SEVEN DECADES STRONG

By LAURA RICO
Sentinel-Standard writer

IONIA -- After 70 years, members of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, also known as the "Jesus Saves" church, look back at their long history and celebrate its considerable growth, and the impact it has had on the surrounding community.

The charter membership of the church, which began in 1935 as the Ionia Orthodox Baptist Church, had 34 people. The church's growth has since fluctuated with a boost in the early 1960s -- a low membership of 20 to 30 people in 1995 -- to its current weekly attendance of 180 to 200.

Pastor Darren Tharp has led the church for more than 10 years, and he accounts LABC's healthy status to the welcoming spirit of the church's members.

"We just love people here," he said. "We try to help families and stay unassuming, but I think the biggest thing is that people are just looking for something real."

Tharp pastors with the assistance of his son, Philip Tharp, a third generation pastor, who works with the youth ministry.

Darren Tharp's father, also a pastor, was originally scheduled to preach at the 70th anniversary service, but recently passed away.

"It's sort of bittersweet for me," he said.

LABC will celebrate its 70th anniversary Sunday with a special service featuring music and guest speaker Dale Sawyer. Following the service will be a "dinner on the grounds," an old southern term for an after-church luncheon. Barbecue chicken will be served, and an evening service will be held.

Tharp said there are six long-time members who will be recognized for their involvement and dedication to the church for over 60 years. Some of the senior members include John Grill, Ken and Linda Syrjala and Lois Cremeans.

LABC's first location was at the Prairie Creek Schoolhouse in 1935, and was moved to and from several locations until 1944, when a church was built on Lincoln Avenue for $6,000. The present building was built in 1964.

Since Tharp came to Ionia in 1995, the position of youth pastor has been established, a Christian academy was started in 2003, and the church was able to burn its mortgage when Paddy Shamp died and willed her home to the church. The house was sold and the money used to pay off the building.

The church has a history of pastors frequently coming and going, but Tharp said he intends to be here for a while.

"My father always told me, 'Stay and do your job, no matter what'," he said.

LABC has several community outreach programs which include weekly prison Bible studies, a veteran's home ministry, nursing home ministry, food bank ministry, bus ministry giving attendees, mostly youth, a ride to church and men's and women's Bible studies.

To contact the church call (616) 527-0970.