I'm New

I'm New

We are a community of Unfinished People being Equipped to Share
the Hope of Jesusin a broken world

Welcome

We are a community of unfinished believers.  We don't have it all together, and you don't have to, either.  No matter your stage of life, your history, or what your faith journey looks like, you are welcome here.  Join us on Sunday to worship Jesus, hear the Word, and be equipped to live out what it means to follow Him.  Whether you have been around church your whole life or are just curious about Christianity, we'd love to have you join us!  


What to Expect

  • Services start at 9:00 and 10:45 am.
  • Park in any of the lots around the building.  Drop off at the main entrance or farther down at the Children's Ministry entrance.
  • Wear whatever makes you comfortable.  Everything from jeans and sneakers to dresses and ties can be seen around the building.
  • Complimentary coffee and hot chocolate are served next to the lobby, or feel free to bring your own.
  • Visit the Welcome Center in the lobby if you have questions.  Volunteers wearing blue or green lanyards and staff members wearing black lanyards can also help.  
  • Children need to be checked in, either at the Children's Ministry lobby or in the Gym.  To save time, you can register your children ahead of time using the blue button below and go straight to one of the check-in kiosks when you arrive.  If you don't register ahead of time, you will simply need to visit the Children's Welcome Desk in the Children's Lobby or in the Gym.  You can register there on your own, or a volunteer at the desk can help you.  
Register Your Children



First Church Preview


Newer to First Church?  Attended for a while but still have questions about the church?  Looking to take that next step beyond sitting in service on Sunday mornings?  This short meetup aims to answer your questions about the church and give you next steps to get better connected.  Think of First Church Preview as our movie trailer - a quick sneak peek into who we are.  Join us between services at 10:15am for 25 minutes, located just down the hall from the lobby.  Register for an upcoming Preview on our website at fcog.church/preview.  

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Where & When

Service Times

Sunday Mornings

9 & 10:45 AM

Location

1200 West DePoy Drive

Columbia City, IN

Staff

Staff Leadership Team

Shaen Marks

Senior Pastor

Ashley Scott

Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor

Brad Miller

Outreach and Care Pastor

Debbie Reiniche

Children's Ministry Pastor

Jeremy Freeman

Facilities Manager

Joe Jackson

Student Ministry Pastor

Mindy Hoffman

Operations Director

Ryan Ward

Discipleship Pastor

Adult Ministries

Ryan Ward

Discipleship Pastor

Brad Miller

Outreach and Care Pastor

Penny Mosher

Congregational Care Pastor

Children and Student Ministries

Debbie Reiniche

Children's Ministry Pastor

Heather Shively

Children's Ministry Associate

Joe Jackson

Student Ministry Pastor

Owen Tolstedt

Student Ministry Associate

Worship

Caroline Wilson

Worship Ministry Associate

Katie Marks

Interim Worship Leader

Landon Lawrence

Graphic Design Specialist

Operations

Mindy Hoffman

Operations Director

Jeremy Freeman

Facilities Manager

Erin Lipinski

Operations Associate

Kelly Scutt

Finance & HR Specialist

Kyle Peppler

Facilities & Maintenance Specialist

Admin

Heather Garcia

Receptionist

Katie Flora

Receptionist

Kim Bolinger

Receptionist

Stepping Stones

Sydney Hahn

Stepping Stones Preschool Director

Jamie Newkirk

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant Director / Teacher

Hallie Egolf

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Lynnae Hall

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Shelli Coburn

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher

Sydney Bolinger

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Taylor Schrader

Stepping Stones Preschool Assistant

Liz Allen

Stepping Stones Preschool Teacher / Assistant

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

Children's Ministry Administrative Assistant

Job Summary

The Children’s Ministry Administrative Assistant provides organizational and administrative leadership that enables effective children's ministry. This position ensures the smooth operation of all children's ministry programs by managing communication systems, volunteer coordination, data integrity, and event logistics, helping create a safe, welcoming, and spiritually nurturing environment where children and families can grow as disciples of Jesus. 

Additional Information Email Resume