SUMMARY Ultimately…read morePathway Community Church made me repeatedly feel like widget product going down a state-of-the-art assembly line. I'm just needing less corporation and production and more Christian spiritual growth opportunities and authentic relationships. DETAILS Pastor Ron is a great encourager and teacher from the pulpit. I have never met him. I like how his sermons use the Bible but he also curates insights from other Christian authors. In a way, Pastor Ron seems separate from all the rest of the "weekend experience" glitz and very high production brand of Pathway. The building is top notch, the music is primo... meaning the outward facade and consumer part of it is totally first class. But I've never been greeted by one single person in the church other than the volunteers standing at the door, and frankly that is nice, but that's their job. No one really seriously urges you to grow with God other than Ron encouraging you to read a book he recommends or stopping by Next Steps in the overcrowded lobby. If you take the initiative to ask about various things or take any sort of non pre-programmatic "next step" the answers I receive are always, "A different person is in charge of that now, let them get back to you" or, "We are going through some changes with that." Seems like Pathway is constantly reinventing itself, restructuring, re-examining it's mission and who is delegated to do what. If you don't fit into a widgetized process either as a participant or initiator, Pathway totally breaks down. Their leadership / structure feels like analysis paralysis. Maybe Pathway is too big, too much like a corporation... friendly, positive, but feels like a machine, an efficient assembly line. If you want to slip in to either the downstairs or upstairs sanctuary, not be greeted, sing along to some pitch perfect music with blinding LED lights and a fog machine, hear an encouraging message and slip out... this is the church for you. If you want to go be part of authentic community, be really stretched to grow spiritually in your walk with Christ, then you might be as disappointed as I was. I think it's revealing that Pastor Ron recently laid out like the next 4 months of sermons in great detail. Maybe some people like knowing where the ship is headed, but when your worship leader (who is quite gifted and seems genuinely passionate about the Lord) has the title of "Director of Weekend Experience" it just underscores, this is a high-production, plan months in advance machine. I really hope if the Holy Spirit any given Saturday or Sunday said to change direction that Pathway leadership would be willing to or even could logistically shift with that much production inertia, pre-planning and armies of volunteers already in motion. God can bless a big church or a small one, but I can't imagine Pathway could pivot easily with anything or respond to new opportunities quickly. There are a few churches (Sardis and Laodicea) in Revelation 2-3 who had the outward appearance of having it all together, but being over confident or not aware of their true condition. The Lord called them to wake up from being dead or complacent or self sufficient. I hope Pathway Community Church isn't like that. I want to underscore that every leader at Pathway Community Church seems to love the Lord and is working super hard, no fault there, it's just collectively it is like a corporation. Our enemy is the one who accuses, that's not my job, but I hope someone from Pathway will take this review to heart.

Best church I've been too. The people are kind. And the pastor, Ron Williams has the kindness and…read moremost endearing soul. A great representative of who God is. Also, lots of active things to do. Lots of ways to get involved in the right communities.

Great practical messages. Friendly staff and volunteers. AWESOME modern worship service! A number…read moreof ministries to get involved in. You should check it out!

This is the church I have been looking for! The staff r awesome n make u feel like you belong there.read more

Excellent ministry. Excellent leadership. Opportunities to serve. Plenty of specialty groups you…read morecan get plugged into. Friendly congregation.

Beautiful facilities, music, and people. The church Seems large until you talk to people. We really…read morelike Saturday nights. You feel like your in a small church and cozy atmosphere. I must warn you I have attended hear on and off for 20 years. Many people come from all different backgrounds. I really love how they reach out to the community and around the world. I think church can be what you make of it just like going to a gym. You get what you put in. This church on Sunday can feel big if you don't get involved, but once you meet and talk to people it isn't. If you knew the people like I do you would love it. Many people don't know how many other churches meet inside of this place. There are 3 other languages that I know of that are spoken weekly for services, including Burmese, Chinese, sign language, and Spanish. Oops! I guess 5 if you include English. Check it out on Saturday nights at 6 pm. The music and messages are awesome!

Brookside has excellent worship and teaching. We have been going for about 6 months now. We're not…read morefrom Fort Wayne and drive quite a ways to get there, so we are not involved in small groups which makes it harder for us to get to know people (or even to know who may be new themselves). But the teaching is Biblically sound and the music is not a show; it's interactive worship where people are not afraid or embarrassed to raise their hands. I would definitely recommend this church.

By far the best church I've ever attended. It has made such a positive impact on my life, and…read morehelped me become a better husband, father, and child of Christ.

Friends Fellowship Church is a small non-denominational congregation. I have been blessed to find…read morethis church. I grew up in a Presbyterian church and followed by Lutheran, never really finding a connection with the pastor or others. It seemed like all I did was recite what I was told without understanding the true meaning of the words. It's different at Friends Fellowship. I have found a spiritual home, where I can ask questions to get a better understanding of the scripture and how it applies to my life. Kudos to Rev. Dr. Godson Jacob and Fr. Thomas Lamping for their patience as I asked a million questions.

From the owner: We are a fellowship of friends who are here to make a difference in our society by caring,…read moresupporting, encouraging, and serving each other with love and friendship. It is non-judgmental space where we treat and accept each other as we are. It our humble initiative to be relevant in our society, and you can be part of that initiative by sharing your friendship.

Hello!, it's just me, John! It has been some years since I have been able to visit. I am sorry for…read moremy absence. But I have not forgot about us. I have been really busy. I am trying my best to get over there. You all have been extremely supportive of me and for this I thank you. I love you all personally. At this I will close for now. I hope to see you all soon.

This place really helped me get too know God personally . Fellowship is full of great people with…read morereal lifes. This is a big place so take it all in and enjoy

This is the best church ever. They teach you instead of tell you. They put God first, and…read moreunfortunately not ever church does that. You always feel welcome, there's always someone greeting you and wanting to get to know you. If you ever need a church that makes you feel welcome and actually spreads the word of God without making you feel pressured to listen to what they're saying .... This is the place.

I'm biased because I'm on staff at Emmanuel, but I can say that this church is the place where my…read morefamily faced cancer and the death of a child. They have been there for us. It's also a church that teaches the Word each and every week in a understandable, but deep way.

Piece of history wiped away in Church's self-interest…read more ____________________________________________ Although last Monday was Memorial Day, a day originally created to honor those who fought in the Civil War, apparently certain members of Trinity Episcopal Church didn't get the message. On May 31, one day later, the church chose to demolish the West Berry Street home of Civil War hero Robert S. Robertson. Instead of helping preserve our collective history, they chose instead to wipe the corner clean so the public would get an unobstructed view of their church. Although Robertson was originally from New York, he moved here with his wife in 1866. He fought for the Union in the Civil War, was wounded twice and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his gallantry in action. Upon moving to Fort Wayne, he was not only a successful attorney but became one of the most prominent and influential men of his time. He became Indiana's lieutenant governor in 1886, was instrumental in passing legislation creating Fort Wayne's first public library, participated in the planning of our current Courthouse and spoke at the laying of the Courthouse cornerstone in 1897. In 1873 he built a home for his wife and five children at the southeast corner of West Berry and Broadway, now 633 W. Berry, and lived there until his death in 1906. His wife was one of the women responsible for decorating the new Courthouse and was one of the founders of the Mary Penrose chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and its first organizing regent. Robertson's life in his West Berry Street home comes alive in his biography, published by the Allen County Public Library. Lavish parties hosted by the Robert sons in their West Berry Street home, including their anniversary party in 1890, are described in detail. It also includes memories of Robertson's daughter, Annie, who confesses that the Robertson children often staged fashion shows, trying on the guests' cloaks in the upstairs bedrooms, and mentions Mrs. Robertson's concern that her new home was too close to the Wabash and Erie Canal to be a safe place for her children. This year Trinity Episcopal Church acquired the Robertson House. ARCH, the local historic preservation organization, began a dialog with certain church members in an attempt to restore the house on the site where it had stood for 137 years. One month ago, the church instead corresponded with ARCH and gave us 30 days to agree to move the building, or it would be demolished. ARCH confirmed that intention in writing. Two days after doing so, the Robertson home was razed. It would seem that if one owns a piece of Fort Wayne history as significant as the Robertson House, one has an obligation, a responsibility, to the rest of the community to be good stewards of our collective past. The Robertson House has been the Church's neighbor for 137 years. It deserved to remain a part of the historic West Central neighborhood on the site where it was built, and if that was not possible, it should have been relocated. The church has failed in its obligation to all of us. When I drive down Broadway now, instead of having a clear view of the church, what I see is an example of short-sightedness and self-interest, a memory of what was and an image of what could have been. Not much of a way to commemorate the service of a Congressional Medal of Honor winner, is it? Karen E. Richards is the president of ARCH board of directors. She is also the city prosecutor. She is very pissed off. *Yelp* Note, I stole this directly from Karen E. Richards newspaper article! The reason was to dare the prosecutor to "try" anything. She will not.

Though I live in Atlanta, I'm a Ft. Wayne native and have been there for many months helping my…read moremother over the past two years. I attend Trinity as much as possible. To put it mildly, Ft. Wayne is no Episcopalian hot spot, but you wouldn't know that from this church. The parishioners and clergy are always so friendly when I visit. Shhh...don't tell anyone in my home parish, but I actually feel more welcomed here than I do in Atlanta. That could be because Ft. Wayne is pretty conservative, so I'm glad when I'm around those Trinity members, who tend to be more progressive. But mainly, they're just kind and down to earth. I can't get out of there without coffee and a donut--they won't let me. I had the most hilarious conversation ever after a service with a young woman who was a cruise ship chanteuse. Believe me, if I ever take a cruise...well, I'll just know what to do and what to avoid. The church is gorgeous, historic and OLD. Ft. Wayne is a much older city than Atlanta, so that's to be expected. There's something about an old church that you just can't get in a newer one. They have soul. When I think of all that's happened in that sanctuary since it was built at least 100 years ago....it gives me chills. Or is that the cold air leaking in through the creaky doors? :-} Oh well. This place is worth it. Too bad I didn't know about it when I was younger--my life might be a lot different now. Thanks, Trinitarians. You've kept me sane in Ft. Wayne. :-) Bless you.

During the City of Churches Tour in Fort Wayne, my family toured St. Patrick's Parish. It's another…read moreabsolutely beautiful church located in Fort Wayne. We were very surprised at how different it is from other churches. I never expected to see in the same church, statutes of St. Patrick, a painting of both the Virgin of Guadalupe and a painting of Our Lady of La Vang. I was also touched by their sign at the entrance which states "we welcome all people to Saint Patrick's Chruch, check your prejudice at the door". I also fell in love with St. Patrick's Breastplate, a traditional prayer I had never seen or read before, part of it is found in the outside of the church. It goes like this: "I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. I arise today Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom. I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In the obedience of angels, In the service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In the predictions of prophets, In the preaching of apostles, In the faith of confessors, In the innocence of holy virgins, In the deeds of righteous men. I arise today, through The strength of heaven, The light of the sun, The radiance of the moon, The splendor of fire, The speed of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of the sea, The stability of the earth, The firmness of rock. I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to save me From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near. I summon today All these powers between me and those evils, Against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul; Christ to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me an abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation." This prayer is absolutely epic and powerful to read. Truly loved touring this church!