We are excited to announce that we have hired Jerris Duncan to be the new Lead Pastor at Grace Community Church. Jerris is expected to start working at Grace on July 1, 2008. Jerris, his wife Lisa, daughter Marybeth, and son Trey seem like a natural fit at Grace and a direct answer to our prayers over the past 4 months.

Jerris has been a visionary leader and pastor at The Gathering, a service for young adults at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, TX. He brings about 20 years of church leadership experience, including serving as a Youth Pastor, College Pastor, and Team Teacher. His main strengths are in leadership development, authentic relationship, and focused ministry. Besides his passion for God and the local church, Jerris also enjoys bass fishing, golf, and any sport involving a ball.

We heard overwhelming excitement from people at Grace about the Duncans during their visit this past weekend. If you weren’t able to join us in person this past Sunday, video of Jerris’ message is available online:

Jerris and Lisa are excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to be here at Grace. Please join us in praying that their house in Texas sells quickly so that their move is not delayed.

Here’s a quick note from Jerris:

Hey Grace family,
Thank you so much for your overwhelming response this past Sunday. Lisa, Marybeth, Trey and I felt so at home! I can’t wait to get back to Champaign to get started. Several years ago I told some of my close friends that I would love to pastor a church but didn’t feel that preaching 50 plus sermons a year was very appealing — they thought I was crazy. Praise God for a Church that is willing to allow it’s pastor to focus on relationships and leadership without the pressure of weekly sermon prep. I’m am truly excited to join Grace as we continue to develop a relationship with LifeChurch.tv and discover all that God has for us in the coming days.

See you in a few weeks,
Jerris

We are really excited as God has so clearly and quickly directed this hiring process. We can’t wait to see how God continues to move at Grace through the Duncans and each of us serving at Grace Community. God has big desires for us in the months and years to come!

Mike, Bunney, Bill, & Becky
the Grace board

This past Sunday’s message really got me thinking about the last time I was in complete awe before God. When was I last totally overwhelmed with who God is? Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen often enough in my life.

Why am I not completely consumed by things I’ve experienced, like those that are expressed in Psalm 96?

• His salvation
• His glory
• His marvelous deeds
• His greatness
• His creation
• His strength
• His splendorous holiness
• His judgement and equality
• His righteousness

Normally a place that puts me in awe is when I’m out enjoying nature. But today I was out in the woods along a gorgeous river and I totally missed God. Why did I miss Him?

Here’s the video we were going to end with on Sunday…

How would you like to grow in awe, abandonment, and intimacy with God?

Here are some photos from the reception we had for the Hensleighs on April 20.

Here’s a note from them:

A big “THANK YOU!” to all at Grace for a warm and loving send off last weekend. Your gifts, personal notes, your kind words were all deeply appreciated.
from Dave, Debbie, & Joel