Our Story
Living Hope ChurchLiving Hope Church began in September, 2000. Two families met in a living room and made a commitment to begin a church in the Alpena vicinity that made a difference.
From a gymnasium in a country elementary school, the church doubled its regular Sunday attendance to 21 in three months. By 2002 Living Hope realized the need to renovate and move to a vacant furniture store in the city. Despite considerable inconveniences, the members “made do” and the church increased its attendance to 47 by year’s end.
There was no doubt that Living Hope was in the “church business”. In addition to the advent of the TNT teen group and the LHPD praise band, Living Hope was conducting life enrichment seminars and holding special holiday functions for both members and the community. It soon became evident that more than 3,000 square feet were required.
With the move to Werth Road in 2004, growing attendance mandated two services. The average Sunday attendance peaked at 236 in 2007. Additional room for general attendance seating, teen activities, outreach functions and parking were all problematic issues.
Living Hope’s leadership recognized that without additional space the life-changing power of God would be stifled in our midst. 2008 proved to be a year of difficult economic times in the region as well as in the state. Living Hope brought in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University seminar to help our people got out of debt so they could give to life-changing ministry and save for their families needs even in difficult times. God has been faithful in the intervening years. Even with our facilities bursting at the seams our attendance climbed to an average weekend attendance of 257 in 2010. We have saved the money to renovate new space and as we enter our second decade of ministry Living Hope is on the verge of new and explosive growth. The move to a new facility in 2011 will facilitate existing needs and anticipated future growth – touching more families in the Alpena area-- all of this while remaining debt free. Meanwhile we are providing caring compassionate ministry to the lost, hurting, and abandoned in Alpena. Raising up a generation of Christ-followers that are courageous and committed to doing whatever it takes to help ordinary people become passionate followers of Christ.
We’re Saving to Grow…and Growing to Save!
ABOUT LIVING HOPE
