About

I'm New

We want allpeople tomeet Jesus,know Jesus,and follow Jesus.

What to Expect

On Sundays, you can expect a friendly welcome, a dynamic service, and relevant teaching. We gather collectively as a church to worship Jesus and for discipleship by hearing about Jesus from the Bible, worshiping Jesus through song and giving, and serving one another through community and prayer.

When you visit First Church of God, you'll find it's a friendly place where people of all ages are stretching, growing and serving. If you're looking for a place where people are excited about God and about what He is doing in their lives and in the world, we believe you've come to the right place. God is doing a new thing here at First Church and you are invited to join us for the journey!

You Belong Here.

Visit the Welcome Center

Each Sunday, immediately following both of the morning worship services, we have an information desk staffed with friendly faces for those who are new to First Church. These people are equipped to answer any questions you might have about First Church ministries or programs and begin to connect with what we hope will become your church family.

Where & When

Service Times

Sunday Mornings

9 & 10:30 AM

Location

1200 West DePoy Drive

Columbia City, IN

Staff

Staff Leadership Team

Shaen Marks

Senior Pastor

Rob Bergman

Executive Pastor

Ashley Myers

Executive Assistant to the Senior & Executive Pastors

Brad Miller

Outreach and Care Pastor

Debbie Reiniche

Children's Ministry Pastor

Jeremy Freeman

Facilities Manager

Joe Jackson

Student Ministry Pastor

Mindy Hoffman

Church Business Administrator

Adult Ministries

Brad Miller

Outreach and Care Pastor

Penny Mosher

Congregational Care Pastor

Children and Student Ministries

Debbie Reiniche

Children's Ministry Pastor

Holly Schrader

Children’s Sunday PM Coordinator

Karen Sherbahn

Children's Ministry Admin Assistant

Joe Jackson

Student Ministry Pastor

Owen Tolstedt

Student Ministry Intern

Worship

Katie Marks

Interim Worship Leader

Riley Hendrickson

Technical Director

Operations

Mindy Hoffman

Church Business Administrator

Jeremy Freeman

Facilities Manager

Darleen Wright

Accounting Associate

Erin Lipinski

Operations Associate

Landon Lawrence

Communications Director

Admin

Marci Leitch

Office Administrator

Heather Garcia

Receptionist

Kathy Hunt

Receptionist

Katie Flora

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher/Receptionist

Kim Bolinger

Receptionist

Stepping Stones

Donelda Meinika

Stepping Stones Preschool Director

Jamie Newkirk

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant Director / Teacher

Ashlyn Kramer

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher

Hallie Egolf

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Jill Damron

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher

Katie Flora

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher/Receptionist

Liz Allen

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Lynnae Hall

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Shelli Coburn

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher

Beliefs

In Essential Beliefs: We Have Unity.

"There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father for us all…" Ephesians. 4:4-6

In Non-Essential Beliefs: We Have Liberty.

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's servant To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In All Our Beliefs: We Show Charity.

..If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians 13:2

The Essentials We Believe

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26-27 & 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as Kings of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5 & 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their 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. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17 & 16:7-13; Act 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12 & 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

The Bible is God's Word to us. 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 the truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, Proverbs 30:5

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

We believe that Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God, was given by God as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. Christ died on the cross to mend the broken relationships which were caused by man's sin of disobedience. This severed relationship between God and man may be restored into perfect harmony through belief in Jesus Christ by faith, and not on the basis of our works (Galatians 5:4-5; Ephesians 2: 8-10). This belief and faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as Lord and Savior, gives men and women the free gift of eternal life (John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 1:19). After receiving salvation by faith through belief in Jesus Christ, the "born-again" (John 3: 1-21) believer may live free from the judgment of God, by living a life according to the teaching of the scriptures and trusting the Holy Spirit for the power to live a holy life according to God's Word.

We believe, that after we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness from which it is impossible to fall. But, by the grace of God, one who has fallen into sin may, by confession and true repentance, find forgiveness and restored fellowship with God.

Matthew 18:21; 1 John 1:1-9; John 15:6; 2 Peter 2:20-22.

We believe that even though men and women cannot receive salvation by good works, their good works are still pleasing to God and show evidence of a true faith in God, and Jesus as Lord of the believer's life.

Matthew 5:16 & 7:16-20; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; James 2:18, 22

People are created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 14:17; Romans 6:23; & 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

For more about the Churches of God, please visit the Churches of God General Conference website.

Job Openings

Discipleship Pastor

Job Summary

The Discipleship Pastor is responsible for creating, managing, and executing the aspects of our church that make disciples and encourage Christian maturity. This includes, Bible study groups, small groups, classes, membership and the premarital processes.

Job Description Email Resume

Worship Pastor

Job Summary

This position is responsible for leading the congregation in Christ-centered worship. They will work closely with the Senior Pastor in the planning and execution of Sunday worship services. The Worship Pastor will also lead and pastor the Worship Ministry staff and volunteer teams, with an emphasis on equipping the team to be empowered to do the work of the ministry

Job Description Email Resume