The history of Apostolic Bible Church is rich in Christian sacrifice, determination, and a wonderful family heritage.  This history began with Rev. Kenneth E. Bolinger.  The year of 1954 made a profound impact on the life of Bro. Bolinger, his wife and family.  Although they lived in Salem, Illinois, and were charter members of that church, a great change took place in their lives.  Both Bro. Bolinger and his wife, Jewel, felt led of the Lord to open a new church in Lansing, Michigan – a city they had never even visited.

They had written letters of intent to Rev. C. C. Kirby, then Michigan District Superintendent, and Rev. Herbert Starr, pastor of Eastside Apostolic Church of Lansing, sharing with them their burden for the city of Lansing.  Both Bro. Kirby and Bro. Starr sent letters of welcome, which were received by Bro. and Sis. Bolinger with much appreciation.

The Bolingers, along with their nine children (two more children would be born in Lansing), left Salem to come and begin a new adventure in the harvest field of Lansing.  Upon their arrival, they began to faithfully attend Eastside Apostolic Church through 1955.  Their evenings were filled with singing and worship in the family room of their home.  It was during this time that Kenneth and Jewel taught their children four part harmony and various musical instruments.
Bro. Bolinger purchased a new home in the northwest part of Lansing, just a few blocks from Capital City Airport.  It was in this home, in about January of 1956, that services first began to be held.  The Bolingers continued to reach out to their own children, as well as many visitors who came with a great need of God in their lives.
Bro. Bolinger heard about the Odd Fellows Hall on North Grand River in North Lansing and rented the second story room for a considerable period of time.  It was a trying and difficult time in their lives.  Financially, they had to bear the burden alone, much of the time.  Sunday mornings, the family would rise early and make their way to the hall to clean up from the events of the previous Saturday night.  But when service began, that room in the old hall became a “House of God” – an “Upper Room Sanctuary”!

One day in the fall of 1959, while on a drive through the country, the Bolingers found an undeveloped twenty acre piece of land between Park Lake and Bath.  After purchasing the property, Bro. Bolinger took his young men and began to clear the property.  He then bought a one hundred foot long barracks building from the MSU campus, and moved it to the location.
He led the boys in the building process while working full time on his job.  He may have gotten weary and frustrated at times, because his goal to build a church for the glory of God seemed to face setback after setback.  Yet in all this time, the Bolingers never neglected worship services and devotions with their family.  They were a holy and praying people.
In 1960, the Bolingers began holding services at home in this rural location.

In 1964, the church purchased a building at the corner of US Highway 27 North and State Road.  They remodeled the building and services began.  In 1966, a house next to the church was purchased for Sunday school classrooms.  The Lord blessed and souls were added to the church.
In the fall of 1969, the Bolingers left Lansing and moved to Murfreesboro, Illinois, where they opened a new church.  During this time, Rev. and Mrs. Neil Bolinger became the pastor of Apostolic Bible Church and were in Lansing until the spring of 1970.

Rev. and Mrs. Ron Hackworth were chosen as pastor in June of 1970.  A short time later, Rev. and Mrs. George Helmuth moved to Lansing and served as Associate Pastor.  In the fall of 1971, the church building at the corner of U S Highway 27 and State Road became too small and was sold.  A church building was purchased at the corner of West Kalamazoo and Clement, in northwest Lansing.  Bro. Hackworth led the church as pastor until his resignation in the fall of 1972, at which time the church requested that Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Bolinger return.  After much prayer and seeking the will of God, they agreed to return.
During the 1970s, there were truly apostolic works of the Lord in many services.  As a result, the church experienced much growth.  Pastor Kenneth Bolinger envisioned the need for a larger auditorium as well as additional and more adequate classrooms.  Without telling anyone, he began to make preliminary plans for a building addition.  In 1979, the church moved forward with these plans.
Through the dedicated efforts and many sacrifices of the people, the addition was completed in approximately five years.  On August 24, 1984, Apostolic Bible Church opened its doors to a Section Three rally.  The church was highly honored by those who attended that day and the wonderful words of support from the ministers and friends who were there.  But above and beyond those who were there, was the Lord, who crowned our worship with His presence and anointing!

Rev. Kenneth and Jewel Bolinger were a God-fearing, praying and holy people, who were devoted to their family, church and community.  We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to this beautiful couple for the many sacrifices they made, which enabled the church to begin and exist today.  Their legacy of truth at Apostolic Bible Church will continue to live on throughout the years – until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!