ABOUT US
OUR STORY
The Difference Church launched in 2023 with a passion to see lives transformed by the power and presence of God. We are a Spirit-filled, non-denominational church in Greensboro, North Carolina, that believes in the active and present- day ministry of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.
From the beginning, our heart has been to build a community where people feel like family, grow in authentic relationships, and experience the freedom to be real. At TDC, we walk through life together, encouraging one another through every season and growing stronger in faith.
We believe that Jesus changes everything and we believe that transformation doesn’t stop at salvation. Our desire is to raise up disciples (difference makers) who are rooted in the Word, led by the Spirit, and equipped to impact their world. We want to see every believer step boldly into their God-given calling and influence their homes, workplaces, schools, and communities for Christ.
At The Difference Church, you’ll find a place to belong, a purpose to pursue, and a people to walk with. We’re not just building a church, we’re building a movement-one life, one relationship, and one encounter at a time.
Come grow with us. Be the difference.
THE VISION
The vision of The Difference Church is to passionately pursue the presence of the Lord, allowing His presence to transform lives. To see people saved, baptized, healed, delivered, equipped, discipled, empowered, serving and making a difference.
THE MISSION
The mission of The Difference Church is to build a community of believers that carry revival, personally, regionally and will expand God’s kingdom on earth. To be empowered by the Holy Spirit, to share the love and light of Jesus that will impact our city and beyond.
- OUR DNA
How We Live the Mission
We follow Jesus together through rhythms that form us—gathering to worship, serving with our gifts, and growing in real community.
Worship
We gather to encounter Jesus through Spirit-led worship, prayer, and the Word.
Serve
Everyone has a part to play. Use your gifts on teams that bless our church and city.
Groups
We grow best in circles. Life groups and studies where friendships and discipleship form.
- OUR BELIEFS
What We Believe
The following are the core beliefs of The Difference Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Psalm 119:11, 89, 105 Isaiah 40:8 Matthew 22:29 John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17 Romans 15:4 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12 1 Peter 1:25 2 Peter 3:16
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 61:1 Matthew 28:19 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 1:35 John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16 Romans 8:9-11 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 13:14 Hebrews 1:8-10 James 2:19f.
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14 Numbers 23:19 Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2 Psalm 11:4-6 Malachi 3:6 John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1 Acts 17:28 Romans 3:3-4
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. Jesus Christ is our love and our message. Religious trends may come and go, yet our devotion to the power of the gospel remains steadfast. Our forever-focus is the Centrality of Jesus and the Cross of Calvary!
Isaiah 7:14; 53 Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6 Luke 22:70; 24:46-47 John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5 Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56 Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4 1 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 Gal 4:4-5 Philippians 2:5-11 Colossians 1:15; 2:9 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He is our instructor, comforter, intercessor, and our guide to Jesus. The baptism in the Holy Spirit, subsequent to conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us do amazing things and empowers us to live a supernatural life.
Genesis 1:2 Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff. Isaiah 61:1-3 Joel 2:28-32 Mark 1:10 Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12 John 15:26; 16:7-14 Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2 Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13-14 2 Peter 1:2 Revelation 22:17 Romans 15:19
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36 Romans 6:23 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13 Revelation 20:15
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
.Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3 Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5 Isaiah 6:5 Jeremiah 17:5 Acts 17:26-31 Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22 Ephesians 2 Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7 Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6 Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32 John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24 Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31 Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6 1 Corinthians 1:18 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Galatians 2:20; 3:13 Ephesians 2:8-10 Philippians 2:12-13 Hebrews 9:24-28 Revelation 3:20
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20 Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12 Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32 Colossians 1:18; 3:15 1 Timothy 4:14 1 Peter 5:1-4 Revelation 21:2-3
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, baptism is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to "fulfill all righteousness."
Matthew 3:16-17 28:18-20, Acts 2:41 8:12 Romans 6:4 Colossians 2:12
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as distinct from the New Birth, in speaking with tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance ( Acts 2:4), in the the gifts of the Spirit, and in the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.
- LEADERSHIP
Michael & Kris Larson
Lead Pastors
Michael and Kris are the founders and Pastors of The Difference Church, founded in February of 2023. Following a vision God gave them, Michael and Kris desire to see a different kind of church. Michael grew up in ministry and followed in his father’s footsteps to become a Lead Pastor. They are passionate about equipping the body of Christ to become difference makers for the kingdom.
Linda Larson
Disipleship Pastor
I am the Discipleship Pastor at The Difference Church here in Greensboro, NC. My passion is to serve the Lord and people. I have been honored to serve in full-time church ministry for over 25 years and as a bachelor’s-degree nurse for over 22 years.
I have also had three years of ministry school, and I have had the honor of traveling overseas on many mission trips to foreign nations, ministering to the poorest of the poor with the love and life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
I am a proud Mother of five children, Grandmother of eight, and a very proud Great-Grandmother of eight! I love the beautiful legacy I am still building, by His grace, along with my five children and their mates.
My call and my determination are still the same as they have been throughout my walk with Jesus for the past 53 years. I am still running my race and saying, “Here Am I Send Me!!
Ayo Ese
Youth & Kids Pastor
My name is Ayokunle, and I’m a Houston, Texas native with a deep passion for seeing lives transformed by the power of God. I’m a graduate of Christ for the Nations in Dallas, and in Spring 2025, I joyfully relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, to join The Difference Church Team, partnering in the mission to rejuvenate and awaken the next generation.
I carry a strong burden for the next generation, missions, and revival, and I believe God desires to start that work right here—one city, one life at a time. My calling is to help young people encounter God personally, pursue Him wholeheartedly, and discover who they truly are in Christ. I’m passionate about seeing them walk boldly in their God-given identity and confidence—what we love to call “God-fidence.”
My life verse, John 16:33, continually reminds me that even in a broken world, we can live with courage, peace, and victory through Jesus. My heart’s desire is to see a generation fully alive in God, unashamed of their faith, and empowered to change the world around them.