Pastor Virgil L. Black was born in Hannibal, Mo.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970 and took up residence in Maywood, IL.  In 1976, Pastor Black became the founder of The House of Refuge Church.  At the church’s West Aurora facility (218 N. View Street), weekday Bible Study and noon-day prayer services are held.  The church holds its Sunday services, weekly prayer services, revivals and other special services at the East Aurora Facility (141 N. Lake Street).

Pastor Black served 2 years as president of the Aurora Area Clergy Association.  He was also president and founder The Virgil L. Black Christian Academy, a school of ministry and discipleship training & development. 

Over the years, Pastor Black has been active in many facets of ministry.  He is a licensed Chaplain with the National Chaplains Association and also served as Chaplain of the Aurora Police Department for 12 years.  He is an Honorary Ambassador with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel.  Pastor Black has formerly served as Chairman for the Information & Investigation Committee of the Illinois Committee of Religious Freedom, in that he has been used as an instrument of God to pave certain areas of Religious Freedom in Aurora, Illinois.  Pastor Black has formerly served as a board member and advisor to numerous organizations – Board member of the Quad County Urban League, Aurora;  Board member of (ARCH) Aurora Resident Citizens for Housing, Aurora; Commissioner of the Aurora Human Relations Commission; Advisory Board of the Prairie State Legal Aide, Geneva; and has helped to organize Habitat for Humanity of Aurora.  He has also served as a board member for Hessed House.

Pastor Black is a man who is reaching out to the poor, underprivileged, and disadvantaged with a message of love and hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is a man who has a vision of a holistic ministry for the Church and community at large.