Traverse City's Bay Pointe Community Church is set to merge with Kensington Church, a multi-campus church located in the Metro-Detroit area. Bay Pointe announced Monday that the two churches are entering a "strategic ministry partnership" with a targeted fall 2016 merger. Bay Pointe will be "adopted" into the Kensington family and known as Kensington - Traverse City, according to church officials.

"Bay Pointe and Kensington share a common history and ministry philosophy, and have shared a deep friendship over the years," officials wrote in a release. "As each leadership team talked about their respective church’s future plans, both ministries were struck by a surprising but deeply shared conviction: 'Better Together.'"

During the first part of 2016, both churches will take steps toward the full adoption. A final Bay Pointe celebration will be scheduled for early fall 2016, followed immediately by the launch of Kensington - Traverse City.