On January 1, 2001, Rev. E. Paul Albrecht, was commissioned by the American Baptist Churches of Indiana to plant a new church in the Westfield community. The Journey Church was founded and is affiliated with over 350 other American Baptist churches in the state of Indiana. The church would be a “parachute-drop” model – beginning with no real core, and trying to reach unchurched, church-wounded, and unsaved people. The name for the church, “The Journey,” suggested to Pastor Paul as he reflected on the many names for cars that reflected a journey image – Expedition, Odyssey, Pathfinder – which also was a powerful image for the spiritual journey we have with God in Christ
From 2001 to October 2003, The Journey Church faithfully met in the Westfield Middle School for Sunday worship, at which point, the building we are currently in became available. The Church of Praise, built in 1879, was preparing to move into a new building and was seeking a buyer for its facility. After much prayer, and a clear leading of the Holy Spirit, The Journey Church bought the Church of Praise building with the American Baptist Churches of Indiana co-signing the loan, and the church began worshipping in late 2003. From 2003 to present, the congregation has faithfully participated in the restoration and remodeling of the building to keep it modern and in excellent condition. In 2020, during the pandemic, we had a surplus of cash and were led by the spirit to officially pay off the church mortgage.
Since October 2003, the Journey has been engaged in many ministries. Some of those include Forty Days of Purpose, AWANA, Vacation Bible Schools, MAD Camp (at Tippecanoe Baptist camp), Holy Spirit Conference, Harvest Unlimited, How’s Your Soul, and many other outreach events. Since Rev. Paul Albrecht retired in 2015, we have had a couple other ministers who have moved on to other callings. Now we are planning to grow the church as the Lord would lead.
