Messiah’s IRC - A Brief History
Belief First
Believing that God would have a self-governing Reformed Church established on the south side of Holland, to complement the north side ministry of Reformed Heritage Community Church, seven men planned and announced a preliminary meeting that was to be held in the Overisel Community Hall on July 16, 1992. Interest was high and sixty (60) people attended that meeting and signed up to come to another meeting that was scheduled for August 20, 1992.
The August meeting was advertised in the Holland Sentinel and in the Lakeshore Press, and about a hundred (100) people attended. At that meeting, 7 men were elected to the steering committee for the formation of the new south side church and...
Believing that God would have a self-governing Reformed Church established on the south side of Holland, to complement the north side ministry of Reformed Heritage Community Church, seven men planned and announced a preliminary meeting that was to be held in the Overisel Community Hall on July 16, 1992. Interest was high and sixty (60) people attended that meeting and signed up to come to another meeting that was scheduled for August 20, 1992.
The August meeting was advertised in the Holland Sentinel and in the Lakeshore Press, and about a hundred (100) people attended. At that meeting, 7 men were elected to the steering committee for the formation of the new south side church and...
17 families committed...
...themselves to have a part in that work. An offering of $1,106 was received.
The first worship services of the fledgling church were held on October 11, 1992 at the Sandyview Elementry School.
First Elders and Deacons Ordained
On April 4, 1993 an organizational service was held and the first elders and deacons were ordained and installed into office. Registration with the State of Michigan followed, with the chosen name of Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church.
First Pastor Called
On April 4, 1993 an organizational service was held and the first elders and deacons were ordained and installed into office. Registration with the State of Michigan followed, with the chosen name of Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church.
First Pastor Called
In 1993 by unanimous vote by the congregation, a call was extended to Mr. Ken Anema, a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate, to serve as pastor of the church.
The call was accepted and Mr. Anema, after his successful ordination examination, was installed as the pastor of the church on October 7, 1993. Reverend Anema preached his first sermon on October 11, 1993, just one year to the day after the initial worship service had been held.
Building begins
On September 27, 1993, the congregation approved the purchase of 10 acres of land at 4528 48th street. A ground breaking service was held on the site May 3 1994.
Building begins
On September 27, 1993, the congregation approved the purchase of 10 acres of land at 4528 48th street. A ground breaking service was held on the site May 3 1994.
Construction, done primarily by members of the congregation, was completed and a dedication ceremony held on November 1, 1994 just two years and a few days after the initial worship service.
Expansion
In 2008 an addition expanded the sanctuary by 50% to a capacity of 450 souls and doubled the classroom space. This addition was begun only after the necessary funds were collected, and was completed without incurring debt
In 2017 approximately seventy two (72) households are represented in active membership, with a number of regular visitors also in attendance. We rejoice at God’s faithfulness reflected in the fact that the attendance is approximately the same in both the Sunday morning and evening worship services.
Mission Minded
At it’s organization the congregation determined to designate 10 % of all general fund offerings for mission work. In June of 1993 that was increased to 15% of all general fund collections. In 2017 30% of the General Fund is designated to pay the Holland congregations expenses, 36% is designated to meet the Puerto Vallarta congregations (ELM) expenses, and 34% goes to support seminaries and missions. All evening offerings are taken for various deacon designated benevolent causes, seminaries, or outside missions.
Eternal Life Mission
In 1996 a mission arm of the congregation called The Eternal Life Mission began. Our first missionary pastor, Reverend Harry Bout, was installed in 1996. He started a church in Tepic Mexico and served there for 10 years. He was joined by his son Richard, sent by his congregation in Canada. In 2006 Messiah’s sent Rev. Zachary Anderson to labor with Richard Bout. They worked together in Tepic for a year and then Rev. Anderson moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to begin a work there. Today the congregation of 17 communicant members is led by the Andersons and elder Dan Boersma and his family who make frequent lengthy trips to Puerto Vallarta. A church building is being built to accommodate the growing work.
Middle East Reformed Fellowship - (MERF)
Another missionary commitment of the church is its participation in the work of Cyprus-based Middle East Reformed Fellowship. Our congregation plays an active role by mailing MERF USA’s newsletters. Several members of the congregation have been part of MERF’s works in Cyprus and in Lokichoggio, Kenya.
Why We Are Still Independent
Messiah’s was active in the Alliance of Reformed Churches in the early 1990’s. At the time that the United Reformed Churches (U.R.C.) were formed our elders called a congregational meeting.
In 2008 an addition expanded the sanctuary by 50% to a capacity of 450 souls and doubled the classroom space. This addition was begun only after the necessary funds were collected, and was completed without incurring debt
In 2017 approximately seventy two (72) households are represented in active membership, with a number of regular visitors also in attendance. We rejoice at God’s faithfulness reflected in the fact that the attendance is approximately the same in both the Sunday morning and evening worship services.
Mission Minded
At it’s organization the congregation determined to designate 10 % of all general fund offerings for mission work. In June of 1993 that was increased to 15% of all general fund collections. In 2017 30% of the General Fund is designated to pay the Holland congregations expenses, 36% is designated to meet the Puerto Vallarta congregations (ELM) expenses, and 34% goes to support seminaries and missions. All evening offerings are taken for various deacon designated benevolent causes, seminaries, or outside missions.
Eternal Life Mission
In 1996 a mission arm of the congregation called The Eternal Life Mission began. Our first missionary pastor, Reverend Harry Bout, was installed in 1996. He started a church in Tepic Mexico and served there for 10 years. He was joined by his son Richard, sent by his congregation in Canada. In 2006 Messiah’s sent Rev. Zachary Anderson to labor with Richard Bout. They worked together in Tepic for a year and then Rev. Anderson moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to begin a work there. Today the congregation of 17 communicant members is led by the Andersons and elder Dan Boersma and his family who make frequent lengthy trips to Puerto Vallarta. A church building is being built to accommodate the growing work.
Middle East Reformed Fellowship - (MERF)
Another missionary commitment of the church is its participation in the work of Cyprus-based Middle East Reformed Fellowship. Our congregation plays an active role by mailing MERF USA’s newsletters. Several members of the congregation have been part of MERF’s works in Cyprus and in Lokichoggio, Kenya.
Why We Are Still Independent
Messiah’s was active in the Alliance of Reformed Churches in the early 1990’s. At the time that the United Reformed Churches (U.R.C.) were formed our elders called a congregational meeting.
It was decided to study what Scripture taught about the essence of the church...
...as outlined in Articles 27 – 32 of the Belgic Confession. The congregation divided into 5 groups. The study and discussion took place over 5 months, with one group reporting each month on one (or two) of the topics.
At the end of the study the consensus was that in Scripture a congregation is called to have fellowship with and accountability among other congregations but that some of the mandates included in the by-laws of most denominations (The Church Order of Dort in the case of the U.R.C.) include directives which are ‘extra-biblical’ .