Sovereign Grace Ministries Family News

Virginia church celebrates 20 years of God’s faithfulness

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:52:53 -0500

Chesapeake, VA >> The year 2007 marked the twentieth anniversary of Sovereign Grace Church (SGC). Members new and old devoted an entire weekend in October to remembering God’s goodness. All the former pastors and the original church-planting team joined in the festivities. Highlights included a musical that took the audience on a “history tour,” a time to honor those who stepped out in faith to plant SGC, and a message from Steve Shank, the pastor who planted the church, envisioning the congregation for the next 20 years. You can read the story and see photos at the church's website.

Grace Church escapes fire damage

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:07:19 -0500

San Diego, CA >> Thank you for your prayers for Grace Church and their community during last week’s wildfires. Although many members’ homes were close to the fires, by the kindness of God none were lost. The building the church is preparing to move into also escaped damage. But there are many needs in the San Diego area, and Grace Church is already beginning to serve their community. Please pray for gospel opportunities, and for protection for the area as the dry, windy season continues.

San Diego church members evacuate, request prayer

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:54:06 -0500

San Diego, CA >> As wildfires rage across San Diego county, members of Grace Church are among the thousands evacuating their homes. Also in danger is the new facility Grace Church is about to move into. Senior pastor Mark Lauterbach writes, “Grace Church is seeking to make sure our members are cared for and to represent our Savior to our neighbors. Would you pray for us in this time of need and opportunity?”

Mark has been posting occasional updates at his blog, Gospel Driven Life. Please join us in praying for Grace Church and their community.

Pennsylvania churches gather for joint workday

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:22:31 -0500

Philadelphia, PA >> On Saturday, August 11, 38 people from Grace Community Church (Souderton, PA) traveled to northeast Philadelphia to join with over 20 people from Grace Bible Church for a workday at GBC’s facility. Ed O’Mara, pastoral intern at Grace Community Church, sent this report.

First Pastors College student from Frederick, Maryland

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:25:45 -0500

Frederick, MD >> One of the newest churches in Sovereign Grace is sending a student to the Pastors College of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Trav and Cindy Neumann of Sovereign Grace Church of Frederick (SGCF), along with their youngest daughter, Emmie, will move to Gaithersburg, Maryland, this summer so Trav can attend the Pastors College. A brand-new church doesn’t normally send someone to the Pastors College so quickly, but Trav and Cindy have prepared over time to make this move. Their goal is to be trained in ministry and then return to serve the Frederick church.

Orlando church hosts ladies’ conference on joy—audio available

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:34:28 -0500

Orlando, FL >> Metro Life Church hosted a women's conference for regional churches in June. Titled Joy Inexpressible, the conference included teaching from Danny Jones (Metro Life’s senior pastor) and Jenny Detwiler (wife of Brent Detwiler). Metro Life Church sent this report.

Metro Life launches new worship conference and CD

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:30:00 -0500

Orlando, FL >> Metro Life Church has announced both a new worship conference and a worship album, both titled Glorify. And while you'll have to wait until August 9–11 for the conference, the album is available now. Read on for links to free song clips from the CD, and to get details on topics, speakers, and registration for the conference.

Church celebrates Mark Altrogge's 25th year as senior pastor

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:00:01 -0500

Indiana, PA >> Many people know Mark Altrogge as the writer of more than 200 songs for worship, including “I’m Forever Grateful” and “I Stand in Awe.” But what some don’t know is that Mark has served as senior pastor of Lord of Life Church in Indiana, Pennsylvania, for more than 25 years. Last November Lord of Life honored Mark and his wife, Kristi, for their faithful service. Recently Larissa Whitely, who is part of Mark’s church, wrote to us about some of the many ways God has used Mark and Kristi over the years.

Minnesota churches gather for marriage retreat

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:11:14 -0500

Roseville, MN >> Earlier this month, Sovereign Grace churches near Minneapolis and St. Paul hosted a marriage retreat. Over the weekend, couples learned how to apply the gospel to marriage, fight discontentment, and embrace God-given roles for men and women—plus how to swing your partner and do-si-do. Sovereign Grace Fellowship administrator Peter Thorpe sent this report.

Grace Church files lawsuit against City of San Diego

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:50:21 -0500

San Diego, CA >> Grace Church filed a lawsuit on March 8 against the City of San Diego, the San Diego Planning Commission, and the Rancho Bernardo Community Planning Board. This is the latest development in the church's efforts to secure a permit from the city to occupy a building that the church leased last summer. You can read the local news coverage at The North County Times' website.

Florida churches prepare for summer mission trips

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:19:56 -0500

Orlando, FL >> Churches in Florida and the southern region are eagerly preparing for Mission: X, seven U.S. and international mission trips taking place this July and August. From New Orleans to Haiti, Bolivia to Wales, members of Sovereign Grace churches in Florida and the southern region will have the privilege to “live the commission.” The trips’ purposes are as diverse as their locations. Some will involve construction teams, others medical aid, but all will provide opportunities to share and spread the gospel.

Grace Church begins remodeling rental facility

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 12:05:47 -0500

San Diego, CA >> After receiving a five-year permit to use a vacant building in an industrial park, Grace Church has begun construction of their rental space. Thanks to the work of many volunteers over three weeks, they have now completed demolition. You can see their progress in some lighthearted videos they are posting on YouTube. (For more about Grace Church and their building project, see their January 4 update.)

Brent Detwiler teaches apologetics at Florida conference

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:51:32 -0500

Orlando, FL>> Contending 07, the apologetics conference hosted by Metro Life Church on January 19–20, drew an audience of 650 men and women with its goal to equip Christians to "contend for the faith." Read on for a review of the conference sent in by Debi Walter, a member at Metro Life Church, and learn where you can download the messages.

Abundant Grace Community Church breaks ground for new building

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:14:10 -0500

Gainesville, FL>> Abundant Grace Community Church had reason to celebrate. After 18 months of delays, they received final approval from their Development Review Committee in December to move forward with construction on a new church building. To get things started, the church held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday, January 14. Pastor Mike Gilland, who has been overseeing the building project for the church, sent us this report on Abundant Grace's "Groundbreaking Sunday."

At last, a place to call home...for now

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:24:09 -0500

San Diego, CA >> On December 7, after a year of applications, hearings, and appeals with local officials, Grace Church finally received a five-year permit to use a vacant building in an industrial park as their new home. Pastor-in-training Eric Turbedsky sent us an update, grateful for the good news but mindful of the challenges ahead.