To meet an identified need, after much prayer and consideration as well as inspiration and encouragement from Tibbs Maxey, the past president and founder of College of the Scriptures, a small group of Christian believers started an instrumental, multicultural Christian Church within the city limits of Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 24, 1981. The small group initially gathered for worship services at a family residence for a few weeks until the congregation moved into the Boland Building at 1331 Lake Drive, SE in the Eastown section of Grand Rapids and named their gathering space Eastown Christian Church.