On October 8th, the congregation of Lawton Evangelical Church in Lawton, Michigan held a 50-year celebration service. Many people traveled from far and wide to reunite with old friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. “It was moving,” says Dean Basinger, the elder chairman who first came to Lawton Church in the early 90s and attended the service. “It was encouraging to see them come. It’s always good to see friends that you haven’t seen for a long time.”
Lawton’s history stretches back to the 1970s with its first meeting at Miracle Camp. “To God be the Glory” was played during worship on Lawton’s first Sunday, so it was again played for the celebration service last month. Previous pastors and original church members of Lawton attended or sent video messages of encouragement and testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
Through the years, God called many who stood within the walls of Lawton to enter the mission field or plant churches. Lawton Church was able to witness God leading church planters to places like Pennsylvania, Idaho, California, and the Basque Country in Spain. “It happened organically,” Dean says. A relationship continues as Lawton walks alongside these growing churches with financial support, newsletters, and prayer.
The culture of Lawton for decades has been a “hearth and home church” with a sound doctrine, Dean says. “We are blessed for these 50 years to have pastors who hold fast to the doctrines and beliefs. God has provided us with godly men to preach the word, teach the word, and equip us in the word.”
