In Hobart, on Grand Boulevard in Lake County, Indiana, Christian Assembly Church has quietly served northwest Indiana for decades. Under Senior Pastor Dr. Rev. Michael Macchia, the congregation carries the motto "Reaching the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and a mission built on six commitments: preaching the Gospel, making disciples, fostering community, building relationships with God, bringing clarity and knowledge, and strengthening faith. The church reaches into Hobart and a wider ring of Lake and Porter County communities including Lake Station, Portage, Valparaiso, Merrillville and Crown Point.
A Family Ministry Across Generations
Christian Assembly is a family story as much as it is a church story. Pastor Macchia was born and raised in this church under the ministry of his father, Pastor Mike Macchia. He grew up learning from his mother Elizabeth, from Associate Pastor Sam Macchia, and from Deacons Tom Gibson and George Odom, among others.
Macchia began ministering professionally at the church in 1992 as Youth Pastor under his father. He entered seminary in 1994 and completed his MDiv three years later, accepting the call to Senior Pastor in 1997. In May 2017 he earned a PhD in New Testament, and he has taught New Testament courses at the university level alongside his pastoral work. He married his wife Jane in the Philippines in September 2018; she now participates in the music program and is pursuing her nursing degree.
Under Macchia's leadership, and with the help of his sister Judy Kornafel, the church has hosted a choir, praise and drama teams, a children's program and a food pantry. His aunts Frances Slusser and Rose Ferguson helped build the music program for many years. Beyond the pulpit, Macchia enjoys traveling with Jane and astrophotography when time allows.
Sunday Mornings at Grand Boulevard
Sunday is the heart of the week at Christian Assembly. Worship is held at 10:00 AM at 7434 Grand Boulevard. The music team includes piano, bass, guitar and drums and blends contemporary and traditional Christian music under the direction of Dan, the church's Youth Leader and Music Director. Pastor Macchia brings teaching rooted in pastoral care, personal faith, and more than two decades of New Testament scholarship.
Regular attenders describe the church as a place where visitors and longtime members are received warmly, and one member summed it up simply: "It's like coming home. No matter how long I'm gone." Another described the people as "very friendly and Christ-centered" and praised the way they "showed me with lots of love." The church celebrates the Lord's Supper on Communion Sundays, an observance open to all who wish to attend.
Wednesday Evenings on Zoom
On Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM the church gathers on Zoom for a midweek time of prayer and study. The online gathering gives the congregation a way to stay connected during the week and welcomes anyone who would like to join. The regular rhythm of Sunday worship paired with midweek teaching reflects the church's mission to bring clarity and knowledge to its members, and to strengthen faith between Sundays. Pastor Macchia's favorite verse, Proverbs 3:5 ("Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"), captures the tone of the church's teaching and discipleship.
Music That Bridges Generations
Music is central to Sunday worship at Christian Assembly. Dan, who serves as both Youth Leader and Music Director, plays piano, bass, guitar and drums and is comfortable across many styles. He aims to weave contemporary and traditional Christian music so that services "appeal to a broad spectrum of people," blending the energy of a praise band with the depth of a choir. His favorite verse, Philippians 4:6 ("Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God"), captures his philosophy of leading worship and serving the church with a steady, prayerful spirit. Dan's musical leadership also dovetails with his work with the youth, making Sunday worship a place where younger and older members share the same stage.
Children, Youth, and the Food Pantry
Children and youth have been part of the church's ministry since its earliest years. Pastor Macchia himself began his professional ministry as Youth Pastor, and the church continues that tradition through Dan's work with the youth and through an ongoing children's program. A choir, praise and drama teams round out ways for younger members to take part in worship and develop their gifts.
Beyond the building, the church operates a food pantry for neighbors in need, continuing a community ministry that has grown over the decades and reflects the church's call to foster community and build relationships with God both inside and outside the sanctuary walls.
A Building Shared with Shepherd Church
The Grand Boulevard facility also hosts Shepherd Church, a separate congregation that meets in the building every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM and Sunday evening at 5:30 PM. Christian Assembly and Shepherd Church are distinct congregations sharing a space; those planning to visit one should plan around its schedule rather than assume a unified calendar.
The Mission in Six Lines
The motto "Reaching the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ" anchors a mission built on six commitments: preaching the Gospel, making disciples, fostering community, building relationships with God, bringing clarity and knowledge, and strengthening faith. Together they describe a church that wants its members to know what they believe, to live in community, and to carry the message beyond their own walls.
Visiting Christian Assembly
The church office at 7434 Grand Boulevard is open Sunday from 8:00 AM to noon and Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with Saturday closed. Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM. Midweek prayer and study meets Wednesday at 7:00 PM on Zoom.
Christian Assembly serves Hobart and the surrounding communities of Lake Station, Portage, Valparaiso, Merrillville and Crown Point. Messages sent through the contact form are returned as soon as possible, and tithes and offerings can be given online through the church's giving page. Services are held in English. Newcomers and longtime friends alike describe it as a place where the warmth and friendliness of everyone there feels like coming home.