“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

~Hebrews 10:23

Modern church building with large circular stained glass window, surrounded by a lawn and trees with fall foliage, paved entrance, and parking lot.
A single-story preschool building with a metal roof and outdoor seating area, surrounded by fall foliage and parking lot.

Our Story

Our Beginnings (1980’s)

Pastor Jim and Mary Ann Brown planted Maltby Christian Assembly of God with their first service on September 11, 1983, in the Maltby Community Club. The small church soon outgrew the space and began holding services in Maltby Elementary School. Eventually they purchased a 5-acre lot next-door to the school for $60,000 and installed a double-wide mobile chapel on the property in 1987. As the church grew, the Browns passed the baton of leadership to David and Sherry Brakke who became the Lead Pastors on October 8, 1989.

 

A Decade of Growth (1990’s)

The 90’s were a significant year of growth. The church continued to grow and built a permeant building, opening on December 6, 1992. They were able to hire additional staff and offer multiple service times. By the end of the decade, they were still busting at the seams and purchased the 11.2-acre lot on Paradise Lake Rd. for continued growth.

 

A Decade of Building Bridges (2000’s)

In the early 2000’s the church began to expand many community outreach programs like the Egg Hunt, the Hotrods and Hogs Car Show, Trunk or Treat, Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Theatre and Candlelight Service. The church moved into the new 24,000 square foot facility on Paradise Lake Rd in 2003, launched its website, and adjusted its mission’s statement from “Building Bridges to People” to “Building Bridges to All Generations”.

 

A Decade of Loving, Growing, & Serving (2010’s)

In the 2010’s, multiplication became a priority for the church growing beyond Maltby. It merged with Monroe Faith Center, planted a campus at the Twin River’s Correctional Facility, Dinner Church in Billings, MT, a Spanish congregation at the Monroe campus, and Blue Bridge Church in Kennewick, WA. It was at this time that the church outgrew its name and became The Church at Maltby & Monroe to be the Church wherever we were planted. The church also launched The Preschool at Maltby to provide quality early education and reach young families for Christ.

 

The Decade of Change (2020’s)

The global COVID pandemic in 2020 brought challenges but also new opportunities. The church launched online services and expanded the Preschool and Kindergarten to the Monroe campus. Significant staff and pastoral leadership transitions also marked this decade. Pastors David and Sherry Brakke retired after 33 years of faithful service, and Jeremiah and Marjorie Campbell were voted in as the new Lead Pastors on September 18, 2022. We are thankful for God’s continuing grace and favor for the church. In January 2026, the church rebranded as Connection Church signifying unity in the multi-site campuses and the mission statement of the church.

We are excited to see what the Lord will do in the next chapter of our church!