From the beginning, the Branch has been a story of unexpected twists and turns.
It began in 2004 with two friends and a coffee shop in Holland, Michigan. Every Friday they would get together to catch up on life, share dreams and ask questions:

How does the Church live out its calling in America today?

What role are we to play as pastors? 

What is the theological impetus for….(you get the idea…)?

Looking back, it was the perfect environment for the ideas and dreams of a new church to emerge — but at the time, Andy and Chris were largely oblivious (no surprise, really). They loved talking about this stuff — but neither had any plans of starting a church, let alone doing it together.

Meanwhile, in Grand Rapids, a church on the southeast side of the city — New Life Reformed Church — was asking questions too.  What did their future hold?  What was the direction God wanted them to go? Again, looking back, one can see how the environment was right for New Life to choose radical generosity.  But at the time, no one at New Life had any plans to let a new church start in their building.

And yet, here we are.  All these years later, the Branch exists because a whole host of people were willing to let God take their lives in a new direction.

Today, the Branch continues to be guided down new roads.  We have recently taken ownership of the building we meet in and are engaged in meaningful partnerships with other organizations that use the building. We join with others in our immediate neighborhood who are working to bring about the flourishing of all who live there. We have formed a new relationship with AYA Youth Collective, supporting the work they do with unhoused youth.

Letting God guide you down unexpected paths can feel risky, but our story reminds us that there’s nothing more certain than God’s faithfulness and provision.