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IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

Family of Christ Lutheran Church–Alpine Twp, Michigan

After weeks of delay, the construction crew had erected the first three steel I-beams. “As I gazed up, it looked like the three crosses on Calvary,” he recalls. “I thought to myself, ‘Wow, you totally did this, Jesus!’ It was a wonderful welcome home and a reminder that the purpose of this new church is to bring people to the foot of the cross and to share God’s free gift of salvation with everyone.”

Planting a Mission Church

More than five years earlier, Pastor Bowditch—along with his wife and four children—had accepted the call to serve as a district church planter in Grand Rapids.

For the first six months, Bible study and worship services were held in the Bowditch’s home. Formal weekly worship at Comstock Park High School began on Easter Day of 2006.

By July of 2007, Family of Christ was a member of the synod, their first pastor was installed, a building fund had been started, and Church Extension Fund had purchased an advance site near Alpine Avenue in anticipation of the day when the congregation could build a permanent home. That day came in June of 2010, when—following discussions with CEF advisors—the congregation voted unanimously to begin construction.

To God Be the Glory

On July 10, the church worshipped the Lord of the Harvest and dedicated its new building, which includes classrooms, offices, a nursery, a kitchen, a sanctuary and a welcome center. And God has continued to bless the endeavor. This fall, the congregation welcomed 23 new members.

“Family of Christ Lutheran is deeply grateful to the 360 congregations of the Michigan District and to Church Extension Fund for providing the financial resources that launched this new work,” says Pastor Bowditch. “By God’s grace—and with the efforts of faithful lay Christians committed to extending God’s kingdom—we will joyfully pursue our mission of connecting people to Jesus Christ, His family and His mission.”