Watermark Community Church, led by lead pastor Chad Caddell, hopes to make an impact on the community when it launches Jan. 9.

"We never want to be critical of other churches in the area, but we felt there was a need for a church for unchurched people," said Caddell, who has worked at two other Northern Kentucky churches before starting this one. "People do what they enjoy, and often they don't enjoy church. We want them to."

The church has planned several fall preview days to invite visitors before the official launch. About 160 attended the first service.

Upcoming preview services are Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Hinsdale Elementary School, 440 Dudley, Edgewood.

"We're trying to have a Sunday service that is for the seeker, casual, with an emphasis on being real and authentic," said Tony Burdette, 28, of Independence, who with his wife, Joy, is part of the core team. "We're not anybody special; we're just trying to follow Jesus Christ."

Burdette said the difference between Watermark and other Northern Kentucky churches is the concentration on those who are not connected to a church at all.

"I think it takes different churches to reach different types of people," he said. "We want this to be a safe place where they can come back to their search for God or begin their search for God."

Caddell said the message at each service is designed to be relevant to people's lives with practical applications of the Bible.

"We hope to see more baptisms, marriages mended, homes reconciled and show there is more to life," Caddell said. "It's a huge blessing to know you can be a part of life changing."

One emphasis is a children's ministry.

Caddell, a former elementary school music teacher, feels having a fun way for children to worship will attract families. He created Kidzapalooza, a multimedia, age-appropriate ministry that include hands-on learning.

"It teaches life skills and values through Bible stories," Caddell said. "And we give each child a card with what they learned so those messages can be built on as a family."

But perhaps the biggest challenge is the mobility of the new church.

"We're basically a church on wheels. Everything has to be set up and taken down each week. It takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice to be a portable church," Caddell said.

But the reward is in reaching new people.

"Just looking out there and seeing people who are really hungering for more," Caddell said. "To see their curiosity being piqued and seeing them stepping closer to God, that makes it worth it."

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For more information about Watermark Community Church, visit www.watermarkcc.net

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