Dear Grace,
Wow. What a sermon Derek, our middle school director, preached on Sunday. Yesterday our teaching team was reviewing the past Sunday, and Rich remarked what we were all thinking: it is awesome to behold how God is growing this young minister of the Gospel. I’ve had the opportunities to sit with Derek behind closed doors, working on the craft of sermon preparation: navigating the exegetical challenges of a biblical text and then distilling biblical truth into a form that grips the heart, transforms the mind, and lifts the imagination.I am blessed to have a front row seat in watching that skill be developed. On top of that, Sarah and I have had the opportunity to walk alongside Derek and Geva – seeing their marriage grow as a sign and wonder of God’s love to their growing family and to the world. It’s a privilege and honor we don’t take lightly.
In boasting about God’s work in Derek and Geva, I want to point out something that’s happening in the life of our church that hasn’t always been. God is raising up a generation of pastors right before our eyes. We have a number of men scattered throughout our staff positons who feel called to pastoral ministry and are pursuing that calling by engaging in theological studies. Allen. Andrew. Michael. Derek graduates in May 2026, and we are deliberately working through a process for ordination that could begin late summer/early fall.
On top of that, our teaching team rotation is deeper than it’s ever been. Rich. Thomas. You will not find more gifted and sincere men of God. This past summer, John Riggs gave an excellent sermon and his teaching permeates many of our community life spaces. Our executive pastors, Chris Wolf and Dave Brewer, keep the church and her ministries running smoothly and together.
I am blessed to be among such a gifted band of brothers. And that’s just the pastors. Space doesn’t permit me to boast about the incredible leadership and ministry skill of Amita, Shaena, Christine, Tandi, Jill, and Lauren – just to name a representative few.
Years ago, I shared the illustration of the church as a hospital – opening her arms to be a community of healing for the sick and hurting. I believe that’s in the charism of every church that preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Uniquely for us, our church has a charism that goes one step further. You see, some hospitals are teaching hospitals – they not only care for the hurting and the sick, but they also train doctors to care for patients. Such hospitals regularly receive residents who learn from seasoned doctors. Those residents are trained and sent out. Some may stay in the hospital, but most are sent.
I believe that part of our charism is to raise up pastors, church planters, and missionaries who will be sent out to lead other congregations, begin new works, and even go to the most unreached peoples of the world. What we have been entrusted with at Grace is so unique. Not just as a multi-ethnic church, but also as one that is Gospel-centered while pursuing a slowed-down spirituality and emotional health. All in the context of being a megachurch. As Michael Bethany said a few weeks ago when he was guest worship-leading for the weekend: “There’s not many churches like Grace.”
We all have a part to play in this work. Whether it’s by your patient and passionate reception of a young preacher who’s honing the craft. Or your notes of encouragement and engagement. Or your deliberate and intentional love for a young minister and his family. Your own faithful and sincere pursuit of Christ, putting aside your own interests for the sake of the Gospel being proclaimed. All of these are ways in which put our own spin on the cliche – while it may take a village to raise a child, so it takes a church to make a pastor…and it takes a pastor to make a church!
These are all ways that we live out what it means to be a teaching hospital…and we’re just getting started! I am believing that God will send more curious and eager ministers-in-training. I believe God will raise them up also from within our own ranks. I can see it beginning to happen now. May God increase the laborers not for the sake of Grace Community Church, but for the sake of his great name!