About
Home
Staff
Ministry Teams
Leadership
Community
Contact
Freshwater Church
30037 Red Arrow Highway
Paw Paw, MI 49079
269.657.6500
....Connecting real life and authentic faith...
What's Freshwater?
We're a church that places high value on relationships - both with God and others.
We value being real - each person should feel welcome and loved for who they are.
We value being relevant - a place where Sunday's teaching makes sense in our Monday-Saturday life.
We desire to be reaching, to impact our community with the good news of Jesus.
You'll find a church where there is no dress code, where it's okay to laugh, where questions are encouraged. We're a church that speaks in everyday language, where you're accepted even if you're not sure where you stand spiritually. We dont claim to know it all and we certainly are not perfect.
Current series...
Catch Freshwater on Channel 12!
Daily _ 11 am, 7 pm & midnight (for you late-nighters)
Click HERE for Freshwater Podcasts
Click HERE for this weeks Audio
Click Here for this week's Community Group Notes!
Copywright Freshwater Community Church 2009
Site Design by Kevin Romeo: FLEDONFOOT DESIGN
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Where We've Been...
Who we are
God wants our lives to be transformed. We believe He does that primarily through relationships - with Him and others.
There are two ways to experience deeper relationships at Freshwater: serving in ministry and joining a Community Group. We encourage you to check out both.
If you're new to Freshwater, the place to start is LINK 101, where you'll find out a little more of what we're all about. Our online directory can also help you learn names and faces, as well as quickly contact others.
Our Mission is to encourage unchurched people to become fully devoted followers of Christ in the Paw Paw area, through the sharing of the Gospel of God and our lives as well
Our Vision is to be a growing community of Christ followers who connect real life and authentic faith
Our Values
Real... Ok to be authentic about where we are.
Relationships... with God and others
Relevant.... Sundays's experience makes sense with Monday through Saturday life
Reaching... share the good news of God with others
Freshwater kicked off in the fall of 2005, but it started long before that, in the heart of a boy named Troy.
In 2004,Troy and Carrie began to think about creating a new church - a church that was passionate for those new to church or had a previous bad experience with "religion" - a church that would connect with this group. So after lots of prayer and struggle., they moved to Paw Paw. Between 2004-2005 they spent time connecting in the community. On October 9th, 2005 the doors opened and to their surprise many people showed up and church began to form over the next few years God brought many people who have found Freshwater home.
Freshwater is a collection of people, young and old, single, married who are all on spiritual journey. Freshwater does church a little differently. We're not different just for the sake of being different, but because we think many churches have lost track of what's important - relationships.
We are a church that places high value on relationships - both with God and others. We also value being real - each person should feel welcome and loved for who they are. We also value being relevant - a place where Sunday's teaching makes sense in our Monday-Saturday life. Finally, we desire to be reaching, to impact our community around us with the good news of Jesus.
Youll find a church where there is no dress code, where its okay to laugh, where questions are encouraged. We're a church that speaks in everyday language, where you're accepted even if you're not sure where you stand spiritually. We dont claim to know it all and we certainly are not perfect.
Freshwater Staff
Troy Gentz
pastor to the stars
Beth Adriance
admin staff
Collin Moeller
worship arts pastor
About me:
Drink Addiction: If I don't have a coffee drink in my hand you probably saw me on the way to the coffee house... about 6 shots of decaf espresso over ice, with a splash of nonfat milk & a pump of chocolate will make me happy. I'm not asking much....
Things I Enjoy: acting crazy, laughing, reading, singing, mission trips, & driving new places
Random Favs: sunny spring days, flip-flops, pottery, giggling chubby babies, the smell of fabric softener on my sheets, organizing anything I can get my hands on.
Family: I have the best husband ever, Tom, and we have two awesome adult kids, Meg & Andy
Favorite Freshwater Things: our spirit of unity, being able to come-as-you-are, and the laughter!
Things I like:
the Bears
Good hotdogs (Vienna Beef, Best Kosher, Hebrew Nationals)
Funny movies - like Nacho Libre, Napoleon
Watching sports, lifting weights and cycling
On my faith - God has done some
amazing things in my life and I love sharing about Jesus - I love hanging with people and having fun
I've a great family with 3 kids and
one really pretty wife
I drink too much diet coke and I hate coffee
That is all.
About Me:
Pastor of Worship and then some.
Born and raised in Parchment, MI.
US Army Reserve Veteran. Lucky man, got the girl of my dreams.
Lead Singer of a local band called After Adam.
Pretty much the best band ever, but not really.
Loves working and learning under the great Troy Gentz.
Totally in love with Freshwater Church and its Mission/Vision/Values to reach out.
Wanna give a shout out to the amazing Beth Adriance, the best admin-person on the face of the universe.
Well I just want to do God's will, even though I've screwed that up before.
I just pray God keeps using me to further His Kingdom and Glory
Freshwater Leadership Team
1st Peter 5:4 And when the
chief shepherd appears,
you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
1st Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eager;
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Tom Adriance
"I can't write two of these,
see staff page."
Hobbies include
youth ministry, sports,
Diet Coke and daycare
Hobbies include being
a buckeye fan, a techie
and drinking Pepsi
Hobbies include Hunting,
liquid chromatography and
cleaning toilets
Dan Fields
Dave Wait
Community Outreach
Church Planting
We strive to be a church that's not just about what's inside it's own four walls. We know that Jesus never sat around a church waiting for broken people to find Him. We do know that he was constantly on the move seeking the lost and broken, and reaching out to those who many would overlook.
Freshwater is commited to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. As a church plant ourselves it is easy to get a glimpse of what God can do through grass roots ministries and inter-connectedness of church bodies.
We are currently researching and praying about a possible location in the town of South Haven, MI, which is located in the NorthWest corner of Van Buren County.
Reach 70
When you hear a statistic like "Seventy percent of all Americans have no meaningful relationship with the church", how does that make you react? For Freshwater it is the entire reason it exists. Check out this video, by Justin Van Ferrari
Locate Freshwater Church
We're located at the corner of 30th Street and Red Arrow
Highway 3 miles east of Paw Paw, just past the High School.
Freshwater Community Church
P.O. Box 235
269-657-6500
Email us:
Office_freshwatercc.org
New to Freshwater?
If you're new to Freshwater, the place to start is LINK 101, where you'll find out a little more of what we're all about. LINK 101 is an informal hang out at Troy and Carrie's house where you can ask questions and learn more about Freshwater. LINK happens on the first Sunday of every month following the 11am gathering.
Be sure to stop by our Connection Center on Sunday & pick up more info on Link 101, including directions to Troy & Carrie's house.
Ministry Main
Kid's Community
Worship
Party crew
Sacred space
H20
TidalWave
Tech
Ministry Team Contacts
Serving at Freshwater
We believe there is a place for everyone to serve at Freshwater.
Jesus said, "It is better to give than to receive."
- that's why we believe serving in ministry is so important.
It is one of the two key ways through which people can
experience deeper relationships at Freshwater.
It also gives each person the opportunity to experience
God's blessing in their life as they give their time and
energy to others.
Listed here are some places you can jump in and serve.
Feel free to contact the ministry leaders for more information on how to join their team.
Kid's Community:
Beth Adriance - 269.668-4649
decafonly_verizon.net
Kid's Community Craft Team:
Shelly Todd - 269.624.4914
Worship Team:
Collin Moeller - 269. 598.0118
collinmoeller_yahoo.com
Party Crew:
Kerry Burkhart - 269.978.3995
kbpartycrew_gmail.com
Leadership Team
Troy Gentz - 269.326.1111
Sacred Space
Collin Moeller - 269.598.0118
H20 High School Ministry:
Justin Van Ferrari -
269.329.9830
justin_mylifeinamovie.com
Tidal Wave Jr. High Ministry:
Tech Team:
Lukas Enciso - 269.655.0780
lenciso_dps.edu
Video Team:
Justin VanFerrari -
Prayer Team:
Susan Rall
269.521.4106
Care Corp:
Bonnie Simon/Becky Acar
269.668.2387
Girl's Night Out:
Carrie Gentz - 269.657.2620
Men's Ministry :
Brian Schupbach -
269.978.6797
schupbachb_yahoo.com
Ministry Leader: Collin Moeller
We believe God cares about every detail of our church. From the spiritual talks to the music, and from the kid's community all the way to the building maintenance. We want to show people we care about their experience at our place of gathering and worship, as well as to give God our praise and respect for the building He chose for us to worship Him.
Ministry Leader: Beth Adriance
Freshwater's Kids' Community provides a safe and loving place in which children can learn about and experience God through songs, games, crafts, and Bible stories geared to their age levels.
Our well-trained staff take the utmost care in serving the church in this way, providing the opportunity for birth through 5th graders to hear God's word.
Important:
Kid's space is back in full swing, with some slight
alterations designed to make our system more secure and
manageable.
Tidal Wave
Ministry Leader: Justin VanFerrari
Is Freshwater's 6-8th grade ministry which meets Thursday Nights at 7:07 at the church. If you have loads of energy, like to have lots of fun and good teaching, Tidal Wave may be for you!
Contact Faith Wolbers 269.341.0017
Justin VanFerrari 269.329.9830
This Month at Tidal Wave!
September
9/3 - Goodbye 8th Graders :( _ Freshwater
9/10 - _ Freshwater
9/17 - Back to School Night _ Freshwater
9/23 - See you at the Pole
9/24 - _ Freshwater
H20 is our high school youth ministry designed to reach out to unchurched youth in Van Buren County. H20 is a place where high schoolers can come, be real and talk about what's really going on in their day to day lives.
Contact Justin VanFerrari 269.329.9830
Mandi Schupbach 269.978. 6797
Worship Team
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!" Psalm 150:3-5
"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
We don't have a trumpeter or a harp player etc... However, we do have a great group of what we like to call "Garage Band Worshipers". We strive for a well organized arrangement of songs, with room for each instrument to be creative, with the intent of making a joyful noise to the King of Kings.
This is Collin...
affectionately known as Coller, If you
have any questions for him regarding the
Worship Ministry at Freshwater,
or about the time he bought a KISS
poster, feel free to call or email.
269.598.0118
Since this is a performance-related ministry, there is a low stress try-out involved...this guy almost made it.
Freshwater's band generally consists of a variety of guitar-sounds, drum-sounds, piano-sounds, and we're still searching for a qualified accordianist and kazoo player.
Party Crew!
Ministry Leader: Kerry Burkhart
Party crew exists because although it's a tough job, somebody has to serve coffee, Sweetwater donuts and have fun every Sunday morning! Seriously though it's intent is to be sure people are welcomed at the door when they come in and address any hospitality needs before, during and after services.
Tech/Video Team
Ministry Team Leaders: Lukas Enciso/Justin VanFerrari
The Tech and Video teams are responsible for a wide variety of electronic, digital, sound, video, slideshow, monitors, battery, wind-up toys, knob turning, mouse clicking functions.
The Video team is responsible for the recording of each 11am gathering so the good people of Paw Paw can view Freshwater on Channel 12! They are responsible for the Media content on this website as well.
(It seems like there should
be an informative video here, being the
video team and all.)
Youth Group Stuff!!!
September- We wont be Quiet Series
October- Church is for Losers? Matthew 10:39
1st- Church and Me
8th- Church and the World/Church Doubters
15th- Gods Church -Brittany Telecast
22nd- Church Outside the Box
23rd- 24th - Zero Hour
29th- Reverse Trick Or Treating Church Outside the Box
November - King Size Me - He is the King of Kings
5th- King Size Sacrifice
12th- King Size Love/Service
19th- King Size Forgiveness/Faith
December - Like it, Love it, Gotta Have it
3rd- Treasures in Heaven
10th- The True Truth
17th- Tidal Wave Christmas Party/Ding Dong Ditch
24th- NO TIDAL WAVE
31st- The Gift TBA/New YEARS EVE Party Lawrence Gym
H20!
Tidal Wave!
Although this has nothing to do with H20,
this video is highly recommended
by H20 Leader Kevin Romeo and it is very funny
Worship Gatherings
Sundays 9:15 AM & 11AM
