The most exciting place in a hospital is the delivery room!
Sunday, October 7, 2007, marked the birth of two new Wesleyan churches in the West Michigan District!
Pastor Jim Bowen and his launch team welcomed 95 people to the first worship service of Belding – Encounter.
Yesterday was also the birthday for Caledonia – Journey Church. Pastor Jon Allen and his launch team welcomed 158 people to their grand opening worship service.
Our whole district team joins in this celebration! It marks the first time that any of our zone partnerships (Grand Rapids Zone) has launched 2 churches on the same day. It is also significant to note that this week marked the 29th anniversary of Kentwood Community Church’s launch. Journey is the most recent of KCC’s daughter churches and Encounter is also her granddaughter church as Lowell – Impact launched this second of their church plants.
Yesterday was also the first day for Portland – Epic to move into 2 services on Sunday morning. Pastor Ed Love reported that attendance hit a new record attendance of 180 on this their 1st anniversary!
Our vision as a district team is for every church to be healthy enough to help fulfill the Great Commission through planting at least one daughter church. With new churches Grand Haven – Watermark taking the lead to plant “The Deep” and Lowell – Impact taking the lead to plant Belding – Encounter, our vision is becoming more of a reality!
In other exciting news, Allendale Wesleyan Church welcomed Rev. Jim Maness, their new pastor, for his first Sunday. They are in the middle of an exciting campus relocation project after voting 98% to sell their existing property and transition into temporary facilities.
Yesterday was also an exciting day for Pastor Jose Pacheco and La Roca as they moved into facilities on the north side of Holland. The church hosted a community yard-sale on Saturday as an opportunity to get to know their new neighbors.
Last week began with a wonderful time of spiritual renewal as more than 30 of our district leaders gathered at Gull Lake for our first pastors’ prayer and fasting retreat. Rev. Rick Kavanaugh was used by God to minister the Word to our team and Micah Kephart was a blessing as he led us in worship. You'll want to check out Rick's teaching website.
Thank you for making a difference…
In the cause that counts!
Mark
The most exciting place in a hospital is the delivery room! 