Check out Valley Church's website here.
Valley Church does not have the word Methodist in its title, but digging deeper, people might just see the shadow of John Wesley outlining lead pastor Matt Bistayi.
Focused on creating a new worship community centered on the motto, “For God. For People. For Change.” the 38-year old is pounding the pavement in the Grand Rapids area to fester authentic Godly relationships, regardless of a person’s background or political stance.
Located just minutes from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, in the same building as Byron Bank, Bistayi and his wife Shellie seem to be right on the money with the principles they are using as they live out what Matt calls his “God dream.”
Opening the door of possibilities
When the Bistayi’s moved from Bronson, Mich. in July 2009, where Matt was a lead pastor, it seemed like a natural progression.
“This was natural, this was logical, it was a ‘God thing.’ That’s why it’s so hard for me to talk about, because how can you put something like that into words?” he said. “Sometimes I think my words mess it all up.”
His words have been the genesis of this new church as well though.
He started by creating what he calls his “mobile office” at Biggby Coffee, where he would pass out business cards and let locals know a new church was in town.
What he found out is the Grand Rapids area is quite “churched”, but many people are looking for new faith adventures and ideas.
One of the keys to getting a new church started on the right foot, in Bistayi’s opinion, is identifying a core group of people with leadership potential.
