|
For Immediate Release: June 5, 2025
St. Joseph, Michigan – Nearly 100 individuals gathered on Monday, June 2nd at First Church of God for a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber celebrating the grand opening of The Commons. This newly completed space is dedicated to connection, community, and ministry growth inside the St. Joseph campus located at 2627 Niles Ave. St. Joseph.
This long-awaited addition has been nearly two decades in the making. When Lead Pastor David Colp first visited First Church 18 years ago, he noticed a recurring scene: after the 11:00 a.m. service, attendees would head straight for the exits. The reason was clear—there was no place designed for people to gather, connect, and build relationships.
From that early observation, a vision was born: a dedicated space where faith and friendship could flourish. While ministries like New Heights Auto Ministry, Laundry Hub, The Restoration House, several campus launches, and a new ministry building at Benton Heights took precedence, the dream of The Commons never faded.
Now, that dream has come to life.
“The creation of The Commons has gone above and beyond the vision and truly embodies the goal of creating a space of belonging among our congregation, where conversations could happen, friendships can form, and where the church could become a community,” said Lead Pastor David Colp. “It’s a space built for people that furthers our mission, and like-minded non-profits who we hope will also use the space.”
More than just a building, The Commons is a place for meaningful connection—a hub where ministry will expand, community will deepen, and relationships will thrive. This new space reflects First Church’s enduring commitment to fostering an environment where people not only worship together but grow together. In the Fall, they plan to open The Commons Coffee Bar on weekdays — a place for good coffee, friends to gather, and remote workers to utilize.
Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, also shared his excitement: “The Commons is a shining example of what it means to invest in people and community. This space will not only serve the congregation but the broader region as a place of warmth, welcome, and connection. It’s a beautiful reflection of First Church’s leadership and heart for service.”
#####
|
.png)
