After eight years of moving from location to location, a Mid-Michigan church is finally proud to say it has a home.
"It's the first time we've ever had a sign that stays out in front of the place where we're meeting," said Dave Flowers, pastor of Wildwind Community Church in Flint Township. "We started at a karate studio in Lapeer, then Brendal in Grand Blanc, then Indian Hill in Grand Blanc, then River of Life in Burton. Now here we are in Flint Township."
The church is located just off Corunna Road and the team at Wildwind is busy getting it prepared for its first service at the new, permanent location.
The building was the former Bethel Park Free Methodist church.
"This building we are buying from another church who unfortunately had to close recently, " said Flowers.
Flowers and his wife Christy opened the doors to Wildwind Community Church in 2002 with just 30 people in their congregation. They had one goal in mind
"We started our church to be a different kind of place," Flowers said. "Create a culture, give it a certain feel, make it a comfortable place, a welcoming place and to really take on the challenge of loving people and not being judgemental and being gracious.
"Wildwind, in a way, was created to be a church for people who don't like church."
Since the opening, Wildwind has gone from a congration of 30 to about 200. Flowers is looking forward to Wildwind having an ongoing presence in the community.
"There's just a huge feeling of enthusiasm about a lot of things," Flowers said. "The presence in the community -- but also being able to have control over our ministry future. Not moving around, it really does feel like we finally have a home."
"We're so excited," Christy Flowers said. "It's been eight years and it's going to be great to be in a community with a sign out front where we can be involved with the community -- a dream come true."
Wildwind's first service is this Sunday, June 27 at 10 a.m.
