GDI Cluster - LifeSpring Community Church

“GDI is graced by God to provide strategic and incisive direction to leaders at critical decision points in an empathetic manner. Doug and his associates empower others to see the unseen, to embrace what is best, and to sharpen the focus of their lives.”

Keith Yoder, Teaching The Word Ministries
Empowering Leaders With Wisdom From God's Word

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LifeSpring Community Church, located in Goshen, Indiana is an example of a GDI cluster church. LifeSpring is a mission-focused, relational community of Jesus-followers. Committed to growth through friendships, coaching, and small groups, this congregation has been reaching out to the people of this small college town -- and the world -- for more than 20 years. LifeSpring is led by a team of elders.

A Brief History People at LifeSpring laughing
More than two decades ago, a group of college kids began seeking God in prayer and gathering for worship and teaching. This group was led by Doug and Charlene Fike. Eventually this group grew and became a local church called Communion Fellowship (CF). For a number of years CF thrived, becoming a center for evangelism, training, missions and church planting. Communion Fellowship was touted as an exciting new model of church in the Mennonite and Brethren denominations. During those years, the church ran discipleship training houses and sent out teams of young people to encourage the wider Body of Christ with stories of what God was doing in the little town of Goshen. In the late 80's CF went through a painful leadership transition that shook the church and eventually sent a number of the leaders including the Fikes into the wilderness to meet God in new and profound ways. Years of identity questions for CF followed. Friends of the Wolog

Eventually Charles Buller was called to lead the elder team and was used by God to move CF towards healing and rebuilding. In the following years hope and vision resurfaced. Eventually Doug Fike was called back into an oversight role. In the late 90's CF played a critical role in birthing a movement towards Jesus among the Wolof in Senegal, training and sending out some of their best leaders to spearhead this new work. During this time CF stepped out of formal affiliation with the Mennonite Church and joined the Vanguard Ministries Network and the GDI cluster.

In recent years Keith Spurgin from New Hope has begun to provide leadership resourcing and oversight to CF. In 2005 CF changed its name to LifeSpring Community Church. LifeSpring is currently being led by an elder team with Tracy Buller at the helm.