Sunday gathering
10am in the school auditorium, about seventy five minutes, coffee in the lobby.
Meeting since spring 2024
Two years old, no building, real people
We set up chairs at 7:30 on Sunday morning and take them down at noon. About 140 people, half of whom had not been to church in years.
140on a Sunday
2024first gathering
9small groups
10amone service
What we do
One service, real groups, hands on in the neighborhood
Everything here is free. There is no membership fee, ever.
Anchor Kids, birth to grade 5
Two classrooms down the hall, check in tags, screened volunteers.
Small groups
Nine groups meeting Tuesday and Wednesday in homes across the northeast side.
Newcomer lunch
First Sunday of the month, no pitch, just food and honest questions.
Neighborhood serve days
Quarterly workdays with the school, the food pantry, and a refugee resettlement partner.
Setup and teardown crew
The 7:30am team that makes the whole thing possible, and the easiest place to meet people.
Our story
Started with twenty two people in a living room
Anchor City began as a group meeting in a house on Plainfield in late 2023 and moved into the middle school the following spring. We are small enough that a new face gets noticed and honest about the fact that we do not have everything figured out. Finances are reported to everyone quarterly, including what the pastor is paid.
•Quarterly financial report shared openly with everyone who attends
•Kids volunteers background checked before their first Sunday
•No building fund, we would rather rent and give the money away
Reviews
From people who showed up
“I had not been in a church in eleven years. Nobody cornered me, nobody asked for money, and someone remembered my name the second week.”
Craig N., Creston
“We have a toddler and the kids room is small, which turned out to be a good thing. Two volunteers, six kids, and they knew her by name.”
Steph and Andre W., parents
“Joining the Tuesday group was awkward for about twenty minutes and then it was the best part of my week.”
Bianca R., small group member
FAQ
If you are thinking about coming
What is a church plant and does it mean you are unstable?
A church plant is a new congregation rather than a branch of an older one. We are two years in, we cover our costs, and our finances are reported to everyone quarterly. What being new does mean is that things are simple and you will probably be asked to help sooner than you would at a large church.
What is it actually like on Sunday morning?
You park in the school lot, walk into an auditorium with folding chairs, and hear about twenty minutes of music followed by a thirty minute talk. It ends around 11:15 and people stay to talk in the lobby. Dress is whatever you wore on Saturday.
Is there anything for my kids?
Yes, birth through grade five meet in two classrooms down the hallway during the service. Every volunteer is background checked and there are always two unrelated adults in each room. You get a matching tag at check in and it is required for pickup.
Will I be asked for money?
Not personally, and there is no plate passed during the service. Giving is mentioned briefly and there is a box in the lobby for people who choose to. Guests should not give at all, and we mean that.
Contact
Come this Sunday at 10
Park in the north lot at Eastbrook and someone will point you to the auditorium. Message us first if you would rather not walk in cold.
Phone(616) 555-0154
AddressMeets at Eastbrook Middle School, 1240 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HoursSundays 10am, groups meet Tue and Wed evenings
AreaNortheast Grand Rapids and Creston neighborhoods