History

In May of 1992, in Tim and Eva Mosher's basement, a handful of families met together to worship and to prayerfully consider which Lima area church they should join. As they sought God week by week, they realized that He might be leading them to plant a new church.

Over the next several months, they gathered for worship in homes, backyards and a township hall; and within two years, God in His wise providence had merged them together with a small Grace Brethren Church which was located on University Boulevard. This new church family soon affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, through which they were introduced to John Heyward, who since June of 1994, has served as the church's pastor. (In addition to Pastor Heyward, the church now has Joe Wassink as associate pastor, Joe Lott as youth pastor and Pam Winkelman as secretary.)

As the church family grew, it became obvious that the building on University Boulevard which had been such a blessing to them was no longer big enough. The search began to find ways to expand that building or to find another suitable facility. After several years of exploring different options, it became clear that God was moving the church to build a new facility. God impressed upon one of the members of the building committee to contact a acquaintance who owned land at the corner of Allentown and Baty Roads, and while the land had not been for sale, the owners of the land sold six acres to the church, and donated an additional three acres. Seeing God's gracious provision of the land, the church excitedly moved ahead with their building efforts. The building committee began meeting regularly, and one of its members, who was an engineer by trade, became the architect of the project. He redrew the building plans again and again as input was given from the committee as well as the congregation.

In October of 2003, the church kicked-off a very successful capital campaign. Just one month later, the building on University Boulevard was sold and the church family began meeting at the Elida Middle School, which was a well-suited temporary home. The church enjoyed unity and growth during the building process and by August of 2005 was able to settle into its new 20,000 square foot building.

As a church family, we are grateful and humbled by God's blessing upon us in the past, and we look forward to how He will use us to advance His kingdom in Lima and throughout the world. To God be glory!

(Today, Grace Community Church is in the process of planting another new church. Learn more about our church plant.)