Photo Essay: Easter Weekend 2021 at Life Church

1,000+ Guests.

40 Volunteers.

20 New Christ Followers.

Two Life Church Campuses.

One Risen Carpenter-King.

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EASTER SUNDAY
MIDLAND CAMPUS

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EASTER SUNDAY
SAGINAW CAMPUS

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Photo Essay: Palm Sunday 2021

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Happy 8th Birthday, Life Church

““I will build my church — and the power of death will not be able to overpower it!””

— Jesus in Matthew 16:18 (TPT)

8 years ago today, my family took a deep breath and cannonballed into the unknown by launching weekly worship experiences... the birth of the church we love!

Just like childbirth it was messy, scary, and even a little bloody... yet what emerged is beautiful and bringing Life to the Great Lakes Bay Region.

We started by renting theater and classroom space at Saginaw Valley State University. 

It was a herculean task setting up and tearing down our portable church environments every week, but we got it done (even in Michigan winter!).

When you start something new completely from scratch, EVERYTHING is HARD... but it's worth it.

For the past 8 years, we've lifted up Jesus, inspired our region, and seen lives transformed by God's amazing love.

To date, we've seen two hundred and eighty-eight people baptized at Life Church -- Holy Wow!

Every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God.

I CANNOT WAIT to see what our future days bring us as we continue to reach the lost at any cost!

Photo Essay: Nashville Artist Erskin Anavitarte at Life Church's Campuses in Midland + Saginaw

Introducing Anthony Bowman

It is an honor and privilege to welcome Anthony Bowman and his amazing family to our Life Church staff team!

With nearly twelve years of worship leading experience in local churches plus studies at Cincinnati Christian University, Anthony is a down-to-earth guy with an irresistible passion for Christ.

Anthony will lead our Band, oversee all aspects of Worship Production at our Midland and Saginaw campuses as well as our Central Operations volunteers during weekday office hours.

He can play just about any instrument you put in front of him: guitar, bass, piano, drums, ukelele, mandolin, and even a little bit of banjo (although that fifth string trips him up)!

Anthony and his wife Grace are celebrating 10 years of marriage this September as they raise three amazing kiddo's: Iraela, Ember and Cyrus.

Please help us welcome Anthony on his first official morning with us on Sunday, March 28th!

Everyone
wants to belong.

You belong here.

At Life Church, we’re not here to judge or tear anyone down.

Our church exists to build people up with the hope and love of God.

You should know:
No matter who you are or where you’ve been, you’re welcome here!

As God has blessed our church family with tremendous growth in such a short amount of time, we’ve learned that with an increase of people calling Life Church ‘home’ comes an increase in the complexity with improving our internal ministry systems to serve more people.

Making It Better

Over the past couple of months, Life Church has made strong internal improvements and changes to ensure greater ministry health going forward.

One example is Life Church’s new Financial Systems overseen by Sommerville & Associates, P.C. and pending accreditation with the ECFA.

We believe in transparency.

Our robust new financial systems serve to provide donors with an increased sense of comfort and trust as we continue loving and serving our region in Jesus’ Name.

Honor & Integrity

Another example is in the area of ministry staffing.

We have revamped all our internal policies and procedures to create a positive, gospel-centered work environment with clear, written expectations and accountability for all ministry staff including:

• a Character Clause on Biblical Qualifications for Staff: It is a privilege to serve in the local church and we will be held accountable.

• a revised Integrity Clause for Post-Employment Activities: For a period of twelve months, both paid and unpaid staff will walk in integrity and be above reproach by not serving in a similar church role within 90 driving miles of any Life Church campus. Lacking integrity in this area of biblical leadership only serves to stir up division, confusion, and harm to the local church they just left and the larger Body of Christ.

• No Gossip Policy: Gossip is defined as sharing a problem or a negative with someone not in a position to fix it. Sharing a negative “up” to someone who can fix the situation is not gossip; that is leadership integrity and having your teammate’s back! Gossip will not be tolerated and can lead to termination of employment.

• Pro-Team Policy: In all public and private communications (in person, groups, social media, etc), all staff and their spouses are expected to reflect and represent the radical love of Jesus Christ, to always believe the best and not assume the worst about people, and to represent Life Church and its employees and church family with honor and integrity.

COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS

In cooperation with Midland Center for the Arts, our 9:30am Midland Campus worship gatherings on Sundays will include the following safety protocols:

• 100% Face Masks for everyone at all times inside the building
  

• Social-distanced seating in the theater (with 400 seats to choose from, this is easy to do!)
  

• All Church Volunteers and Guests will CHECK-IN via Digital Kiosks as they arrive & enter the Front Lobby.

  In the event of COVID contact, Digital Check-Ins will allow our team to conduct Contact Tracing.

Thank you all for understanding, cooperating, and loving thy neighbor.

We're excited for this coming Sunday at 9:30am and we believe that the best is yet to come!

#YouBelongHere #SafetyFirst

PHOTO ESSAY: ReOpening Life Church's Midland Campus

🎈For the first time since COVID hit one year ago, today Life Church reemerged as One Church in Two Locations!

The most ENCOURAGING message I've EVER received from a Guest at our church!

THIS is the most ENCOURAGING unsolicited message I've EVER received from a Guest!

It came in after yesterday's POWERFUL worship experiences:

Hey Pastor Jon,

I Wanted to let u know that the church's mission to reach people far from god is working well...
I seen that for myself today,...

I came in few mins late, like normal & found a seat for ---- and I.

Next thing I kno I get tapped on the shoulder, look around & it's someone I know...

Someone I never ever thought I would see at church.

I have known this person for many many year's..(dk if I should be telling a pastor this)

But Literally have committed crimes with this guy, ran from police wit this guy, tossed bodies with this guy and he's in church learning the gospel... And now he's in church with his wife and kids.....I personally thought that was pretty an amazing......

Also I know you guys are needing volunteers for such.

I wanted to let you know that I would be happy to volunteer with wte the church needs a hand with..

I don't know how to a run sound board ect ect... don't know how to do very much there, but I'm an able body....

I jus wanted you to kno the church is reaching people,..& the fact that I sat rate in front of him I thought was pretty crazy....(he was asking me about the church)..........

Thanks again for the sermon today........

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GOD IS MOVING at LIFE CHURCH

Join the movement and see what God can do through YOU!

An Amazing 14-Year-Old Kid

Take a look at this amazing 14-year-old.

Over the past 8 months, he's watched grown men he looked up to disqualify themselves from ministry and literally quit on him... and then turn around to cause harm to and division in the only church he's ever known.

(BTW - This is why so many pastor's kids get angry and rebel later in life... They grow up watching church people choosing gossip over the Gospel and throwing stones at their dad. Is it any wonder why so many p.k's leave the faith?)

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Over the past 8 months, 14-year-old Josiah has shown up every single Sunday morning and asked where he can help fill in the gap to serve others, even when he's learning how on the fly.

• Video Production? Check.

• Stage Lighting? Check.

• Livestream Camera Operator? Check.

• Bass Guitarist? Check.

• Acoustic Guitarist? Check.

• Merch Counter? Check.

Tomorrow will be the very first Sunday since July 5th that he will have 'off.'

I am so stinkin' proud of him.

This 14-yr-old shy kid has shown more integrity and servant-leadership than grown men who get paid money to do ministry.

If this is the type of young men Life Church is discipling and producing, then put me in, Coach.

Every story matters? His story matters.

Integrity matters.

Truth matters.

Christ matters.

"And don’t be intimidated by those who are older than you; simply be the example they need to see by being faithful and true in all that you do. Speak the truth and live a life of purity and authentic love as you remain strong in your faith."

(1 Timothy 4:12)

#ProudDad #2Samuel17 #GloryToGod