Church Planting

At First Pres we are involved in church planting in Michigan and around the world. We believe that church planting is an essential way that the gospel is taken to our communities. We seek to apply our vision to MAKE, MATURE, and MULTIPLY disciples to our church planting endeavors as well. Contact us if you'd like to find out how you can get involved.

MAKING an investment

We support several church plants financially, both in Michigan and overseas.

Sojourn PCA

Sterling Heights, MI

Pastor Steve VanNoort is married to Mandy and is the father of Isabelle, Aiden, and Carolyn. He received his theological training at Mid-America Reformed Seminary and earned his doctoral degree from Covenant Theological Seminary.

Before being called to plant Sojourn in Sterling Heights, Steve served as the lead pastor of two churches over the course of fourteen years. His passion is helping people see the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ—and how that grace transforms every area of life.

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Immanuel PCA

Clarkston, MI

Pastor Micah Jelinek is married to Laura and is the father of Violet, Henry, and Evangeline. As a family, they enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring old bookshops.

Before joining Immanuel, Micah served as a pastor at Oak Pointe Church in Milford, MI, and worked as a librarian and professor at Moody Theological Seminary.

He grew up in the foothills of Pennsylvania and southeast Michigan, and has studied at Moody Theological Seminary, Wayne State University, and Covenant Theological Seminary (where he is currently completing a D.Min.).

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Grace Dearborn PCA

Dearborn, MI

Jerry is married to Katherine and is the father of Virginia, Alice, and Jerry. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Reformed Theological Seminary. In the summer of 2022, Jerry and Katherine moved to Dearborn to plant Grace Presbyterian Church as part of the Detroit Project.

Before relocating to Detroit, they served for 13 years with the college ministry Cru at Virginia Tech and James Madison University. Their experience has shaped a lasting passion for ministry to college students and young adults, which continues to influence their church planting efforts—especially through outreach at the University of Michigan–Dearborn and Henry Ford College.

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New Life Church

Middlesbrough, England

Pastor Nathan Young is planting in the council estates (government housing) of Middlesbrough.

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Merkinch Free Church

Inverness, Scotland

Pastor Chris Davidson is planting Merkinch Free Church in Inverness, Scotland.

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MATURING planters

Our church planting residency is a 2-3 year program in which planters are prepared to be sent out to their chosen location. Planters meet regularly with other church planters in the area and are given extensive theological and practical training.

INTERNSHIP - for those who are looking to be exposed to ministry
RESIDENCY- for those who are pre & mid seminary and looking to gain education towards ministry
FELLOWSHIP - for those who are post-grads and looking to grow in the experience of ministry