I wanted to write a little bit about our plans, hopes, and dreams for life at Grace Community Church. In the past my calling has been in the context of campus ministry with RUF (our denomination’s campus ministry) and Church planting. My teaching, evangelism, and pastoral counseling ministry has been shaped by the college campus and life out in the community of South Huntsville, AL.  Even our family life in the Church has been with college students and neighborhood discipleship.

What is new about Grace Community Church to us is that this is the first time I have been on staff at an already established local Church where my family also worships. I can’t tell you how thankful we are to be entering this new season of Church life. I am excited for my children for the discipleship opportunities they will have with other youth and as they get to know adults in the congregation. I am excited for Lisa to get an opportunity to build friendships in small groups and use her many gifts. For myself I am eagerly looking forward to making countless new connections here and using my gifts to serve Grace Community Church.  

While I am looking forward to what is new for us here as a family, we are bringing our past experience with us. My kids are accustomed to pitching in and helping with whatever needs to be done at Church. They have spent many Sundays visiting with the residents of a senior living center. Our family has always had regular meals in our home for neighbors or whoever the Lord leads us to invite. I love starting neighborhood Bible Studies and visiting with people for spiritual conversations. We also love hymn sings in our home. I enjoy being out in the community serving however I can at homeless shelters, addiction facilities, and police stations. I don’t yet know how the Lord will use our past experience in ministry at Grace, but I look forward to seeing how our Heavenly Father will be at work. 

 In terms of my philosophy of ministry, of first importance is the Bible as God’s Word. As it says in Psalm 119 “I cling to your testimonies.” During worship, over coffee, at Bible Studies, and at the hospital bed I pray you will see me speaking God’s Word.  His Word is how I experience the fullness of the Spirit alongside others. Second, the death of Jesus Christ is central to all of ministry. Because Jesus Christ died on the cross, Christians can offer peace with God to one another and to our community. His death secures our Justification before God and makes us feel safe with the Father. Third, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus gives me confidence in ministry. Christ’s resurrection for all those who trust in Him guarantees new life, a new heart, and new future in the Kingdom of God. By His grace I want to invite others to leave their old life behind and to put on their new life in Christ. The final thing that is most important to me in ministry is community. God’s promise is to be at work in and through His body - the Church. Community is crucial! 

I hope this gives you some idea of our hopes for life and ministry at Grace Community Church. Our dream is that the seeds of worship, prayer, and friendship that we sow over the coming months will grow into fruit that overflows with joy over the coming years.