Head Pastor Mike Harris of The Journey Church on Baldwin Road said the Bible isn’t a boring book, and that the practice of worship doesn’t have to be either.
?’The Journey?? is sort of our mantra,? said Harris. ‘We believe we’re all on a spiritual journey and the Bible holds the key for that…Everyone is on some kind of journey. We talk about Christ’s journey to the cross and welcome questions as part of the journey.?
The Journey Community Church (nondenominational) grew out of the since closed Bay Pointe Church. Harris, a Lake Orion resident, and about 40 others began the church on Baldwin Road in September 2003, housed in the church building formerly known as Christ the Redeemer.
The church has now grown to 150 people, and Harris said March 21 it will begin itsr official introduction to the community with a four-week series discussing Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ? film.
‘We began working on this church last January,? said Harris. ‘We’ve been focusing on our core values since then and our vision and structure. Now we are ready to officially open our doors to the community.?
Harris, a pastor for 18 years, decided to do the series on Gibson’s film because he thought the questions people would be asking about it really fit in with The Journey Church’s mantra.
‘We will talk about who (Jesus) was and his life…we want to help people with those answers,? he said. ‘The film only deals with the last 12 hours of Christ’s life.?
The church has sent out about 10,000 direct mail pieces about the series, which culminates on Easter Sunday.
‘If people just want to come and say I have these questions and I just want someone to answer them, that’s fine,? Harris said.
Harris said the ‘seeking process? of asking questions wasn’t valued in some churches he’s been associated with.
‘We want to help people invite Jesus into their journey,? he added. ‘I’m trying not to think of the size of the church as much as the mission of the church…I think we’re going to grow, and I think there’s a need for a church like ours in this region.?
Harris began his journey as a pastor attending seminary school in South Carolina. From there he went to Southern Ohio, and then he helped plant a new church in the Indianapolis area.
‘After that it was Grand Rapids and then back home,? he said. ‘I grew up around Clarkston and Waterford. My wife Beth and I have two teenage daughters, Caroline and Kristen; they go to Lake Orion High School.?
Harris said the worship experience is far from boring if people approach it in the right way.
‘You won’t get put to sleep here,? he promised. ‘We use creative methods to capture people’s attention…video, drama, song, poetry, people’s personal stories and art.
‘We also want kids to worship in a way that is meaningful to them,? Harris added.
Michelle Davidson of Holly has been attending The Journey Church and is something of their resident artist. She designed and painted a mural in the sanctuary and other projects for the church.
‘It’s my interpretation of a continuing version of the journey of life, the road we’re on,? she explained of the mural. ‘I wanted to incorporate how God leads us.?
Harris said he will often interview members of the congregation on stage about their lives.
‘We’re also creating a cafe here, we’re going to call it The Journey Cafe, where people can get coffee and relax and sit down,? he said.
‘We wanted it to feel like you were almost walking into a friend’s house,? said Davidson of the church. ‘We wanted it to be warm and friendly.?
The Journey Church holds a Sunday service at 10 a.m., with a children’s church service held at the same time. There is a prayer service on Wednesdays, with a teen group meeting at that time. The church also has small group gatherings.
‘Our people gather at homes during the week for prayer and Bible discussion,? Harris said.
The Journey Community Church begins a four-week discussion of ‘The Passion of the Christ? on March 21 at 10 a.m. with ‘Jesus is the Son of God-True or False?;? ‘Jesus is the Only Way to God-True or False?? on March 28; ‘Jesus Died for Your-True or False?? on April 4; and finally ‘Jesus is Alive-True or False?? on Easter Sunday April 11.
The church is located at 4005 Baldwin, on the corner of Gregory Road. The phone number is 475-0006.