Welcome From Pastor Matthew
At The Tree, we highly value two things: our relationship with God and our relationships with people. Everything we do is for the purpose of helping those relationships thrive. When you are at The Tree, you will experience a welcoming environment, relevant teaching, dynamic music as we worship God through song, authentic people, and many opportunities to simply have fun! We hope you will check us out and see for yourself.
Matthew Johnson
Lead Pastor
Matthew Johnson
Lead Pastor
About the Lead Pastor
I felt called by God to come to Lancaster, Ohio, in 2004. Our church was called Lancaster Community Church at the time, and the only position they had available was for an Office Assistant. I wasn’t concerned about the title because the job afforded me the ability to do what I was really passionate about, starting the youth ministry! Not long into my time at LCC, they moved me into full-time youth ministry (It was probably because I was so bad at the other job!), and the rest is history! I have been Lead Pastor since March of 2011 and have considered it the greatest honor of my life next to being Mary’s husband and my kids’ dad. The Tree Church blesses me every single week. They are thoughtful, genuine, generous, bought-in, and hungry for more and more of God! I am so thankful I get to be a part of this church, and I pray that I’m able to do this another 40 years!
History of the Tree Church
The Tree Church began in 1999 as a small group called Lancaster Community Church (LCC). God quickly grew this small group into a vibrant body of believers, and as a result it moved from a store front to the local YMCA. Eventually, LCC bought a building on North Columbus Street, where they pursued the presence of God together until 2018. Throughout that time, growth would ebb and flow until about 2016, when it became apparent that God was doing something amazing at LCC and the building on North Columbus Street would no longer support the growth that God was bringing. Plans to open a new space began, and in the spring of 2016, LCC purchased 721 North Memorial Drive, planning to turn the existing retail space into a church.
Along with the numerical growth, God was also expanding the vision of LCC. Discussions began about the potential for future ministry outside the city of Lancaster, and it was decided that the name Lancaster Community Church would no longer serve the future vision God was calling the church to. So, in the spring of 2017, LCC became The Tree Church. After two years of construction, in September of 2018, The Tree Church moved into its new (and current) home. Throughout the history of this church, God has done amazing and miraculous things in the lives of the people who call The Tree Church home. And we are sure that its rich and beautiful history will be overshadowed only by the future God has in store for The Tree Church and her people.
Along with the numerical growth, God was also expanding the vision of LCC. Discussions began about the potential for future ministry outside the city of Lancaster, and it was decided that the name Lancaster Community Church would no longer serve the future vision God was calling the church to. So, in the spring of 2017, LCC became The Tree Church. After two years of construction, in September of 2018, The Tree Church moved into its new (and current) home. Throughout the history of this church, God has done amazing and miraculous things in the lives of the people who call The Tree Church home. And we are sure that its rich and beautiful history will be overshadowed only by the future God has in store for The Tree Church and her people.
Vision
The Tree Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ through purposed relationships and relevant environments.
Statement of Faith
What a church believes is an important part of their DNA. It will set the precedent for how they teach, how they interact with culture, and how they live life.
