Marv’s Journey: From Coast Guard to Church Planting

dstrong22
7 days ago
3 min read

Early Life and Challenges

Marv grew up in Michigan, spending his childhood in Houghton Lake until the age of 13. Life was good, but family struggles during adolescence left him feeling lost and wanting to escape. At 19, he joined the Coast Guard and moved to Key West, Florida, seeking a fresh start, only to realize that the problems he faced followed him.

A Turning Point

While Marv struggled in spiritual darkness, his parents experienced a spiritual awakening and began praying bold prayers for their family. It was in this season that Marv discovered a profound truth: real change begins within. In 2003, now living in St. Petersburg, Florida, he had a life-changing moment. After coming off duty, he picked up a Bible given by his dad and encountered Holy Spirit in a powerful way. Matthew 5:3 spoke directly to his heart, marking the beginning of a new journey of faith.

From Coast Guard to Ministry

Marv served 20 years in the Coast Guard—a career that shaped his discipline and resilience. During this time, he met Robyn, and together they raised three ambitious children. In 2011, while transferring to Sault Ste. Marie (SSM), Marv experienced a clear call from God to pastoral ministry. One evening while walking his neighborhood in Southport, North Carolina, he sensed God’s voice urging him to lead. Upon moving, Marv and his family found a home at Sault Wesleyan Church, and he entered a season of equipping, refining, spiritual battles, and deepening trust in God.

The Call to Church Planting

Marv retired from the Coast Guard in 2019 and immediately came on staff at Sault Wesleyan as their Community Life Pastor. As the church grew, the leadership of Sault Wesleyan faced a pivotal question: build a bigger box or plant a new church? Through prayer, prophetic confirmations, and even a friend’s dream about a church building, Marv knew the call was clear—church planting was the next step. Despite challenges during COVID-19 in 2020, this season became the training ground for what was ahead.

Launch Sunday: A God Moment

By May 2022, after trials including family health crises and financial strain, among others, Marv stood ready for launch Sunday. Good News Church officially began holding services at New Hope Revival Center—the very building his friend had seen in a dream. The team distributed 1,100 door hangers, and 100 people gathered for the first service. Marv had struggled all week to write a

sermon, and the night before launch, God told him to share his testimony, so that is exactly what he did. Within just a few services, six baptisms took place in a nearby lake—a powerful sign of new life and God’s faithfulness.

Growth and Impact

From that moment, Good News Church continued to thrive. In 2024, the church moved to a local recreation center, welcoming 90 attendees weekly, with Easter Sunday reaching 128. The joy of seeing lives transformed and the community strengthened has been a rewarding journey for Marv and his team.

Prayer and Revival

Today, the church continues to pray for spiritual hunger and revival. Marv desires to see apathy in their community overcome by a deep spiritual hunger for God, and the team is faithfully praying for revival to spread throughout the community.

Key Takeaways

Faith in Action: Marv’s story shows that trials are not signs of being outside God’s will but evidence of walking in His purpose.
Community Matters: From door hangers to baptisms, every step reflects the power of collective prayer and effort.
God’s Timing: Even delays and challenges can become seasons of preparation for greater impact.