NorthRidge Church Hosts Easter Celebration

PLYMOUTH, MI — Area churches celebrated Easter on Sunday with services, including NorthRidge Church in Plymouth Township. More than 25,000 people attended 18 Easter weekend services at NorthRidge, which started on Good Friday. Senior Pastor Brad Powell told the congregation that services took on an even more special meaning this year.

For every person attending services over Easter weekend, Powell said the church and its members have pledged $3 to help children in Flint still suffering through the water crisis. While Northridge, one of the largest churches in southeast has taken on many projects in the past in places like Africa and India, Powell said the church is also aiming to help people in need in the immediate area. An unofficial count of 26,563 was made at the end of services at about noon Sunday — meaning a likely donation of about $80,000.

NorthRidge also has campuses in Brighton, Saline and Grosse Ile. Services in Plymouth included music with an "Earth Harp" played by William Close. Harp strings stretched from the stage across Northridge's large sanctuary, a distance of about 80 feet. Outside, a petting farm by Carousel Acres had a variety of animals for parishioners to touch and snap pictures with.

Photos by Scott Daniel (Patch Staff)