The Branch

Adventures across the state of Michigan and beyond brought Jim Guilish and his family to West Branch, Michigan. In moments that were Holy Spirit-led, and through Jim’s obedience, The Branch Church was founded.

Jim expressed his deep love for the Gospel, the outdoors, his family, and the journey that the Lord has brought him through. He also shared his passion for riding his motorcycle and spending time in nature.

He grew up in a family closely connected to the church and has always had a strong love for walking with Christ. With a ministry background spanning 27 years, Jim is passionate about seeing the progression of the Church and the Kingdom of God. Married with four children and one grandson, he splits his time between his family and sharing the Good News of the Savior.

From pastor to church planter, Jim recognizes the daily impact God has in each community. He expressed a deep love and appreciation for those who might not feel welcomed in a traditional church setting and emphasized the importance of Salvation reaching everyone in a community. He highlighted the need for believers to remain hungry for the Word.

“Everyone needs to start a walk with Christ. I remember when we were in a recent church plant and my kids were playing cards with some people of the homeless population, and I knew that God reaches beyond our comprehension. This is reaching the lost. This is what this is all about.”

God moves in communities where He is welcomed and wanted. This truth was evident in the

development of The Branch Church and continues to guide Jim’s approach to church planting.

“We are the Body of Christ. The church is not just a building: it is a community, a web of people who have a hunger to share the gospel, the story of Jesus, and testimonies. At The Branch, we encourage and support the church becoming a meeting in a home, a time at a local park, or a Bible study with friends in the library. The reach of the Lord is not limited to 4 walls and on a Sunday.”

Jim emphasized that while regular church attendance is encouraged, not everyone feels comfortable in that atmosphere. If someone can’t come to church, he believes we should bring the Gospel to them. The Branch’s motto, “One Church, Any Location,” perfectly captures Jim’s obedience to meet people where they are and lead them to Christ.

Jim spoke candidly about difficult seasons in his journey and how they deepened his trust in the Lord:

“I would go through those hard moments again. I feel now looking back that the Lord in His goodness was pruning me for more things to come. He knew the levels to get me to where I am today.”

This emphasis on the journey with Jesus is central to Jim’s faith. He explained that future church planters need to have what he calls “stupid faith”—being obedient even in moments that are scary or don’t make sense.

In addition to faith, Jim and his wife have leaned on discernment to navigate trials and spiritual warfare:

“My wife and I have had to lean into discernment in moments of trial. Through these many years of being in ministry, we can lean into Christ and understand through Holy Spirit what an attack of the enemy is. This has made our journey both interesting but also one we wouldn’t want to change.”

Throughout Jim’s story, the presence and faithfulness of the Lord are unmistakable. In times of discomfort, God’s hand has guided. In seasons of praise, there has been worship and gratitude.

“God doesn’t hold back. God blesses and is faithful.”

Jim closed by sharing that none of this would have been possible without the Lord’s provision. He expressed deep gratitude for the path God has led him on. Even in moments of personal doubt, Jim remained obedient, trusting that when he felt inadequate, God would be more than enough.

“If a pioneer couldn’t church plant, how could I? I had to trust in the Lord’s way because each moment was a testimony of the way He leads people to growth. I have become wiser and stronger from the tribulations.”

Jim is currently pouring his time and energy into The Branch Church in West Branch, Michigan. He is excited to see the impact flow throughout the community as the ministry continues to grow.