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The Great Lakes Region In February 2004, Rob Holland and Troy Nanninga were called by God to plant a church that would focus primarily on serving the community around them. Water of LifeChurch was born and its 80 members settled in at Bauer Elementary School in Hudsonville, Michigan. The church grew in number as it set out to serve the community. Water of Life’s mission statement—“Authentic worship, fostering authentic and caring relationships, and being a living and active presence in the community”—is a continual reminder to serve the community and bring unchurched people into an environment of acceptance and love. Early in 2008, the pastors were told that their lease for the 2009 calendar year would not be renewed. Holland and Nanninga immediately set out to find a new worship location for their church. They spent hours driving around town, praying, reading Scripture, and asking God where their next location might be. After a particularly frustrating day of driving and praying, Rob instinctively pulled into the parking lot for a vacant Tractor Supply Company on Chicago Drive in Jenison. He felt the Lord was leading them to that location. The building’s owner said he had prayed for two years, hoping that a church planter would acquire the building. It had the perfect layout and facilities for a church and didn’t even need a coat of paint! God had provided a building and in August of 2008, Water of Life Church moved into its new home. Since then, the church has grown to nearly 200 people, most of whom had never set foot in a church before. Their high school youth ministry had fewer than five students but has grown to over 40 kids from the community. Many of their families are now coming to church as well. Water of Life members continue to dedicate at least 50 percent of their efforts to building relationships within their community and spreading the gospel to everyone they meet. They also provide their building free of charge to several different groups and organizations including Healing Rooms of Grand Rapids, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, and several weekly prayer meetings. Water of Life has other plans, too. In the attached warehouse, members hope to open a food pantry and clothing ministry, a place where anyone from the community can come for help during these tough economic times. They also have plans to open a preschool and daycare facility in the fall. Pastor Rob Holland says, “If Jesus were here, he would spend less time in the church and more time in the community.” Water of LifeChurch is committed to doing the same. Click here to learn more about Water of LIfe Church
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Church Finder
What's New ? Our Website has a new look! Please feel free to check it out and let us know what you think. Please contact Andrea Dekker at: adekker@rcagl.org with comments or suggestions. Check out one of our New Church Plants Click here for information on our most recent Spotlight article.
Do you have a prayer request, and answer to prayer, or a praise you would like to share with the Great Lakes Region? Click here to find out how. You can also view other's prayer requests and praises at the same link.
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