AMBRIDGE, Pa., (BRN) – Nearly three years ago on Oct. 9, 2022, Pastor Ken Sachs and his wife Akiko launched God’s Field Church in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
Initially attending seminary at Liberty University to earn his MDiv so he could serve as a pastor at an already established church, Sachs felt that dream shift two years into his seminary career.
“I got the call to church planting…and also my wife felt the calling as well, of course not as a pastor, but to support and to help me as we started engaging in Ambridge,” said Sachs.
Ambridge, Pennsylvania, is a small, rural town just north of Pittsburgh that sits along the Ohio River. It has a population of roughly 7,000 people and is well-defined by its working-class community.
“[There are] strong family ties and strong religious ties in the community. Some have grown up and never left the community…so it’s that small town mentality,” described Sachs.
Ministering to this little town, Sachs and the members of God’s Field Church have stumbled upon a thirst for the gospel and God’s Word, specifically with those who are working through addiction recovery.
“We’re very passionate, of course, about proclaiming the gospel and sharing the gospel to the people in the community. We’re [also] passionate about recovery and addiction,” said Sachs, noting that a Celebrate Recovery ministry is a part of the church’s long-term plans.
Additionally, the church has developed a passion for reaching the various cultures present in Ambridge.
“We find ourselves ministering to a diversified church with different cultures in it. So, we’re trying to reach out to the different cultures in the community and connect with them,” said Sachs.
One way God’s Field has fostered this diversity is through D-Life, a discipleship training opportunity designed to generate a lifestyle of making disciples. From this training, God’s Field has continued D-Life groups for men and women, which has resulted in a growing hunger for God’s Word.
“I think that’s one of the biggest things, it’s (D-Life) keeping everybody focused on God’s Word. Even the ones coming to church as visitors that join these groups are getting into God’s Word…and that’s where the transformation takes place,” said Sachs.
In between D-Life groups, Sunday mornings and other ministry responsibilities, such as serving on the Baptist Resource Network’s (BRN) Executive Board, Pastor Ken enjoys breakfast dates with Akiko at Cracker Barrel and reading a good book.
Occasionally, he hits the golf course, but most days he enjoys a spontaneous trip with his wife and exploring the area they call home. This year will mark 35 years of marriage for Ken and Akiko. They have two adult sons, Gabriel and Christopher.
God’s Field Church officially affiliated with the BRN in 2024, a decision Pastor Ken has found to be very helpful as a church planter.
“Getting to know everyone in the organization is one of the first things as a church planter that’s important – to have a network and to have people that you can call and genuinely care about what you’re doing and want to help you,” expressed Sachs.
He continued: “The second thing, of course, is the affiliation and the resources that are available, not only just for us, but for us to help, for us to share with others and to help others as we’re being helped. That’s one of the exciting things.”
How to pray for God’s Field Church and Pastor Ken Sachs:
- Pray for Pastor Ken and his family to overcome any frustration or setbacks that would happen as they move forward with their ministry
- Pray for God’s Field Church to continue in multiplying through God’s Word and their D-Life groups
- Pray for wisdom for Pastor Ken and Akiko as they lead God’s Field Church and care for the Ambridge, Pa., community
