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Significant
happenings in the history of Grace Church
1958:
A group of 45 people began meeting at C.A. Thomas School,
the initial nucleus of Grace Church. Most came from the Brooklyn
CMA Church, and prayed for a year about the church they sensed
God was leading them to begin. Among them were Del & Audrey
Pitts, still members today. The first person who came to know
Christ was Julia Shuster, a widow who became one of the church's
prayer warriors.
1960:
Donald & Elfriede Schaeffer came to Cleveland with their
four children. Donald became the first ordained pastor of
Grace Church. He had previously pastored churches with another
denomination in Wisconsin and South Carolina.
1968:
The first chapel was constructed at the corner of Bagley &
Fry Roads. By the time of its completion, the church was already
larger than the capacity of 110 people and we had to expand
to 2 worship services. For trivia buffs, Chris Meekins' father
was the crane operator who placed the steeple on top of the
church!
1973:
As Grace continued to expand its ministry in the community
a new sanctuary was added with additional classrooms. People
continued to come to Christ, and a 2nd worship service was
started in 1977. In the years that followed hundreds of people
lovingly invested energy and time, and many ministries were
initiated in fulfilling the church's purpose.
1990:
God continued to bless Grace Church with leaders who have
a heart for Him. In addition to Pastor Donald Schaeffer, God
leads other pastors to join the work: Gregg Carrick (1990),
Steve Harper (1994)
1996:
The first phase of our current building was completed, providing
not only much needed space, but also offering exciting new
opportunities for outreach & discipleship to ministries
for all ages.
1998 & 1999:
God continues to bless Grace Church with growth in spirit
and numbers. Pastor Jonathan Schaeffer joins the staff at
Grace Church in 1998. In 1999 Ernie Richmond, Dennis Barta,
and Randy Vandemark join the staff at Grace.
2000 & Beyond:
Since moving into our new building in
1996 our Sunday morning attendance has more than doubled.
As God continues to allow our church to grow, we are seeking
his guidance for our future. With the leadership of Pastor
Jonathan Schaeffer we began a 3-year stewardship campaign
called "Raise the Roof!" With God's blessing we
will break ground for our building expansion in the Spring
of 2003. To address the needs of our church family, Jeff Doeringer
was added to the staff at Grace Church in 2001 to work with
young adults and middle school youth.
Over these 40 years, hundreds of people have come to know
Christ in a personal way. Many more have taken steps forward
in their relationship with the Lord, growing in spiritual
maturity. Over these 4 decades, people have made an impact
for God in our community and around the world, including more
than two dozen individuals in vocational Christian service.
In addition, $3 million has been sacrificially given to the
cause of world evangelism. We expect God to do even greater
things through us in the days ahead...
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work
within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians
3:20-21
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