Couple Hopes to Plant Church in Greenfield Area

Josh Waldoch grew up in a pastors' home in Muskego, and at an early age, God called Josh to follow in his parents’ footsteps.

Waldoch, now 28, and his wife Emily, also 28, are hoping to start their own church, The Way Church, in the Greenfield and Greendale area.

Waldoch graduated from Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, OK, and then spent six years serving a local church. But the urge to start, or “plant” a new church grew strong in the Waldochs, who live in Muskego.

“We feel God has placed that in our hearts, and we’re going after it with all we’ve got,” said Josh Waldoch, who added that Emily will be involved in the children’s ministry and has a business management background.

The Way Church, once started, will be nondenominational, welcoming people from all walks of life, from church regulars to those who haven’t stepped foot into a church in awhile, Waldoch said.

“We welcome everyone,” he added. “We want to help people feel that sense of belonging, that they can fit in there.”

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The Waldochs have not yet settled on a location for their church, but Waldoch said they are looking into renting a school auditorium or similar space, just as The Ridge Community Church did at Whitnall High School before renovating the former Walmart building on Highway 100 and Layton Avenue in Greenfield this winter.

Waldoch said leasing a free-standing buildings is also an option. But one thing he’s sure of is he and Emily wants the church to be in Greenfield or Greendale.

“As we prayed about where to start church, our hearts were drawn to those communities,” Waldoch said.

Waldoch said despite a number of established churches in the area and growing churches like The Ridge there is still a need for The Way. He said more than 50 percent of the people in the communities have no religious affiliation, and doesn’t view his new church as competition against any others.

“We’re trying to come along side and reach the community with them,” he said. “We want to be involved and serve the communities we’re in.”

Waldoch said The Way would lean more modern than traditional with contemporary services that include a worship band. He said a launch team has been busy getting the church off the ground and that The Way aims to be up and running by October.

Learn more about The Way Church on Facebook.