After 41 years of faithful ministry, Senior Pastor Gary deBock has determined the time is right to pass the baton of leadership to his successor. Now a multi-site church with 600-700 attendees at two campuses in Big Rapids and Newaygo, Trinity Fellowship is eager to welcome a talented Senior Pastor to build on a strong foundation with a staff and congregation that look forward to continued faithfulness to the Word and Gospel impact in West Central Michigan and beyond.
The Big Idea
A key strength of Trinity Fellowship at both campuses is the expository teaching of God’s Word. The church takes seriously its call to come “under the Word” and longs to see the incoming Senior Pastor continue to teach Scripture with depth. The community has embraced small groups as the delivery system for discipleship and hopes to see that continue. There’s an opportunity to explore ways to make a stronger impact in the region with regard to outreach and mission. The incoming pastor will have an opportunity to view Trinity Fellowship with fresh eyes, and to work together with leaders to clarify and articulate Trinity’s identity and potential as a missional agent and multi-site church in the region. When working with staff, elders, and leaders across campuses, the Senior Pastor will have the opportunity to develop a refreshed vision and plan for the next three years in order to ensure the church is activated on mission and connecting new people with Christ and one another so they are built up into healthy maturity as reproducing disciples.
The Candidate
The right Senior Pastor will be a spiritually mature and devoted follower of Jesus; one who leads and teaches out of the overflow of an authentic, intimate relationship with God. A devoted family man, he will live a life above reproach and demonstrate courage, competence, and character in his family, with staff, in the church, community, and beyond. People in this community want to know their pastor, so prioritizing relationships with congregants and with elders and staff will help the pastor quickly integrate into the community of the church. Someone who is friendly, visible, approachable, and accessible to congregants across campuses will fit well.
The Location
People love living in this part of the state! Just east of beautiful Lake Michigan and north of Grand Rapids, the communities of Big Rapids and Newaygo offer a blend of convenience and natural beauty that can be enjoyed in all four seasons. Big Rapids is home to 8,000 residents and is the county seat that serves as a regional hub to numerous smaller communities around it. Ferris State University is located here, along with a regional hospital and numerous local employers. Newaygo, located 40 minutes southwest of Big Rapids is home to about 2,500 residents. It is also a county seat and enjoys a vibrant community spirit.
For more information about this position, click here or contact Greta Barthelemy at greta@nlmoore.com.