We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and our rule for faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16)

We are committed to the creeds and confessions of the Christian Reformed Church and organized for ministry according to the principles and regulations of its church order. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21)

We believe that there is one true, holy God, who exists in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—known as the Trinity. Each person of the Trinity is equal in power and authority. God the Father is the creator of the universe. (Matthew 3:16-17; John 16:23-27; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:3, 17-23)

We believe that the central purpose of God’s choice to reveal himself to us in the Bible is to invite all people into a relationship with himself. We are separated from a full relationship with God by our sin and are unable to do anything ourselves to bridge the gap. Through Jesus Christ, God took the step to cancel our sin. This salvation is received by faith alone. (Romans 3:23, 5:12-21, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 3:3-7)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who through a virgin birth, became fully human while also remaining fully God. He lived a perfect life of obedience to the Father—a life we are unable to live. Jesus voluntarily gave his life to take our place, paying the price for all our sin. (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 24:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:24-25; Revelations 19-21)

We believe that once we understand how much we matter to God and how much he loves us, our lives will become a response of gratitude. God blesses believers with the Holy Spirit who enters and fills our hearts and lives. The Holy Spirit deepens our awareness of our need for God as our eyes open to the awfulness of sin in our lives. God’s Spirit is also the source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and spiritual gifts. (John 14:15-17, 16:5-15, 25-26; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13)

We believe that the church is where all who seek Christ are joined together to know more about him. All people who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord belong to the one true church. These people meet together to devote themselves to worship, discipleship, outreach and service. (Hebrews 10:24-25, 13:17; Acts 1:8, 2:42-47; Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:18)

In the year 1855, five years before Mr. Lincoln became President of the United States, four Dutch immigrant families living in Grand Haven began to gather in each other’s homes to worship their Lord and Savior. They named themselves the Independent True Dutch Reformed Church of Grand Haven. By “Independent” they indicated that they did not desire to affiliate with other Dutch colonist congregations in the area, although they shared many perspectives with those others. Along with other Dutch immigrants coming to West Michigan, they claimed to be the “True” heirs of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands. They were “Seceders,” that is, they were part of a reform group that had parted ways with the national Dutch Reformed Church in 1834. Nearly all the members of the “Seceders” churches came from the humbler classes in the Netherlands – predominantly the tenant farmers class. They came to America in some measure to seek more religious freedom than they knew in the Netherlands; however, they also came seeking a more prosperous way of life. They wanted the freedom to use all of their talents, to worship in the way they chose without government interference, to train their children in the way they decided, and to escape the burdensome social stratification of 19th century Dutch society. They wanted a new life.

We, the heirs of First Church’s history, share many of those same aspirations. We too want to use all of our gifts to the glory of God. We too want and cherish the freedoms we have for worship. We too want to be free from class, gender, and racial prejudices. We too want a new life. We want a life that is rooted and growing in Christ.

Those four original families probably never imagined the congregation that First Church has become. They did, however, set us in a spiritual context that emphasized faith in the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) With our faith rooted and growing in Christ, we may have the greatest aspirations for the future of First Christian Reformed Church of Grand Haven, Michigan. To God be the glory for the things he has done!

I have been delighted to serve as pastor for First Church in Grand Haven since 1998. Following my education at Valparaiso University (BA) and Calvin Theological Seminary (MDiv) in Grand Rapids, MI, I entered the ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in 1983. In 1988, I completed a Master's degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame (go Fighting Irish!). Studying at these schools exposed me to Lutheran, Reformed, and Roman Catholic insights into the Christian faith. I have served congregations in Grand Rapids and Columbus, OH (go Ohio State!) I thank God for those opportunities; but, as you might guess, I’m not the most popular guy come college football season. I understand that my ongoing call to ministry is to announce the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and to challenge and equip fellow Christians to be faithful disciples of our Lord.

My wife and I have three sons, all of whom are now well on their way toward adulthood. Helping to raise those boys convinces me everyday of the importance First Church places on helping children, youth and families grow in grace. Along with enjoying time with family and friends, my personal interests include studying ancient history, Roman archaeology, the interaction of Christian faith and society, travel, and fly fishing (okay, really any kind of fishing). Our congregation is seeking for ways to serve you in Jesus' name. Please contact us for ways we can do that.

In Christ's Service, Richard J. Hamstra

First Church believes that worshipping our Lord is the primary way that we express our relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each week we gather for a morning and evening service. Our services engage us in song, prayer, offering, celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, teaching soundly rooted in the Bible, and mutual witness to each other of God’s grace in this world. Through these communal means we enter into dialogue with God: God speaks and we listen; we speak and God receives the voice of our hearts. Our services are rich in song and prayer. Sometimes the congregation sings, sometimes an ensemble leads us, sometimes children lead us, sometimes a choir sings, but always the Lord’s name is praised. Sometimes we use an organ, sometimes guitars and drums, flute and violin, and sometimes the congregation sings without accompaniment, but always the Lord’s name is praised. By whatever means we worship, our purpose is to give glory to God in the acts of worship.

• Children's Care Center: Childcare for infants and toddlers (up to age 3) is provided during the morning worship services.
• Weather Policy: The church's severe weather policy states that all church activities and services are automatically canceled in the event of a tornado warning or watch.