Our Story
Purpose and Culture
By Dallas Lenear, Pastor
Believers should stop “going to church.”
Wait. Don't hang up!
I was saved as a young boy. And, I have been active in church most of my life. I used to go to church every Sunday. I used to go to church every Wednesday for youth ministry. I used to go to church for Vacation Bible School. I used to go to church for special events. All of this was instrumental in my spiritual upbringing. My faith family was foundational in shaping me to be who I am today. It is because of that foundation that I was able to see that believers often do not think properly of church when we describe church as a place, event, or experience.
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The church is the people of God!
Every time the word church is used in the Bible it always refers to the people. It never refers to a place nor an event. My vision for Journey Church is that we would be believers and build believers who understand that we are the church wherever we go.
Jesus told his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Another understanding of the words that Jesus used would be to say “as you go, make disciples.”
That is how God has spoken to me about the vision for Journey Church… that as we go on our daily journeys - with our families, in our jobs, in the marketplace, in schools, in the gym, on the field, at restaurants - we are to make disciples.
It is because of - and not in spite of - the foundation of biblical teaching that I have received throughout my life that I believe Journey Church is now called to be the people of God following Jesus while walking daily with the Holy Spirit. We will strive to empower believers to be the church rather than to go to church. This teaching is not new to me nor to Journey Church. But, it is foundational to my ministry and what I believe God is calling us to do.
From The Beginning
Journey Church started as a bible study in the home of our pastor in early 2020. The faithful few began praying to God and surveying others about what they would seek in a congregation. The results of those prayers, surveys, and countless meetings with the launch team led to the development of our mission – Journey Church are the people of God following Jesus, while walking daily with the Holy Spirit.
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The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Journey Church’s original timeline for its launch. In August 2020, we began worshipping virtually. In August 2021, we met in person. Due to limitations with that location and an increase in COVID rates, we returned to virtual services in September. In January of 2022, Journey Church expanded its ministry to encourage our youth to demonstrate their spiritual growth through our 4th Sunday Youth Sunday. After nearly two years of bible studies and virtual Sunday morning services, Journey Church began meeting in person in March 2022 at the Brown-Hutcherson Ministries Fellowship Hall at 1065 36th Street Grand Rapids, MI.
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In August 2023, we caravanned to our new meeting location at Genesis Suites, 1333 Alger St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, which is where we currently gather each Sunday at 10:00am.