MUSKEGON, Mich. – A pair of churches in Muskegon are joining forces by merging congregations. The Lakeside United Methodist Church has decided to move in with Lake Harbor Methodist Church.
Lakeside Church made the decision to consolidate after a recent decline in membership. As a parting gift, they are giving their former building to Family Promise of the Lakeshore, a group that helps families experiencing homelessness problems.
"Family Promise is a wonderful program, I couldn't be happier than to be involved in this,” says Lindsay Llewellyn with Family Promise. “It allows families to stay together in very difficult times."
Family Promise of the Lakeshore is currently housed at a former nursing home. The new location at the church will allow the families to make use of the large kitchen with 4 stoves and an industrial fridge.
The new location offers less expensive utilities, and families say it’s in a great location.
"It's within walking distance of a lot of stores for people, which we don't have right now,” says Marian McDermed, Executive Director of Family Promise of Lakeshore.
The Lakeside Church building will undergo some renovations, including showers and laundry rooms. And Family Promise, which works with both churches, plans to move into their new home in July.
