Part-Time Lead Pastor at Lakeland Reformed Church (Vicksburg, MI)

Church Profile 

MISSION, VISION, PURPOSE:

 We are a fellowship that is: LEARNING from God’s Word about God's love in Jesus Christ and His will for us as His people; REACHING up to God as we worship and pray; Reaching out to others in our community and around the world as we extend a helping hand to people in need and a loving invitation to receive forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ; and CARING about each other's needs and spiritual growth. 

TYPICAL SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 9:30 A.M. 

• Prelude as worshipers enter sanctuary • Welcome & Announcements • Call to Worship and Opening Prayer • Three opening songs • Children’s message and dismiss for Children’s worship • Greet one another • Message, Scripture and Prayers • Prayers, Praises and Offering • Congregational prayer • Benediction • Closing chorus 

LRC stands out as a small, authentic, genuinely welcoming congregation with a single, traditional worship service and a staffed nursery during worship services. It is the hope of the church body that visitors to LRC come away with the impression that the church is Christ-centered, preaching the gospel and messages from the Bible, with a passion for outreach, sharing and showing God’s care and compassion in our community. During the COVID pandemic, we were one of the few churches to provide a drive-in service produced entirely 3 by church members. 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 

Children’s programs include: Children’s sermon, Children’s worship during Sunday service, and Vacation Bible School. Children’s Worship and VBS curricula are drawn from Group and Cokesbury, e.g. Simply Loved by Group is the current Children’s Worship curriculum.  

VBS draws volunteers and children from several local churches that do not offer their own VBS. Attendance varies over the 4 nights of VBS: 2024 drew 65-85 kids  nightly and 2025 drew 82-114 kids nightly.  The typical program includes 3 nights of worship, Bible stories, crafts, outdoor activities and a meal. On the fourth night families are invited to attend the worship service that is followed by a meal. VBS is our largest outreach activity each year.  

Adult education:  Women’s Bible Study meets twice monthly, attendance 15-18 people. Men’s Bible Study meets twice monthly, attendance 5-10 people. Co-ed Summer Bible Study meets twice monthly outdoors,  attendance 18-20 people. Adult social programs: Men’s breakfast, occasional congregational meals. 

The 2025 summer Bible study followed the book, The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask by Mark Mittleberg. This book stimulated authentic discussion among church members who hold a range of positions on controversial issues. The Bible study members were able to forge unity as a body discussing these issues frankly while acknowledging opposing viewpoints.  

CHURCH BUILDING

 LRC owns the church building outright, without any mortgage. The building features a large narthex and sanctuary and a large carpeted fellowship area/gym. Additionally we have an approved commercial kitchen, stage, offices, library, pastor’s study, and nursery. The building is located on a major road between Portage and Vicksburg and on a large lot with an outdoor worship space, large playground and wooded area.  

Our building also houses Lakeland Creative Beginnings (LCB). LCB is a State of Michigan 5-star rated preschool and daycare that has been serving the local community since 1998. LCB currently offers three programs: the state-funded, tuition-free Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for four year olds; a mixed-age preschool for ages 2 years, 9 months through 5 years old, and before and after school care with transportation to and from all three Vicksburg elementary schools. LCB teachers use the HighScope curriculum, an evidencebased, child-led and play-centered approach developed in Michigan through research focused on improving outcomes for children from diverse and low-income backgrounds. Currently the program serves 50 children from a variety of socioeconomic and faith backgrounds. LCB has its own Board of Directors and, as a taxable entity, LCB operates financially independently but under the auspices of LRC. LCB and LRC intend to grow in partnership to offer more Christian faithbased events and activities that enrich children's experiences and support family connections.

OFFICE SPACE

 The Pastor has a combined office and study within the church building.  There are additional offices that are used for Youth Director, Kid’s Hope Director, Building Technician, and Office Manager.

  STAFF

 In addition to the pastor, paid staff include the following: • Office manager, part time • Youth director, part time • Kid’s Hope director, part time • Building technician, part time   

 CONSISTORY 

Nominations for consistory members are requested from the congregation. The nomination committee recommends a slate, which is approved by consistory and presented to the congregation for approval. Presently we have four elders and four deacons, each of whom serves  a 2-year term. 

CONGREGATION DEMOGRAPHICS

 LRC is a faithful and loving congregation with strong bonds toward each other and eagerness to care for each other and the surrounding community. Church members step up in many roles, from outreach to maintenance to internal leadership. The steadfastness of the members of LRC has helped sustain the church through both good and difficult times.  

Education: Most members have education beyond high school. Many have college degrees. A few have graduate degrees.

 Occupation: Church members are employed in various jobs with no predominant occupation. The most common occupations are in business and office work. There are a few scientists, engineers, farmers, teachers and industrial workers. 

COMMUNITY 

LRC primarily serves the Village of Vicksburg (pop. ~4000), City of Portage (pop. ~50,000) and surrounding rural areas. Vicksburg Community Schools has an enrollment of ~2,500 while Portage Public Schools enrolls ~8,800 students. Both communities and school systems are growing, providing an opportunity to welcome new community members to LRC.  

There are other churches of many denominations in the vicinity, including ChapNaz Church of the Nazarene, Vicksburg Bible Church, Vicksburg Methodist Church, St. Martin Catholic Parish, Vicksburg Gathering of Ada Bible Church, and The Bridge - Vicksburg. LRC collaborates with some of these churches through the South County Ministerial Alliance, with occasional joint worship services. Our VBS program also draws volunteers and participants from nearby churches and the community.

OUTREACH

 In addition to VBS, we also organize several annual events for the local community including an Easter egg hunt, Trunk or Treat (along with LCB) and as of 2025, a Fall Festival. LRC also has a long history of involvement with Kids Hope, which provides one-on-one mentoring at local schools. More recently, LRC has begun to work with adult residential programs (Residential Opportunities, Inc. and Turning Leaf Residential Rehabilitation Services).