by Tony Lynn
PLYMOUTH, MI – Marcus, Metz, and Bristol have impressively replanted three older congregations within Michigan. They are offering themselves as sounding-boards to pastors and church leaders who want to bring renewed strength to their churches. They welcome invitations into conversations with no obligations and no cost to the churches. You can arrange a conversation below.
Rick Marcus replanted City Church, 218 South Mill Street, Clio. The small town has a population of 2,400 residents and is 13 miles north of Flint. The larger county is home to 406,000 residents. Clio is like so many small towns scattered over the Great Lakes State where grain silos, sports fields and quick roadways to larger cities filled with employment are a brief commute away. Clio is like an island of neighbors and families surrounded by farmland. Rick has maximized his love for community, sports, and volunteering in his childhood hometown for the growth of the church.
Tom Metz replanted The Valley Church, 3770 North Center Road, Saginaw. The city has a population of 49,000 people and the entire county hosts 191,000 residents. Saginaw is 25 miles southwest of the shorelines of Saginaw Bay but it isn’t known as a resort location. Saginaw is known for manufacturing and production. The 8-lane, 125-foot tall Zilwaukee Bridge, spanning the Saginaw River which enters Saginaw Bay, is an undeniable monument to Saginaw’s hardworking reputation. Barges and boats used to repeatedly stall traffic when the former drawbridge was raised as raw materials were brought into the city then once again shipped out as car parts and food supplies for the world. Tom uses his good humor, his entrepreneurial drive, and his big heart to pick-up on practical ways the church can express its love for others outside in the community.
Rick Bristol replanted True North Community Church, 3003 East Mitchell Road, Petoskey. This coastal resort community has a population of 5,700 people with the county providing homes to 33,000 people. With Little Traverse Bay a mere 2-miles away, the Petoskey of the 1900’s cut tall timber and shipped limestone out of the bay to the world including supplies for the California Gold Rush. Today’s Petoskey and quaint Little Traverse Bay are filled with pleasure boats, million dollar yachts, and sailboats where teenagers learn to maneuver the winds. Millions of Michiganders vacation in the region playing golf course, sipping wine at vineyards, and strolling through small town streets. Standing in the backyard of the church one can see the bay to the west. Rick familiar with having worn four different military uniforms as a chaplain in the armed forces throughout the world, capitalizes on his talent at meeting strangers and converting them to friends. His latest venture is using a “scouting-like” club for boys and girls and drawing complete families into the church.
Is your church struggling to embrace a changing culture and new community? Is your membership dwindling because of frustration, confusion, and exhaustion? You are not alone. There is hope.
Would you let us help? State Director of Missions, Tony Lynn can facilitate a conversation with one church or a group of churches. Please, take the next step now.
Click here if you would like to set-up a conversation with Tony or one of these proven replanters: Replant or Revitalize? Let’s Talk
Click here if you would like to look at more information and more resources before starting a discussion: Let Me Look Around Before Talking to Someone
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe.