About Us
At Locust Grove, we are a community where people can come together to worship, to explore faith, and to discover more about Jesus. Whether you’re seeking answers, deepening your faith, or just curious about God, you are welcome here.
Our Values
Our mission is to follow Jesus and serve others. As we come to know God more, our desire deepens to love Him, to follow Him, and show His love to everyone around us.
Living God’s Story
We value reading and studying Scripture because it transforms us to be more like Jesus. Scripture is the cornerstone of our faith and the divinely inspired Word of God.
You Belong
We value creating a place where people of all backgrounds and experiences can come together to find hope in Jesus. Everyone matters to God and so everyone matters to us.
Life Together
We value creating places where people can be real, support each other, and grow in their faith. Life is meant to be lived beyond surface level relationships.
We Go
We value equipping and encouraging people to make a difference in their homes, communities, and around the world. God has given each of us a unique gift and purpose in life.
Anabaptist Vision
We value the teachings of Jesus and seek to live them out in our daily lives. Inspired by Jesus we embrace believer’s baptism, servant leadership, mutual aid, living selflessly, encouraging each other in Christian living, and peace.
Our Beliefs
We invite you to check out our beliefs. Discover the core beliefs and teachings that guide us and inspire our faith. We hope you find connection and encouragement in what we believe!
Scripture
The Bible is the inspired and authoritative word of God, essential for understanding His will. It serves as a guide as we grow in our faith. Regular study of Scripture is crucial to foster spiritual growth and discernment.
God
There is one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This triune God embodies love, justice, and mercy, actively involved in the world and the lives of individuals. The nature of God invites a personal relationship, encouraging trust and devotion.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is central to the faith, recognized as fully divine and fully human. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection provide the foundation for salvation and reconciliation with God. Following Jesus entails embodying his example of loving God and others.
Salvation
Salvation is a gracious gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. This gift transforms our lives, calling us to live in faithful obedience and discipleship. It is not only a personal journey of faith but also one that draws us into a vibrant community of believers, where we are shaped and supported in following Christ together.
The Church
The church is viewed as the body of Christ, a community of believers called to worship, fellowship, and mutual support. It plays a crucial role in encouraging each other in following Jesus and in serving others. The church is also tasked with sharing the gospel.
Discipleship
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of following Jesus, embracing His teachings, and allowing His love to shape every part of our lives. It means learning to walk in His ways of compassion, nonviolence, and love—even toward those we find difficult to love. Discipleship invites us to grow in faith, deepen our relationships, and actively support others in their journey with God, helping them to strengthen their faith and draw closer to Him as part of God’s transformative work in the world.
Baptism and Communion
Believers’ baptism symbolizes a conscious commitment to follow Christ, typically offered to those who can make that choice. The Lord's Supper is a way for us to come together to remember and share in Jesus' life and sacrifice. Both practices strengthen community bonds and affirm shared faith.
Ethics and Morality
Followers are called to live with integrity, embodying the teachings of Jesus in every aspect of life. Ethical living includes a commitment to care for creation, advocate for the vulnerable, and act with stewardship and compassion. These values guide believers in making choices that honor God and serve others.
End Times
We believe in the future return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. This hope encourages believers to live righteously and to actively pursue peace and justice in their communities. Anticipation of Christ’s return motivates faithful living and engagement with the world.
Our History
In 1940 Lee Miller from Shipshewana, Indiana felt a burden for the hurting people in the Sturgis community. Upon finding others with a similar concern, they held revival meetings in the area, wherein a number of people gave their lives to Christ. These new believers were baptized on Easter Sunday in 1940 and Locust Grove Mennonite Church was planted in an empty house nearby before ultimately relocating to a new building at our present location on Findley Road, Burr Oak, MI.
These early, growing years featured frequent revival meetings, youth groups, and the mission work of Froh Homestead. Other Mennonites came from around the country in voluntary service to care for the elderly in this retirement facility. Later in this period, Locust Grove planted a new church: South Colon Mennonite Church. Nearby, Camp Amigo, a Mennonite church camp, also began its ministry. Music was an important part of congregational life, with frequent hymn sings and traveling choirs that sang at other churches.
The next period began in the mid ‘60’s. Significant growth, a variety of ministries, and effective outreach marked the next 20 years. Youth groups were large with a large number of teens being baptized. Many pastors and church leaders were nurtured and developed during this time as well. During the Vietnam-era draft, many young men in the congregation chose alternative service and worked in hospitals and other settings around the country. In 1975 a fellowship hall was added onto the building, with extensive Sunday school space in its basement.
The next eleven years brought a great deal of transition. The congregation went through a time of building, a new leadership structure, building trust, and promoting positivity moving forward. The congregation put together a Christmas drama to present to the community, which drew more than 2,500 people every year. More importantly, it drew the congregation together with a shared mission that got it back on its feet and moving forward.
In 2018 the congregation decided to disaffiliate from Mennonite Church USA and joined the newly formed Evana Network. In 2023 the congregation chose to change the name from Locust Grove Mennonite Church to Locust Grove Church. Although many things have changed through the years, the one thing that has remained the same is that Locust Grove desires to reach out to the broken and hurting people in our community and invite them to find healing and hope through new life in Jesus Christ.