The Open Arms story

A church story still being written.

Since 1958, Open Arms has made room for worship, prayer, music, practical service, and new beginnings. Each generation has added its own chapter to the life of this Livonia church.

Pastor Grady Jensen inside a Detroit house being restored in 2016 — **October 2016** Pastor Grady at an Open Arms restoration project.

At a glance

Milestones of welcome and service.

1958
Open Arms begins its ministry.
1976–96
Local newspapers record youth worship, mission guests, music, and community benefits.
2011
Pastor Grady Jensen arrives with a call to grow and meet needs in the city.
2014
Musicians, missionaries, teachers, and Free Indeed seminars fill the calendar.
2016
The church's Detroit home-restoration ministry receives a full newspaper profile.
Today
Sunday worship continues at 9:30 a.m. with an invitation for every generation.

Pastor biography

Pastor Grady Jensen.

A homecoming rooted in work, faith, and the needs of Livonia.

Open Arms: Pastor since April 2011
Ministry: Licensed in 1982 and ordained in 1987
Education: B.A. and M.A. in Theology

A May 2011 Observer profile introduced Pastor Grady's move from the Flint area as a homecoming. He arrived with a priority to grow the congregation through worship and practical service.

“Our priority is to grow the congregation to meet the needs of the city.”

A 2014 church profile records that he was born in Windsor, attended Brightmoor Tabernacle, felt called to ministry as a child, and studied at Southern Bible Institute and Seminary.

Pictures through the years

A real place, through the years.

From construction and a new steeple to worship and many working hands, these images remember a church home shaped by its people. Select any image to see it larger.

Open Arms Church building under construction in 1965 — **1965**Building a place to gatherOpen Arms public archive

Open Arms Church exterior on Seven Mile Road in 2011 — **2011**The Seven Mile church homeDwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0

Volunteers replacing the Open Arms Church roof in 2013 — **2013**Many hands, one new roofOpen Arms public archive

Volunteers installing the church steeple in 1982 — **1982**Raising the steepleOpen Arms public archive

Singer and jazz ensemble performing inside Open Arms Church in 2014 — **2014**Music beneath the crossOpen Arms public archive

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The recent chapter

The doors keep opening.

September 2025 Reneé Rowan Basel at Sunday worship A public event listing announced the touring gospel artist for Sunday worship. November 2025 Blooming Bridges Academy opens The on-site child care center began a new chapter for young children and families. March 2026 Volunteer chaplaincy training A free community training day brought new ministry preparation to Open Arms.

Pastor and church in the news

Read the stories behind the headlines.

These newspaper stories follow Pastor Grady's arrival, a family legacy of gospel music, and the volunteers who turned neglected houses into cherished homes. Each story links to its full newspaper page.

Observer and Eccentric headline: Church will welcome new pastor, associate

Open Arms Church pictured in the May 26, 2011 Observer

Observer & Eccentric · May 26, 2011 · Page B6 · Sharon Dargay

Church welcomes a new pastor and a new beginning

The profile introduced Grady Jensen as Open Arms' incoming pastor. It records his desire to return home after 18 years of ministry in the Flint area, rebuild the congregation, and respond to needs that were often unseen in Livonia. It also introduced Abe Fazzini as the incoming associate pastor and music minister.

First Open Arms sermon announced for June 5, 2011.
The congregation was enlarging the foyer and refreshing floors, paint, and seating.
Pastor Grady connected Christian leadership with a strong everyday work ethic.

Open the complete original newspaper page

Observer & Eccentric · June 23, 2011 · Page B4 · Sharon Dargay

Gospel songwriter Gordon Jensen joins Pastor Grady

Three weeks after Pastor Grady's first Open Arms sermon, the Observer reported that his brother Gordon would sing at the church. Gordon's gospel songs had been recorded by major artists, translated internationally, and recognized by Dove Award nominations.

The appearance connected Pastor Grady's new beginning in Livonia with a family history of music and ministry.

Open the complete original newspaper page

Hometown Life headline: Rev. Grady Jensen turns neglected houses into cherished homes

Pastor Grady Jensen at a house being restored in 2016

Hometown Life · October 9, 2016 · Page A10 · Sharon Dargay · Photos by Bill Bresler

Neglected houses become cherished homes

The 2016 feature followed Pastor Grady and volunteers through a Detroit restoration. Crews repaired walls and windows, renewed floors, rebuilt kitchens and bathrooms, and preserved original craftsmanship where possible.

It was the crew's third Detroit property that year.
Sales supported supplies, professional trades, future projects, and mission work.
The effort sought stable housing for employed families shut out of conventional mortgages.

Open the complete original newspaper page

Past events archive

Events, guests, and mission partners.

Choose a chapter to explore. Dates and names are grouped so the church's history is easier to scan without repeating the featured newspaper stories above.

01 · Community events · 1976–1996Worship, missions, and neighborhood life

Local newspapers remember a lively record from the congregation's earlier years at the same Seven Mile address.

November 1976
A film and faith evening
During the earlier Livonia Assembly of God era, the congregation presented The Coming of Israel.
April 1982
Family gospel services
John and Carlene Soroka and their daughters led several days of evangelistic services and music.
April 1987
Youth Day
Young people led worship, music, and skits as part of an Assemblies of God youth celebration.
October 1988
Bike for Breath
The church hosted a bicycle benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
May 1989
Mission work in Jamaica
Missionary Steve Puffpaff spoke about church planting and discipleship work.
August 1992
Revival services
International evangelist Little David Walker led a three-day gathering.
March 1993
East Africa mission call
Steve and Trina Pennington visited before beginning Assemblies of God ministry in East Africa.
October 1996
Fall Camp Meeting
A multi-day gathering included worship, a children's crusade, and a youth fundraising dinner.

02 · Guest ministry · 2011–2026Speakers, artists, and special programs

June 2011Gordon JensenGospel songwriter at Sunday worship
March 2012Dr. Barbie BreathittDream Encounters teaching conference
March 2014Dr. Kenneth PittawayThe Heart, the Bible, and Science
June 2014Dean J. ElliottEvening worship presentation
July 2014Dr. Douglas CarrFree Indeed seminar
August 2014Ruth ClarkMissionary guest serving in the Philippines
September 2014James FinnMissionary guest serving in India
September 2014Dr. Benjamin BakerTeaching on grace
September 2025Reneé Rowan BaselTouring gospel artist at Sunday worship
March 2026Dr. Kathaleen WuopioVolunteer chaplaincy training

Watch Dean Elliott's 2014 program Watch Dr. Carr's current messages

03 · Mission partners · 2014Missionaries and ministries recognized by Open Arms

Open Arms recognized the following missionaries and ministries in 2014. Contact the church for today's mission partnerships and giving opportunities.

Flynn and Renee Clanton
Gary and Janice Dickinson
Trent Roberts
George and Esther Flattery
David and Julia Leatherberry
Life Challenge
Henry and Karen Linderman
Paul and Barbara Parks
Jim and Beck Peterson
Power Kids
Kevin and Karen Prevost
Jared Dietrich

A remembered passage

Psalm 37:18–25

On November 3, 2013, Pastor Grady taught from Psalm 37:18–25, a passage about God's faithfulness and the steps of those who delight in Him.

Read the passage

The next chapter

Come be part of the story.

Join Open Arms for Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30 a.m. in Livonia.

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