A Brief History...
On December 7, 1993, a group of 70 friends met with founding Pastor G. Patrick White to discuss the possibility of establishing a new congregation in the Allegan area. Their goal was to develop a non-traditional and culturally relevant Christian fellowship for those in the community and surrounding area seeking to focus energy and resources on ministry, missions, and sharing the story of Jesus Christ with family and friends.
In November of 1994, the congregation purchased 20 acres of prime land on the southwest outskirts of Allegan for a future building site. Groundbreaking took place in March of 1996 and then on Christmas Eve that same year, the congregation celebrated their first worship service in their new facility. After much prayerful research and study, the congregation entered into fellowship with the Evangelical Covenant Church in May of 1996, where we remain today.
Pastor White retired in May of 2014, after 20 years of service to the Lord and the people of Christ Community Church. On January 4, 2015, Pastor Wally Coots and his wife Donna were welcomed to shepherd the flock. Now, over a quarter of a century later, the people of CCC seek to grow in Christ and knowledge of the Word while continuing to reach out to their community by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Wally Coots
Pastor Wally Coots has been Lead Pastor at Christ Community Church since January of 2015. He has been in full time ministry since 1980, spending most of that time in youth ministry. Prior to arriving at CCC, he served Covenant churches in Vancouver, BC and Muskegon, MI. He also served for seven years as Chaplain at Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya. He and his life and ministry partner, Donna, have been married since 1979. Together they have two adult sons who have blessed them with six grandkids.
Assistant Pastor Karen Ehrich
Pastor Karen Ehrich became Assistant Pastor in June 2021. Transitioning out of a career in the corporate world, Karen graduated from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in August 2020. Prior to CCC, Karen served in a number of volunteer positions in other churches including leading Bible studies, chairing the Diaconate and Christian Education boards, liturgist, and worship service planner. She and her husband Scott married in 1997 and have one teenage daughter.
Administrative Assistant Penny Kohns
Administrative Assistant Penny Kohns joined the CCC staff in August 2021. In addition to several past positions in medical offices, Penny has a background in Flute Performance and Music Education. Penny holds both BA and Masters level degrees in music. She and her husband Jon have three children.