From Struggling to Stirred

When Pastor Bill Wilton first arrived at Sunrise Christian Reformed Church in McMinnville, Oregon, it felt like he was stepping into a quiet corner of the kingdom. A town without a strong denominational presence. A church of just 20 people. And a future that, from a human perspective, looked uncertain.

But Bill wasn’t alone.

He came with a heart tuned to prayer and a willingness to listen. And so, together with his elders, he began to ask the hard questions. Where is the Spirit leading us? What is God calling us to become? They didn’t yet have answers—but they were open.

And that’s when the door to renewal began to crack open.

Listening First

It was around that time that Sunrise Church connected with Keith Dornboos at the Center for Church Renewal. What followed was a leap of faith into The Church Renewal Lab—an 18 month journey that Sunrise undertook alongside four other churches in their classis.

The process wasn’t quick-fix. It wasn’t flashy. It was faithful. And it began with one simple practice: listening.

“We listened to each other, to our congregation, to our neighborhood,” Bill recalls. “What are the needs in our community? What are people really longing for?”

But above all, they listened to the Spirit—through prayer, through the Word, and through patient discernment.

This wasn’t just a strategic exercise. It was spiritual formation for a whole congregation. And something began to shift.

Faithful Results

By the time COVID-19 upended churches around the world, Sunrise Christian Reformed Church was already on a new path.

What had been a quiet, struggling congregation was now worshiping 90 to 100 people each summer Sunday. They’d remodeled their building. Added pastoral staff. But more importantly? There was joy. There was momentum. There was mission.

“The Lord was absolutely faithful to reinvigorate the ministries of Sunrise,” Bill says. “We were reminded that Jesus is still the Lord of the Church. No matter the cultural winds, no matter the internal challenges—we can trust Him to lead us forward for His glory.”

Ready for Renewal?

Join the Church Renewal Lab – Fall 2025 Cohort

If you’re a pastor or church leader who’s tired of maintaining and ready to be mobilized—this is your invitation. The Church Renewal Lab isn’t about quick growth; it’s about Spirit-led transformation. Churches of all sizes, from any context, are welcome to join this journey of prayerful assessment, missional focus, and faithful action.

✅ Rediscover your congregation’s calling
✅ Reconnect with your community’s real needs
✅ Reignite joy and momentum in ministry

➡️ Sign up now for the Fall 2025 Renewal Lab cohort and start a new chapter in your church’s story.