Ward Church

What Ward Church does

Ward Church (legal name: Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church) is a non-profit, multi-generational evangelical Presbyterian congregation founded in 1928 in Detroit and now headquartered at 40000 Six Mile Road, Northville, Michigan, with a second campus at 27996 Halsted Road in Farmington Hills. The church operates two service formats (Traditional at 9 a.m. and Contemporary at 10:30 a.m.) across the campuses and draws approximately 1,000 in-person attendees weekly at Northville plus about 100 at Farmington Hills and 800 online participants, for a combined weekly reach of roughly 1,900. Its product portfolio is organized around core worship services, a digital content layer (livestream, podcast with 376+ episodes, iOS/Android/Apple TV/Roku apps), hospitality amenities (ReNu Coffee shop, Playscape indoor playground, Community Garden, Media Center, sports programs), and life-stage ministries (WardKids, WardStudents, Ward Preschool, Shine Day Camp, School of Music, small groups, care and crisis support, Alpha course, grief support).

The church's business model is predominantly donation-driven, with tithes and offerings (60% delivered through online giving) as the primary revenue stream, supplemented by fee-based revenue from playscape rentals ($50/hour), wedding services, ReNu Coffee sales, preschool tuition, and day camp fees. Distribution is community-led: growth is driven by personal invitations, life-stage programming, small groups, and pastoral engagement rather than transactional sales. Technology is positioned as a delivery and stewardship layer rather than a differentiator, with content distribution across web, mobile, podcast, and TV apps and a digital giving platform supporting text-to-give, stocks, cryptocurrency, and IRAs. Governance is congregational under an elected Session of elders, with the church affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) denomination but operationally independent. In 2026 the church is navigating a senior pastor transition following the death of Dr. Scott McKee and exploring the future disposition of its Farmington Hills campus.

Name

Ward Church

Legal name

Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Website

https://ward.church

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ward Church is a multi-generational evangelical Presbyterian congregation in Southeast Michigan operating two campuses (Northville and Farmington Hills) serving roughly 1,900 weekly attendees through worship services, digital media, children's programs, and global outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Worship services
• Religious education
• Children's ministry
• Community outreach
• Small groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Northville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary financial contributions from congregation members during worship services and through digital channels
2. Online Giving: Recurring and one-time donations via website, app, text messaging, cryptocurrency, stocks, and IRAs. 60% of contributions come through online giving.
3. Playscape Rental: Private party rentals at $50/hour for the indoor playscape and adjacent rooms
4. Wedding Services: Fees for wedding ceremonies including facility usage, coordination, organist, and pastoral services
5. ReNu Coffee: Revenue from coffee and pastry sales at the on-site coffee shop

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ward Church is a multi-generational Evangelical Presbyterian church operating two physical campuses in Northville and Farmington Hills, Michigan, that delivers weekly worship services, lifecycle ministries (children, students, adults, seniors, special needs, international), pastoral services (weddings, baptisms, funerals), and digital content (podcast, livestream, mobile/TV apps). The church supports its ministry through voluntary tithes and offerings, fee-based amenity services (Playscape rentals, ReNu Coffee, wedding services), and early childhood education programs (Ward Preschool, Shine Day Camp). It engages in local and global outreach through partnerships with organizations such as World Vision, Forgotten Harvest, Days for Girls, and All Worthy of Love.

Product overview

Ward Church is a multi-generational evangelical Presbyterian church with two physical campuses in Northville and Farmington Hills, Michigan. The church offers a portfolio of worship services (Traditional and Contemporary formats), digital media products (podcast with 376+ episodes, mobile/TV apps for streaming), and hospitality/fellowship services (ReNu Coffee shop, Playscape indoor play area, Grace's Acre Community Garden). Parishioner engagement is supported through Small Groups organized by life stage, Children and Student Ministries (WardKids and WardStudents), Alpha course, and Care/Crisis ministries including grief support. Global and local outreach programs partner with international mission organizations for initiatives in Bangladesh, Peru, and elsewhere. The church also provides pastoral services including baptisms, weddings, and funeral coordination. Digital giving and the Ward Church Podcast round out the product portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WardKids: Children's ministry program for infants through 5th grade
• WardStudents
• ReNu Coffee
• Playscape
• Ward Preschool
• Shine Day Camp
• Gateway 328
• Grace's Acre

Products and services

• Worship Services Weekly in-person worship services at two Michigan campuses (Northville and Farmington Hills) plus online livestream. Northville offers both Traditional (9 a.m.) and Contemporary (10:30 a.m.) services; Farmington Hills offers Contemporary at 10:30 a.m. Approximately 500 per service at Northville and 100 at Farmington Hills, with an additional 800 participating online weekly.
• Ward Church Podcast Podcast hosting weekly sermon messages and series from Ward Church's teaching team, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and other platforms with 376+ episodes including show notes, transcripts, and video options on YouTube.
• Mobile and TV Apps Mobile apps for iOS and Android devices plus dedicated TV apps for Roku and Apple tvOS, providing both on-demand sermon content and live streaming of Sunday services.
• Playscape Indoor playscape facility at the Northville campus for children 12 and under, open free to the public 5 days a week. Available for private party rentals on weekends at $50/hour with discounts for Ward Church members, Ward Weekday Preschool families, first responders, active military, and veterans. Maximum capacity 40 people with adjacent Creative Labs rooms.
• ReNu Coffee Full-service coffee shop located at the Northville campus Entry 1, serving coffee (hot and cold), espresso drinks, tea, and pastries with free refills on batch-brew coffee. Also offers free co-working space with WiFi and power outlets. Hours extend across weekdays and Sunday mornings.
• Grace's Acre Community Garden Free-to-use organic community garden at the Farmington Hills campus with 16 raised beds, open to community neighbors for one growing season (late April through October/November). Hosts volunteer cleanup and maintenance events.
• Sports Programs (Pickleball and Basketball) Open recreational sports including pickleball (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at Knox Hall Gym with 3 courts) and basketball (Monday evenings). Open to everyone regardless of membership status.
• Grief Support Programs Partnership with New Hope Center for Grief Support and GriefShare providing 8-week workshops, peer support groups, and annual memorial candle-lighting ceremony for those dealing with loss. Programs are open to anyone at any point in their grief journey.
• Online Giving Digital giving platform supporting text-to-give, online donations, check/mail, and non-cash gifts including stocks and cryptocurrency. Also offers recurring giving management and giving statements through the myWARD account portal. 60% of contributions come through online giving.
• Children and Student Ministries (WardKids, WardStudents, School of Music, Ward Preschool, Shine Day Camp) Age-based programming including WardKids (infants through 5th grade), WardStudents (grades 6-12), School of Music, Ward Preschool, and Shine Day Camp. Sunday morning programming at both campuses during worship services.
• Alpha Course An 11-week evangelistic course at the Farmington Hills campus with shared meals, video content exploring Christian faith questions, and open small group discussion. No registration required.
• Small Groups Ongoing small group gatherings organized by life stage and interest including Homebuilders (families with young children), Men, Women, Young Adults, Seniors, Singles, Special Needs, and International groups meeting at various times.
• Global and Local Outreach Programs International mission partnerships including Bangladesh initiatives (clean water through World Vision, Days for Girls menstrual kits, ESL programs), Peru (Paths of Hope youth mentoring), Colorado and North Africa (Wycliffe Bible Translators), and local Detroit outreach through organizations like Central Detroit Christian and All Worthy of Love anti-trafficking work.
• Care and Crisis Ministry Support services including crisis counseling referrals, support and recovery groups (addiction, mental health), funeral coordination, prayer requests, and financial wellness programs.
• Wedding Services Wedding ceremony and reception coordination at both campuses including Sanctuary (1700 capacity) and Chapel (200 capacity). Services include wedding coordinator, hostess, organist, premarital counseling, and approved caterer reception options.
• Baptism and Dedication Baptism and child dedication ceremonies held during regular Sunday worship services three times per year (January, May, September). Includes parent preparation class and materials for families with infants through kindergarten-age children.
• Media Center Resource library offering children's books, study materials, Christian fiction and non-fiction, biographies, a Library of Things, and Puzzle Exchange. Provides access to RightNow Media (biblical video resource library) and maintains hours on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 1,000 in-person attendees weekly at Northville plus 800 online
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Team World VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for clean water initiatives. Ward Church has partnered with Team World Vision for 13 years, raising over $500,000 through participation in the Detroit Free Press Marathon and Half Marathon. Funds support clean water projects primarily in Bangladesh.
• World VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for clean water projects in Bangladesh. Preparing to build wells providing clean, life-giving water to communities in need. Ward's Director of Outreach leads the Bangladesh initiative.
• All Worthy of LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnti-human trafficking organization partnered with Ward's Gateway 328 ministry. Provides care kits and lunch bags, and participates in street ministry around Detroit and Ypsilanti.
• Forgotten HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood rescue organization delivering 144,000 pounds of surplus food daily. Ward serves approximately 200 families weekly through this partnership, now in its third year.
• Central Detroit ChristianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development organization working with Detroit residents to revitalize neighborhoods. Ward partners through local outreach initiatives.
• CRU Inner CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban ministry organization. Ward partners with CRU Inner City for Detroit outreach efforts.
• New Hope Center for Grief SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrief support organization. Hosts two FREE 8-week 'From Grief to New Hope' sessions annually on Monday nights, plus 'Starting Again' peer support group for widows/widowers.
• GriefSharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrief support program with 13-week sessions held at Farmington Hills campus. Open to anyone at any point in their grief journey.
• Days for Girls InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides sustainable feminine hygiene solutions. Ward's team handcrafts menstrual health kits monthly, primarily for distribution to women and girls in Bangladesh. Over 2.5 million women and girls impacted globally.
• Not Abandoned MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry serving women and girls exploited by sex industry and trafficking. Ward team members have traveled to Thailand to work alongside this ministry. Hosted joint seminar on human trafficking prevention.
• Paths of Hope (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry serving vulnerable youth in Peru who have grown up in residential homes. Helps teens and young adults build healthy relationships, experience healing, and step into adulthood. Ward supports through vision trips and ongoing partnership.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators (Coats Family)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServing immigrants and refugees in Greeley, Colorado while engaging Arabic-speaking Muslims across North Africa through global media Scripture engagement and digital discipleship.
• Help's on the WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDearborn-based organization providing clothing and necessities. Ward partners to provide supplies in the western suburbs.
• Northville Civic ConcernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization providing clothing, food, and necessities. Ward partners for community support in the Northville area.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Christ Fellowship Church: Large multi-site evangelical church in South Florida with strong family ministry, online giving, and community outreach programs — comparable to Ward's two-campus model and family-centric programming.
• Life.Church: Multi-site evangelical church and pioneer of free online church resources (Church Online Platform, YouVersion Bible app) with emphasis on digital engagement and family ministry — directly comparable to Ward's livestream, podcast, and free-access strategy.
• Church of the Highlands: Large multi-site evangelical church with online campus, small groups, and global outreach partnerships — comparable to Ward's ministry portfolio and digital community strategy.
• North Coast Church: Multi-site evangelical church with online campus and small group–driven community model — closely comparable to Ward's small groups–led community engagement strategy.
• North Point Community Church: Large multi-site evangelical church in Metro Atlanta with a strong digital distribution model (podcast, online campus) and multi-generational family programming — comparable to Ward's two-campus Michigan model and digital-first community approach.
• Lakewood Church: One of the largest evangelical churches in the U.S. with a multi-platform broadcast and digital distribution model (livestream, podcast, TV) — directly comparable to Ward's multi-platform content delivery across web, mobile, Roku, and Apple TV.
• Bethel Church (Redding): Large evangelical church with extensive online school, podcast, and streaming content distribution — comparable to Ward's investment in multi-platform digital outreach.

Others

• RightNow Media: Biblical video resource library that Ward Church provides free to its members — a key technology/infrastructure partner comparable to other SaaS-resource relationships a church of Ward's size would maintain.

Regional players

• Northville Christian Assembly: Christ-centered church operating in the Northville, Michigan area — a regional same-geography peer to Ward Church's primary campus.
• Southland Church: Non-denominational evangelical church in southeast Michigan — a directly comparable regional peer serving the same Metro Detroit geography as Ward Church.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wardchurch
• YouTubeyoutube.com/wardchurch
• Facebookfacebook.com/wardchurchmi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ward-church
• Instagraminstagram.com/wardchurchmi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ward Church