A Long Witness on Dixie Highway
Immanuel Church has stood on Dixie Highway in Lakeside Park, Kentucky for more than 175 years. What began in 1849 as an outreach to German immigrants in Greater Cincinnati has grown into a large, multi-site congregation that serves Northern Kentucky with both traditional and modern worship, two schools, and mission work on several continents. The name Immanuel captures the church's central conviction: "God is with us." Senior Pastor Mike Wooton leads a staff and volunteer team organized around a simple summary of the church's mission: make disciples, share faith, serve others.
What Immanuel Believes
Immanuel is a Global Methodist Church, part of the Mid-South Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church. The congregation holds the Bible as God's holy and inspired Word and seeks to live under its authority in all things. Five Biblical Priorities shape the church's life: honoring God in daily life, accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, personally experiencing and trusting in the living presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit, loving all people because God has loved the church first, and helping all people become and grow as faithful disciples.
These priorities grow out of three foundational passages: the Great Commandment in Mark 12:28b-31, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18b-20, and the picture of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 2:8-10. From these passages Immanuel draws its emphasis on grace, Scripture, fellowship, the breaking of bread, prayer, and the good works God prepared in advance for the church to do.
Sunday Worship at the Central Campus
The Central Campus at 2551 Dixie Highway offers four Sunday morning services designed to serve different worship preferences. In the Sanctuary, the Chancel Choir leads two traditional services at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. In Wesley Hall, the Praise Band leads two modern services at 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. Both styles share the same pulpit and biblical teaching, and families are free to move between the Sanctuary and Wesley Hall as their morning unfolds.
For those who cannot attend in person, two services are livestreamed each week: the 10:00 a.m. traditional service and the 11:00 a.m. modern service. The livestream is the church's Church Online campus.
Visitors typically enter through the Welcome Center on the south side of the building, where greeters are ready to answer questions. At the recommendation of the Lakeside Park Police Department, the Arcadia Street and Wesley Hall entrances are locked during Sunday morning worship hours, but a member of the Safety Team is stationed at the Wesley Hall door to assist anyone with limited mobility or quick drop-offs. The Sanctuary Narthex entrance near Dixie Highway at the rear of the Sanctuary remains open and staffed by a greeter or usher. The Welcome Center is open during church hours throughout the week with free wi-fi and coffee for anyone in the community.
Kids Ministry: Cradle Through Fifth Grade
The Kids Ministry Team creates safe, energetic environments for children from the cradle through fifth grade, using biblical lessons, music, games, and storytelling to communicate God's love. Kelly Potter directs Children's and Women's Ministries.
On Sunday mornings, an age-appropriate schedule moves children through large-group teaching and small groups. The check-in desk opens at 8:15 a.m. Early arrival activities begin at 8:30 in the Lullaby Room for infants, Sweet Treats Room for toddlers, Firehouse Room for preschool, and NextGen Center for elementary. From 9:15 to 10:30, children experience both large group and small group time. Kids Worship runs from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and offers a high-energy, Christ-centered experience for elementary children while the youngest continue in their dedicated rooms.
The Care and Share Nursery is staffed by paid staff and volunteers during every worship service for infants and toddlers. Club 4-5 meets during the 10:15 a.m. hour for fourth and fifth graders, who begin in worship and then move to small group during the announcements.
Wednesday Kids Club runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and follows a different theme each month that builds on what the kids learned that Sunday. Sign-in opens at 6:15, and First Look Preschool Kids Club and childcare are available for younger children of attending families. Upward Basketball uses the Upward Sports 360 model to develop the total athlete mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially. Vacation Bible School is offered each summer as a weeklong experience for kids of all ages, with loving childcare for the little ones of volunteers and a rotation-based themed environment for kindergarten through fifth grade.
Youth Ministry: Discipleship as a Way of Life
Immanuel Youth Ministry, led by Youth Minister Jacob Booher, walks alongside middle school and high school students as they grow as disciples of Jesus. The annual theme is "Discipleship," drawing on Luke 9:23: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." The team wants students to follow Jesus, become like Jesus, and help others follow Jesus.
Three weekly gatherings anchor the ministry. Sunday Night Youth Group meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall with energetic worship, biblical teaching, games, and small groups. Midweek Fellowship on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Youth Lounge offers a more relaxed setting with snacks, games, and a current Bible study through the Sermon on the Mount. Sunday Morning Bible Study meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Lounge using Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum.
Confirmation is offered each year to current seventh and eighth graders. The 12 Wednesday evening classes cover what Immanuel calls the Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith and spiritual practices. A Confirmation Overnight in early January focuses on team building and service, and a Confirmation Retreat in late April focuses on relationship building, worship, and the means of God's grace. Confirmands make a public profession of faith on Confirmation Sunday in May and may join Immanuel as full members.
High school students can apply for the Youth Leadership Team, which exists to build influencers and send servants. The Bread of Life Meal Ministry prepares food for youth group nights, retreats, and special events, and adults can serve as Small Group Leaders, Sunday Morning Bible Study Leaders, or Event Support Team members.
Music and Worship Arts
Music exists at Immanuel to glorify God and to point all people to the transforming presence of Christ. Joanne Brumm serves as Minister of Music and Ryan Gillam as Minister of Modern Worship. Together they lead one of the more extensive music programs in Northern Kentucky.
The Chancel Choir is the core traditional music ensemble, with 50 active singers leading congregational singing at both Sanctuary services. No audition is required; rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. The Praise Band leads the Wesley Hall modern services and rehearses Sundays at 8:00 a.m. Tim Ferguson serves as Modern Worship Leader.
The Immanuel Orchestra, open to youth and adults who play orchestral instruments, presents in worship about once a month. The Immanuel Brass plays about once a month, with rehearsals the Monday prior from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Two handbell ensembles ring in worship about once a month. Chancel Bells rehearses Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Immanuel Ringers rehearses Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Both ensembles ring five octaves of Malmark handbells and five octaves of chimes.
The Men's Ensemble, a four-part men's chorus, sings about once a month with Tuesday rehearsals from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Evangel, the women's ensemble, sings every six to eight weeks with rehearsals on Sundays from 10:20 to 10:45 a.m. A Lay Leaders team invites anyone into worship leadership without prior training, and a Communion Prep Team prepares the elements for the congregation each week.
Adults, Small Groups, and the New Testament Challenge
Immanuel partners with RightNow Media to give every member free access to a video library of more than 20,000 Bible studies, small group resources, devotionals, kids' shows, and other content on phones, tablets, computers, and Smart TVs.
The adults-and-discipleship ministry points people toward small groups, classes, ministry teams, and recurring service opportunities that can be searched by type, location, day of the week, and demographic. Wesley Phillips serves as Minister of Disciple-Making.
A church-wide New Testament Challenge invites the congregation to read through the New Testament together in a year at roughly one chapter a day, five days a week. Reading plans, a Family Bible Reading Companion, and BibleProject resources support the effort, along with an Immanuel NT Challenge Podcast available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
Women's Ministry
Kelly Potter leads Women's Ministry with the mission of cultivating a welcoming, encouraging community where women grow in faith through prayer, study, mentoring, and fellowship. Women meet throughout the week for Bible studies, life groups, and fellowship nights.
Monday offerings include a morning Bible study at Central Campus from 10:00 a.m. to noon and Jennifer's Life Group at a home from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays bring Melody's Bible Study from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., Sandy's Life Group from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Body and Soul Yoga from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., and Sister Searchers from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays feature Women of Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monthly gatherings include Sarah Circle on the second Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., Sewing His Love on the third Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., and Card Ministry on the fourth Monday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
One or two larger women's retreats and conferences are offered each year, and rotating fellowship nights give women additional opportunities for connection.
Men's Ministry
Men's Ministry exists to help men grow in their relationship with God in the community of other men. Life Groups meet weekly to intentionally build Christian community, and Learning Groups meet weekly to grow in God's Word. Men's Gatherings and Conferences are planned throughout the year as times of fellowship, outreach, and growth.
Sonshine Preschool and the Immanuel School of Music
Two schools operate on the Central Campus. Sonshine Preschool provides educational and creative opportunities in a nurturing Christian environment, encouraging children to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically. The preschool serves ages two through five and is staffed by competent, certified, and engaged adults who interact with children daily. Tuition for the school year is $230 for two days a week, $315 for three days a week for three- and four-year-olds, and $525 for five days a week for four-year-olds, with a $150 non-refundable registration fee. Dana Smith directs Sonshine Preschool.
The Immanuel School of Music offers music lessons throughout the week in private and group settings under the direction of Ellen Stephens, with Julie Geiman as Education Director. Lessons cover a range of instruments and styles for students of all ages, and the Welcome Center is open during the week for music families and others in the community.
Care, Prayer, and Pastoral Support
Kelly McClendon serves as Pastor of Congregational Care. The Get Support ministry receives prayer requests by phone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (859) 341-5330, extension 54, and through an online form. Confidential requests are shared only with the pastoral care team.
Church Friends to Remember supports members who can no longer attend worship due to illness or other limitations. Volunteers visit people in homes, retirement communities, and nursing homes, and make regular calls and send cards. The Card Ministry sends cards to people facing illness, death, or other issues in their lives.
Pastors officiate funerals and celebrations of life, and the Care Ministry supports families through hospital, nursing home, and senior care visits. A grief support series based on Elizabeth Harper Neeld's Seven Choices: Finding Daylight After Loss Shatters Your World is offered periodically.
Weddings at Immanuel
Immanuel performs weddings exclusively for members of the church and does not rent its facilities for receptions, parties, or other events. The sanctuary seats up to 350 guests and the chapel accommodates up to 40. Staff fees excluding the pastor range from $300 to $1,150 depending on the staff required and whether the wedding is held in the chapel or sanctuary. Guest pastors may officiate with prior approval from the Senior Pastor. A full wedding policy is available for download from the church.
Local Outreach: Lakeside Park and Beyond
Immanuel's local missions take many forms. The 175 Invite Initiative invites every church member to invite one person to Immanuel every week for 60 weeks. TREC Ministry, or Teen Residents Encounter Christ, shares the gospel and meals with teens at the Northern Kentucky Youth Development Center in Crittenden on the first and third Monday of each month.
The Immanuel Food Pantry Mission operates on the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Christ's Chapel Assembly of God, 3819 Turfway Road in Erlanger. Volunteers distribute perishable foods such as meat, bread, and fresh produce alongside nonperishable packages of canned vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, canned fruit, canned meat, and other staples.
Other hands-on ministries include Sewing His Love, which makes various items for cancer victims and survivors, and Immanuel Comforters, which makes and gives quilts to children at the Versailles Children's Home. Volunteers also support People Working Cooperatively, helping homeowners in need stay in their homes. Cinderella's Closet provides formal wear to girls who could not otherwise afford to attend their prom, with the goal that every girl leaves knowing she is cherished.
The Eastern Kentucky Mission has been serving the greater Rousseau community since the July 2022 flood, supplying food, housewares, furniture, heaters, insulation, and even helping to replace a fire department rescue vehicle. The Rousseau community has since begun helping their neighbors in Asheville, North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene damage.
Within the church, the Sunday Hospitality Team includes greeters, ushers, cart drivers, and coordinators. The Bread of Life Wesley Night Serve Crew provides meals, and the Church Friends to Remember team visits members who cannot attend worship.
International Missions: Five Continents of Partnership
Immanuel partners with missionaries and ministries around the world. Dr. Cam Gonwer and his family serve in Ankaase, Ghana, where Cam runs a medical ministry at the Methodist Faith Healing Hospital and Outpatient Clinic and a church-based community health program. Anne Gonwer teaches literacy, and the Reading Town Library in Ankaase was established with Immanuel's help. Through TMS Global, the Ankaase ministry has expanded to include a new dental facility, a Dental Nurses Training School, and an addition to the Apagya Methodist Hospital.
In Thailand, Immanuel sponsors Reverend Mike and Sherri Morrissey of the Global Methodist Mid-South Conference through the "Thailand Now" Mission, which supports Blessing Home Centers that protect children from being trafficked, Pioneer Pastors planting churches in unreached areas, Abundant Life Groups for financial freedom, and Special Blessings Korat for families of children with special needs.
In Russia, Immanuel partnered with Pastor Igor Volovodov to plant St. Apostles Peter and Paul Church in Voronezh in the early 2000s. The church now runs a Boy Scout troop, a Men's Group, a Christian Learning Academy, and missionary journeys throughout Russia. On a recent mission, Pastor Igor baptized 18 new believers, and the church now serves both Russian and Ukrainian refugees from the ongoing war.
In Bolivia, Victor Villarroel and Sadie Grace Hammond serve with Mesa Global, partnering with Talita Cumi children's home and the AVISA child sexual abuse prevention and detection program. The ministry disciples and mentors school-aged children, many of whom have experienced trauma.
In the Dominican Republic, Immanuel sends annual teams to partner with GO Ministries in and around Santiago. GO Ministries pursues church planting, sports ministry, and medical missions, with a goal of planting 1,000 churches by 2030. Immanuel teams have supported church plants with VBS programs, prayer walks, community development, worship, and small-scale construction, and have helped with GO's three-story medical facility, traveling health clinics, freshwater filtration systems, and basic medications.
Safety and Hospitality on Sunday Mornings
Immanuel has built a Sunday morning Security/Emergency Team to coordinate responses to medical, weather, or safety concerns. The team was created at the recommendation of the Lakeside Park Police Department and is staffed by volunteers carrying radios in the hallways.
The Arcadia Street and Wesley Hall doors are locked during Sunday morning worship hours. Visitors are encouraged to enter through the Welcome Center, where the Hospitality Team greets them. The Sanctuary Narthex entrance near Dixie Highway at the rear of the Sanctuary also remains open and staffed. The Wesley Hall door is still available for those needing quick drop-offs or with limited mobility, with a Safety Team member stationed there to assist. Doors with push bars remain usable as exits at any time.
Scholarships for Students
Immanuel awards annual scholarships to graduating high school seniors and post-secondary students pursuing college, community college, trade programs, or seminary. Awards vary, with general academic scholarships beginning at a minimum of $500. Seminary students may be eligible for an initial $2,000 award with up to $1,000 in annual renewal funding for up to three additional years, for a maximum of $5,000 total. Asbury Seminary students pursuing ordination within the Global Methodist Church and meeting Certified Candidate requirements may apply for an additional scholarship. Applications are posted each spring.
Leadership
Mike Wooton serves as Senior Pastor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Asbury University, a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary with a focus on preaching and leadership. He and his wife Valerie have two young daughters, Norah and Ava, and his favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 2:9.
The ministry team includes Joanne Brumm (Minister of Music), Ryan Gillam (Minister of Modern Worship), Kelly Potter (Director of Children's and Women's Ministries and Director of Preschools), Jacob Booher (Youth Minister), Wesley Phillips (Minister of Disciple-Making), Kelly McClendon (Pastor of Congregational Care), and Tim Ferguson (Modern Worship Leader).
Plan a Visit
Immanuel Church's Central Campus is at 2551 Dixie Highway, Lakeside Park, KY 41017. Phone (859) 341-5330. Email office@immanuel-nky.org. Sunday services are at 8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. The 10:00 a.m. traditional service and the 11:00 a.m. modern service are livestreamed. The Welcome Center is open during church hours throughout the week with free wi-fi and coffee for anyone in the community.