WELCOME

OUR VISION

We will reach the world for Jesus by intentionally equipping and sending disciple makers.

Because of our unique strategic location in Frederick County, we have access to a growing and transient community that will enable us to reach the world for Jesus by intentionally equipping and sending disciple makers.

The Role of Elders

At Grace Community Church, our elders are men called to serve and shepherd the church under the authority of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd. The Bible describes elders as spiritual leaders who are entrusted with caring for God’s people, teaching and upholding sound biblical doctrine, and providing wise, godly oversight for the life and ministry of the church. Their qualifications and responsibilities are outlined in passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, and 1 Peter 5:1–4. Elders are called not simply to lead, but to lead with humility, integrity, wisdom, and a sincere love for Christ and His people.

The elders of Grace Community Church seek to guard the church’s biblical faithfulness, provide spiritual direction, encourage and equip believers to grow as disciples of Jesus, and care for the congregation through prayer, counsel, and pastoral oversight. They also bear responsibility for the overall health, unity, and direction of the church, seeking to make decisions that honor Christ and serve His people well. We recognize that the church belongs to Jesus, and that the privilege of leadership comes with a solemn responsibility to serve faithfully. Whether you are a longtime member, a recent attendee, or considering making Grace your church home, we welcome your prayers, questions, and engagement as we seek together to be disciples who make disciples, who live and love like Jesus.

Spiritual Care and Prayer

We care about you and your walk with the Lord. Whether you are facing a difficult season, celebrating a blessing, or simply need someone to pray with you, we welcome the opportunity to come alongside you. We believe prayer is essential to the life of the church, and we are committed to praying for the congregation and caring for those entrusted to us (James 5:14–16).

Biblical Counsel and Encouragement

Life often brings questions and decisions that are not easy to navigate. The elders seek to offer biblical counsel, encouragement, and guidance rooted in the truth and wisdom of Scripture. Our goal is not simply to offer opinions, but to help you apply God's Word faithfully as you grow in your understanding of Christ and learn to follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Spiritual Leadership and Direction

The elders are responsible for providing spiritual oversight and direction for Grace Community Church. We seek to protect the church's faithfulness to Scripture, encourage sound biblical teaching, promote unity, and equip the congregation to grow as disciples who make disciples. We approach these responsibilities prayerfully, seeking God's wisdom and the good of the church rather than our own interests (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11–13).

Care for the Church Family

We believe the church is a family in Christ, called to love, encourage, and bear one another's burdens. The elders seek to foster a church culture where people are cared for, relationships are strengthened, conflicts are addressed with biblical wisdom, and every believer is encouraged to grow in faith and serve others. We do not do this work alone; we seek to equip the whole congregation to care for one another as members of Christ's body (Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:15–16).

We consider it a privilege to serve you. If you need prayer, would appreciate biblical counsel, have a question, or have a concern, please reach out. We welcome the opportunity to listen, pray with you, and walk alongside you as we seek together to be disciples who make disciples, who live and love like Jesus.

The elders of Grace Community Church share a common calling: to serve Jesus Christ by shepherding His people faithfully. While each elder brings different gifts, experiences, and perspectives, we are united in our commitment to God’s Word, the spiritual health of the church, and the mission Christ has given us.

We believe biblical leadership is a responsibility to serve, not a position to be served. Our desire is to lead with humility, pray for and encourage the congregation, provide biblical counsel, protect the church’s faithfulness to Scripture, and help equip believers to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

We also believe that caring for God's people involves more than leading the church; it means walking alongside one another through the joys, challenges, questions, and seasons of life. We seek to serve with humility, compassion, and a commitment to God's Word, always pointing one another toward Christ.

We welcome the opportunity to walk with you in your faith. Whether you have a question about the church, need prayer, would appreciate biblical counsel, or simply want to learn more about Grace, we encourage you to reach out. It is our privilege to serve this congregation as we seek together to be disciples who make disciples, who live and love like Jesus.

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you.” — 1 Peter 5:2 (ESV)

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Our beliefs are based solely on the Scripture.

We believe that salvation is only possible by the grace of God & faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible to be our infallible rule of faith and of practice. The following articles are a statement of the basic truths taught in the Bible which we believe are essential for Christian faith and practice.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Our Beliefs

The Bible is God's Word. Written by human authors, under supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of Truth. Inspired by God, the Word of God is without error in the original autographs.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21

The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. The Spirit provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right and gives every believer a spiritual gift when saved.

As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

John 16:7-15; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 5:22-23

Salvation is God's free gift to us, but it must be received, it cannot be earned. Our sin can never be made up for by good works.
Only by trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior can anyone be saved from sin's penalty.
Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus by faith. Salvation is a complete and eternal salvation by God's grace alone, received as the gift of God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 1:18-19; Romans 10:9-10

One true Church, the body and bride of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-32)
Composed of all true believers of the present age (I Corinthians 12:12-13)
The organization of its members in local churches for worship, for edification of believers, and for world-wide gospel witness, each local church being autonomous but cooperating in fellowship and work (Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 10:25)

The Christian life is marked by interpersonal relationship with God that shows the process of growth and transformation, moving one from "birth" through maturity until Jesus returns (Romans 12:1-2)
A life of purpose and hope (Titus 2:11-13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:28)
Manifested by speaking the truth (James 5:12)
Maintaining the sanctity of the home (Ephesians 5:22, 6:4)
Settling differences between Christians in accordance with the Word of God (l Corinthians 6:1-8)
Not engaging in carnal strife but showing a Christ-like attitude toward all men (Romans 12:17:21)
Exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Maintaining a life of prayer (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6), including the privilege, when sick, of calling for the elders of the church to pray and to anoint with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13-18)
Giving back to the Lord (Luke 6:38; Malachi 3:10; Leviticus 27:30)

People are created to exist forever, Either eternally separated from God in hell by sin or eternally alive with God through Christ Jesus. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

The reality of heaven (Revelation 21:10-17;
Hebrews 12:22-24)
The reality of hell (Revelation 20:11-15;
Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43)
The conscious existence of the dead (Philippians 1:21-23; Luke 16:19-31)
The resurrection of the body (John 5:28-
29)
The judgment and reward of believers (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
The judgment and condemnation of unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15)
The eternal life of the saved (John 3:16)
The eternal punishment of the lost (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15)