Goodrich – Changing the name of a church is uncommon, however the pastors at Ortonville Baptist Church are excited about how the name change will impact the future of their church.
The decision to drop the denomination name Baptist from Ortonville Baptist Church to Hillside Bible Church Pastor Kevin Shorkey said is to accomplish God’s mission for their church.
‘First we did our homework. We wanted a name to help people understand we teach the bible and teaching the bible is how we influence people for Christ,? said Shorkey. ‘The denomination name was getting in the way. Some people might see the word Baptist and make a decision not to attend our church.?
Shorkey said the core values and theology will be the same, nothing has changed. ‘Baptist churches operate independently,? he said. ‘For instance, we don’t answer to an archdiocese as Catholicism does, so we are able to make our own decisions. However, we are a member of the Conservative Baptist Association of America.?
The future of Hillside Bible Church, Shorkey said, won’t be in it’s present location. ‘We put our building up for sale about two weeks ago. We purchased nine acres of property close to M-15, just before you get to the county line road. Its Groveland Township, however the property is considered Genesee County.?
Although Shorkey said he loves the building they are in, it just isn’t big enough to accommodate all of the young children and bible study groups they have.
‘This is a beautiful building, it’s only eight or nine years old and it has a gymnasium and a large sanctuary, however the parking is a bit limited for the number of members we have in our church,? said Shorkey.
Along with the name change, Hillside Bible Church has created a new mission statement, ‘Real Hope for Real People.?
Planning on a mission trip to Mississippi to help build housing for displaced residents from the damages of hurricane Katrina, Youth Pastor Ken Tison said it is all about raising enough money to help out. ‘We will supply the manpower, they will give us the materials.?
‘Our next fundraiser to support this mission will be a garage sale on May 1, 2 and 3,? said Tison.