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HomeBeliefsWhere We Worship: Ekklesia offers Bible-based teachings, dialogue

Where We Worship: Ekklesia offers Bible-based teachings, dialogue

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Pastor AJ Donier (left) and his wife Jennine (right) with youth from Eklesia Church of God.
Pastor AJ Donier (left) and his wife Jennine (right) with youth from Eklesia Church of God.

Ekklesia Church of God, which meets in donated space at Baskets for Babies, is a Bible-based congregation that’s “tolerant with reservations,” explained Pastor AJ Donier.

The independent, freewill church began in 2008 by Donier and his wife Jennine who were seeking a church that was true to the teachings of Jesus.

According to the church’s “Doctrinal Focus” its mission can be summed up in Romans 12:1, which reads, “I exhort you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

AJ said the worship format is unlike a typical church.

“We’re more of a Bible study group,” AJ said. “We’re not there to preach to people.”

He said he typically delivers a 15-minute sermon and then allows time for questions and dialogue.

Ekklesia, which follows the Sabbath, meets at 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Between 12 and 15 people typically attend the worship service.

“We’re letting God take this wherever he wants it to go,” AJ said. “It will grow however how he wants it to grow.”

AJ, who also works as a substitute teacher, said he’s been studying the Bible and praying his entire life, following God’s commandment to “test everything” (1 Thess. 5:21). He said he’s sharing what he’s learned during that journey with his congregation.

Jennine said anyone interested in visiting can find a welcoming church home, “If they come with an open mind and heart and are willing to learn…They’ll find a place where they’re not cornered or questioned.”

Ekklesia hopes to have its own building in the future, but for now gathers at 9410 E. Sprague.

Where We Worship is a Spokane Faith & Values feature that profiles different houses of worship in the Spokane area. To have your organization featured email [email protected].

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Tracy Simmons
Tracy Simmons
Tracy Simmons is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting and digital entrepreneurship. In her approximate 20 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti. Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington. She is the executive director of FāVS.News, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes for The Spokesman-Review and national publications. She is a Scholarly Assistant Professor of Journalism at Washington State University.

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Jennine
Jennine
12 years ago

Thanks for the well written article on our small group, right now we are praying and hoping to find larger accomdations for our growing group now up to 26 people. We are out growing our current location fast but financially we don’t have funds to rent or buy yet.

Tracu
Tracu
12 years ago

Keep us posted on your progress Jen!

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