Lake Orion boasts the newest campus of Woodside Bible Church. The church held its first service Sunday, Oct. 4 in Waldon Middle School’s cafeteria/gymnasium.
Originally Troy Baptist Church, founded around 50 years ago, Woodside Bible has four satellite churches: Warren, White Lake, Royal Oak and now Lake Orion.
Rick Seidel and his wife, Lana, of Gingellville, have been helping get the church’s latest campus on its feet. They’re both new to Woodside Bible as of this year.
‘This was the right time, the right opportunity for us to get involved,? said Seidel, who serves as the campus’s pastor.
Before the new campus opened, church-goers came from as far away as Lake Orion, Oxford, Brandon and Metamora to attend Woodside, says Seidel, which is why the church headed to Lake Orion.
According to Seidel, Woodside Bible is a church that believes the Bible to be the Word of God and its congregants strive to live their lives by it.
‘We recognize that there are many other fellowships doing the same thing and we are joining alongside them,? said Seidel. ‘We strive to be loving and not hitting people over the head with truth. [Woodside Bible] is a church that believes speaking the truth in love.?
The church’s mission statement is ‘Impacting this region and beyond with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.?
One of Woodside Bible’s philosophies that Seidel says he connected with was of being a conduit rather than a sponge for the Bible’s message.
Seidel and his wife, though new to Woodside Bible, have years under their belts planting churches.
The couple used to live in Quebec starting churches and with a goal to cultivate a Christian retreat.
The pastor is a landscaper and builder by trade and says he wants to use his skills for volunteer work and helping others.
‘How thrilling to be able to do that without having business motives,? he said.
Service for Woodside Bible Church, at Waldon Middle School, begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and includes children’s ministries.