There’s a New Church in Town.
Press Release - January 27, 2025
There’s a new church in town, but it doesn’t have a building, a pastor or a worship service.
Introducing JesusFit - a local non-profit ministry that creates churches for people who can’t find the right church fit.
Started by Bryan and Anna Willkom (Fall Creek residents and UW-Eau Claire alumni), JesusFit runs 5 churches in Eau Claire: Beer Church, Trail Church, Yoga Church, Book Church and Pizza Church.
Each church gathers once a month in a shared public space like a brewery, library, park or community center.
Instead of religious beliefs, JesusFit focuses on spiritual practices. Things like: curiosity, wonder, rest, being still, storytelling, walking in nature, listening, asking questions, meeting your neighbors and sharing a meal.
JesusFit was created for folks who are unsure where they fit spiritually…
… or who find themselves somewhere in-between going and not going to traditional church.
We hope to fill a void in the Eau Claire community, said Bryan.
“With loneliness and social isolation on the rise and a decline in traditional church-going, our churches offer a positive (alternative) spiritual space for connection and belonging.”
Bryan continues,
“Not everyone fits in the existing model of church (sanctuaries, Sundays, sermons etc.). We are trying to solve this problem by offering multiple expressions of Christian community that meet people where they are.”
For Bryan and Anna, JesusFit is all about creating approachable spaces for people to connect and belong.
“We just want people to feel included.”
Bryan shares:
“Maybe you grew up in church and your beliefs have changed. Maybe you have doubts and questions. Maybe you’re weary from a bad experience. Or maybe you’ve simply reached a point where human connection is more important than religious answers. We want you to know that church can still be a place for you.”
Without clergy, a worship service or a denominational label, JesusFit offers a unique spiritual space in Eau Claire - a space that has slowly been gaining traction.
Having hosted 47 churches in 2024 and reaching nearly 1,000 people…
JesusFit is proving that there might be a lot of folks who don’t fit the traditional church-going mold.
Despite flipping the church script, JesusFit is not seeking to compete with other local churches. “We are not in opposition to traditional churches, but rather a recognition that the spiritual landscape is changing”, said Bryan.
“We are simply another option for the increasing diversity of spiritual-seekers in the Chippewa Valley.”
Learn more about JesusFit at getjesusfit.com or view their upcoming church schedule here.
