Greg Cramer said Branch Christian Church has been looking for a building to call their own for quite a while now. Paulding School has worked a partnership out with the church to use the building and pay rent to the school system since 2013. It has been a great symbiotic relationship, but its time has come. Setting up specific classrooms for study was difficult and setting up and tearing down every week was taking it’s toll on members.
One of several requirements would also be to have a meeting location at the Courthouse square. “It had been nearly a year and half and getting frustrated after looking at 6-7 buildings and not seeing inspiration.”
Pastor David Meriwether of the First Presbyterian Church, in a meeting with pastor Greg, mentioned the Kiwanis building on the square in Paulding being for sale.
Meriwether set Greg up in a meeting with Erika Willitzer of the Kiwanis to see what might be worked out.
Branch Christian Church announced its purchase of the Kiwanis Building on the June 24 sale. The meeting was a success and everyone wins!
The Kiwanis will still be able to meet at the building, but now they can exist for their mission instead of paying to maintain a building; and Branch Christian Church now has a place to call their home. They can setup and meet here with having classrooms and other mission based resources.
The average attendance for church is about 70 each week. So, many people are giving their time and services to getting the building ready for having the first service in the new location by the last Sunday in July.
“Our intention in the Paulding area is to be part of the community church structure. We pray for all the churches here in town.” stated Pastor Greg. “We are not in competition with other churches. Our desire is for a church that suits them.”
Branch Christian Church stemmed from Family Christian Center of Defiance. Branch invites you to stop and see the work taking place at this community church.
