Sharon Hanks
A Facebook page for young West Michigan Christians to connect with each other? Why not, wondered roommates Michael Coller and James Leff. Launched July 1,
Grand Rapids Christian Connect has grown beyond their expectations garnering more than 700 fans and spinning off plans to launch an international group as well. It is now in the process of becoming a 501c non-profit, they say.
Coller and Leff, both 27, tell readers of the Christian Connect Facebook page that after moving to the Grand Rapids area last year, they realized it was hard for Christian young adults to find things to do with others who were serious about their faith and turned off by the bar scene.
"We decided to make this page for the purpose of connecting people and creating opportunities for community where young adults can meet others with similar interests and values," they write.
"It's been awesome," says Coller about the popularity of the site. "I've never been part of any ministry that has received such a good response right off the bat. I've heard so many people say, 'Wow, you guys really discerned a need and you are meeting it.' We get e-mails everyday thanking us and wanting to be part of it."
"The way we're growing so fast is actually shocking," adds Leff. "It's a dream come true."
Coller, a Holland native, attended Grand Valley State University, before feeling drawn to a world-wide Christian ministry that trained and engaged him in mission work in Thailand. He also attended ministry school at Morningstar University in Charlotte, NC. Presently, he works part-time as a restaurant server to pay the bills while they both raise funds to support Grand Rapids Christian Connect.
Leff attended Taylor University in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind. before he embarked on a journey spreading the word of the Lord. He worked with a traveling evangelist and founded a campus ministry at Michigan State University.
The pair met each other about five years ago at a ministry meeting in Lansing.
They've sponsored a few social events, including a bonfire at their Rockford home that drew about 50 people. "We thought that was a pretty good turnout," says Leff.
Their next big event, a Night of Worship, will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 at
Sunshine Community Church, 3300 East Beltline Ave. NE in Grand Rapids.
Sources: Michael Coller and James Leff, co-founders of Grand Rapids Christian Connect.
Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.
Photo:
Michael Coller on the left and James Leff on right -Courtesy Photo
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