The Branch has three Stewards of Care and and three Stewards of Resources. Each serve for a three year term, which means that every year one Steward of Care and one Steward of Resources rotates off. This year, Carrie Elzinga (Care) and Jeff VerKaik (Resources) will be stepping down. The process for adding Stewards begins […]
A team of people at the Branch have created a guide for Lent. Each week has a personal reflection, questions to help process the passage, suggested Scripture for the week and a prayer. You can download the whole guide here: 2016LentGuide Or, if you’d prefer to read it right here, we’ll post each week’s reflection and resources […]
The Branch is looking to hire 1-2 individuals for the BranchKids Director and Administrative Assistant positions described below. We will either hire one individual as the BranchKids Director and one individual as the Administrative Assistant or hire one person for a position combining the duties. If you or someone you know is interested in either of these […]
We’re taking time each week to write in more detail about our 2016 Strategic Plan (i.e. where we are going to focus our energy and resources in the next year). If you didn’t catch the first post in this series, we encourage you to do so here. Action 2: Offering lavish hospitality and care In the […]
Over the last six months we’ve been doing our best to pay attention to God’s leading. Both corporately and individually we have been listening for God’s voice and working to notice where God is at work. The result of that discernment is our 2016 Strategic Plan. While this plan is not a once and for all roadmap, […]
We are located in a part of the city where the racial and ethnic divides are clear. But so is the call to embody God’s reconciling and uniting love. In this intersection, a number of people at the Branch have been hearing God call them to act — to take steps that would create in them the capacity to love […]
On February 7th, our worship time will be moving from 10:30am to 9:30am. For more about ‘why’, please watch this video.
Friday, February 5: 7pm-10pm, Doors open at 6:30pm Saturday, February 6: 8:30am-6pm, Doors open at 8am The world around us feels like it is crumbling and almost nothing seems certain, until we look to Jesus and see that our Hope is very clear and certain. He didn’t just give us salvation—Jesus is our salvation and […]
Please note: our festivities have moved to January 17th! We invite you to celebrate the Branch’s birthday with us on January 17, 2016 both at our normal 10:30am service and at a skating party that afternoon from 4-6pm! Please save the date and spend time celebrating with us! The party at Woodland Skating (2100 28th Street […]
Sasha Naomi Hettich (Lewis), aged 27, passed away December 25th, 2015 after having lost her courageous battle with postpartum depression. Sasha was many things to many people; a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a compassionate friend, but to define her only in these terms would be an injustice. With her sharp wit, her […]
On Christmas weekend we learned that a dear friend and part of our community lost a long and brave battle with postpartum depression (PPD). Sasha leaves behind husband Cody, 3 year old daughter Ember, and 5 month old son Gus. We are heartbroken by this loss. Cody has courageously shared their story [click here]. We stand […]
Faith isn’t just about the future. It’s not something we have in order to punch a ticket to heaven. In fact, Jesus is clear: faith is about the here and now – a gift meant to impact every aspect of today. With that in mind, we turn to James — an ancient and relevant book with deep insight about how […]
Tonight we celebrate the unlikely story of God coming to dwell with us from 5-6pm. Together we’ll mark this unending, unconquerable gift of Light through song and candle lighting. Our kids are also leading the way in giving their gifts through drama, choir, and dance. Bring the family — bring your neighbor — bring the kids. […]
The Branch is committed to building community, not just within but without. One of the ways we strive for that is building positive and fulfilling relationships with the church communities with whom we share a meeting space. This coming Sunday, November 22nd, we will be combining services with Alas Conexion and meeting at 11:30 (rather […]
Wrestling with Scripture is essential in order to grow in faith. As we do this, we should keep this framework in mind: in essentials: unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things: charity Scripture: Hebrews 4:12 & Colossians 3:12-15
Information about both auctions can be found here: www.fortheloveoflola.net Silent Auction A silent auction art gala is being held November 12th from 6-9pm at Lifestyle Kitchen Studio at 222 E. Fulton in Grand Rapids. Over 20 pieces of art will be up for auction. Pieces can be previewed at the website above. Volunteers are also still […]
It’s far too common today to find Christians who believe that doubt equals weakness — that if we honestly wrestle with the difficult questions or admit our uncertainty, our faith will take a hit (or at least other people’s perception of our faith will). But what if we’re meant to wrestle with God? What if […]
