By Anna Oelerich | Echo
In honor of Local Church Week, here are four lesser-known Grant County churches Taylor students call home.
Lakeview Wesleyan Church, Marion
Denomination: Evangelical, Protestant
Pastor: Tim McClellan
Service Times: Sunday at 10:30 a.m., with young adult Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. (No ride? No problem. Lakeview has a bus route and leaves Taylor on Sundays at 8:40 a.m.)
Known For: A strong focus on missions. Lakeview currently supports missionaries in 10 countries including Russia, Mozambique and Sri Lanka.
Get Involved: According to their website, Lakeview's young adult program gets together on Saturday nights for OVERFLOW Rise, a youth group service that includes dinner, according to sophomore Nathaniel Fackler.
In a Student's Words: "Out of all the churches that I'd visited in my freshman year, this was the first church that had such a program geared specifically towards young adults . . . . The messages delivered by Pastor Zach Bardsley were ones that really challenged me and my faith." (Fackler)
Upland United Methodist Church, Upland
Denomination: United Methodist
Pastor: Rob Neel
Service Times: 9 and 10:30 a.m.
Known For: Its mix of old and new. UUMC is a home church to many Taylor community members, including students and faculty.
Get Involved: UUMC's Ministry Menu lists 84 (yes, 84) different ways to serve. Have a heart for children with special needs? Want to put your media skills to good use? Wish you could somehow take part in a Casserole Ministry? UUMC has an outlet for you.
In a Student's Words: "Every month, the community members prepare a home-cooked lunch for the students-just little things like this can make a week a lot brighter." (Nysha Chen, junior)
College Wesleyan Church, Marion
Denomination: Wesleyan
Pastor: Steve DeNeff
Service Times: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Known For: Reaching out to the community. College Wesleyan Church (CWC) leads programs within Marion schools and other parts of Grant County. They also partner with Senda de Vida, a church in Mexico, and are raising money to provide Senda de Vida's sanctuary with a roof.
Get Involved: There's somewhere for everyone to be plugged in at CWC. Whether within its walls or in the community through Serve Grant County (a volunteer portal created by area churches), CWC is looking for those willing to serve.
In a Student's Words: "I love the worship and preaching; it's the most similar to my church back home." (Alyse Mitchener, senior)
Lighthouse Assembly of God, Marion
Denomination: Pentecostal/Assembly of God
Pastors: Jerry and Paula Gallaway
Service Times: 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.
Known For: Emphasizing connection. On its website, LHA gives 10 reasons why they believe each member should serve within the church and use their talents to glorify God.
Get Involved: LHA offers small group leadership positions for all age groups. If you're staying in Grant County for the summer, they're also looking for camp counselors.
In a Student's Words: "I can't say enough about how the church leaders are the same people in church you see on a Sunday as you would when you meet them outside. There are no 'two lives' that they are living. . .they are genuine followers of Christ." (Amish Mishra, sophomore)
