Pastor Rod Rice
Word of Faith Family Church
Willmar, MN
(320) 235-7655About us
A well in the middle of the community
Come Experience Life with Jesus. That is more than a tagline — it is what we pray happens every time the doors open.
Who we are
Our story
The Well Family Church was a desire Michael and Linda had for Burlington for many years, going all the way back to when they first came to faith in Christ and lived in Burlington. Through the years, Mike prepared for ministry, pastored churches, and Linda became a nurse. Life seemed to take them on a different path. Then, in 2022, the Lord breathed fresh vision into their hearts for Burlington.
The Lord impressed upon them that Burlington was in need of an alive, Spirit-filled, faith church — a place that would provide fellowship, biblical teaching, and Spirit-filled worship to equip believers to live for Christ. God opened the door for them to go back to Burlington and fulfill what He had placed in their hearts many years before.
In October 2022, Mike and Linda stepped away from the church they had pastored for seven years in Nebraska and moved to Burlington to pioneer a new church. At first, they didn't know what to call it. After much prayer and brainstorming, the name The Well rose up in Mike's spirit during prayer: “Why don't you just call it The Well?”
The name fit the vision the Lord gave Mike and Linda for the church: a place where thirsty people can come and experience the life that Jesus offers. We added “Family” because we have a goal of reaching the whole family with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
In December 2022, The Well Family Church was officially registered with the State of Kansas, and planning began for the first service. On Father's Day 2023, The Well held its first service at the Coffey County Library in Burlington. Services continued there weekly before moving to the Burlington Senior Center for about a year and eventually to our present location.
It has been quite a journey, but Mike and Linda are glad to be back in Burlington and once again call it home. They have a love for Burlington and the surrounding communities and a desire to reach hungry and thirsty people with the message of God's love and power through Jesus Christ.
Mike and Linda have been married for over 30 years and have five children and thirteen grandchildren. They have served in pastoral ministry for 20 years and have 30 years of experience in church ministry. Linda graduated from Flint Hills Technical College with a degree in nursing (LPN) and has served as a nurse for 30 years.
Mike is a 2005 graduate of Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and is ordained through Rhema Ministerial Association International (RMAI). He is also ordained through the Association of Faith Churches and Ministers International (AFCM), based in Willmar, Minnesota.
The Well Family Church is not a denominational church. We are an independent, Spirit-filled church connected with RMAI and AFCM, committed to exalting Jesus Christ, preaching the uncompromised Word of God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of His people.
Our history
How it started
- April 2022
The Call
Mike and Linda sense God's call to return to Burlington, Kansas, and plant a new church.
- December 2022
The Well Is Established
After much prayer and planning, The Well Family Church is officially established, and preparations begin for our first public service.
- Father's Day 2023
Our First Service
The Well holds its first service at the Coffey County Library with friends, family, and members of the community attending.
- Our First Year
Building a Foundation
We begin holding services at the library with a handful of people, then move to the Senior Center for almost a year.
- Easter Outreach
Reaching Our Community
We hold our first Easter outreach at Kelly Park with a great turnout for breakfast, worship, and ministry to children and families.
- 2024
A New Home
The Well moves into our present location, giving us a place to grow and continue reaching Burlington and the surrounding communities.
- Growing Together
Saved, Healed & Built Up
As more people begin attending The Well, we have baptized new believers, welcomed our first church members, and have seen God move by His Spirit — saving, healing, and building people up through the Word of God.
- And We're Just Getting Started
Come Be Part of It
Our story is still being written. We believe God has much more ahead for The Well Family Church and for the people He has called us to reach.
There is a place for you at The Well
Come be strengthened by the Word of God, experience the moving of the Holy Spirit, and be part of what God is doing at The Well Family Church.
Join us every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Church board
Oversight & covering
Our Board consists of four men that help us with the oversight of the church.
Pastor Michael Schooley
Crosspointe Community Church
Ottawa, KS
(785) 242-5683Rev Marvin Yoder
Marvin Yoder Ministries
Broken Arrow, OK
(785) 728-5717Rev Matthew Perkins
Matthew Perkins Ministries
Atwood, IL
(217) 317-0550Our vision
What we see ahead
The Well desires to meet the spiritual thirst and hunger of our community and region. We aim to be a place to gather, worship, encourage, equip, teach, and share our giftings.
The Well is a place where individuals are uplifted, burdens removed, where healing takes place, and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God prevail. We desire to lift up Jesus Christ in every way so He can draw people to Himself.
The Well is a place of rest, refreshing, community, and spiritual provision you can take with you to sustain you in everyday life. The Well is a place of encounter with Jesus and His grace. Just as the woman at the well in John 4 encountered Jesus and received living water, The Well desires to be that place for you.
Our purpose
Why we exist
The Well Family Church exists to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, gather the harvest of souls, build believers, and establish and shepherd a Spirit-filled church in Burlington and Coffey County, Kansas.
Come Experience Life with Jesus
That is the invitation we extend to every person who walks through our doors.
Missions
Our monthly missions support
Each month we support the work of the gospel around the world through these faithful ministries and ministers.