About First Congregational Church
Our Staff
Pastor: James DeArmond
Brittany and I are thrilled to be embarking on this new chapter with you all. I’m James, originally from Kentucky, and my wonderful wife Brittany is from New Jersey. The Lord brought us together in marriage in April 2016, after we both found healing and purpose through Jesus. We are blessed with two energetic sons, Malachi, who is 8, and Micah, who is 6; both are currently attending school here in Roscommon.
For the past 13 years, I’ve been serving in full-time ministry, helping others discover the same freedom from addiction that Brittany and I experienced through Christ. We had the privilege of serving together at our center in Tennessee until the Lord called us north to Roscommon to establish the Lion’s Den MBTC in 2017.
Brittany is currently pursuing her passion for children’s well-being in the Kirtland Nursing program and is set to graduate this December. Her heart is in children’s ministry, and she dreams of creating engaging and fun learning environments to guide them early on the path of discipleship.
My own calling is deeply rooted in teaching and preaching the Word of God. I am constantly seeking ways to grow in my own faith and to encourage others to live lives fully devoted to God.
We firmly believe that God has brought our family to this church for a specific purpose, and we are both humbled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside you in ministry and in life.
Reva Love has been involved in all areas of church ministry with Christian Education her favorite area of service. She loves getting into God’s Word, because it allows her to grow closer to Christ.
One of her favorite bible verses is Psalms 86:11 “Teach me Your ways, Oh Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You.
Scott Miller has been involved with music in some way most of his life. Whether working in a music store or playing in his own band, it is truly a passion for him. He has been a part of the F.C.C family for over three years and has been a part of the music ministry team almost from the beginning.
Christian music can minister in a way that spoken words may not. God can use music to reach into the hidden places of our hearts and bring His wonderful Light and Hope where it is so vitally needed.
Our Worship Team
Our Beliefs
Faith, Freedom and Fellowship:
The Congregational Way
The Congregational Way is following Christ by faith. Led by the Holy Spirit, we seek to grow through studying the Bible, openness to God’s leading, and prayer, as well as caring for one another.
We administrate our own church affairs through democratic governance within the congregation by elected Boards and committees, with no outside interference or oversight by a national organization.
The freedom of the Congregational Way is not freedom from responsibility, but freedom to follow Christ as the Spirit calls us. We are bound by love, not law, to other members of our local church and to other churches. We understand that each church is ultimately accountable to God.
The heart of any church is fellowship — a bonding of spirit between one another and a unity of spirit between each member and the Lord. Each church is gathered as a covenant community: promising to encourage and strengthen one another in faith.
Our History
The Congregational Way has guided the Lord’s free people for more than four hundred years. Congregational Churches are sometimes known as “the church of the Pilgrims,” after that small congregation which moved from England to Holland to the New World in pursuit of religious freedom.
From then, we inherited a wonderful spiritual heritage and one that is uniquely suited to the challenges of our contemporary world.
This is a tradition that has deep convictions based upon the Word of God as each person interprets that Word according to the dictates of conscience, under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
This naturally attracts to the Congregational Christian fellowship men and women of genuine conviction, of adventurous faith, and of the gracious regard for each other’s sincerity.
We believe there is strength in diversity and by it, there are unending opportunities to learn from each other and to grow in faith.
“In essentials – unity. In non-essentials – charity. In all things, Jesus Christ.” ~ Chrysostom
In the spring of 1875, Roscommon was visited by the Rev. E. Branch who came under the direction of the American Methodist Missionary Society. A church was organized and named the First Congregational Church of Roscommon. This was the first Protestant Church to come to town.
In April, 1880 the trustees agreed to request the American Congregational Union to assist the church in erecting its first structure. This was a frame building painted white with a high belfry over the entrance.
April 17, 1926, the church burned. By the time the alarm was sounded the whole structure was in flames and beyond possible control. The cause was thought to be a chimney structure.
Church services were first held in the parsonage and then shortly thereafter moved to the Colonial Theatre. The new Church building was completed in January, 1928 and was dedicated on July 15, 1928. This was known as the “stone church.”
The last Sunday service held in the stone church was on April 14, 1961. During construction of a new building, the congregation worshipped at Pioneer Hill.
The present church building was designed by Alden B. Dow of Midland, MI. The rustic exterior siding and the interior finishes are a reflection of the beautiful natural features of the area around Roscommon.
The first Sunday morning service was held in the present building on February 25, 1962. A Centennial Celebration service was held on August 17, 1975.
We are proud of our heritage and history in the community of Roscommon. We are looking to God for wherever He may lead us in the future.
We are excited about a growing momentum to reach our community and beyond with the love of Jesus!