The GLC has a matching grant from a generous donor that has already enabled us to plant two churches. The grant will enable us to plant two more churches. Every gift (large or small) to our Church Planting Capital Campaign by a church or an individual (up to a total of $150,000) will be matched until we reach our goal of four churches.

You can help us plant our next church by making an individual contribution to the Capital Campaign here: Mission Friends for Church Planting. Your church can help us plant our next church by scheduling a “Church Planting Sunday” and receiving an offering for this important part of our mission. Contact Alan Tumpkin ([email protected]) for assistance in planning a “Church Planting Sunday” for your church.

Resources for Church Planting Sunday

GLC Church Planting Brochure [pdf]

GLC Church Planting Fundraiser presentation [PowerPoint]

GLC Church Planting Fundraiser presentation [pdf]

How to Give Digitally

As you promote the Church Planting Initiative here are some links that can help donors give digitally. Donations can be made here:

• Give through the Mission Friends for Church Planting link

GLC Legacy Story

Prospective Church Planters

Noah Filipiak: Grand Rapids, MI

Noah Filipiak is planting Mosaic Covenant Church of Grand Rapids (MI). Mosaic exists to be a multi-ethnic church living out Jesus’ kingdom values, bringing racial equity and gospel freedom to the city of Grand Rapids. Justice and mercy, as seen in Micah 6:8, are core values for the foundation of this church. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Noah and Jen Filipiak are college sweethearts who married right after their undergrad days at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI. Noah majored in youth ministry and thought he had a long career ahead of him as a youth pastor. Taking a youth pastor job in the suburbs of Lansing, but living in the city, God had other plans. As Noah and Jen began to get to know their neighbors, God revealed the rift between the established church and lost people, and suburban churches and urban dwellers. Both of these led Noah to plant Crossroads Church in Lansing back in 2006 at the age of 23, where he pastored 13 years. Crossroads is doing well, owns their own building, and is a gospel light in urban Lansing. God led Noah and Jen to take a break from senior leadership to recharge their batteries. After a short stint working on staff at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, God opened doors and prodded Noah back to his heart of urban, multi-ethnic ministry and church planting. Noah was drawn to the Covenant because of our doctrinal stance on racial righteousness, while remaining faithful to Scripture and the gospel.

After double majoring in vocal music performance and music education at Cornerstone, Jen has enjoyed a long career as an elementary music teacher. Jen and Noah have three daughters ages 4, 8, and 10. Noah enjoys writing and podcasting and is the author of Beyond the Battle: A man’s guide to his identity in Christ in an oversexualized world. Jen’s favorite pastime is going to musicals, and she enjoys working on puzzles. Noah enjoys board games and sports and coaching his daughter’s softball teams.

Rick and Terri McGarry: Mason, MI

Rick and Terri McGarry were recommended in September, 2020 to plant an Evangelical Covenant Church. This gifted couple is working to gather a group of people that want to be transformed and see their community transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ.

On Sunday evenings, on the banks of Sycamore creek, Rick and Terri gather to perform complicated religious rituals like eating together, talking about lives, and listening to each other. Their hope is that the community they serve will find grace and strength for another week of living. They think and strategize about ways to become better humans and followers of Christ.

New Wine People is in the process of being an Evangelical Covenant Church plant in Mason, Michigan, just south of Lansing. They are approximately eight families who have been meeting weekly for well over a year. In August and September, they had a booth at the local farmers meeting every week and organized two farm to table dinners. Terri and Rick were excited to be accepted by the denomination as church planters in September. They have seen new people visit the group throughout this summer and fall, from the time they were able to leave off meeting on Zoom and begin meeting in person.

They want to learn to have productive, healthy relationships with each other and to be a blessing to the community of Mason. They are working hard to improve their social media game, so if you could connect with them on Facebook, that would be great.

David Williams: Columbus, OH

Rev. David A. Williams is walking out his vision in 2020 by answering God’s call to  plant a multiethnic church in Columbus, Ohio. He has established a launch team  and is in the process of raising funds to launch “Life Transformation Church”. He recently left his job, where he served as Director of Membership at New  Salem Baptist Church for the last 12 years. He led the Associate Ministers, Cares,  Seniors, Men’s Ministry & conferences, as well as the New Members process.

David received an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics from DeVry, a B.S. in  Global Management and Communications from Wilberforce University, and a  Masters in Practical Theology, majoring in Homiletics from Ashland Theological  Seminary. He has over 30 years professional experience. He was born and raised in church and says, like most, he’s had his “wilderness  experience.” He uses his experiences to identify with people and witness in a practical and relevant manner — not just to those who know Christ, but also to those who don’t.

This Detroit native enjoys golfing, cooking, listening to music, and spending time with his wife, Tanja and daughter, Alexandria. He’s passionate about serving God’s  people. He is humbled by God’s choice to use him. His motto is “Reaching the lost  at any cost and by any means necessary.”

Hopeful Future Planters

Vincent and April Tinch: Detroit, MI

Vincent and April Tinch seek to plant a church in Detroit which will exist to empower Gods people in every area of their life. Vince is presently a church planting resident on the staff of Life Church Southfield with hopes of planting a church in Detroit. Vincent is first and foremost a husband who has been dating his amazing wife April for more than 21 years. He is also a dad of four awesome daughters Victoria, Gabrielle, Katelyn and Elizabeth. As an entrepreneur, Vincent has been a part of a successful business sale (exit) by the age of 32. He is a visionary executive with 17+ years of experience in the financial, banking, real estate and food service sectors. Baptized at the age of 14, Vincent started preaching at the age of 21 and was subsequently ordained at the age of 31, after which he served as the assistant pastor of Greater Mt. Tabor Church.