The Rev. James McDonald, pastor of the newly located Providence Church in Morton, said his church is about family.
The 150-member congregation moved to Morton in October. Providence Church is part of the Covenant Presbyterian Church.
“We’re a geographically dispersed crowd,” McDonald said.
Members are from all over Central Illinois, he added, saying that makes Morton a great place for Providence. The church was formerly located on Allen Road in Peoria.
“When we moved here, it was actually a bit closer for many families,” McDonald said. “It is more central to all of our families.”
McDonald said the church did not lose any members during its transition from Peoria to Morton.
Providence Church is now located at 401 Carol St., the former location of Morton United Methodist Church.
“This building just fits our worship style,” McDonald said, adding it is joyful and liturgical.
He said the stained-glass windows and the acoustics within the church just add to the congregation’s needs.
“We’re trying to capture the richness of the historic faith,” he said.
McDonald said he and his wife, Stacy, drove through Morton prior to moving the church and found that the Carol Street location was exceptional.
“Sadly, in a megachurch, you lose relationships,” he said.
“We’re not a megachurch,” McDonald said. “But, we want to grow.
“This building fits that,” he said. “We hold one another accountable.”
Along with historical appreciation, Providence Church focuses on the foundation of family.
“We encourage our families to be together,” McDonald said. “Denominations say 80 percent of children from evangelical homes are walking from the faith by the age of 18.”
“Children are a great thermometer of the temperament at home,” he said.
“We’re really just striving to be a church for the family,” he said. “This is the church for the imperfect family.”
“That’s the stereotype that we’re trying to fight — we’re not perfect families,” McDonald said.
“We bring healing to these shattered and broken homes,” he said.
McDonald said he uses an expository method in his sermons, meaning he preaches through the Bible.
“They’re not short little (pieces) of self help,” he said. “But, they’re usually pretty heavy-hitting.
“We’re encouraging people to understand the love of Jesus and what that shows,” he said.
“We have a distinctive worship style, which promotes community and family,” he added.
McDonald said the church also aims to teach the richness of Christian history in a hands-on method.
