church," with services filled with vibrant prayer, heart felt worship, and transforming Word messages.

Our church rests on the foundation laid down by God - the foundation is prayer, the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Come and experience vibrant prayer, heart-felt worship. and transforming messages that will build your love for God and others. Develop genuine caring and sharing relationships, as you share compassion for others. PrayerView isn't just a building for us to come to every Sunday and Wednesday; it is a place that grows families, our community, and is changing our world - in our own unique and God-willing way. Together, we truly are a church family - brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. We reach out to everyone. You belong here.

We are a growing as a "Spirit Formed Church." The Spirit-formed life is an invitation to real authentic Christians who pursue an experience that replicates the Lord Jesus Christ. We are people who have a passion for Christ in our hearts and are changing our world through prayer.