Dear Grace,
A few years ago, our elders discerned a call from the Lord to be a church that multiplied the gospel’s impact throughout our region and the world. While staying true to our call to make disciples of Jesus who transform our communities and the nations, we believe that Grace’s unique role is to leverage the resources God has assembled here to plant churches, send out field workers, and raise up pastors who will lead other churches. This aspect of our vision is to be a teaching hospital – one that not only cares for the sick and hurting, but also teaches/trains caregivers how to do so.
In the last few months, we have been prayerfully designing a residency program to host and equip pastoral residents who are responding to a call to ministry. Built around a one-year (renewable for another year) intentional program of formation, mentoring, observation, and active ministry contribution, our dream was to bring in one resident for the 2026-2027 ministry year. God said that dream was too small – He sent us two!
After several interviews and multiple conversations culminated in a period of prayer and discernment, I’m so excited to share that Paul Lee and his wife, Lois, along with their four kids (all 6 years & under) will be joining us at the beginning of July. Also, we are raising up from within our own Grace family, Chris Ringler and his wife, Jenitza, to join us in the same window!
Paul and Chris are both seminary trained and will make valuable contributions as well as receive important formation and development in gospel fluent, emotionally healthy, pastoral ministry. They’ll accompany pastors and staff directors in meetings, visitations, and ministry events, as well as intentional debrief and mentoring times with our executive team. This is yet another iteration of God inviting us to be a teaching hospital.
I have an important ask: Paul and Lois (and their 4 kiddos) are moving from NJ and are looking for a rental situation. You know how challenging it is to find affordable housing in our region. If you have any possible leads, would you reach out to [email protected]? We’re wondering if the Lord has a 3 bedroom townhome waiting for them! Perhaps you have a rental property you want to leverage for Kingdom purposes? Maybe a large vacant basement that can comfortably house 6? I know that our church has such intrinsic generosity, so I wanted to put it out there. At the very least, pray with me for God’s provision as a confirmation and encouragement to Paul and Lois. This is going to be such an important season coming up…for them and for us!
Our Monday studies through 1 Kings continue to be an exciting and dynamic time of conversation around the passage that was preached on Sunday. Remember that it’s a drop-in, so you can attend any time you are inclined to.
Next week, around 1000 kids, parents, grandparents, students, and volunteers will come together at the Grace building each night Monday-Friday for VBS. Join me in prayer for a deep work of the Spirit. Over the years, we have seen kids and students get saved. Parents receive encouragement and are reinvigorated to continue the challenging work of discipleship. Families who have been getting to know Grace connect, and the church begins to feel smaller as relationships are forged. It’s a week with much fruit. Pray for our point leaders – Wendy and Tandi. Pray for the leadership team. Pray for the 50+ students who serve VBS. Pray that the gospel goes forth clearly and in a timely way.
This weekend Rich, who’s been away for two weeks (be sure to ask him why!) will be picking up one of the most powerful scenes in the Old Testament – Solomon’s building and dedication of the Temple. It’s a scene rife with hope, gratitude, and end-time implications. Come with anticipation!
I had the opportunity to pray with David and Stella Forbes today. David’s been in the hospital for 45 days(!), and is needing the Lord’s healing hand. Join me in that simple prayer – that God would fill his lungs with His breath. There are so many others in our church who are ill, grieving, and/or growing weary. Let’s pray for renewed strength and vigor. Let’s pray for endurance and for hope amidst it all.
As we head into the summer, I want to remind you to keep asking God for a “listening heart” – not just one that knows what to do, but seeks to live and dwell in covenantal devotion and faithfulness to God.