In 1907 First Missionary Church was a mission in downtown Pontiac, started by six ladies as an out reach ministry of the Mennonite Brethren Christ denomination. 100 years later the church still has a thriving congregation. On Oct. 28 the church will have its Centennial celebration from 10 a.m. – noon.
Pastor Bud Freed said he was excited about the event.
‘It’s the first time I ever pastured a church that was celebrating their centennial. It’s a great heritage we have here,? he said.
In 1909, the first church was built at Prospect Street. In 1911 the first pastor was assigned to lead the congregation. Over the years, the church went through changes and relocated until 1974, they moved to the current location at 4832 Clintonville Road Palm Sunday, March, 21, 1975, was the first service.
Freed has been the pastor at First Missionary since 2005. He spent his first 25 years with the Wesleyan Church, where he was pastor throughout the state of Michigan.
Freed had his resume out there and was looking for a church when his friend, who is pastor of a missionary church, said ‘you ought to call my superintendent.? From there, the door opened up for Freed and his family at the church on Clintonville road.
‘I could say that it was an accidental thing, but nothing happens that way. God just worked it out that way and we ended up here,? he said. ‘This was the place He wanted us to be.?
Freed is very proud to be the pastor at First Missionary.
‘I have pastured at a lot of churches over the years and I tell you, these are some of the most loving people you will ever meet. They are very kind giving people, very supportive of their pastor here?
Freed said he feels the role of pastor in the community has been ‘de-valued? in today’s culture from what it was years ago.
‘I was raised in a very devout Christian home, where the pastor of our church was a position that was always uplifted in our family, said Freed. ‘This was a person of honor and of dignity.?
Freed said his father, a maintenance man in the public school system and his mother, a school office secretary always entertained the pastor in their home. Because of Freed’s upbringing, he felt being a pastor was the highest honor.
‘Only God can call a person to the ministry, but we as a family can make them more open to the voice of God,? he said.
When he first came to the church, it was mostly an ‘older? generation congregation and one of their goals was to reach younger families he said.
‘We have done that and God has blessed that, so many young new families. We’re excited about that,? said Freed.
The church has a ‘fabulous? children’s ministry, and youth ministry. The church also offers kids classes in American Sign Language and Bell Choir. On Sunday mornings the kids get a chance to perform for the congregation.
They also have a small group ministry which meets in peoples homes throughout the week and on Sunday nights and each small group does a ministry such as visiting a nursing home or volunteering at Grace Centers of Hope.
‘This is a church with a great heritage celebrating 100 years, but this is a church that is excited about the future and there are great things happening here.?
One of the things the church is excited about is a partnership with four other churches in the Detroit metro area, planning a new church in Macomb Township.
‘After 100 years we are still in the business of starting more churches,? said Freed.
With an average Sunday congregation of 150, Freed said he is expecting about 300 for the Centennial celebration. They are inviting all the former pastors and associate pastors who are still alive.
The Sunday morning message will be given by Bill Hosler, denominational president, as well as introducing the new pastor at the Macomb church.
There will also be a catered dinner after the service in the gym and a timeline of the church on the gym walls.
‘It’s just going to be a beautiful day of celebration,? said Freed.