Sharing in Worship
Worship with Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
Community outreach and evangelism are an ongoing and overarching goal for our congregation. We have a long-standing fellowship with neighboring Messiah Baptist Church, which is regularly expressed in group worship services and witness to the community. First Church is also active ecumenically, participating regularly in activities of the Grand Rapids Area center for Ecumenism (GRACE), such as the Hunger Walk and National Day of Prayer.
Worship with Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
Midweek is the name for our Wednesday night activities running from 6:00-8:00 pm. Each Wednesday, we start with a half hour meal after which we have adult education, Kinder Club for Kindergarten through 2nd Grade, and Girl’s and Boy’s Club for 3rd through 8th. If you would like to help or sign up your kids, call the church office at 452-4370.
The deacons stock and service a community food pantry located at the church, which serves over 35 families each month. Our church pantry is part of ACCESS, a local food pantry network and works with West Michigan Gleaners.
Harambee House. As part of Calvin College's Project Neighborhood program, several students from Calvin College and a host family live in the former parsonage, adjacent to the church, and provide services and evangelism each week in the church and community.
The Alpha Course (link to www.alphausa.org) is a 10 week course that serves as a basic introduction to the Christian Faith where no question is too hostile or too simple. This is a video course taught by Nikki Gumbel of Holy Trinity Church in London with a short discussion afterward led by church members. We offer Alpha periodically, usually on Sunday evenings. We start at 5:30pm with a meal and are done by 7:00pm.
The Jump off is a monthly Hip-Hop event designed to entertain and intrigue young urban men and women with positive rhythm and poetry. Each fourth Friday at 7:00pm we break out the sounds system, the lights and the free drinks and snack and open our fellowship hall for anyone who wants to spit or showcase their dancing talent. This is lead by live local and Christian Rap artists. Email thejumpoff@speaklife7.com for more information.
Bates Place is located in the small building on the West side of the church. It’s mission is to To demonstrate the Love of Christ by helping those in need to find spiritual and practical solutions through the efforts of volunteers. This work will be carried out through prayer, encouragement, referral, and service. This means that we need people who are feeling lead and empowered to help pothers to help us accomplish our goal.
