Who We Are
Why MicroChurches?
Romans 16:3-5
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.
We have a passion for a smaller way of being church. Why?
Small is simple …
By removing complexity, we can focus on priorities.
We believe the church has four crucial priorities based on our four key relationships:
WORSHIP - Our Relationship with Jesus
Devote yourselves to connecting with and following after Jesus.
DISCOVERY - Our Relationship with the Bible
Devote yourselves to taking in and living out God’s Word.
COMMUNITY - Our Relationship with Each Other
Devote yourselves to loving one another as a family of brothers and sisters in Christ.
MISSION - Our Relationship with Others
Devote yourselves to joining Jesus in making disciples by living a Prayer > Care > Share > Dare lifestyle.
Wherever you have these four priorities and relationships …
WORSHIP - Our Relationship with Jesus
DISCOVERY - Our Relationship with the Bible
COMMUNITY - Our Relationship with Each Other
MISSION - Our Relationship with Others
… you have a church, regardless of size. That’s because that church 1) seeks Jesus passionately, 2) lives life biblically, 3) loves each other sacrificially and 4) shares the Good News of Jesus boldly.
The advantage of being small, however, is that since the Body is simple it can focus all its energy on these four relationships and priorities.
Small is engaging …
1 Corinthians 14:26
What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.
Everyone gets to play in a MicroChurch. You get your need prayed for. You contribute your voice to the Discovery Bible Study. You exercise your gift of encouragement or leadership. Small welcomes involvement.
Use our Gathering Guide to promote engagement.
Small is strategic …
MicroChurches don’t cost a lot of money. They don’t take a lot of resources. They utilize the people, the relationships and the spaces already there. So MicroChurches are accessible, contextual, sustainable, replicable, and therefore, unstoppable.
Matthew 13:33
Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
Why a Network of MicroChurches?
You could always do MicroChurch on your own. But don’t we need each other, and aren’t we usually better together? That’s why we network together.
Our Way
The Way is a family of MicroChurches that share a common commitment to:
The Way’s Priorities and Pathways
The Way’s leadership support and accountability
The Vineyard Statement of Faith
The Way’s Theological Distinctives
We equip ordinary followers of Jesus to join Him in the mission of making disciples within their circles of influence and gathering them together into simple expressions of the body of Christ, which we call MicroChurches. Each of these basic Christian communities is a church within our network.
Our Vision
We envision becoming an ever-growing network of reproducing disciples, leaders, MicroChurches and new networks, so that there is an ever-growing witness for Jesus in Grand Rapids, West Michigan, the United States and beyond.
Our Leaders
The Network Leadership Team serves our network through:
Discernment-prayer
Mission-embodiment
Leadership training, support and accountability
MicroChurch “healthcare”.
Aaron and Emily Brown - Lakeshore Network Leaders
Aaron and Emily grew up in rural West Michigan and met at church in middle school. Aaron has a B.S. from Cornerstone University with a double major in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. Together, they served on staff at Camp Beechpoint for ten years and at Ridge Point Community Church for thirteen years where they also started Third Coast Church. They have four children and live in Saugatuck Michigan where they have launched a MicroChurch in their home and plan to help catalyze and coach MicroChurches in communities along the Lakeshore. The Brown's driving passion is to see people reconciled to right relationship with God, one another, and their purpose in life. You can contact Aaron at (616) 322-1322, PrAaronBrown@gmail.com, and get connected in other ways at PastorAaronBrown.com.
Aimee Deemter and Molly Nichols - Women’s Network Leaders
Aimee was born and raised in Lowell, Michigan, where she lives with her husband of 17 years, Jeremy, and their two children. After earning a B.S. in Chemistry from Michigan State University, she chose to step away from her professional career to focus on her most important ministry—being a homemaker and raising her family. For over 20 years, Aimee has served in ministry through leading women’s groups, international and national mission trips, neighborhood Vacation Bible Schools, and her local church prayer team. Most recently, she co-leads a MicroChurch and teaches Bible classes to public school students during school hours. Aimee’s passion is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and her mission is to help people experience the freedom and transformation found in His love. You can reach Aimee at (616) 540-3393 or AimeeDeemter@gmail.com.
Molly was born and raised in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. While living in Southern California, she met her husband, Buddy. In 2019, they returned to East. Molly has been happily married for 21 years and is a devoted wife and mother of four. As a stay-at-home mom, she also serves as co-leader of a thriving MicroChurch and lead on the prayer team at her local church. Drawing on her extensive experience in executive leadership and entrepreneurship, Molly is passionate about equipping, mentoring, and discipling women through a biblical lens. Her ministry is marked by a steadfast commitment to prayer, the authority of Scripture, and a deep desire to help women cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus—so they can walk in freedom, grow in faith, and live a life rooted in God’s truth. You can contact Molly at (424) 333-4352, TheMollyNichols@gmail.com.
Karl and Anita House - Grand Rapids Network and Movement Leaders
Karl and Anita grew up in Michigan and met at Calvin College. Anita has a BS and education degree from Calvin and Karl has a Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. Karl is ordained in the Vineyard USA. They have been in ministry together since 1987 (22 years near Toronto and 11 years in Tampa). They’re excited to be back home in Grand Rapids. Their goal is to pour into a new generation of disciples, leaders and MicroChurches. You can reach Karl at (616) 287-3722 or Karl@TheWayMicroChurches.org.
Check out Karl’s book THE PRODIGAL or There And Back Again.
What you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.
— From Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2
Why Partner with The Vineyard?
Once again, we need each other and we’re better together.
As a MicroChurch network that seeks to see the vitality of the early church today, we are pleased to partner with the Vineyard. That’s because the Vineyard takes seriously the faith and mission, as well as the experiences and expectations, of the early church. If you read through the Vineyard Statement of Faith, you'll see what we mean.
We also appreciate that the Vineyard is a global movement of churches that passionately seek to say YES to the Holy Spirit.
Why Not YOU?!
Do you sense God calling YOU to join or even start a MicroChurch family?
You Can Do It! We Can Help!
