Our story is not one of an ever-ascending glittering road to earthly perfection. It is a story of struggle, of falling backward, of surging forward. It is the story of perseverance borne of faith.
As the Bible itself makes no attempt to hide the indiscretions of its cast of characters, this account seeks the unvarnished version of the history of a scripture-based church. The result – as in scripture itself – is not always flattering, but it is honest and insightful as a heritage.
On May 20, 1839, a gathering of individuals huddled in a school house near James Knapp’s home in Rome Township. These loosely associated individuals, all identified as Baptists, discussed banding together for the purpose of joining a conference. They were the first to come together to form what today is known as West Rome Baptist Church.
Move the clock forward 182 years, and WRBC is standing in Manitou Beach, Michigan wholly a testament to the faithfulness of the God we serve. We find ourselves humbled and grateful for the family born of Grace that God has given us. We seek to be “Following Jesus Together”. That mantra is not meant to be a passive phrase that reads well or looks pleasant on any marketing literature. It is our heart – our way of life.
Following Jesus Together
We embrace transformed, but sometimes messy community and therefore, embrace each other. We were created for worship and community – with God and each other. The Gospel saves those who are lost. The Good News also redeems those, who having been saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, are being progressively set apart from sin to live ever-increasing holy and blameless lives. These lives then pour out love, in honor, and for the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Believing Jesus Together means striving together in the one hope of our calling in one Spirit, one Lord, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Our common faith rises above any other worldly or human differences we may have so that Jesus Christ has first place in all things.
Stepping forward together means forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead; pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We step out to live on mission together making disciples of all nations, baptizing, and teaching all that the authoritative, inerrant, and infallible scriptures teach.
The grace of Jesus allows us to follow, believe, and step forward together. Would you join us?
