Wellspring Community Church sits back from the road on 4466 Bauer Road in Hudsonville, Michigan, in the stretch of Ottawa County between Grand Rapids and Holland, on a campus it shares with a public disc golf course designed by PDGA Champion Jim Schultz. The church describes itself as a family-oriented, gospel-centered, non-denominational fellowship, and on any given Sunday two morning services draw the congregation together: one at 9 a.m. and another at 11 a.m. The early service is livestreamed each week, the worship is contemporary with a full band, and the dress is casual. Its stated mission is "Glorifying God by making disciples of Jesus Christ," and that mission is lived out through four core values that shape the life of the church from the parking lot to small groups to the mission field.
The Four Core Values That Shape Everything
Every program, ministry, and gathering at Wellspring ties back to four core values. The first, Worshiping God Together, is grounded in Hebrews 10:24-25 and centers on gathering in unity, giving God glory, and crowning Him King. The second, Doing Life Together, draws on Acts 2:46-47 and means spending time together, filling each other's needs, and encouraging one another. The third, Serving Others Together, is rooted in Galatians 5:13-14 and calls the congregation to share time, treasures, and talent, and to share who Jesus is and what Jesus does. The fourth, Sharing Jesus Together, is anchored in Matthew 28:19-20 and is about proclaiming the gospel, inviting people into the kingdom, and building God's church. Lead Pastor Steve Gibson describes these values in a short video on the church's YouTube channel, and they show up everywhere - from the layout of Sunday morning to the rhythm of small groups and missions.
Sundays at 9 and 11 on Bauer Road
Wellspring holds two Sunday morning worship services at 9 and 11 a.m. The 9 a.m. service is also livestreamed, so guests can participate in real time or watch later. Visitors driving in for the first time will find the building set back from the road about a half mile. The driveway is marked with a gray sign with blue letters, and the parking lot sits past a public disc golf course. A parking team directs cars to convenient spots, with a guest parking area on the left as you approach Entrance E.
Inside, greeters welcome newcomers at the door and answer practical questions about restrooms, kids, and coffee. Kids check-in is front and center with easy access to the sanctuary, and a Connection Center in the lobby is staffed by pastors and leaders after each service for anyone who wants to chat, ask a question, or pray. Worship is contemporary with a full band, the dress code is casual, and the atmosphere is described by the church itself as friendly and laid back. Bibles are available at the church for anyone who needs one, either on Sunday or during office hours.
Finding Jesus Through Wellspring Kids
Wellspring Kids is built around the theme "Finding Jesus: In People, In the Bible, In Life." The ministry serves children from birth through fourth grade during both Sunday services, and the team teaches that it is "not enough to simply hear the stories of the Bible on Sunday mornings." Children are taught God's Word through worship, video teaching, live teaching, and gospel-centered storytelling that connects every story to Jesus. The Kids Ministry also encourages children to find Jesus throughout the week, and partners with parents by providing resources and encouragement for discipleship at home.
Check-in opens 15 minutes before each service, and parents can pre-register their children online to make the process smoother. Check-in stations are located in the West Lobby, the South Hall, and the Nursery. Drop-off locations are organized by age: infants from birth to 24 months meet in the Nursery (Room 126), two-year-olds through kindergarten meet in the North Kids Wing (Rooms 110-113), first and second graders meet in the Fireside Room (Room 131), and third and fourth graders meet in South AC (Room 136). For children with special sensory needs, the church offers a special space during the worship services, with information available in a downloadable PDF. The Kids Ministry is directed by Cathy Hassenzahl, with Kassandra Reynolds serving as Elementary Ministry Coordinator.
BaseFiveSix, Vertical, and United: A Year of Witness
On Sunday evenings, middle school and high school students gather for Wellspring Youth. The program runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in three age-specific groups: BaseFiveSix for fifth and sixth graders meeting in the Fireside Room (Room 131), Vertical for seventh and eighth graders in North A.C. (Room 110), and United for high schoolers in South A.C. (Room 136). The current year's theme is built around the idea of being a Witness, with the goal of helping students learn to share their faith naturally and live in a way that reflects the grace, hope, and truth of Christ in their everyday lives.
The youth ministry's vision is summarized in the phrase "Connecting Students to Christ...on Mission...with Each Other," and is grounded in John 15's image of branches that cannot grow or bear fruit unless they remain connected to the vine. The youth team includes Family Ministry Director Kaase Boer, BaseFiveSix resident Ally Shank, Vertical resident Jacob Veltman, and High School resident Jena Hassenzahl. Each age group has its own email newsletter, and parents can pick up a medical release form.
AWANA at Jenison Junior High
On Sunday evenings during the school year, Wellspring AWANA meets at Jenison Junior High from 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. The program is for children age 4 through fourth grade, and it does not require membership or regular attendance at Wellspring to participate. AWANA is structured into three clubs: Cubbies for age 4 through PreK, Sparks for kindergarten through second grade, and T&T (Truth and Training) for third and fourth grade. The goal of the program is to help children know, love, and serve Jesus through discipleship and Scripture memory, with encouragement to continue that discipleship at home throughout the week. A dedicated Facebook page keeps parents and leaders updated, and downloadable parent resources and verse schedules are available for each club.
Rooted, Life Groups, and Discover Wellspring
Rooted is a 10-week discipleship experience that the church runs twice each year. It is built around seven spiritual rhythms drawn from Acts 2: daily devotion, prayer, repentance, sacrificial generosity, serving the community, sharing your story, and worship. Groups of 10 to 15 people meet in person on Sunday mornings during one of the two worship services, going upstairs to their meeting space. The program is free, though participants purchase a workbook, and the church makes accommodations for anyone for whom the cost would be a barrier. Childcare is available through the regular Sunday morning Kids Ministry.
After Rooted, the hope is that each group will continue meeting as a Life Group. Wellspring Life Groups are the small-group heartbeat of the church: they meet at least twice a month, study God's Word, pray together, serve and care for one another, and engage in outreach and evangelism. The church's stated vision is to see a high percentage of regular attenders and members committed to a healthy life group, and to see the commands of loving God and loving others lived out in a significant way within each group.
For those who want to make Wellspring their church home, the next step is Discover Wellspring, a free membership class that includes dinner, childcare, and a chance to meet staff and leaders. After completing the class, attendees are approved to meet with two elders for a membership interview. The membership process is guided by the church's constitution, membership requirements, membership covenant, and membership information documents, all of which are available as downloads.
Baptism by Immersion and Child Dedication
Wellspring practices believer's baptism by immersion, following the biblical pattern in which baptism follows a personal profession of faith. The church does not baptize infants; instead, it offers Child Dedication as a way for parents to publicly declare their commitment to raise their child in a way that honors and glorifies God. Child Dedication services are typically offered a few times each year, and during the service parents are called to the stage with their children to be recognized, given a gift, and prayed over by a member of the pastoral staff. The congregation commits to pray for and support the family. Wellspring encourages attendees to first attend for at least six months and commit to Wellspring as their home church before dedicating a child, and asks that parents be in agreement with the church's beliefs.
The church periodically includes baptism as part of a worship service. Those who wish to be baptized share a brief testimony of their coming to faith, and the church provides towels and a baptism t-shirt. The pastor will ask a simple question, such as "Have you trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?" before lowering the person under the water and bringing them back up. The church is careful to note that baptism is not required for salvation, but is a biblical command and a public way to identify as a follower of Christ.
The Doctrinal Foundation
Wellspring's doctrinal statement begins with a sentence from seventeenth-century theologian Rupertus Meldenius: "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." The statement itself is divided into twelve sections covering the Holy Scriptures, the Godhead, God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, Man, Sin, Salvation, the Church, Eternal Security, Final Judgment, and Eternity. The church holds that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired, complete, and without-error written Word of God, and that the Bible is the final authority for Christian faith and life. It affirms belief in one true God existing eternally in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and in the substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The church holds a complementarian view of men and women, believing that men exercise responsibility for leadership in the home and in the eldership of the church, while affirming that men and women alike are gifted for ministry and leadership. Wellspring holds that marriage is a lifelong relationship between one man and one woman, and that sexual activity outside of marriage is immoral. The Lord's Supper is observed as a symbolic sharing in the body and blood of Christ, and the church believes baptism by immersion to be the prescribed mode of baptism in Scripture. The full doctrinal statement is available as a downloadable PDF.
Men, Women, and Young Adults in Community
The Men's Ministry at Wellspring centers on a Thursday morning Bible study that meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. during the school year. There is also an annual Men's Retreat at Grace Adventures in Mears, Michigan, and a Fireteam program that places men in small groups dedicated to Bible reading, prayer, encouragement, and accountability. The Fireteam vision is to "enlist, engage, advance" - helping men grow as godly men for the glory of Christ. The men also support a separate ministry partner ministry, Winning At Home, which strengthens marriages and families through counseling, coaching, and community events.
The Women's Ministry is led by Becky Ferreira and offers a Tuesday evening Bible study from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and a Wednesday morning Bible study from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., both running from mid-September through early May. The current study walks through the book of Isaiah, exploring the imagery that points to God's holiness, His grace, and His promised Messiah. Other women's offerings include Ladies Connect evenings, Abide Fitness on Wednesday evenings (a devotional and fitness group for women of all ages and fitness levels), and Moms & Tots, a playdate and connection time for moms with young children that meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Bonacci Barn.
Young adults have their own dedicated ministry. Seth Bale serves as the Young Adults Ministry Resident, and the church runs Reach GV, a separate campus ministry that serves college students and young adults in the community. The young adults meet for worship gatherings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with food, worship, prayer, and a study of God's word.
Reach GV and the College Years
Reach is a partnership between Wellspring Church and several other ministries, including Cru, that brings the good news of Christ to the students of Grand Valley State University. Through Reach, students experience community in student-led life groups, are discipled and challenged to multiply, and some are raised up to lead in the ministry, in the local church, or on the mission field. The ministry is led by Andy Stafford, with Katelyn Nickerson serving as the Events and Volunteer Assistant, and it coordinates mentorship opportunities, a WhatsApp group, and an active Instagram presence. Reach partners with Hand2Hand, a local food program that delivers nutritious food to students over weekends and school breaks, and supports the church's efforts to build relationships with international students through the Wellspring missions team.
A Public Disc Golf Course on the Grounds
One of the more unusual features of the Wellspring campus is its public disc golf course. Designed by PDGA Champion Jim Schultz, the course is open year-round at no cost, weather permitting, and is intended to be both enjoyable and challenging for players of all skill levels. The course was added as a way to serve the broader community and provide a gathering place outside the walls of the church. A disc golf map is available for download, and a Facebook group keeps players updated on course conditions and lost discs.
The Missions Footprint: From Hudsonville to the Unreached
Wellspring's missions philosophy is built around the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 and the conviction that "the world is desperate for the Savior." The church supports approximately 14 missionaries through its Kingdom Impact Fund, both locally at Grand Valley State University and across the globe. Missionaries and organizations currently supported include a couple serving in North Africa through Africa Inland Mission among a predominantly Muslim unreached people group, a couple in training with Christar to reach Muslim refugees in the Middle East, Chris and Lydia Cooper serving at the Hospital of Hope in Togo with ABWE Global Missions, Sara Gillette with Cru at Grand Valley State University, an individual in Eastern Europe / West Asia with Global Serve International, a couple in Southeastern Europe with Greater Europe Missions, Jonathan and Jessica Holmberg working in High Wycombe, England, Andy and Michelle Shinabery with East-West in Colombia, Justin Schell with the Lausanne Movement, and Dan and Rachel Smither with Key of Hope in Durban, South Africa.
The missions team provides four ways to engage: Pray (including an Adopt-a-Missionary program), Go (short- and long-term mission trips), Welcome (building relationships with international students), and Send (care packages, letters, and financial support). The church also maintains a list of recommended missions reading, including works by John Piper, Andy Johnson, Kimberly Smith, and others.
Care Ministries: Foster Care, Adoption, Marriage, and Meals
Wellspring's Care Ministries take a comprehensive approach to walking alongside people through some of life's most difficult moments. The Foster Care and Adoption Support Team (FAST) offers an adoption grant program funded by the congregation, a monthly support group for foster moms in Ottawa County with free childcare, and a meal sign-up for foster families. The Marriage Ministry pairs couples with trained mentor couples using Biblical principles and the SYMBIS assessment, and hosts an annual marriage workshop. The Meal Care Ministry coordinates meals for those going through difficult times such as a new baby, a new diagnosis, an unexpected hospital stay, or a loss. Embrace Life is a Wednesday evening program for young women facing unplanned pregnancies, with topics including relationships, identity, anxiety, freedom, forgiveness, and confidence. Moms in Prayer meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 8:30 a.m. to pray for kids and schools.
Additional care resources include a Prayer Chain and a Prayer Wall, and appointments to pray with the elders can be made by emailing the church office. The church also partners with several outside ministries: Reach GV for college students, Hand2Hand for food delivery to students, Winning At Home for marriage and family counseling, Second Story Counseling for individual counseling, Designed 2 Thrive for marriage enrichment, GriefShare for those walking through grief, Angel Tree (Salvation Army) for providing Christmas gifts for children of needy families, and Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan's Purse) for sending shoebox gifts to children around the world.
The Nehemiah Service Team
Inspired by Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days, the Nehemiah Service Team brings together volunteers with a wide range of skills to maintain and care for the Wellspring campus. The team is divided into culinary, maintenance, custodial, and grounds sub-teams, with most opportunities requiring one to four hours per week or per month. The team is a way for individuals, families, and life groups to serve together while building relationships, and it includes opportunities for skilled work (carpentry, electrical, plumbing) and unskilled work (lawn mowing, snow removal, flower beds, vacuuming). The same philosophy of multiplying impact through many hands of varying skill sets also shows up in Wellspring's many other service areas, from kids ministry to hospitality to the Sunday parking and safety teams.
Pastors, Elders, and the King's Church Plant
Wellspring is led by Lead Pastor Steve Gibson, who preaches, teaches, and works alongside the elders to ensure that all programs and efforts support the vision of glorifying God by making disciples of Jesus Christ. Executive Pastor John Klumpp oversees the staff and the church's operational and organizational leadership. Discipleship Pastor Jake Boerman focuses on training and equipping leaders for life groups, women's groups, and men's groups. Worship Pastor Andy Crowder leads the church in worship each week, and Connections Pastor Scott Glisson helps people connect to the body from the moment they drive onto campus. Rachel Bale coordinates Life Groups, Rooted, and Missions, while Becky Ferreira directs the Women's Ministry, Cathy Hassenzahl directs Kids Ministry, Kaase Boer directs Family Ministry, and Jon Gamble serves as Communications Director. Andy Stafford leads the Reach GV campus ministry.
The church is also led by an Elder Board of thirteen men who serve as the spiritual leaders of the congregation: Aaron Alsgaard, Steve Gibson, John Gillette, Dave Koetje, Josh Krikke, Paul Loney, Matt Marsman, Tom TenBrink, Dave Thurkettle, Craig Travis, Jason VanAssen, Kevin VerBeek, and Mike Vredevoogd. A Deacon team of fifteen men serves the practical needs of the church across areas including facilities, finance, missions, connections, congregational care, stewardship, worship, family ministries, and safety.
Wellspring has also planted a daughter church, King's Church, in the West Michigan area. King's Church is pastored by Michael Swindell and is committed to being a gospel-centered, Spirit-empowered, family-on-mission church with the mission to make, mature, and multiply joyful worshipers for the glory of Jesus Christ the King.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the church can be reached at (616) 662-8955 or church@wellspringcc.org. Online giving is available through the giving page, the Wellspring Mobile App, or by text. Services are livestreamed each Sunday at 9 a.m. on the church's YouTube channel, and previous sermons are available in audio form on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Newcomers can fill out a Connection Form or follow the Plan a Visit page to find out more before arriving.