PLANTING CHURCHES
ADAM ANDERSON
RESIDENCY: 2015-PRESENT
With most jobs, we figure that the
point is to get trained, become ed-
ucated and develop professionally.
We do this to the extent that others
would someday hopefully, consid-
er us to be an expert. It is funny
how ministry works in reverse. The
residency program, for me, has
almost been like an anti-training.
Being professional and educated
about God demands a humility that
makes the word “expert” laughable.
But that seems to be what we expect
in the church today: experts. That
is exactly what the world had taught
me prior to taking on my role at
Calvary and that is the exact thing I
am still trying to detox from.
God does not need experts, neither
does His Church. As a matter of
fact, this mentality seems to be re-
ally damaging and making us more
proud of degrees and knowledge
than of our relationship with God.
I do not say any of that as a slight
against knowledge, but I do say it as
a slight against myself. I was trying
to turn knowledge, education and
professionalism into the qualifi-
cations of calling. The true help
and strength I have gleaned from
this program is experiencing the
power of obedience and patience,
over pedigree. I know others may
have experienced this program
and received other things that they
needed for their calling, but this
was exactly what I needed for mine.
Detoxing from ambition and rest-
ing in the assurance of calling. This
is what I believe will strengthen
Christ’s church in the place He has
in mind for me.
Lenski Llorens is a former
pastoral resident who
returned to Calvary in
2016, when God provided
an opportunity for him to
finish his original residency
term. Lenski and his wife,
Tonya, have been led to
plant a church in NE Grand
Rapids. It is exciting to have
the opportunity to come
alongside people like Lenski
& Tonya in establishing
Christ’s church right here
in our own city. Together we
can link arms to see God’s
kingdom grow.
Lenski Llorens
Sanctuary Church
It was February 2016, over a year
ago, that Tanya and I felt the Lord
calling us to plant a church in the
NW side of Grand Rapids. At the
time the idea seemed exciting but
also far-fetched. We had just transi-
tioned out of a pastoring position
and didn’t have any clear idea
on what God was calling us to in
the immediate future. We felt his
leading but were not sure how to
proceed. Thankfully, God is faith-
ful and didn’t leave us in limbo.
Through prayer, scripture and the
support of many along the way
the vision and plan for Sanctuary
Church became clearer and we
humbly set out to obey.
That was then. Today we find
ourselves in a different place. We
have had the opportunity to gather
and seek the Lord as a church for
almost a year now (since January
2017). We have a small but com-
mitted group that has joined us on
this journey with a heart to seek the
Lord and serve Him on the north-
west side. We have begun to see His
Spirit work in the lives, marriages
and health of our congregation as
well as some in the community. We
are also excited about the Lord’s
provision of a space on Alpine Ave.
York Creek apartments has allowed
us to use their Community Cen-
ter as our location for Sanctuary
Church and as of December 3, we
will begin having weekly worship
gatherings. We are excited about
the possibilities this opens up for
His kingdom and are looking
forward to seeing him continue to
lead and provide.
17