First Church (Demotte, Indiana)

First Church of Demotte

"Generation After Generation Becoming Fully Devoted Followers of Christ"
41°11′14″N 87°08′55″W / 41.187290°N 87.148640°W / 41.187290; -87.148640Coordinates: 41°11′14″N 87°08′55″W / 41.187290°N 87.148640°W / 41.187290; -87.148640
Location 5387 West State Road 10, Wheatfield, IN
Country USA
Denomination Reformed Church in America
Weekly attendance 500 weekly
Website first.church
History
Former name(s) First Reformed Church of Demotte
Founded 1893
Founder(s) Dutch Immigrants
Administration
Presbytery Illiana
Clergy
Senior pastor(s) John Hill

First Church is a member church of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and was the first church in Jasper County, Indiana. It holds two worship services on Sunday mornings. Its full name is "First Reformed Church of DeMotte," but goes by the shortened name First Church. In May 2016 First Church changed locations to Wheatfield, IN.

Values and beliefs

First Church's vision statement "to see generation after generation become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ."[1] All of this is to accomplish its mission, which is to "Be used by God for His glory."[2]

First Church building exterior.

History

First Church was founded by several Dutch immigrants in 1893. It has experienced many different periods of growth and decline but is currently in a new stage of growth.[3]

Future plans

First Church is building a new 700+ seat building on its new property in Wheatfield, Indiana. They broke ground in the third quarter of 2015. Construction will be completed in May, 2016.[4]

Outreach

First Church has many different community outreach programs. In addition to the roughly $30,000 that the church gives out annually to local needs and ministries, the church runs a community garden, which is operated and led by church members on the church's property. It has produced over 500,000 pounds of vegetables for eleven local Jasper County food shelves.[5]

The church also hosts an annual halloween event called "Trunk or Treat." This event is designed to provide a safe place for kids to trick or treat without having to walk on the streets of Demotte which lack sidewalks. In 2012 and 2013 thousands of people showed up to participate.[6] In 2013 and 2014 the event featured a free concert with artists JJ Heller, Hawk Nelson, and Finding Favor.[7] In each of these years, the event was originally planned at local Spencer park, but was moved to the church building due to snow and rain. In 2016, Trunk or Treat will be held at the new facility.

References

  1. ↑ Hill, John. "First Church Youtube". first.church. First Church. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ "First church "about us"". first.church. First Church. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  3. ↑ Hill, John. "Building a Winning Tradition". first.church. First Church. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  4. ↑ "First Church Future Plans". first.church. First Church. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ Hill, John. "Generation after Generation". first.church. First Church. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ Heemstra, Bailey (October 5, 2014). "First Reformed Church plans for annual Trunk or Treat". KV Post News. Kankekee Post Valley News. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  7. ↑ Heemsta, Bailey (October 25, 2014). "Trunk or Treat and seeing Jesus in 3D". KV Post News. Retrieved November 9, 2014.

External links

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