Flint, Michigan—We have all heard the phrase, “There’s no place like home.” This saying resonates with the members of the Flint, Michigan, congregation, who have owned their church building for decades.

In 1995, the Church of God went through a challenging phase of our history due to doctrinal issues in the Church and a resulting loss of stability. As the Flint congregation continued to hold fast to sound teaching, the opportunity to purchase their own building was one many members felt moved to pursue. Flint congregants assisted with a property search, and after looking at several options, a viable building and piece of property was located.

Originally, the current home of the Flint congregation served as a restaurant which went out of business and sat vacant until the congregation purchased the building in 1995. The building required an extensive remodel that took most of the summer and was aided by several members with construction and trade backgrounds. Work involved removing the commercial kitchen, rewiring the electric, installing a new roof, drywall work, grounds cleanup and a great deal of cleaning and repainting.

Retired pastor Steve Shafer and his wife Evelyn recall the challenges the congregation previously faced when trying to find a location to rent for services on a weekly basis: “Schools and union halls were not wanting to rent to a group every Sabbath, so we struggled finding a place to meet. There were also date conflicts, especially for the Holy Days.” As the new building began to come together, excitement grew among the Shafers and members of the congregation.

“When we walked in the first time, I was just overwhelmed with the beauty of the building!” exclaimed Evelyn. She added, “It’s God’s house—a place to go on the Sabbath. We treat it with respect, for this building is a blessing from God.”

The congregation has continued to provide regular maintenance and care for the building as a way of expressing their appreciation to God for this special gift. The congregation’s local board President Michael Rose and his wife Amy (an original board member herself) recall how the board was focused on making sure money was set aside for building maintenance. Members themselves have also provided for building needs through donated items, legacy donations, installation of a front road sign and regular landscape and maintenance projects.

“We have seen a lot of cooperation among members over these many years,” Amy recounted with appreciation.

But it has not been “all work and no play” for the congregation. The building has served as a location for family weddings, memorials, board meetings, Night to be Much Observed evenings, baptisms, game nights, themed dinners, and clubs. In 2020, the building served as a local Feast of Tabernacles site for the first time. Outreach has also been important to the Flint congregation, and the building has provided many opportunities to host events which serve the community.

“The congregation has a place that is theirs, and they have a voice in how the building is used,” remarked the Shafers. The Roses added, “People know where we are every week, both in and out of the Church of God.”

For the Flint, Michigan congregation, our building provides a place of stability and constancy to the members. It’s our home. We’re thankful for the many blessings our building has provided and will continue to in the future.