The Antioch Story

Ken Wytsma started Antioch Church in the summer of 2006 with a group of about 30 people dreaming of a unique, authentic and creative community centered on Jesus Christ and a desire to make a tangible difference in the world (visit the Antioch In Depth articles).

On October 15, 2006 Antioch had its first public service at the Old Mill Regal Cinemas. In those days the leadership team included Kip Jones doing youth and administration, Fred Kent leading worship and Kimberley Hunt as the office manager and Director of Arts.

Antioch’s passion for ministry in Africa began in December of 2006 with an HIV/Aids Sunday followed by a four week learning group on HIV/Aids focused on Africa, Asia and Aids orphans. Our first team traveled to Uganda that next spring.

Antioch quickly grew to around 200 people by late spring in 2007 when it was joined by another church of about 30 people named River Rock. At that time Brandon Reynolds was added as Associate Pastor at Antioch with a real heart for discipleship and connecting people. The Realm College Group began shortly afterword.

After a full summer of firsts – Baptism at the Deschutes, summer interns, Summer Swamp Days for kids and Antioch’s 1st Annual Family Camp we were forced to start an 8:00 service in September of 2007 since we had reached the maximum capacity of the theatre.

By December of 2007 there were no longer any seats available in the theatre and we had far exceeded the limit at the Children’s Museum where Antioch Kids were meeting. So on January 15, 2008 Antioch began meeting at Summit High School.

Our first Sunday at Summit was also the first day for our new Worship Pastor, Justin Lavik. Summit saw the beginning of a book cart ministry as well as new children’s programs focused on specific age groups.

In February of 2008, World Relief agreed to a unique, innovative and collaborative partnership with Antioch in the creation of World Relief NEXT. Shortly after approval, a team from Antioch visited the World Relief projects in Burundi – as well as making contact with Emmanuel Ndikumana, a Burundian pastor and founder of a Bible College called Partners Trust Internaftional (PTI).

At the same time, Antioch had been given a local Bible College formerly known as High Desert Christian College, which had recently received state approval for a one-year bible degree. The school was renamed Kilns College: School of Theology and Mission and given a new vision to marry quality classical education with a global sense of calling and mission (click here to read the vision). Kilns College quickly became a sister school with PTI in Burundi as well as partnering with Eternity Bible College in Simi Valley. In September of 2008, Kilns College officially launched with 60 students spread across 4 classes.

In looking for a place for the college classes and offices, we found a storefront in the Old Mill Marketplace that quickly became not only the class space for the college and offices for World Relief NEXT, but a bookstore with a unique global, missional and cultural focus – the brainchild of Kimberley Hunt (click here to read about The Kilns Bookstore).

On July 20, 2008 Antioch held its third “Art Sunday” in combination with the release of the Antioch Art Book. Art Sunday’s had become a tradition where in addition to a unique message and feel, art from artists within the church is displayed and sold as a mission’s fundraiser.

The Art Book was a continuation of the dream of showcasing and affirming the creative talents of people within the Antioch community. It is a 188 page color book of poetry, paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, short stories, floral art and songs. (The adult Art Book was followed by a Children’s Art Book, which came out in December of 2008. To ask about or order a copy of either art book, please e-mail Kimberley Hunt at info@antiochchurch.org).

In December 2008, Antioch hosted the kick off of the World Relief NEXT project as part of a two week missions conference. Emmanuel Ndikumana flew out from Burundi and spoke for two Sundays. In addition, there were videos on NEXT and the Congo, a presentation, a talk on wise giving from Jonathan Martin of Good Shepherd Church, an after service local missions fair with 24 ministries represented that have connections to people in Antioch and much more.

Antioch, along with World Relief NEXT, unveiled its commitment at the missions conference to focus on, learn about and seek to help the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over $600 dollars was raised selling Congo prayer bracelets and informational booklets. A Congo Learning Group of 50 people began a six-week program to learn more about Congo in January of 2009.

Even though we’ve grown to over 500 adults in services, Antioch continues to be a story of simple people believing in a big God, dreaming big dreams and committing to walk humbly and authentically in our community and our world. We believe that God is looking for a few people idealistic enough to believe that they can change the world – because if it is impossible to change the world, God would not have told us to try.