introducing aaron & jenifer welch

VOTE: October 18, 6:30 pm

(In-person and via Zoom. Members check your email or mailbox for details)


SERMON SAMPLE


VIRTUAL Q & A


The Sr. Pastor Search Committee and Board of Elders are pleased to welcome Aaron Welch and his family as candidate for the Sr. Pastor Position at Peoples Church. Over the past few months, the search team has had the privilege to get to know Aaron and unanimously agree to recommend him, with Elder Board approval, as the next Sr. Pastor for Peoples Church.


When we first met Aaron, he provided, in writing, a brief overview of his testimony, experience and education. As a way of helping you get to know him and his family, we thought it appropriate to share it with you and is included at the end of this page.


As we considered Aaron's application for the Sr. Pastor position it was apparent he was a good communicator of God's Word and had the necessary education and experience:

  • Master of Theological Studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (1994); Master of Music from Western Michigan University (1996) Bachelor of Arts (Bible, Music) from Cedarville University (1992).
  • 25+ years of pastoral experience in a variety of roles.
  • For the past 8 years Aaron has been a pastor serving with Solid Rock Bible Church in Plymouth, MI, where for the last 3 years, he has served as Executive Pastor.  It was during this time that he assumed many of the responsibilities of the Sr. Pastor role for approximately 18 months while the current Sr. Pastor stepped back to deal with an illness. 

When the time came to sit down with Aaron and his wife, Jenifer, on two separate occasions, we found him to be a humble man of God who 1) leads from a place of humility and authenticity, 2) is passionate about discipleship and equipping the saints, 3) places a high importance on working as a team and providing accountability within the context of relationship, 4) has a clear vision for The Church, and 5) has been called by God and made ready to move into a Sr. Pastor role. It is clear that he and his wife, Jenifer, have a healthy relationship and consider one another partners in this journey. You can see and hear that she loves, respects, supports and affirms Aaron and is confident in his call to the Sr. Pastor role.



Aaron & Jenifer, as well as their two youngest children; Treyson (17) and Molly (13) will be at Peoples Church Sunday, October 11th, to meet with the congregation.


9am & 11am - Aaron will speak at both services. 


10am & 12:00pm - Reception line after each service to meet the family.


3:30pm - Virtual Q & A hosted by the Search Team.  Please submit your question(s) for Aaron and Jenifer in advance HERE or by picking up a card in the church lobby and submitting it by the end of the second service on Oct. 11th. While we will try our best, please understand that it may not be possible to get through all the questions.



We are celebrating how God has gone before us, guided us and brought Aaron and his family to us. Please be in prayer, seeking God's will for both our church family and the Welch family, as we rely on Him for the provision He has promised.

We welcome your feedback and input. Please feel free to reach out to any of us for additional insights with your questions and concerns.


For His Glory,


Search Team Members:     

Joe Havens (Elder)   

Barb Hoppstock

Greg Karpicke (Elder)

Glenda Recker                         

Bill Wearne


Additional Elder Board Members:

Mark Hoppstock

Brian Jacek

Joe Mazur

Josh Robinson

Aaron Welch: Salvation Testimony, Christian Experience, and Education

I was born in Hastings, Michigan on August 2, 1970 into a Christian family where my father was a pastor of worship. My father and mother had a great influence on me, teaching me the ways of Christ from the beginning. At an early age I recognized my position before the Lord and understood that I needed to call on Him for my salvation. As with most children, I doubted my salvation, but at the age of 8 I recommitted that decision and gave my life to the Lord and His service.


Throughout high school I had the opportunity to display my Christianity in a variety of ways. I was very active in my church youth group and music program. I also had the opportunity to participate in several short-term missions trips.


By the time I went to college I had come to understand that the Lord wanted me in full time Christian service. I enrolled at Cedarville University where I double-majored in Bible and music. I again had the opportunity to express my faith and serve in several Christian ministries ranging from teaching Sunday School at the Ohio Veteran’s Children’s Home, and leading music in several churches, and participating in two short term mission trips to Eastern Europe.


One of the ministry highlights of my college years came at the conclusion. Upon graduation, I was given the opportunity to go to Romania and be part of a teaching team for the summer. I was personally responsible for teaching a survey course of the Old Testament to national Romanian pastors. I learned a great deal about my faith and the ministry during that time in Romania.


Following my graduation from Cedarville I enrolled at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and began classes towards a master’s degree in theological studies. It was here that I began working at First Baptist Church of Hastings, Michigan. For six years I served under Pastor Kevin Shorkey being mentored, trained, and developed for local church ministry.


After graduating from seminary, Jen and I were married. We met at Cedarville and this year marks our 26th anniversary. She is a tremendous gift of God to our family and me. While in Hastings Jen and I graduated from Western Michigan University with a Masters in Music.


The Lord has given us four wonderful children: Emily—our artist, Weston—our musician, Treyson—our engineer, and Molly—our singer. The Lord has taken our family on an incredible journey of faith. Through the joys and challenges of ministry he has allowed us to love him more, grow closer as a family, and deepen our dependence and trust in him.


Over the past twenty-five years, I have been involved in various pastoral roles and God has always been faithful. In these last few years the Lord has opened my heart, given me opportunity, and grown my desire for preaching, teaching, and investing in discipleship.


I’m excited about the future, but am also humbled to realize that this is a work truly of God. He has shown us time and time again that he is faithful and will enable his calling, so we anticipate how he will continue to lead.


Aaron Welch