From a Muskegon Mission Church to a Norton Shores Campus
Forest Park Covenant Church has served the western Michigan shoreline for 145 years. The congregation began in 1881 in Muskegon as Mission Covenant Church, a gathering of Swedish immigrant believers who planted a church in the same era that the Evangelical Covenant Church itself took root. In 1916 the congregation moved into a downtown Muskegon building. As the surrounding community grew and changed, the church followed: in 1983 it relocated to its present home at 3815 Henry Street in Norton Shores, a neighboring city just south of Muskegon. Three generations later, Forest Park still gathers in the same Henry Street building, now looking toward a major renovation campaign to refresh the facilities for the next generation.
The Welcome Project: A 2026 Capital Campaign
The biggest initiative on the church's horizon is the Welcome Project, a 2026 capital campaign designed to repair, renovate, and modernize the Henry Street campus. Architect Mark Post has been finishing the renovation drawings, and a structural engineer is reviewing possible entryway changes with longtime members Dick Kamps, Duane Schecter, and Dick Borgeson. Once drawings are complete, Westwind Construction will be asked for a quote, with quote packages expected six to eight weeks later.
Repair priorities include replacing five roofs, resurfacing five parking lots, and addressing twenty-five HVAC and boiler units. Renovation plans call for removing a brick wall at the main entry to create an open, welcoming entrance, and enlarging the chancel with new seating and carpeting. Crews will also tackle efflorescence damage on the southern gym wall and portions of the children's wing, a powdery salt deposit caused when water moves through concrete blocks. The congregation has committed to tithing ten percent of all funds raised; the 2026 outreach tithe recipients will be announced privately and voted on at annual meetings in 2027 and 2028. Current three-year pledges total $1,815,260, with $593,162 received through June 22, 2026.
Sunday Mornings at 10:00
Worship services begin at 10:00 AM in the Worship Center. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, with a worship team of instrumentalists and vocalists leading congregational singing that blends contemporary songs with a steady focus on Scripture. First-time guests receive a thank-you gift as a token of appreciation.
Children from birth through fifth grade are welcomed into age-specific programming. A secure check-in process pairs each child with a matching parent security label. Kindergarten through fifth graders begin in worship with their families before being dismissed to the Kids Wing. New families can pre-register through the church's online connection form to make the first visit faster.
The congregation shares Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month. Communion is open to all who put their faith in Jesus, regardless of denomination, and parents decide when their children are ready to participate.
Kids Ministry from Nursery to Preteen
The children's ministry is led by Director Alaina Carpenter and supported by a team of ninety background-checked and trained volunteers. Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings both offer programming.
- Nursery (birth to 35 months): Caring leaders rock babies, sing Bible songs, and play in a safe, loving environment.
- Preschool (3-4 years): Age-appropriate Bible stories, songs, games, and crafts built around a monthly biblical theme.
- Elementary (kindergarten through third grade): An interactive Bible story followed by small group time with dedicated leaders who dig deeper into the day's topic.
- Preteen (fourth and fifth grade): Their own space for thoughtful discussions and interactive activities that go deeper into Scripture.
The Wednesday Gathering runs at 6:30 PM for preschoolers through fifth graders, featuring worship, Bible stories, small group activities, games, and snacks. The ministry uses the GO! Curriculum, which walks children chronologically through the Bible and centers every story on God. Each week, kids take home a GO! Home Guide with the Bible story, memory verse, and follow-up activities, and weekly video lessons are available online for preschool and elementary families. During the summer, many kids head to Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp in Onekama, Michigan, a long-standing partner of the church, and the church also hosts its annual MEGA Camp.
Students: Middle School and High School
Pastor Justin Saxton leads Student Ministries with a focus on helping young people find their identity, belonging, and purpose in God's love.
Middle schoolers (grades 6-8) meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Student Center for games, laughter, and small group time organized by grade. High schoolers (grades 9-12) meet on Sunday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, alternating between small groups in homes and large group gatherings at the Student Center. Both groups enjoy weekend retreats and summer trips to Portage Lake Bible Camp.
Congregational Life for Adults
Adults at Forest Park find connection through Bible studies, small groups, and a thriving senior community called Morningstar.
Bible study groups meet in homes and around the church to dig into Scripture and support one another through life's challenges. Small groups are the church's main discipleship strategy: some gather for a short term while others have met for years, reading Scripture together and serving as family. Together they make God a priority in everyday life.
Morningstar is the church's weekly senior adult ministry, meeting Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the Gathering Place for hymn singing, teaching, and fellowship. Led by Pastor Larry Bush, the group has become a foundational prayer support for the church's staff, ministries, and missionaries.
Worship Arts: Music, Visual Arts, and Tech
Worship Arts ministry is led by Pastor Luke Austin with assistant Nick Mosley. Three teams serve together to support weekly worship. The Worship Team invites singers and instrumentalists to lead the congregation in music. The Visual Arts Team welcomes painters, graphic designers, photographers, and stage designers who create visuals that enhance services and ministry spaces. The Tech Team runs sound, lighting, video, slides, and the livestream, and is open to anyone eager to learn. Worship is designed to be accessible both in person and online.
Missions and Outreach Across Muskegon and Beyond
Reaching out locally, nationally, and globally is a high priority at Forest Park. The church partners with a wide network of ministries, many of which have roots in the congregation itself. Local outreach includes partnerships with Love INC, Covered In Love, Muskegon Rescue Mission, MAP Supperhouse, Step Up Muskegon, and Fresh Coast Alliance. National partners include Kentucky Mountain Mission, the Covenant Ability Network, and Alaska Christian College, supported both financially and through mission trips. Globally, Forest Park backs Living With Hope, Aldea Development, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and Operation Christmas Child, and through the Evangelical Covenant Church, joins efforts across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America in discipleship, church development, and social justice.
Next Steps: Connection, Discipleship, and Membership
Forest Park organizes spiritual growth into three pathways. Connection welcomes newcomers and helps them find a small group or place to serve. Discipleship centers on Bible studies, small groups, and service opportunities that help followers of Jesus become more like Him day by day. Membership invites people into a covenant community where they can grow spiritually, build lasting relationships, and serve both locally and globally. Pastor Ken White walks those interested in membership through the process.
Baptism is celebrated in two ways at Forest Park. Infant baptism highlights God's love reaching us before we can respond. Believer's baptism is a public declaration of personal faith in Jesus. Both are honored as beautiful expressions of grace, and families can choose the path that fits their journey.
Beliefs Rooted in the Evangelical Covenant Church
Forest Park is a member congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church, a denomination founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants. The church affirms six Covenant Affirmations that have shaped the denomination since its beginning: the centrality of the Word of God, the necessity of the new birth, a commitment to the whole mission of the Church, the Church as a fellowship of believers, a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit, and the reality of freedom in Christ. The congregation values unity in essentials and freedom in matters of belief, embracing diversity while fostering a spirit of belonging.
Visiting, Connecting, and Giving
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Sunday services are livestreamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person. A church center app lets attendees register for events, check in children, update contact information, view the directory, and give instantly. Giving is also available online through the church's giving portal. A weekly e-newsletter keeps the community updated on events and announcements.
Office hours, address, and contact information are straightforward: 3815 Henry Street, Norton Shores, MI 49441; 231-780-4784; office@forestparkcov.org.