EMD CHURCH PLANTING NEWS
Read all about what is currently happening with our newest churches!ORCHARD RIDGE CHURCH HOLDS GRAND OPENING
On December 21,
2003
Pastor Steve Barkey and the core group of the new Orchard Ridge Church
held its grand opening in Washington Township in northwest Macomb County.
The group prepared for the launch to be held at Duncan Elementary, a state of
the art school that will serve as the new churches home. Over 150 people
crowded in for the first service with many of those in attendance being first
time visitors to a Church of the Nazarene.
This new church was assisted in getting established by the Warren Woods Church and Rev. Tim Gocha. Rev. Gocha and the Warren Woods Church graciously sponsored the new church through the sponsorship program through the Eastern Michigan District that allows a local church to apply its district budget to the establishment of a new church. Through this missional effort, Warren Woods Church increased its average worship attendance in December to 928 (871 domestic attendance and 77 extension attendance). Thank you Rev. Gocha and the great people of Warren Woods for your vision to be a missional church!
Congratulations Rev. Barkey and the great people of the Orchard Ridge Church of the Nazarene. For more information about ministries and service times for the Orchard Ridge Church, please call 586-992-8769.
RICHFIELD AND FLUSHING CHURCHES JOIN FORCES TO START NEW CHURCHES
A recent issue of GROW Magazine featured two churches on the Eastern Michigan District that have joined efforts to start new churches
in their area. The interesting nature of the combined effort is the
diverse backgrounds of the two sponsoring churches. The Richfield
Church, pastored by Rev. Rob Prince, is nearly 90 years old and
averages over 800 in worship. The Flushing Community Church,
pastored by Rev. Darrel Harvey, is just over 5 years old and averages
over 300 in worship. These pastors and churches have merged their vision
for expansion to establish the Clio Community Church of the Nazarene,
pastored by Rev. Scott Salo.
This model of sponsorship illustrates the flexibility that is possible for Nazarene Churches to configure in establishing new communities of faith. Interestingly, both sponsoring churches have shown dramatic growth throughout the sponsorship process. The Richfield Church has also sponsored a second church, Grand Blanc Church of the Nazarene, by sending one of its own families, Rev. Marv and Sue Gerbig, to serve as the founding pastor of the church.
Congratulations Clio Community and Grand Blanc churches... And welcome to the Eastern Michigan District family of churches!