God is Already at Work in Willoughby
If you had asked me twenty years ago where God would lead my life, I doubt I would have said church planting. For more than two decades, I served as a firefighter and paramedic in Northeast Ohio. Those years gave me a front-row seat to people’s lives. I walked with families through crises, loss, uncertainty, and some of the most difficult moments they would ever face. Along the way, God began stirring something deeper in my heart. I realized that while people have physical needs, they also have spiritual needs. Beneath the surface, many people are searching for hope, purpose, belonging, and peace. Ultimately, they are searching for Jesus.
That calling eventually led Amy and I into pastoral ministry. For the past five years, I have served as Associate Pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church in Mentor, Ohio. During that time, God continued to clarify his direction for our lives. We became convinced that one of the most effective ways to reach people who are disconnected from Jesus is through new churches intentionally planted in the communities where people already live, work, and gather. That conviction eventually became Union Village Church.
Why Willoughby, Ohio?
As I began praying and researching communities throughout Northeast Ohio, I kept coming back to Willoughby. This is a growing community filled with families, young professionals, students, retirees, and new residents. It is a vibrant city with tremendous potential. Yet it is also a mission field. More than half of the people in our area are not actively connected to Jesus Christ or a gospel-centered church.
When I look at Willoughby, I don’t just see demographics. I see people. I see families searching for connection. I see individuals wrestling with questions about purpose and identity. I see people who may never walk into a traditional church building but who desperately need the hope found in Jesus Christ. And I believe God is already at work among them.
Why Partner With the YMCA?
One of the most strategic decisions we have made is launching Union Village Church in the Lake County YMCA West End Branch. For us, this is about much more than finding a place to meet. The YMCA is already a trusted gathering place within the community. The YMCA also shares space with local schools and a senior center, creating a unique environment where multiple generations naturally connect. Rather than asking people to come to us first, we want to meet people where they already are. We want to build relationships before programs. We want to become known before we invite. Most importantly, we believe God is already working there, and we want to join him in what he is doing.
A Vision Bigger Than One Church?
From the very beginning, Union Village Church has been about more than one congregation. We are building toward multiplication. We want to develop disciples who make disciples. Leaders who develop leaders. Groups that multiply. And ultimately, churches that plant churches.
Our prayer is that Union Village Church becomes a launching point for gospel ministry throughout Northeast Ohio. We are not planting a church because we believe Willoughby needs another worship service. We are planting a church because people need Jesus.
Looking Ahead
As Amy and I prepare for this next chapter, we are filled with both excitement and humility. Church planting requires faith, perseverance, partnership, and prayer. Yet every step of this journey has reminded us that God is already ahead of us. We have seen doors open. We have watched relationships develop. We have met people who share a passion for reaching those who are far from God. Most importantly, we have been continually reminded that this is God’s work, not ours. The best stories have not yet been written. Lives will be changed. Families will be restored. Leaders will be developed. Disciples will be multiplied. And future churches will be planted. We believe God is already at work in Willoughby. We simply get to join him.
David Martin is a church planter for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren in Willoughby, OH. David was commissioned on June 14, 2026 during the Biennial Convention.