Tri-Point Connections holding services in new location

By Tim Barnum
News Editor | news@ogemawherald.com

WEST BRANCH — People looking to worship in a casual atmosphere with live music and fresh coffee can do so at the new Tri-Point Connections location in the former Coyle's Plaza in West Branch.

Tri-Point Pastor T.J. Witherell said the congregation previously worshipped in Rose City, but decided to move to a more populated area. Witherell said the moving process has been underway since he became the pastor.

“It’s been about five months — the whole time since I started,” he said. “We decided the best thing for the church was to move to a more metropolitan area.”

According to Witherell, Tri-Point Connections is not like most churches in the area. He compared operations at Tri-Point versus other churches to an old manual water pump versus a new automatic water pump.

“It’s the same water. It’s the same God,” he said. “We just have a different message, a different way to reach people.”

Instead of pews lined up in a sanctuary, Tri-Point more resembles a coffee shop, Witherell said. And over time, he hopes that it operates like one.

“Our ultimate vision is to have a full-fledged coffee shop where there’s Wi-Fi and all those things,” he said.

Witherell said he hopes the relaxed, untraditional atmosphere attracts more worshippers.

“Our whole motto is to rethink church,” he said. “According to the Census Bureau, there’s 14,000 people in Ogemaw County who don’t go to church at all.”

There’s a grand opening scheduled at the church for Saturday, Nov. 10 from 5-6 p.m., Witherell said. Some people in the area have been asking him for more information about the church’s open house, he said.

“There has been a few people talking to me,” he said. “I’ve been involved with the chamber (of commerce) and the Optimist group. They’re having me come out next week to hand out flyers.”

No service is planned after the open house, Witherell added, although services are held at 6 p.m. on Saturdays. There will be chili and soup and beverages served during the open house, he said.

Tri-Point Connections’ new location is at 3444 W. M-76 in West Branch. For more information on the church, call 989-745-5923.