Downtown Church

09/08/2026

📍 WHY THE MAP?

If you’ve walked through our foyer, you’ve probably noticed it’s pretty hard to miss.

An entire wall.
A map of Battle Creek.
And one small marker showing where Downtown Church sits.

But the map isn’t there just because it looks cool. It’s there to remind us why we’re here.

Every line represents a street. Every street represents homes. And inside those homes are people, families, kids, teenagers, seniors, neighbors, coworkers and friends.

People who need community.
People who need hope.
People who need Jesus.

We don't want to simply be a church IN Battle Creek.

We want to be a church FOR Battle Creek.

That map reminds us every time we walk by it:
This is our city. These are our neighbors. This is our mission field.

📍 Downtown Church
135 Hamblin Ave • Battle Creek

Love God. Love People. Serve God. Serve People.

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

📍 YOU ARE HERE.

There’s a reason the map of Battle Creek takes up an entire wall in our foyer.

It’s a reminder that Downtown Church isn’t just a church located in Battle Creek. We’re called to Battle Creek.

Every street represents homes, families, neighbors, coworkers, students, and people God loves. We believe the church was never meant to exist only inside its walls.

And this morning, there’s a place on the map for YOU too.
☕ Café opens at 9:00 AM
🙌 Worship begins at 10:00 AM
📍 135 Hamblin Ave, Battle Creek

Come worship with us this morning!
Love God. Love People. Serve God. Serve People.

09/05/2026

We’re getting warmed up for tomorrow! 😂🙌 Are you?!
Sunday • 10AM
Downtown Church
Come ready. Come expecting. Come worship with us!

09/04/2026

Get to Know Our Senior Pastors

As Downtown Church begins this new chapter, we’d love for you to get to know our Senior Pastors, Austin & Stephanie Hopper, a little better!

Pastor Austin and Stephanie have been part of Downtown Church leadership for more than 20 years. Even during the years they served as Senior Pastors of Apostolic Lighthouse in Dowagiac, they remained connected to Downtown Church as board members and advisors. Now, they’re honored to serve the church they’ve loved and helped lead for so many years in this new role.

Outside of Downtown Church, Pastor Austin works for Bellevue Community Schools as the Transportation Clerk, helping run the transportation office, dispatching buses, and occasionally getting behind the wheel as a substitute driver. His favorite meal is steak and shrimp, and if you’re looking for him at a Battle Creek restaurant, Mr. Don’s is a pretty good place to start!

Stephanie works at Calhoun Christian School as the Middle and High School Student Support Director. She also teaches Sophomore Bible and serves as the Sophomore Class Advisor. Her food preferences are simple: if it involves potatoes, she’s probably interested. Throw in Jack in the Box egg rolls and tacos, and she’s happy! Her favorite Battle Creek restaurant is Long Island Cafe.

When they're not working or serving at Downtown Church, Austin and Stephanie love spending time with their three kids, golfing, reading, and traveling together.

But more than anything, they love God, people, Downtown Church, and the Battle Creek community.

This isn't simply a new assignment for the Hoppers. It's the continuation of more than two decades of serving, loving, and believing in this church, and they're excited about what God has ahead.

Meet our Senior Pastors, Austin & Stephanie Hopper. ❤️

The story continues.

09/03/2026

MIDWEEK MATTERS. 🙌

So… we have a confession.

We were so caught up in Worship Night last night that we completely forgot to take pictures. 😂

No posed shots. No worship photos. No “everybody raise your hands again so we can get that picture.”

We just worshiped.

We sang. We prayed. We spent time in His presence. And somewhere along the way, nobody remembered to pull out a camera.

So please enjoy our highly accurate artistic recreation of the evening. 😂

But maybe that says something.

Sometimes the best moments aren’t captured because you’re too busy living them.

Last night reminded us exactly why we say it:

MIDWEEK MATTERS.

There’s something special about stopping in the middle of a busy week and simply making room for Jesus.

We’ll try to remember pictures next time.
No promises. 😄

09/02/2026

Welcome to Downtown Church in Battle Creek, Michigan!
We’re glad you’re joining us online today.
Location: 135 Hamblin Ave, Battle Creek, MI
Sunday Morning Service: 10:00 AM
Wednesday Evening Service: 6:30 PM.
Whether you’re watching live or catching the replay, we pray this service encourages you and helps you grow in faith. If you’re in the Battle Creek area, we’d love to see you in person! Like, share, and subscribe to stay connected with Downtown Church.

09/02/2026

Midweek Matters is back TONIGHT!
Join us at 6:30 PM for Worship Night. Come ready to worship, pray, and spend time in God’s presence. DC Kids will begin their Christmas play practice, so bring the whole family and invite a friend!

09/01/2026

Sunday marked more than a celebration of 30 years. It marked a sacred transition and the beginning of a new chapter at DowntownChurch.

During the service, Mayor Mark Behnke presented Mark and Julie Hopper with a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Battle Creek, honoring their 30 years of pastoral ministry and faithful service to our church and community.

Another significant moment came as Bishop Roland Baker, along with an ordaining council of respected ministers, presented Mark Hopper with his Certificate of Ordination, formally setting him apart for the work of Gospel ministry and recognizing his transition into the office of Bishop at DowntownChurch.

Along with that ordination came the Bishop’s stole—a visible reminder of the responsibility of ministry, spiritual leadership, and a life given in service to God and His people.

For 30 years, we called him Pastor. Today, we are honored to call him Bishop Mark A. Hopper.

Pastor is not a title he leaves behind in our hearts. Bishop represents the continuation of that calling in a new season—providing spiritual covering, wisdom, counsel, and leadership as another generation carries the work forward.

We honor the past. We celebrate the present. And together, we step faithfully into what God has next.

The story continues.