By David Fleet
Editor
Ortonville — Pastor Ken Tison is home.
At 6-years-old Tison first stepped into what was then Hillside Bible Church. After more than a half century, Tison will be the new Pastor bringing years of experience in the ministry.
“It was always a blessing to be here,” said Tison. “Values are important to us here. One of my values is we are family, people need a place to belong today. It’s a need in our society today.”
Tison, grew up in Groveland, moved to Brandon township and attended Brandon Schools until eighth grade. He then attended Oakland Christian School, graduating in 1984, then later earned a business degree from Oakland Community College.
He married Debbie in 1990 at Hillside and moved the couple moved to the Goodrich area.
During that time Tison was hired by United Parcel Service where he worked for five years. He later was employed in his in-laws’ jewelry business.
“We did very well in that business,” he said. “We figured this is what we are going to do for the rest of our lives.”
In 1999, the couple had three little boys and Ken went on a short mission trip to Brazil, just to help out.
“I grew up in the church and always looked at missionaries and pastors as Supermen,” he said. “The elite. But this missionary in Brazil was anything but that, he was just an average guy who committed.”
Tison said the missionary had sold everything and moved his family to Brazil to serve God.
“I thought what am I doing back home?,” he said. “We both are just average dudes. I have to get more involved back home.”
Over the next 22 years, Tison’s involvement in the church grew, serving as Youth Pastor and Executive Pastor at Hillside. At one point more than 200 youth attended his ministry. In 2008 they name was changed from Ortonville Baptist Church to Hillside Bible Church.
“Family stayed first,” he said. “I never would take anything from my family to do a mission from God.”
Tison left Hillside in 2015 and over the next eight years served at churches in Illinois, Mt. Morris, Clarkston and Goodland Township.
In June 2022, Hillside Pastor Cliff Powell announced his retirement. Tison applied and was named Pastor earlier this year.
The couple has four boys Kyle, Calvin, Kevin and Kenton all Goodrich High School graduates.