Our Story
All kinds of people, all touched by God’s love, all reaching out to love others
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Alliance Christian Center began with an unexpected journey that led Kirk and Ruth Martin from a simple cabin dream to a life-changing encounter with Jesus. What followed were steps through Alaska, Colorado, and finally Ohio—shaping the church family that continues to grow today. There are many stories and people who helped shape this journey—some still with us, others now gone on to be with the Lord. For now, this is a brief account of how the church began.
1974 – A New Beginning
Kirk and Ruth Martin left East Liverpool, Ohio, dreaming of “a cabin in the woods” and a quiet life.
They headed to British Columbia and began building their new home -unaware of the bigger story God was about to write.
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An Unexpected Detour
To live and work in Canada long-term, they needed legal immigration status - which meant leaving the country and waiting in Alaska for approval.
On the journey north, their truck was wrecked. Suddenly they were stranded in Anchorage—homeless and even searching for food in garbage cans. Yet even in that dark moment, God was quietly guiding their story.
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A Life-Changing Encounter
In August 1974 - near the close of the Jesus Movement - they met a group of so called “Jesus Freaks” who took them in and invited them to church.
That Sunday morning, they were miraculously born again, and their lives were set on a completely new path.
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1975 – A Sending Church
Abbott Loop Community Church in Alaska was sending teams across the United States to start new churches - fueling a nationwide wave of church planting.
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A New Assignment
In 1975, the Martins joined a team sent to Colorado Springs to help start a new church there.
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August 1978 – A New Church Begins
Kirk and Ruth gathered a team of 14 adults and 7 children and moved from Colorado Springs to Alliance Ohio where, Alliance Christian Center was "born".
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Humble Beginnings
The church first met in the Martins’ apartment, then moved through a few storefronts and an old church building as the young congregation grew.
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1987 – A Permanent Home
In 1987, we built and moved into our current location at 670 W Main St in Alliance, marking a new chapter in our story.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We are grateful to all, past and present, who have shaped our church. As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate many more years of sharing God’s love and the good news of His kingdom with our community and beyond.
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