History of Word of Life Church
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 to Jesus Christ. Brian had met Jesus at the age of fifteen, and soon became known as the high school Jesus Freak, carrying his big leather-bound 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 didn't go anywhere to church on Sundays and purchased an old Methodist church building at Eleventh and Sycamore in St. Joseph, Missouri at a rock-bottom price of $6,500 (in borrowed money) to start what would become Word of Life Church. The stained glass windows were full of holes from rocks that had been thrown by neighborhood toughs, the attic was full of squirrels, and the basement littered with liquor bottles from the winos that had slept there. The steeple had been struck by lightning and fallen off, but it was a beginning!
To say that growth was slow during the first years is an understatement. There were some Friday night services those first few years that didn't make it into the double digits, and attendance on Sunday mornings was rarely more than fifty until April 1, 1986, when Brian had a word from God he describes as "like thunder in his soul." God said "Preach faith and your church will grow." This experience revolutionized his ministry, he began to preach faith, and the church has been growing ever since. 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 3131 Frederick Ave 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 at Riverside and Cook. 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 24-hour prayer and worship center.
Today, Word of Life Church is a thriving church with over 4,000 active members. Its numerous outreaches and program reach people from all walks of life, around the globe.
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