In a 2016, the Pew Research Center published a list that ranked U.S. states from the most religious to the least religious. Maine shared the bottom of the list with four other New England states. Life Community Church, a small but thriving community in Gardiner, Maine, remains undaunted by the statistics. FEC recently welcomed Life Community Church as a fully participating church at the annual conference in August.

The church began ten years ago when a local businessman, Steve McGee, became a Christian and started a small group in his construction office. From that small group of men, Life Community Church began with the help of Pastor Tim Knowles at Moss Brook Church in South Paris, Maine. Small groups, called Life Groups, have been a cornerstone of their ministry. Ramsey Tripp began leading the church two years ago while maintaining his film and video production business full time, Trademark ® Productions.

Although the church meets on Sunday mornings, most ministry takes place throughout the week in Life Groups or through relationships built in the community. Tripp says, “Ministry isn’t an event, but rather, it’s connecting with people and sharing life with them.”

Since ministry looks different in Maine communities and church growth is slower, Life Community has used temporary facilities to meet for ten years. Recently, they found a permanent location and have been raising money to purchase it. Their goal is to raise an additional $55,000 by December 1 to complete the purchase. Find out more about the ministry of Life Community Church at their Facebook page.