Grace Community Church places a high value on equipping believers to love the Lord with not only our hearts, souls, and strength, but with also our minds. It is our dream that as we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and of His work in history and in today’s world, we will better learn what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Grace Institute classes are designed to engage the mind, transform the heart, and move the will towards obedience and action. Students come from all backgrounds and seasons of life, and often the relationships formed while studying together last well beyond the duration of the course in ongoing small groups.
2021 CLASSES
Grace Institutes will be on hiatus for 2021. We will provide information for 2022 courses at the end of 2021. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@gcconline.org.
Understanding How the Old and New Testaments Form One Story
Our goal is to help students understand the various themes and storylines that run through the entire Bible. Students will learn to faithfully read and interpret Old and New Testament passages with the broader narrative context and connectedness in mind. We will recognize some of the challenges as well as the opportunities that come with seeing the Bible as one story.
Jan 16 – Feb 20, 2020 // 6:30 – 8:30P
(March 5 is the snow make up day)
INSTRUCTORS
Dustin Youngstrom
Dustin is the Marriage Pastor at Grace. He grew up in the evangelical church, but discovered his passion as a student of scripture his senior year of college while taking a course on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. He now loves helping others see Christ in all of scripture and life. Dustin earned his M.Div from Biblical Theological Seminary (Now called Misso Seminary in Philadelphia). He is married to Kristen and they live in North Laurel with their two silly boys.
Temi Akinsanya
Temi currently serves as an Adult Ministry Resident at Grace. He lived in Lagos, Nigeria for the first 11 years of his life until he migrated to the United States in 2003. He was blessed to grow up in an environment where the Christian faith was present. In his college years, he was moved by the Holy Spirit to consider the importance and necessity of complete devotion to the Lord Jesus. With a desire to serve the Lord from an early age, after graduation from undergrad with Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, he completed a graduate degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. Temi has been married to his beautiful wife Modesta for three years and they reside in Laurel, MD.
Gospel Fluency
Our study of Gospel Fluency, by Jeff Vanderstelt, will equip Christians to more accurately and wisely speak the good news of Jesus Christ into the every day stuff of life. The Gospel is not only news that is preached from the pulpit on Sunday, but also a story that infiltrates every corner of our lives, every day of every week. If you are looking for how to biblically “speak truth in love,” more accurately apply gospel principles, more wisely engage in gospel conversations with unbelievers, and more holistically see the world through the lens of Jesus’ story, then this class is for you!
Jan 16 – Feb 20, 2020** // 6:30 – 8:30P
(March 5 is the snow make up day)
INSTRUCTORS
Marja Humphrey
As an assistant professor of Counseling, Marja prepares graduate students to be professional counselors in schools and mental health agencies. At Grace she serves in Grace Kids. Marja lives in Laurel with her husband Kamarica and their son Jonathan and daughter Amisa. She loves studying the Bible and talking about Jesus with others over a cup of coffee. Her other interests include reading, dancing, traveling, meeting new people, and partaking of great food. You can contact her at marja.humphrey@gmail.com.
Jean Middleton
Jean is a certified meeting planner and a student at Regent University, currently pursuing a master’s in Servant Leadership. At Grace, she serves in the Be the Bridge group and the Racial Reconciliation Ministry. A resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, Jean enjoys listening to great sermons and studying the Word. Her hobbies include watching Broadway plays, traveling, reading, and knitting. You can contact her at jmpsalm375@gmail.com.
Multiethnic Conversations
It can feel daunting to dive into the unknown abyss of multiethnic conversations. It takes courage to move toward what is uncomfortable and hard. We don’t have to look far to see the see racial divides among us. But how do we, the body of Christ, actually become ONE church? How can the words in John 17 come alive in each of us and in our communities? How does unity begin to permeate our entire being? How do we become light in a dark world full of racial division? How do we become a witness and a voice for racial unity?
Using Multiethnic Conversations: A Journey Toward Unity in Your Church by Mark DeYmaz and Oneya Fennell Okuwobi, we will explore various topics and have many conversations as we study God’s word, understand the biblical mandate for the multiethnic church, and gain practical insights for experiencing life with others in the body of Christ. Through short readings and discussion, we will consider how the Gospel broke down the walls of division in the New Testament church and how we can do the same today as live out what it means to be one church.
Jan 16 – Feb 20, 2020 // 6:30 – 8:30P
INSTRUCTORS
Kathy Petersen
After 30 years in higher education, Kathy Petersen joined the staff at Grace three years ago and currently serves as the Senior Director of Adult Ministries. Kathy’s heart beats passionately for the marginalized, women and has a desire to see the church united with no dividing lines among God’s people. She devotes her time to pointing women to Jesus, so they truly understand what it means to be his beloved daughter and live fully in this knowledge. She is a bridge builder across ethnic groups – believing that once people understand the depths of reconciliation that Jesus offers that they will want to live out the gospel message of reconciliation with all others. She strives to seek justice, to show mercy, and to walk humbly.
Kathy serves on the faculty for DELTA, the leadership development program offered at Grace. She believes that the world is in desperate need of leaders who live out of their identity in Christ as they embrace their God-given gifts and talents in the work God has called them to.
She is married to Rodney and is the mother of two daughters. She holds a BA from Franklin and Marshall College and an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Although she may find herself teaching others, she remains a life-long learner and student.
Thomas Anderson
As the Director of Men’s Ministry, Thomas helps guide men at Grace to walk in the light of the Gospel. He also works with the Adult Ministry team developing ideas and strategies to make disciple-makers and care for our church. Thomas currently lives in Prince George’s County with his wife Syeebra and three daughters Brianna, Marissa, and Genesis. Thomas loves teaching the Bible and helping people apply it to everyday life. His other interests include cooking, history, attempting to make the perfect cup of coffee, and board games.
The Theory of Evolution and The Bible: Human Origins Debate
Who were Adam and Eve? Is it possible that human life could evolve from ape ancestors? What does mainstream science say about the origins of mankind? Can a Christian believe in both the Bible and evolutionary theories? This six-week course examines both scientific and Christian ideas for how humans got here. The entire spectrum between theistic evolutionary theory to old and young earth creationism will be examined first biblically and theologically, then also scientifically. This course is for curious learners that have wanted to 1) understand the nuances in the theory of evolution and 2) develop a Christlike response to human origins questions.
Jan 16 – Feb 20, 2020 // 6:30 – 8:30P
(March 5 is the snow make up day)
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Kenny G. Sossa
Dr. Kenny G. Sossa earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Biology from Hampton University and a Master’s of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Neuroscience from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Initially raised Catholic then Mormon, Kenny now enjoys a relationship with the one true Jesus, the Savior and Lord of his soul. For many years his curiosity for science and love for the creation story seemingly conflicted. Currently, he passionately shares his faith story with students, friends, and neighbors. Previously he taught the Theory of Evolution and The Bible: Origins of Life Debate. Here he teaches the second part subtitled Human Origins Debate.
Everyone with a Gift: A Theology and Practicum of Personality and Strengths
Jan 16 – Feb 20, 2020 // 6:30 – 8:30P
(March 5 is the snow make up day)
INSTRUCTORS
Roger Taneus
Financial Peace University
Financial Peace University is a nine-week course that will help you learn techniques and skills to build a starter emergency fund, budget, pay off your debts, invest for the future and much more. The course includes nine video lessons featuring Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze, and Chris Hogan — financial experts in the industry.
Taught by Josh Sacks and Greg Lowe (also financial experts) they will bring their own wisdom as Christ-following financial advisors into the course. The sessions will also include time to discuss strategy in small groups.
Jan 16 – March 12, 2020 // 6:30-8:30P
INSTRUCTORS
Greg Lowe
Greg and his family have attended Grace since 2000. He has worked with the Money Sense Team and has led Financial Peace University for over a decade. Greg, a Certified Financial Planner® at a Howard County based firm, is passionate about helping people build sound financial foundations through biblically based principals. He especially enjoys the success stories from FPU where a seemingly impossible situation is turned around to the point where they are able to become generous givers and impact the lives of those around them in a positive way. Greg lives in Glenwood with his wife Jan, their two children, and their German Shepherd.
Josh Sacks
Josh has been attending Grace for almost 20 years. Having grown up in the Grace community, the people of Grace occupy a special place in his heart. He had long desired to find a place to serve and six years ago got connected with Financial Peace University. The fit made perfect sense as he is a Certified Financial Planner®, and always loved to serve those in need of help with their finances. Josh is married to his wife Jennifer who he met in the high school ministry at Grace. They lives in Marriottsville with their dog.