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Greater Dreams Church celebrates 15 year anniversary

By Sarah Shurge people before him.” the mists of it.”
To some, a job is just a job. It’s Taking care of the building isn’t Mack has his doctorate in theol-
how you make money to pay for your always easy, but getting the church ogy and is currently finishing his
bills. It’s how you spend eight hours running wasn’t easy either. PhD in life coaching.
of your day, then you clock out and “When we first got the building, “Education is important to me,
go about your life. To others, it can the city didn't approve of the build- but it doesn’t take education to be
have a different meaning. A job is ing. So, we had church three weeks successful or impactful,” said Pastor
your passion and what you dream in a row at the park until the city ap- Mack. “I want to know the scripture
about. proved,” said Pastor Mack. and help people articulate it. I really
Larry Mack was in his mid-twen- During COVID, Mack was able to believe in pouring into people. Giv-
ties when he had a dream to start a purchase the building. Since the ing people advice on mistakes I've
church. That church, Greater building was closed with no in-per- made.”
Dreams Church, just celebrated its son services, they were able to re- Pastors are just regular people.
15 year anniversary this past year. model the building, which they They aren’t perfect, they make mis-
“I love our church. I love pastor- wouldn’t have been able to if in-per- takes, they go through hardships,
ing these people. Especially after the son services were happening. and most importantly, they feel pain
15 year celebration. It was really a “I always keep my trust in God. I too.
blessing,” said Larry Mack, bishop didn’t have a plan B. My whole life is “When I went through a divorce, I
and pastor of Greater Dreams wrapped around what I’m doing,” was preaching with a broken heart
Church. said Pastor Mack. for many years. Going through that
Mack was hesitant at first on hav- Pastor Larry Mack and his wife Regina. However, being a pastor wasn’t al- rough period was a blessing to me,”
ing the anniversary party, but his Pastor Mack. “It caused me to reflect ways his original plan. said Pastor Mack. “When Regina
wife, Regina Mack, convinced him over the years on times when things Mack originally was in the med- came into my life, she helped me and
otherwise. were tight. We had a lot of time when ical field and part of the military. He inspired me. She really centered me.
“My wife Googled why you should we went without. My ministry always served in the United States Army for She makes things better.”
celebrate things like this. It said it en- came first.” three years and the Army National Regina is the assistant pastor at
courages pastors and lets them Mack started his church on Sun- Guard for five years. His last year in Greater Dreams Church. She does
know they are loved,” said Pastor day, April 29th, 2007, in the Canton the military, he was a Combat Medic most of the church planning and
Mack. “She said we should celebrate Emagine Theater. and Command Sergeant Major deals with the church paperwork.
milestones.” “I spent a great deal of time pray- Driver. Mack and Regina have a son,
Greater Dreams Church had not ing and getting the word out there in “I spent a lot of time in prayer Ethan Nicholas, whom they adopted
celebrated any anniversaries prior to regard to our church,” said Mack. until one morning when I was 23, I when he was 4 days old. Mack also
this. The event took three months to Greater Dreams Church is the felt God speak to me and call me to has two daughters, Micaiah and
plan, and due to short notice, they first church Mack started on his become a pastor,” said Pastor Mack. Mariah, from his previous marriage.
weren’t able to invite everyone they own. He had saved $13,000 of his Mack has now been in ministry “The process that God put me
wanted. own money and after returning from for 33 years. through to get to this stage, we’re
“Being a senior pastor, I went in a trip to Mexico, received a $10,000 Throughout the years, Mack has just getting started,” said Pastor
kicking and screaming because I check from a fellow minister, Elijah spoken at many conferences, went Mack. “I want to be more effective. I
don't like special treatment,” said Smith. on missionary trips, has ministries want to get a more effective building
Pastor Mack. “Seeing that we made With a $23,000 check, Mack was in Africa, and hosted five television for what we do. I’m very grateful for
it through COVID, while a lot of min- able to get the church started. About shows on Total Christian Television where we are but we’re looking for-
istries globally did not make it, made 12 years ago, they moved to the (TCT), which has reached 172 na- ward to making a stronger impact
me feel like God’s hand was with us.” building in Wayne and started doing tions for 19 years. He has a ministry for our city.”
Greater Dreams’ anniversary was 9 a.m. services. in Toledo, Ohio, helped start three Greater Dreams Church is lo-
on April 29th, however, due to vari- Since then, Mack has always put churches (two of own), and has a cated at 35118 W. Michigan Ave in
ous events throughout the year, the the building and the church first. ministry branch of city-wide bible Downtown Wayne.
celebrations were held in November. Even through difficult times. studies. There are currently two Sunday
“God was in it because it really “Our praise and worship leader “I really believe in what I’m doing. services, one at 9 a.m. and one at 11
was awesome,” said Regina. “It had a heart attack and was out for Helping people. Inspiring people,” a.m. There is a noon Bible study of-
turned out great.” nine months. He had been there said Mack. “Every time someone fered on Wednesdays and the church
A pastor appreciation banquet since the beginning and his salary comes into the church I want to in- will also be starting small groups
was held on Saturday, November was the main source of income for spire them to fulfill that thing inside soon. Services are streamed online.
19th. Then there was a special serv- his family. I had to choose between of them.” Every Tuesday the church feeds
ice at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November the church, my house, or him,” said Greater Dreams Church has its about 100 meals to the needy, and
20th. A speaker came in from Okla- Pastor Mack. “I lost my house during name for a reason. there are monthly church activities
homa City, the church received a let- that time, but I still paid him the “Our goal is to help people be- as well.
ter from a senator, a letter from the salary. The building comes first.” come more Christ-like and to reach For more information about
governor, and the mayor of Wayne Mack has a reason behind why he your God-given dreams,” said Pastor Greater Dreams Church, you can
gave a speech. made the decision that he did. Mack. “We’re all about dreaming the visit greaterdreamschurch.org or
“It was a beautiful thing. I’m very “Leaders eat last. That's one of God-dream and teaching people to call (734)890-1315. For more infor-
thankful and overwhelmed. It made the principles I live by, take care of pray, fulfilling what God put inside mation about Pastor Mack’s min-
me want to be a better pastor, and go the house first,” said Pastor Mack. your heart, doing what you love istries, you can visit larrymack-
further and be more effective,” said “Jesus is a servant. He always puts doing, and partnering with God in ministries.com.
4 · January 2023 · The Wayne Dispatch