WARRENTON – All their lives together, Toby and Donna Downes knew that someday they would start a church.

The couple left their home of 10 years in Southern Oregon and settled in Warrenton in 1998 with their three sons, James, Matthew and Jacob.

Both are Oregon natives who were drawn to the coast after many years of visiting family in Seaside and Astoria. Toby grew up in Grants Pass and went to school at Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Okla. After graduating in 1987, he returned to his hometown, where he met and married Donna Loop, whose family is an Astoria fixture.

In October, they founded Abounding Life Family Fellowship. The church they dreamed of starting began as a simple, informal Thursday night Bible study. Members met in the conference room of the Comfort Inn and Suites and shared worship, testimony and fellowship.

The family put a emphasis on outreach during the beginnings of ALFF. The church hosted a Christmas party for the children at Emerald Heights Childcare Dec. 19, and plans to collect food and donations throughout the year for “Project Give Thanks,” providing holiday and bereavement boxes to be distributed to local families in need.

Puppets and drama are finding a niche in ALFF’s ministry too. “We are blessed to have Bonnie Wallace working with us on local outreaches,” Donna said. Wallace leads the Clatsop County Puppeteers and teaches a puppeteering class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Thursday at the Comfort Inn. The class is open to anyone interested in learning to minister with puppets.

January saw an expansion in ALFF’s services, starting with a “sack supper” youth meeting and Bible study from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. The church’s first Sunday morning service was held at 10 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Comfort Inn and Suites. About 20 people, regulars and visitors, attend the Sunday service, which like many Christian services consists of worship, a message and altar time, followed by fellowship time.

Abounding Life is guided by the principle of John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” explained Donna Downes.

Toby Downes leads Sunday worship at 10 a.m. at the Comfort Inn and Suites conference room, 3420 Lief Erikson Drive. Bible study with praise and worship is offered at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Comfort Inn and Suites conference room, with fellowship time beginning at 6:45 p.m.

For information, call 717-8202.