Emmanuel Community Church in Columbus Grove, Ohio, has seen the goodness of God since opening its doors in 2024. Now, this growing church plant celebrates another answer to prayer as a lead pastor steps in. Luke Williams joined the staff in January, moving to Columbus Grove with his family amidst harsh winter conditions and flu season. The Emmanuel church body embraced them immediately with support and meals during bouts of illness. Luke is excited to deepen those relationships and to connect with the surrounding community.
After spending eight years as an associate pastor in his hometown, Luke felt a stirring in his heart to become a lead pastor. Through a mutual friend, he connected with Emmanuel and felt encouraged after the initial interview. Since January, Luke sees God’s calling continue to unfold as he serves and leads his new church family. He praises God for already providing a church building, ministry opportunities, a strong team, and “sweet people to shepherd,” he says.
When Emmanuel began last year, three men originally took turns preaching and handling administrative duties. Their efforts laid a solid groundwork that Luke sees clearly today. “God has given the church really great lay pastors.” Recently, Luke took his turn and swapped places with one of the pastors who typically leads music on Sunday mornings. Luke and his wife have a background in guitar and voice, as well as leading worship. So, for the first time since arriving at Emmanuel, they led the congregation in music while the other pastor preached a message from God’s Word. “It was just a really wonderful Sunday,” Luke says. “It was really encouraging for me to be fed. This is not my ministry and [the other pastor’s] ministry, this is the church’s ministry.”
Currently, Luke and his pastoral team are studying together and preparing to launch a deacon team at Emmanuel. They are also excited to expand their children’s ministry in the weeks and months ahead.
