Project Description: Spend a week or more in the heart of northern Michigan. This area is well known for its natural beauty. Rolling mountains and lush forests skirted by white sand beaches that extend into the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan draw thousands of tourists each year. The booming tourist population is a ripe mission field, but of primary concern for Ken Wilson, director of missions for the Northwest Baptist Association, are the 600,000 locals—68 percent of whom are unchurched. “It’s a beautiful area and there are many things we could do because of the tourism,” Ken says. “But first we need to reach the indigenous people who live here year round.” Northern Michigan has a staggering lost population of 70-80 percent, and the Northwest Baptist Association has only 15 churches and missions to reach them. This is why Ken needs the help of volunteer mission teams. He needs volunteers to work alongside local church planters to share Christ and help lay the ground work for new churches. “With the area growing at a rate of 15 percent annually, we have many church planting needs,” he says. “We just need some partner churches to come up here and help us.” Groups are needed to help with sports camps, vacation Bible school, door-to-door surveys, as well as construction and evangelistic outdoor events. Mission teams need to be ready to embrace and encourage local church members and pastors as well as make connections with people in the community who don’t have a relationship with Christ. “The culture of rural northern Michigan is very relational,” says church planter Rich Ratts. “We want to build relationships through outreach events that will help us incoporate people first into a relationship with Jesus Christ and second into a relationship with our churches.” Ken says the Northwest Association needs as many volunteers as they can get. He encourages people to come and enjoy the beauty of northern Michigan while serving those who live here. “In the fall we have the most beautiful colors you could ever want to see,” he says. “Come and check out the leaves and also help us engage our culture and reach the lost population of northern Michigan. Who knows, God may call you here on a permanent basis.”
Current Projects: Volunteers are needed this fall and winter to help two new church plants hit the ground running, minister through event evangelism at winter festivals and on the ski slopes at Crystal Mountain Resort and to help with wild game dinners. No special skills required—just a heart for seeing people come to Christ and a willingness to serve.
More Information:Individuals and groups have an ongoing ministry opportunity in northern Michigan. To find out how you can participate, contact Ken Wilson at brokenwil@hotmail.com or 231-649-2398. For information on other volunteer opportunities, visit www.thebridge.namb.net.