A little over a year ago, I made a very big decision.  A decision that has had a big impact on my life, family and friendships.  I made the decision to leave the congregation that I had been blessed with leading for 13 years and step out on faith to go and work with a ministry that God had given me a vision for and allowed me to start with church family and friends.  The Grace Place Ministry had grown and my heart had grown for this very different kind of ministry and the people from all walks of life that it has the opportunity to touch with the amazing grace of God.  It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but in the final analysis of the Spirit, I realized that I could not serve two masters and give them both what they deserved.

There were a number of thoughts and ideas that influenced my decision and they still influence my decision making today.  In fact, I still ask the question:  Why Grace Place and here are just a few of the reasons why:  

Grace Place and a ministry like it is needed because there are too many congregations/christians just going through the motions.  This is not about pointing the finger at anyone.  If the shoe fits, it fits and it is what it is!  The truth is:  At Grace Place we are tempted with this same temptation week after week and I am beginning to think that it may be the biggest battle that we will ever have to be engaged in.  To really be a part of Grace Place, you have to do more than just show up and fill a seat.  You have to get in and get involved in the life and ministry, otherwise you will feel that you are missing something and the truth is:  You are missing a very big something!  A “something” that can only be found by consistently getting out of your comfort zone and into service!

Grace Place and a ministry like it is needed because we are going to stand before God one day.  2 Corinthians 5:10 says:  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”  It is very easy for us to forget that we are going to stand before God one day and give an account.  We like to think that some how, this life that we are living is about us.  This life is about God and His glory.  We exist to fulfill His purpose and when we fulfill His purpose, we are fulfilled.  When God gave me the vision for Grace Place, He did it through His Word.  Matthew 25 – “When you did it to the least of these…”  continues to ring in my heart and spirit, and still challenge me to get it a little more right everyday.

Grace Place and a ministry like it is needed because, I meet so many people who have been messed up from a mixed up spiritual upbringing.  It’s not that people in this life place are not interested in spiritual things.  It’s not that they don’t believe in their Creator.  It’s not that they don’t want to live a blessed life.  It’s that somewhere along the way, they got messed up by the challenges of life and mixed up by the rules and regulations of religion and in all of the distractions, missed the incredible work of the amazing grace of God.

Grace Place is not perfect, but it is available, yielded and willing!  Grace Place is a baby crawling, just learning to walk.  Grace Place is an open community offering safety, love and a second chance to anyone who needs it.  Grace Place is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than self, while bringing greater glory to a very worthy God.