Overview
A Growing Church for a Greater Lansing is a guide to Immanuel's shared direction and ministry philosophy. It brings together our mission, vision, values, discipleship strategy, and strategic priorities into one unified framework, providing a common language for leaders and ministry teams.
Rather than functioning as a detailed ministry manual, this document answers the foundational questions of who we are, where God is leading us, and how we believe He is calling us to get there.
It is designed to foster clarity, alignment, and faithful discernment so that every ministry, decision, and experiment contributes to our mission of building gospel-shaped community to serve Christ among the hurting and hungry, and our vision of becoming a growing church for the transformation of the greater Lansing area.
Our Mission
Why We Exist
“Building gospel-shaped community to serve Christ among the hurting and hungry.”
Our Values
Who We Are
Building Gospel-Shaped Community
We are shaped by the good news of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, living as a community defined by grace, forgiveness, and a shared calling to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.
Embracing People
Rooted in the Gospel, we welcome and embrace all people with unconditional love, creating a community where everyone can find belonging and experience the invitation of Jesus.
Equipping Children and Youth
As an intergenerational church, we invest in the emerging generations by equipping children and youth to know, follow, and share the love of Jesus.
Nourishing Our Neighbors
Called to be the light of Christ in our community, we love our neighbors through generous service that responds to their unique physical, relational, and spiritual needs.
Nurturing Transformation
By God’s grace and the work of the Spirit, we seek to be continually transformed into the likeness of Christ and invite others into that same journey of renewal.
Our Vision
Where God Is Leading Us
“25 by 75”
By our 75th anniversary in 2030 we desire to be a church where
young people belong,
diversity is beautiful,
and our bold generosity transforms our city.
Growing Younger
The Overall Goal: 25% of our worshiping community will be aged 13–35.
Current Focus: Launching an intergenerational "Third Space" to build relational connection, belonging, and mentorship with young people.
Growing Diverse
The Overall Goal: 25% of our worshiping community will reflect ethnic diversity.
Current Focus: Building meaningful, long-term partnerships with local diverse organizations to serve, learn, and grow alongside our neighbors.
Growing Impact
The Overall Goal: 75% of our missional efforts will directly target alleviating local poverty and homelessness.
Current Focus: Building meaningful, long-term partnerships with local diverse organizations to serve, learn, and grow alongside our neighbors.
Our Formation Cycle
How We Grow
At Immanuel, we are reframing discipleship around one core belief:
Relationships catalyze growth.
Spiritual transformation happens not simply through programs, content, or Sunday attendance, but through shared life and deep relationships with one another—where people are known, formed, encouraged, and equipped to follow Him.
We are working to shift from a programmatic model for discipleship that is centered on Sunday gatherings, Bible studies, buildings, and activities to a more relational and missional model rooted in everyday life and authentic community
in the places we live, work, and play.
Our Formation Cycle seeks to reflect this shift by following the rhythms of our homes and neighborhoods:
The Neighborhood: Building relationships and meeting needs.
The Entryway: Welcoming others with radical hospitality.
The Living Room: Cultivating deeper relationships beyond Sunday.
The Kitchen: Equipping disciples, leaders, and mentors to multiply.
