How newcomers in Grand Rapids find a church home
Most people who walk through our doors for the first time looked us up online before they came. Some just moved to the area, some are new parents and some have been away from church for years. They all want the same practical answers: when services are, where to park, what to wear and what happens with their kids.
Our plan your visit finder answers those questions in a few taps, and guests can let us know they are coming so a greeter can welcome them. Service times, ministries, groups and events are all updated by our staff and volunteers in the dashboard, so the website stays as current as the bulletin. Sermons are posted each week for anyone who wants a sense of the teaching before visiting.
Making the first Sunday less daunting
Walking into a new church alone takes courage. Our visit page describes what a Sunday looks like from arrival to the end of the service, including the music, the length of the sermon and the coffee afterward. Guests tell us that knowing what to expect is what finally got them through the door.
Where the kids go
Parents want to know their children will be safe and happy. The kids ministry page explains check-in, the classrooms by age and how volunteers are screened and trained. Young families often read that page more than any other, and many plan their first visit right after. Teen ministry has its own page with youth group nights and summer trips.
Finding a small group
People stay at a church when they find friends. Group listings show meeting times, locations and what each group studies, and signups go straight to the leader. Newer members find a place within weeks instead of waiting to be invited by someone they have not met yet. Leaders get each signup in the dashboard and can follow up the same week.
The Tuesday meal and other open doors
Our community meal, service days and holiday events welcome neighbors who may never attend a Sunday service. Event pages show up when people search for things to do nearby, and they introduce the church as a friendly presence in the neighborhood, not only a building on the corner. Volunteers can sign up for each event online too.
Church marketing questions we get asked
What time are services?
Sunday services are at nine and eleven in the morning, with the same message at both. Service times are listed at the top of the website and updated whenever holiday schedules change.
What should I wear?
Come as you are. You will see everything from jeans to dresses on a Sunday morning, and nobody will notice or mind what you wear. We are just glad you are here.
What happens with my kids?
Children from nursery through fifth grade check in at the kids area before the service and go to age-based classrooms with screened volunteers. You receive a matching tag to pick them up afterward.
How do I join a small group?
Browse the small group listings on our website and send a request to the group that fits your schedule. The leader will reach out with details and invite you to the next gathering.
Can anyone come to the community meal?
Yes. The Tuesday evening meal is open to everyone in the neighborhood, free of charge. Come hungry, bring friends and stay as long as you like to talk with neighbors.
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