Current Projects @ The Way Thru Christ

Building for the Future of Ministry

As a holistic ministry committed to caring for the whole person—mind, body, soul, and spirit—our physical space plays a vital role in how we love and serve our community. To better facilitate our mission to teach, train, and develop disciples in God's excellence, we are actively pursuing grant opportunities for upcoming building and facility expansion projects. These enhancements will allow us to create even more welcoming, equipped spaces for fellowship, learning, and community outreach. We invite you to pray with us as we steward these exciting new developments for His glory.

Exterior

Restoring Our Roof:

Preserving History, Securing Our Future

As a historic building, our church property carries a rich legacy in the community, serving as a physical landmark of faith and endurance. However, maintaining historic architecture requires specialized care—particularly when it comes to our traditional slate roof. Because slate is vital to both the historic integrity and structural protection of our building, our Grant Committee is actively seeking specialized heritage and capital grants to fund its meticulous repair and restoration. This project ensures that our exterior remains safe, weather-tight, and authentically preserved for generations to come, allowing us to continue welcoming whomever the Lord sends us.

Interior
Equipping Our Home
for Total Person Ministry
Our mission is to teach, train, and develop the total person spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. To support this holistic vision, we are applying for grants aimed at interior renovation and modernization. These projects focus on sanctuary updates, classroom and youth space enhancements, audio/visual technology, and administrative area improvements. By updating our interior facilities, we create a warm, functional environment where believers can gather in excellence to hear the Word of God.

Service
Demonstrating the Love of Christ
Through Action
Ministry extends far beyond our four walls. Our service projects represent our hands-on commitment to love, feed, support, and uplift our surrounding neighborhood. Through grant funding designated for community outreach, food distribution programs, youth development initiatives, and family support services, we aim to expand our capacity to serve the whole person—mind, body, soul, and spirit—meeting critical needs right where they are.

Preserving History, Empowering Community:

The Legacy of Way Through Christ Ministry

Founded in May 1989 as a strategic church plant of Lighthouse Mennonite Fellowship, Way Through Christ Ministry has served Chester, Pennsylvania for over three decades under the continuous leadership of founding Lead Pastor (Bishop) Alvin C. Motley. Developed as a Black-led Christian ministry rooted in holistic care, spiritual formation, and leadership development, the congregation represents a distinctive stream of Black faith witness with historic ties to the Lancaster Mennonite Conference and the African American Mennonite Association.

After operating out of rented spaces during its foundational years, the church acquired its first permanent property in 1993. In 2001, the ministry expanded into its current home at 2305 Edgmont Avenue—a sacred landmark constructed in 1921 for First Presbyterian Church and officially identified as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. For over two decades, the congregation has faithfully stewarded this architectural treasure, blending a century of sacred site history with vibrant African American faith leadership.

Today, the church serves as an active, multicultural community hub in Chester. Demonstrating its commitment to direct local support, leadership and volunteers have conducted weekly Saturday morning neighborhood walkthroughs since 2009 to connect with residents and provide practical and spiritual assistance. The facility also fosters cross-cultural fellowship, including hosting a local Spanish-language congregation.

Funding for Way Through Christ Ministry directly supports both the physical preservation of an eligible National Register historic site and the ongoing operation of a essential community anchor.

Partner with us to preserve an eligible National Register historic landmark and empower over three decades of Black faith leadership, multicultural outreach, and community service in Chester.

Give Online: Way Through Christ Ministry operates as a tax-exempt religious organization under IRS guidelines. For specific tax-deductibility inquiries or partnership documentation, please contact us directly at [email]

Inquire About Grants & Corporate Sponsorships: Contact Grant Committee Chairperson Maxine Motley

Way Thru Christ
Grant Committee

Bringing our facility and building vision to life takes teamwork, prayer, and dedication. Our Grant Committee acts as the administrative bridge between our ministry goals and external funding opportunities. Composed of faithful members with a heart for excellence in God, this team prayerfully identifies and applies for grants that will fund our current and future building enhancements.

We are grateful to be working alongside

The Baldwin Collaborations LLC for grant-writing support & consulting.

To reach out to the committee please email

Committee Chairperson

Maxine Motley

[email]