On the east side of Anderson, Indiana, just off Raible Avenue and a short drive from Mounds State Park, East Side Church of God has been a steady presence at 2600 East 5th Street for 75 years. The congregation's long-running motto, Discover the Hope for Living, sums up the welcome you find on a Sunday morning: contemporary worship, an easygoing atmosphere, and a steady stream of ministries designed for every stage of life. From a six-week-old nursery and an accredited early learning center to a youth ministry for sixth through twelfth graders, from break camps and a pottery studio to a deep network of food, clothing, and shelter partnerships across Madison County, East Side has built itself as a church for the whole family and the wider community it serves.
Sundays at 2600 East 5th Street
Worship services run twice on Sunday morning, at 9:15 AM and 10:45 AM, each lasting about 60 minutes. The atmosphere is described as relaxed and friendly, with contemporary worship music leading into a practical, relevant message from one of the pastors. There is no dress code; the congregation invites guests to come as they are. Parking is plentiful in lots on both sides of the building, with extra help available at the main entrance and accessible spaces reserved near the doors. Anyone who wants to let the team know they are coming can fill out a simple connect card in advance, and first-time guests are met at the Info Area with a free handmade mug created by the church's pottery ministry, East Side Studios.
Worship and the Word Online
For those who can't be on campus, services are broadcast live each Sunday at the same 9:15 and 10:45 AM times through the church's online platform, where chat hosts welcome visitors and stay in conversation throughout the service. Pastor of Online Ministries Preston Kegley oversees the digital experience, and recent services remain available for catch-up viewing through the church's Vimeo archive. A free Church Center app, available for iOS and Android, keeps everyone connected to events, groups, sermon content, and giving from a phone.
East Side KIDS! from Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children are a centerpiece of the church, and parents are encouraged to check kids from birth through fifth grade into East Side KIDS! before service. Age-appropriate classrooms run alongside the worship hour, with custom curriculum built for every stage and worship music woven into the morning. Children with special needs are welcomed, and a dedicated point of contact handles accommodations. Family Worship Sundays are scheduled from time to time, when kids join their parents in the Worship Center, and the nursery through age three still has a class. Every staff member and volunteer working with children completes a thorough background check, and strict check-in and security protocols are in place to keep the environment safe.
KIDS Place Early Learning Center
Sharing the East Side campus is KIDS Place, a faith-based early learning childcare center dedicated to giving young children a start in discovering their potential. In its first year of operation, KIDS Place reached Level 3 status in Indiana's Paths to QUALITY program, a benchmark that signals strong commitment to early learning, family engagement, and preparation for school success. The center is open during the week and offers parents a full-day care option that aligns with the rhythms of the church and its programs.
East Side Youth for Sixth Through Twelfth Grade
Sixth through twelfth graders have a ministry of their own, gathering weekly in the Student Ministries Center under Pastor of Youth Ministries Johnny Elder. Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM center on interactive, discussion-based exploration of Scripture, faith, and the everyday questions of following Christ. Wednesday evenings bring everyone together from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM for an hour of games and fellowship. The night moves through group games, collective worship, a Bible message, and small groups. The youth ministry stays connected throughout the week through an Instagram presence and a regular serving team, and the church routinely sends students to major Church of God youth gatherings across the country.
Camps Throughout the Year
East Side runs camps in nearly every school break. A separate East Side Camps brand staffs a summer day camp along with fall and spring break camps. Days are built around hands-on learning, STEM and cooking projects, crafts, gym and outdoor games, special theme days, and meaningful lessons. Camp partnerships bring in community resources such as the YMCA, Mounds State Park, the Anderson Police and Fire Departments, Ivy Tech's Mobile STEM Lab, and local arts and sports programs. Tuition assistance is available so that cost is not a barrier. The full-day structure makes the program a true alternative to traditional childcare during long breaks, and the same team uses the campus across all three seasons.
East Side Studios and the Welcome Gift
Tucked into the church's ministry lineup is East Side Studios, a pottery and creative arts ministry directed by Kameron Robinson. The studio produces the handmade mugs given to first-time guests on Sunday mornings and runs workshops throughout the year open to the wider community. It is one of the more distinctive features of the church, blending hospitality, art, and faith in a tangible way that visitors often remember long after their first Sunday.
Small Groups and Discipleship
Adults looking to lean deeper into their faith can plug into small groups that meet on Sundays and throughout the week. The church uses Everyday Disciple study journals, walks members through seasons like Lent, Advent, and the Rhythms of Grace series, and launches new groups each fall. Bible Study, prayer, and ongoing communities meet around shared interests, life stages, or geographic neighborhoods, and a click-through list of current open groups is kept up to date for anyone who wants to join one mid-semester.
A Wide Web of Outreach Across Madison County
Outreach is woven into the identity of the church rather than treated as an add-on. The Outreach Team builds ongoing relationships with more than a dozen Central Indiana ministries and supports missionaries and projects around the world. On the ground, East Side has invested years in three flagship efforts. The Tenth Street Food Pantry distributes food weekly at 4:45 to 6:00 PM, and a separate Eastside Elementary Food Pantry runs on its own weekly distribution schedule. Operation Love, the church's outreach arm in partnership with broader Madison County networks, provides tangible goods and services to families in need, including a holiday Christmas Wishes program each December. Meal Train volunteers prepare and deliver meals to families following a birth, surgery, or illness. Beyond these, the church maintains a directory of trusted partner organizations covering food, clothing, financial assistance, family and parenting support, safety resources, and recovery services, with a Community Engagement Specialist available to help families find the right fit.
Ways to Serve
First-time volunteers can choose from a long menu of serving areas. On Sunday morning, the Welcome Team, ES KIDS! classrooms, Youth on Sundays, and onsite Production Teams (camera, ProPresenter, sound, and lighting) all run with rotating volunteers. During the week, Visitation Ministry visits those who are hospitalized, in nursing homes, or homebound, while mid-week Production Teams support events and ministry operations. Local Outreach teams include Habitat for Humanity, Operation Love, the two food pantries, Meal Train, and the Children of Promise letter-writing ministry that connects sponsors with children overseas. Online, Chat Hosts welcome visitors during the live services and the Social Media team captures the life of the church across platforms.
What East Side Believes
The mission statement opens every page of the church: East Side Church of God exists to lift up Jesus Christ as Savior for the Lost, Lord of the Church, and Reconciler for the World, so that people can discover Hope for Living. Three values are highlighted on the About page. Jesus is described as the foundation of the church and the center of everything it does. Authenticity is practiced by welcoming every person just as they are, encouraging honesty as the starting point for real change. Wholeness is the conviction that life finds its fulfillment when Jesus fills the empty places in a person's heart. The church invites all who walk through its doors to participate without judgment.
Leadership
Lead Pastor Kerry Robinson shepherds the congregation alongside Executive Pastor Mary Ann Randolph. Mark Krontz serves as Pastor of Families, supporting parents and children's ministry across the campus. Kayla Harden leads Congregational Connections, while Preston Kegley leads the online ministry platform. Johnny Elder oversees the youth ministry, Mary Krontz directs Early Childhood Ministries and KIDS Place, Kameron Robinson leads East Side Studios, and Brittany Shryock serves as Community Outreach Specialist and Camp Director. The team is supported by a Director of Communications and a Church Administrator who keep the week-to-week operation running smoothly.
Visit, Connect, or Give
Guests can simply show up on Sunday morning, fill out the online Connect form ahead of time, or join the church from anywhere through the live online service. Giving is available online through the Church Center platform, supporting baptisms, local and global outreach, and the next generation of kids and students. Anyone who wants more information or has a specific need can reach the church office at (765) 649-3534 during weekday hours.