Laura Ross and her family joined Peace Church in Middleville, Michigan, almost 20 years ago because they liked the children’s ministry for their young kids. But back then, the church had maybe 400 people, she says. The last few years, however, the church’s numbers have exploded.
Ross points to the pandemic for the growth. “I think it really drove a lot of families together, and it drove them to the church. Our world is dark, and we have a lot of things going on. I think Peace is just preaching the Bible, preaching the truth and making us realize that Jesus loves all while also challenging us.”
At the same time, Lead Pastor Ryan Kimmel stepped into the role in fall 2020, after the church’s former pastor retired. The church had returned to meeting in person, but its numbers were down due to COVID-19. Kimmel and his team prayed the pandemic would begin to subside over the next year, but in the meantime, they would remain true to their vision.
“We’re just going to be a great local church doing great ministry preaching the gospel and loving our neighbors,” Kimmel remembers saying.
By the end of January, the church had crossed 1,000 in attendance for the first time in its history, and the numbers have been increasing ever since.
Kimmel says there’s no one factor that’s caused the growth, but a confluence of just the right circumstances.
“This is 100% God,” Kimmel says. “And that’s not to discredit the wise leadership and the heartbeat of our church, but there are other wise leaders and other great churches that don’t experience this growth. I just want to be very clear: all glory to God, all credit to him.”
Peace Church has always wanted to follow God in celebration and challenge. Even in the pandemic and divided culture that’s defined the last few years, Kimmel says, Peace has always strived to be a church that “preaches the truth, tries to build families and love our neighbor. That’s what God’s called us to do and that’s who he’s called us to be. We’re not focused on taking cultural stands, but we are focused on standing on the Word of God and letting that dictate who we are and where we go. And that’s just been really refreshing for a lot of people and resonates with them, I think.”
Located about 30 minutes south of Grand Rapids, Peace is in a growing community. Kimmel says lots of young families make up the church’s newest members. The entire congregation, specifically the older folks, have been very welcoming of the changes that come with younger demographics, who bring with them different preferences when it comes to worship style and church experience.
“The people who have been here forever were not trying to hold onto tradition,” he says. “They were trying to share the gospel and be a great church. Our elders were passionate, and they made quick, fast decisions that allowed us to continue to grow.”
Kimmel deflects much of the credit. “I’m just a pastor. I am the least likely candidate you have ever met who should have been a pastor. This is not what I signed up for, but in an odd way I think that actually helps. I still am willing to meet with anyone, and people want to have that connection.
“God is bringing the right people at the right time,” he adds. “I’m coming off the shoulders of people who have done amazing things for our church and were trailblazing in amazing ways. I’m just the next guy in the line, and prayerfully I won’t be the last unless Jesus comes back. We just focus on being a great church in our community, and let God do the rest.”