Word of Life Church

Word of Life Church is a non-denominational Christian church located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA. Established by Pastor Brian Zahnd on November 1, 1981, it is now a thriving congregation with numerous outreaches and programs reaching people from all walks of life, around the globe. Word of Life Church should not be confused with Word Of Life Fellowship, Inc, which is a youth ministry unaffiliated with Word of Life Church, nor with the Swedish non-denominational Christian Full Gospel Church "Word of Life" of Pastor Ulf Ekman (in Swedish "Livets Ord").
History
Word of Life Church was founded on November 1, 1981 by Brian and Peri Zahnd with a handful of young people and a vision to win souls for Jesus Christ. Brian became a Christian at the age of fifteen as a result of the Jesus Movement, and became known as the high school Jesus freak, carrying his Bible to school every day and sharing with anyone who would listen. He immediately began conducting several Bible studies a week and was soon one of the main leaders at a Christian coffeehouse that brought in different bands to a dilapidated downtown building every Saturday night.
At age 22, he realized that most of his flock had no church to go to on Sundays, and purchased a dilapidated church building to start what would become Word of Life Church. The stained glass windows were full of holes, the attic was full of squirrels, and the basement littered with trash. In addition, the steeple had been struck by lightning and fallen off. Growth was slow during the first years of Word of Life Church. There were some Friday night services where fewer than 10 people attended, and attendance on Sunday mornings was rarely more than fifty. On April 1, 1986, Pastor Brian claimed he received a "word from God" to "Preach faith and your church will grow", an experience which has reportedly led to the church's growth. It was during these early days that Brian and Peri formed the visions and values that characterize the church today.
In 1989, Word of Life Church moved to a new location on Frederick Avenue in Saint Joseph and renovated an office building for their ministry facility. During this time the church began to experience tremendous growth. In less than two years, the auditorium was expanded three times and eventually accommodated 1,000 people.
In 1996, Word of Life Church moved to its present ministry complex. That facility, located in the middle of a cornfield in the heart of America, features a 2,500-seat auditorium, Solomon’s Porch, a full-time bookstore and coffee shop, and The Upper Room, a prayer and worship center.
In May 2006, Word of Life Church completed construction of the Millennium Youth Center which provides a state-of-the-art facility for Millennium Youth Church (high-school age).
Pastor Brian Zahnd
Brian Zahnd is the founder and senior pastor of Word of Life Church. His vision based on five words "Cross, Mystery, Eclectic, Community, Revolution" drives his love for the community and the church congregation itself and also accounts for his dynamic preaching and teaching style. Brian also travels extensively ministering in churches and conferences across America and internationally.
Brian Zahnd was born March 5, 1959, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He claims to have become a Christian at a David Wilkerson Crusade on November 9, 1974, at the age of fifteen. Called to preach the gospel, he delivered his first sermon four months later in a Baptist church, and ministered in churches and youth outreaches throughout his teen years. In November 1981, at the age of twenty-two, he founded Word of Life Church with a handful of young people.
Zahnd and his wife, Peri, have been married since 1980. They reside in St. Joseph, Missouri.

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