What started as a shared idea for a new kind of church amongst a back yard group of believers, back in 2002, has grown. Since that time, the initial 20 friends who signed on have together experienced five location changes and an addition of almost 1000 new attendees. Spending the first few years in temporary set-ups in local elementary school gyms, lifechurch finally found their permanent home when they moved into their own building at Haggerty and Warren in April of 2009. With the building came new opportunities for community outreach, top-notch programs for children and teens, and a deep commitment to welcome anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God.
Breaking down any barriers that may cause the unchurched to pause at the door, lifechurch creates an atmosphere that pulls in people from all walks of life, unites them in a deep and meaningful worship, then challenges them to return to the world and share what they have learned. It is working. The music, the worship, lessons that apply to the daily challenges of life, and the members themselves, with their moving proof of changed lives, all serve as a magnet for others, drawing in new visitors each week.
And, as a result, before even getting settled into their new dwelling, lifechurch had almost outgrown their space, far surpassing even their own prayerful projections. Currently offering three separate worship services on Sunday mornings, the building is also in use for various outreach programs and ministries on every day of the week. There is easily a time in the near future when even this new building will no longer meet the need for space.
"We could rest on our laurels and sit back and say our job is finished. Instead, it seems as if it is just beginning. God may have had bigger plans than even we did, back in the beginning. We certainly can't stop now. It is not about the size of the building, it's about creating room for the people who need what we have to offer.God has done some amazing things, and He is not finished yet." says Alex Rahill, Lead Pastor of lifechurch.
This Sunday, October 17, kicks off the Life 2 the Next Level Campaign. After worship services at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m., there will be a catered picnic, cupcakes included, complete with inflatable games for the kids, a rock-climbing wall, music and fun.
A new five-week series of lessons is also being launched that morning on how to literally take life to the next level, breaking out of ruts and climbing higher to claim the more abundant life that God intends for all of His believers.
The Life 2 the Next Level Campaign, nick-named L2NL, outlines plans for construction on a building expansion, a parking lot extension, and a new church to be soon be planted in the Southfield community.
"It's time to celebrate what God has done as a church family, and get on board with what He is about to do," says Rahill.
For additional information on the programs at lifechurch, including the L2NL Campaign, visit the following websites:
http://www.lifechurchcanton.org
E-mail: info@lifechurchcanton.org
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