OUR MISSION
At Kentwood Christian Church, we exist to
Become Disciples who Love and Live like Jesus.
Become Disciples who Love and Live like Jesus.
OUR VALUES
We accomplish our mission through our 5 Core Values:
Celebrate… who God is at Sunday morning worship service.
Connect… with one another in a small group.
Contribute… to God’s mission by tithing and serving.
Commit… to being students of God’s Word and to prayer.
Coach… others in their walk with Jesus.
Celebrate… who God is at Sunday morning worship service.
Connect… with one another in a small group.
Contribute… to God’s mission by tithing and serving.
Commit… to being students of God’s Word and to prayer.
Coach… others in their walk with Jesus.
OUR BELIEFS
What We Believe
God’s story is a story of love and redemption. The story or message that most clearly shows this redemptive love is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 John 3:16). Paul says this message is of first importance (I Corinthians 15:3). As God reveals his nature through the stories of the Bible, the following teachings emerge as central
core doctrines:
God is bigger and better and closer than we can imagine.
The Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living.
Jesus is God showing himself to us.
Through His Holy Spirit, God lives in and through us now.
Nothing in creation just happened. God made it all.
Grace is the only way to have a relationship with God.
Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
God has allowed evil to exist to provide us with a choice, God can bring good even out of evil events and God promises victory over evil to those who choose him.
Heaven and hell are real places. Death is a beginning, not the end.
The church is to serve people like Jesus served people.
Jesus is coming again.
About God
There is one true God, eternally existing in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These are equal and are one God. God created the world out of nothing and by his power he sustains all he has created.
(Romans 8:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14).
About Jesus Christ
Jesus was miraculously born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35) and became flesh and blood (John 1:1-16; 29-34) without ceasing to be God. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles to confirm his divinity. He died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice, paying the debt for our sins (Mark 10:45). On the third day after his death he arose from the dead showing his victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He appeared to his disciples and then ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God serving as our mediator.
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:1; Galatians 5:25)
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people and is the final authority in life and doctrine. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6, 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5)
About The Church
The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ (Ephesians 4: 1-16).
About Salvation
Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. All have sinned, but ALL can be saved. This salvation is available for any who put their trust in Christ as Lord and Savior. Those trusting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized by immersion.
(Romans 3:23, 6:1-7, 23, 10:9; John 3:16; & Acts 2:38)
About Baptism
Baptism is an act of devotion that unites believers with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-8). The word “baptize” in the Bible means to immerse and is a command given by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). Baptism is more than an outward sign of an inward change; it is the start of a new life in Christ (Colossians 2:12). Baptism is for those who are mature enough to make a willing pledge of a good conscience towards God, old enough to recognize their sin, mature enough to comprehend the significance of the death and resurrection of Christ, and independent enough to commit themselves to him (Acts 2:38).
About Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. Those who truly believe and live out their faith as best they can are completely secure and safe in God’s grace.
However, eternal life is a gift that can be given up. If the believer turns their back on Christ and keeps deliberately sinning, choosing to go their own way, their salvation is in question. God urges all believers to stay close to him so nothing can snatch them from his hand, and he warns against falling away and losing salvation.
(John 10:27-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 6:4-8; 7:25; 10:10,14, 26-29; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About Christ’s Return
Christ will one day return and judge all people (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Unbelievers will be separated from God’s presence in Hell, and believers will be welcomed into God’s presence in Heaven.
At Kentwood Christian Church we sincerely try to follow the Bible and its teachings. However, our ability to logically figure everything out is not the basis for our acceptance before God. Our salvation is based on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. What we must be right about is the fact that we cannot be right about everything and are therefore completely dependent on God’s grace and mercy.
God’s story is a story of love and redemption. The story or message that most clearly shows this redemptive love is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 John 3:16). Paul says this message is of first importance (I Corinthians 15:3). As God reveals his nature through the stories of the Bible, the following teachings emerge as central
core doctrines:
God is bigger and better and closer than we can imagine.
The Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living.
Jesus is God showing himself to us.
Through His Holy Spirit, God lives in and through us now.
Nothing in creation just happened. God made it all.
Grace is the only way to have a relationship with God.
Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
God has allowed evil to exist to provide us with a choice, God can bring good even out of evil events and God promises victory over evil to those who choose him.
Heaven and hell are real places. Death is a beginning, not the end.
The church is to serve people like Jesus served people.
Jesus is coming again.
About God
There is one true God, eternally existing in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These are equal and are one God. God created the world out of nothing and by his power he sustains all he has created.
(Romans 8:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14).
About Jesus Christ
Jesus was miraculously born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35) and became flesh and blood (John 1:1-16; 29-34) without ceasing to be God. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles to confirm his divinity. He died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice, paying the debt for our sins (Mark 10:45). On the third day after his death he arose from the dead showing his victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He appeared to his disciples and then ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God serving as our mediator.
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:1; Galatians 5:25)
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people and is the final authority in life and doctrine. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6, 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5)
About The Church
The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ (Ephesians 4: 1-16).
About Salvation
Salvation is a free gift of God. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. All have sinned, but ALL can be saved. This salvation is available for any who put their trust in Christ as Lord and Savior. Those trusting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized by immersion.
(Romans 3:23, 6:1-7, 23, 10:9; John 3:16; & Acts 2:38)
About Baptism
Baptism is an act of devotion that unites believers with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-8). The word “baptize” in the Bible means to immerse and is a command given by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). Baptism is more than an outward sign of an inward change; it is the start of a new life in Christ (Colossians 2:12). Baptism is for those who are mature enough to make a willing pledge of a good conscience towards God, old enough to recognize their sin, mature enough to comprehend the significance of the death and resurrection of Christ, and independent enough to commit themselves to him (Acts 2:38).
About Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. Those who truly believe and live out their faith as best they can are completely secure and safe in God’s grace.
However, eternal life is a gift that can be given up. If the believer turns their back on Christ and keeps deliberately sinning, choosing to go their own way, their salvation is in question. God urges all believers to stay close to him so nothing can snatch them from his hand, and he warns against falling away and losing salvation.
(John 10:27-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 6:4-8; 7:25; 10:10,14, 26-29; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About Christ’s Return
Christ will one day return and judge all people (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Unbelievers will be separated from God’s presence in Hell, and believers will be welcomed into God’s presence in Heaven.
At Kentwood Christian Church we sincerely try to follow the Bible and its teachings. However, our ability to logically figure everything out is not the basis for our acceptance before God. Our salvation is based on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. What we must be right about is the fact that we cannot be right about everything and are therefore completely dependent on God’s grace and mercy.
OUR TEAM
Patrick Gill
Senior Pastor
Patrick@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
Patrick Gill was raised in Southern Illinois and first came to Kentwood Christian Church as a 20-year veteran in the ministry. After graduating from David Lipscomb University with a major in New Testament Theology (emphasis in Preaching and minor in Greek), he ministered full time for over two decades bringing growth to the churches he led. He has been serving Kentwood Christian Church as Pastor since 2006 along with his high school sweetheart and wife, Danielle, whom he married in 1984. Their family includes their son, Jabez, daughter Ashley, son-in-law Jonathan, and three beautiful grandsons.
He brings a passion for Christ, having known in his own life what it means to be redeemed by the grace of Jesus. His desire is to encourage people to trust and follow Jesus with their lives through a great love of preaching and enthusiastic style which encourages and challenges all who listen. He sees in Kentwood Christian Church a wonderful heritage of service to the community, a great wellspring of giftedness in the congregation, and the opportunity for the church to be a blessing to many.
He loves working with couples that are engaged to be married, and he offers his own unique premarital classes that are both relevant and practical. Patrick is also an avid triathlete. He is passionate about swimming, cycling, running and gardening. He enjoys watching movies, cooking, and spending time with his family. If you are looking for answers to life, a church to call home, or a Pastor to be your friend, our hope and sincere prayer is for the Lord to lead you to Kentwood Christian Church.
Senior Pastor
Patrick@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
Patrick Gill was raised in Southern Illinois and first came to Kentwood Christian Church as a 20-year veteran in the ministry. After graduating from David Lipscomb University with a major in New Testament Theology (emphasis in Preaching and minor in Greek), he ministered full time for over two decades bringing growth to the churches he led. He has been serving Kentwood Christian Church as Pastor since 2006 along with his high school sweetheart and wife, Danielle, whom he married in 1984. Their family includes their son, Jabez, daughter Ashley, son-in-law Jonathan, and three beautiful grandsons.
He brings a passion for Christ, having known in his own life what it means to be redeemed by the grace of Jesus. His desire is to encourage people to trust and follow Jesus with their lives through a great love of preaching and enthusiastic style which encourages and challenges all who listen. He sees in Kentwood Christian Church a wonderful heritage of service to the community, a great wellspring of giftedness in the congregation, and the opportunity for the church to be a blessing to many.
He loves working with couples that are engaged to be married, and he offers his own unique premarital classes that are both relevant and practical. Patrick is also an avid triathlete. He is passionate about swimming, cycling, running and gardening. He enjoys watching movies, cooking, and spending time with his family. If you are looking for answers to life, a church to call home, or a Pastor to be your friend, our hope and sincere prayer is for the Lord to lead you to Kentwood Christian Church.
Mathue Zittel
Youth & Worship Pastor
Matt@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
Matt has been serving with Kentwood Christian Church since 2015 and began leading worship with his wife Kayla back in 2009 before they were even dating. Following a summer internship with KCC in 2011, Matt and Kayla were married and are now blessed with two crazy little girls who LOVE music! Ellie, who was born on Christmas Eve back in 2014, just had to be born as her parents were about to lead music for the candlelight service…THAT was an interesting year. Emelia, not to be outdone by her big sis, proceeds to spend every day being just as unpredictable.
God led Matt to Great Lakes Christian College where he graduated with a double major in Youth Ministry and Bible Theology (but more importantly where he met Kayla!). He accepted new life in Jesus when he was fifteen and identifies closely with the call of Isaiah when God asks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah responds by simply saying, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8) Matt knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by God’s calling, but is reminded over and over again in Scripture that God uses the ordinary to reveal His extraordinary nature – all He asks is for us to surrender to His will!
Matt LOVES the Detroit Lions and knows they will go to the Super Bowl next year. More than anything, he enjoys his family time and being a dad, even if that means driving a minivan. Matt also likes hunting – A LOT – and invites you to stop in anytime to meet his friend Marvin who his hanging on the wall behind his desk.
Youth & Worship Pastor
Matt@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
Matt has been serving with Kentwood Christian Church since 2015 and began leading worship with his wife Kayla back in 2009 before they were even dating. Following a summer internship with KCC in 2011, Matt and Kayla were married and are now blessed with two crazy little girls who LOVE music! Ellie, who was born on Christmas Eve back in 2014, just had to be born as her parents were about to lead music for the candlelight service…THAT was an interesting year. Emelia, not to be outdone by her big sis, proceeds to spend every day being just as unpredictable.
God led Matt to Great Lakes Christian College where he graduated with a double major in Youth Ministry and Bible Theology (but more importantly where he met Kayla!). He accepted new life in Jesus when he was fifteen and identifies closely with the call of Isaiah when God asks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah responds by simply saying, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8) Matt knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by God’s calling, but is reminded over and over again in Scripture that God uses the ordinary to reveal His extraordinary nature – all He asks is for us to surrender to His will!
Matt LOVES the Detroit Lions and knows they will go to the Super Bowl next year. More than anything, he enjoys his family time and being a dad, even if that means driving a minivan. Matt also likes hunting – A LOT – and invites you to stop in anytime to meet his friend Marvin who his hanging on the wall behind his desk.
Laura Anderson
Administrative Assistant
Laura@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
Laura Anderson is a Zeeland, MI, native and received her Nursing Degree from the University of Michigan. She worked at Holland Hospital in labor and delivery for 28 years before retiring in 2015. She is married to Mark, the mother of 4 children, grandmother of 9, and the proud owner of 2 dogs and 10 chickens.
After being invited to church by her daughter, Jen Mansfield, Laura and Mark were baptized by Pastor Patrick Gill. Laura is a dedicated and active Christian woman who loves serving the Lord in many ways. Through Compassion International, she sponsors five children, is very involved in the Children’s Ministry and began serving as part time Office Administrator with Amy Gooch in March 2017.
Laura says, “My spiritual growth and deeper relationship with Jesus has resulted from fantastic worship services, Biblical sermon series, Adult Sunday school classes, and being connected in the Small Group Ministry of Kentwood Christian Church.”
John Gooch
Associate Pastor
santa@roadbed1.org
John isn’t quite what some would think of when thinking of a minister. Entering the ministry later in life, John accepted Jesus into his life in 1991 at Kentwood Christian Church where he has served in several capacities. During that time frame, his love for the motorcycle community and Jesus led him into taking the Word into the local motorcycle clubs. That evangelistic desire became his passion resulting in him accepting his call to ministry, graduating from Great Lakes Christian College, and starting Roadbed Ministries Inc. (an outreach ministry to bikers and truckers).
John believes strongly in the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ to which his own experiences in drugs, alcohol, the sometimes violent world of motorcycling and his subsequent redemption attests.
Whether John and Amy (his high school sweetheart & married in 1971) are riding their motorcycles with Roadbed, filling in at the pulpit or helping organize and equip teachers to disciple others, John sees Kentwood Christian Church as critical link in God’s plan for the community.
Associate Pastor
santa@roadbed1.org
John isn’t quite what some would think of when thinking of a minister. Entering the ministry later in life, John accepted Jesus into his life in 1991 at Kentwood Christian Church where he has served in several capacities. During that time frame, his love for the motorcycle community and Jesus led him into taking the Word into the local motorcycle clubs. That evangelistic desire became his passion resulting in him accepting his call to ministry, graduating from Great Lakes Christian College, and starting Roadbed Ministries Inc. (an outreach ministry to bikers and truckers).
John believes strongly in the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ to which his own experiences in drugs, alcohol, the sometimes violent world of motorcycling and his subsequent redemption attests.
Whether John and Amy (his high school sweetheart & married in 1971) are riding their motorcycles with Roadbed, filling in at the pulpit or helping organize and equip teachers to disciple others, John sees Kentwood Christian Church as critical link in God’s plan for the community.
Amy Gooch
Administrative Assistant
amy@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
All Amy’s life there was an empty place that people, places and things could not fill. She have attended many churches but did not find Jesus and his saving grace until she and her husband, John, attended Kentwood Christian Church in February 1990.
She has been serving as KCC’s Administrative Assistant since 1992, and it is her joy to serve with this awesome, godly staff, the congregation of KCC and the community. Even though John (her high school sweetheart and husband since 1971) founded Roadbed Ministries Inc. (www.roadbed1.org) in Sept. 2000–an evangelistic outreach to bikers and truckers–they still consider Kentwood Christian Church “their home church”. When asked what is next, her answer is “I don’t know, but the Lord does and he will let me know when he is ready.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Administrative Assistant
amy@kentwoodchristianchurch.com
All Amy’s life there was an empty place that people, places and things could not fill. She have attended many churches but did not find Jesus and his saving grace until she and her husband, John, attended Kentwood Christian Church in February 1990.
She has been serving as KCC’s Administrative Assistant since 1992, and it is her joy to serve with this awesome, godly staff, the congregation of KCC and the community. Even though John (her high school sweetheart and husband since 1971) founded Roadbed Ministries Inc. (www.roadbed1.org) in Sept. 2000–an evangelistic outreach to bikers and truckers–they still consider Kentwood Christian Church “their home church”. When asked what is next, her answer is “I don’t know, but the Lord does and he will let me know when he is ready.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”