MARYSVILLE – This city is one of the fastest-growing in the state – and even the nation.

Pastor Danny Butcher of Bethany Christian Assembly sees that as an opportunity.

“Incredible things are happening at a rapid pace in Marysville – we need more churches,” he said.

That is why BCA, which has one of the largest-growing churches in Everett, is expanding to Marysville. It is planning services starting Sept. 18 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in the commons at Marysville Getchell High School.

Butcher was hired from a church in Stanwood in October and has been getting to know Marysville since then. Just this week he moved his family of six from Camano Island to Getchell hill.

Butcher has been learning about the community by having focus groups once a month at the YMCA. He also has had two church services at the Regal Cinemas.

He said he liked having church at the theaters, and he thinks a school is a good place, too.

“It’s more neutral,” he said. “It’s a lot-less threatening to some people than a church. They’ll be more comfortable in a common space.”

Young people also should like a school setting. “It’s more conducive to kids’ ministry,” he said.

Butcher said many Marysville residents went to the Everett church.

“We ran out of room in Everett,” he said. “God blessed our congregation – it keeps growing.”

Butcher said he grew up a pastor’s kid and was a carpenter before becoming a pastor himself.

“Our joke is, ‘Whose better shoes to follow than Jesus’?” he said.

Butcher added that he is glad he was given the time to learn about the community. He found out the city doesn’t want a “flashy” church or one that offers a bunch of stuff. It wants one that “really cares about the success of Marysville.”

“God’s done incredible stuff in Marysville for generations,” Butcher said. “We just want to find our place.”

BCA has been active in the community, even though the church isn’t open yet. It participated in the Marysville Strawberry Festival Parade, Healthy Communities Challenge Day and most-recently hosted a big soccer camp in town.

Butcher said he is surprised how welcoming the community has been, especially other churches.

“I expected a little more resistance,” he said. “But they feel our heart.”

In using the cafeteria-gym at MG, BCA will have to set up and tear down its staging every Sunday. Butcher said not having a specific church building can actually be an advantage.

“We can focus on the community the other six days of the week,” he said.

He added that even though the staging will be hard work, that in itself will bring the congregation closer.

As for the worship itself, Butcher will lead the way, except for the main sermon, which will be broadcast live from Everett with Pastor Rob Carlson. The message is biblical, applies to everyday life and follows Jesus.

If it’s not, “You’re not reading the bible the right way,” Butcher said.

The local church will have its own worship team, and the congregation will take communion the first Sunday of each month.

Sunday school will be available for anyone up to 12th grade. For details go to www.bcachurch.com.

“We just want to love and serve the Marysville community,” Butcher said.