Camas Assembly of God changes its name to NorthLake Church

What is behind a name change? According to Brian Grant, lead pastor of NorthLake Church, it can take more than three years of prayer.

Grant, who has been at the church formerly known as Camas Assembly of God for a decade, said the name change was about “connecting with God’s people and community.”

“We prayed and asked the Lord for a fresh touch and vision — to be relevant,” he said.

During a recent interview at the church, Grant pointed out scriptural examples of name changes — from Saul to Paul, Jacob to Israel, and Abram to Abraham.

He referred to Revelations 22:1, which mentions a river flowing from the throne of God to satisfy for eternity.

“We are north of the lake,” Grant said. “The spirit of God is symbolized as water. The farther north is the freshest water in the mountain to sustain them.

“When someone walks away after a service, I want them to be able to say they have encountered the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way,” he added.

It will remain an Assembly of God and Pentecostal church.

“We are not a denomination,” Grant said. “Assembly of God is a cooperative fellowship.”

The church was started in 1927. A year later, the church incorporated with the state as the Camas Bible Standard Lighthouse.

In 1937, the name was changed to the Camas Assembly of God Tabernacle.

The church, previously located at 2741 N.E. Third Ave., dedicated its current building in 2001. The sanctuary has been the site of several plays and dramas. The next presentation will be “Happy Hollandaise,” a comedy with a Gospel message, in December.

The lobby of the church includes the “Holy Mocha!” coffee bar and a sitting area. The future could include the installation of an electric fireplace.

“One of our core values is relationships,” Grant said. “We want to create a place where people are comfortable.”

“The Way” ministry provided 2,000 food boxes for the less fortunate last year. That effort started in 2005, with the distribution of 20 boxes.

“We take care of their physical needs and pray with them for their spiritual needs,” Grant said.

DoodleBug Christian Preschool provides morning sessions in the church building.

Grant and his wife of 24 years, Jill, are the parents of three children.