CHURCH A SPIRITUAL OUTPOST FOR HALF-CENTURY GRACE MARKS MILESTONE.Byline: HOLLY J. ANDRES Staff Writer SUN VALLEY -- From its start 50 years ago in a two-room house to a worship center that seats 2,500, Grace Community Church has maintained its cornerstone of faith in the unwavering and wholehearted whole·heart·ed adj. Marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm: wholehearted approval. whole obedience OBEDIENCE. The performance of a command. 2. Officers who obey the command of their superiors, having jurisdiction of the subject-matter, are not responsible for their acts. to God's laws. Even the name of the church -- which celebrates its golden anniversary this weekend -- reflects the founders' belief that salvation is by the grace of God alone. ``We are a real resource for people who are serious about being a Christian,'' the Rev. John MacArthur John MacArthur may refer to one of the following people:
The congregation was founded as a nondenominational non·de·nom·i·na·tion·al adj. Not restricted to or associated with a religious denomination. Adj. 1. nondenominational - not restricted to a particular religious denomination; "a nondenominational church" church in 1956 by the Rev. Don Householder, who was pastor until his death in 1965. The Rev. Richard Elvee led the church from 1966 to 1968, followed by MacArthur, who has been senior pastor since 1969. He ministers to a congregation of 2,500 on a church campus that includes a bookstore and a school for kindergarten kindergarten [Ger.,=garden of children], system of preschool education. Friedrich Froebel designed (1837) the kindergarten to provide an educational situation less formal than that of the elementary school but one in which children's creative play instincts would be through grade nine. He also hosts a daily half-hour radio program, ``Grace to You,'' on KKLA-FM (99.5) and has written books on topics ranging from Bible studies Bible study may refer to:
Actor John Adams There have been several notable people called John Adam:
``Grace is a church where you immediately know there is something evidently different. There's not a closed-off attitude,'' Adams said. ``Grace treats the Bible with reverence and respect. The Bible is the standard. ``A lot of people say that, but they water it down,'' he said. ``If you want to hear the truth, come to Grace.'' Adams, the son of a minister, is impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: by MacArthur's humility Humility See also Modesty. Humorousness (See WITTINESS.) Bernadette Soubirous, St. humble girl to whom Virgin Mary appeared. [Christian Hagiog.: Attwater, 65–66] Bonaventura, St. washes dishes even though a cardinal. , conviction and dedication, describing him as a ``persuader.'' ``My dad would say, `He puts the hay down where the goats can get it,''' Adams said. ``He presents the Gospel in such a way that you are going to be obedient and comply or, if you choose not to comply, you're going to feel that choice.'' Looking back over his career at Grace Community, MacArthur noted that the questions people ask him haven't changed. They want to know what God has to say about daily life and how to get to heaven. ``These are the serious issues of life -- building a strong marriage, a strong family. People come to get answers to those real issues,'' MacArthur said. ``We're a spiritual outpost. Our emphasis and focus is for people who want answers.'' ``Why Has God Blessed This Church?'' will be the message delivered by the Rev. John MacArthur, 8:30 and 10:30a.m. Sunday, Grace Community Church, 13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley. ``The Future,'' 6p.m. service. Call (818) 909-5500 or see www.gracechurch.org. holly.andres(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3708 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: John Adams will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley along with other parishioners. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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