Missions Ministry
The Missions Ministry of Grace Bible Church is dedicated to the fulfillment of the Great Commission's call to make disciples of Jesus Christ in all nations by going, evangelizing, baptizing and teaching all men to observe what Christ has commanded (Matt 28:18-20).
To those ends Grace Bible is committed to training and sending missionaries to the mission fields of the world. GBC currently supports 13 missionaries. GBC also actively encourages people to follow God's call to the mission fields of the world on a full time basis.
Grace Bible is also committed to reaching the local community of Midlothian with the gospel of Jesus Christ through ministries such as neighborhood outreach, outreach dinners, home Bible studies and small group fellowships.
MISSIONS LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Grace Bible Church Missions Leadership Team has a passion for missions and has a desire to serve the body in equipping and sending of missionaries. Bill Cross oversees the Missions Leadership Team, which coordinates the various aspects of the ministry.
The MLT meets monthly throughout the year generally on the first and third Thursdays. During the meeting we pray for our missionaries and discuss specific aspects of the ministry such as:
• Care and support for our missionaries
• How to encourage and help our missionaries
• New missions opportunities
• Evaluate prospective missionary candidates
• Prepare and maintain the Missions Budget
Being involved in God's work around the world has eternal value. It is the reason the church is still on this earth, and therefore, it is of the highest priority. Contact Bill Cross for more information.
Local Outreach
VCU Evangelism
CONTACT: JACK DOVE
Those within the Grace family who actively participate in local evangelism efforts welcome you to join them on the campus of VCU. Consider coming out for an exciting and encouraging time to share the Good News with others near VCU’s Cabell Library on Wednesday evenings. Many people really DO desire to talk about spiritual matters; they just don’t know WHO to talk to. Perhaps it is YOU! For dates, details or information, contact Jack Dove at jacdove@gmail.com.
RETIREMENT HOME MINISTRY
CONTACT: BRICE POLENDER
Since 1991, GBC has been involved in ministry to local retirement residences. Grace representatives currently serve on a bi-weekly basis to bring Grace Bible to those who are unable to attend our regular services. Currently at The Virginian, a service is planned two Wednesday evenings a month at 7:00 PM. Would you like to serve? Both music and teaching opportunities are available but those just wanting to attend the service are welcome as well. Contact: Dustin Wakefield at djwakefield@gmail.com.
Internationals Right Here in Richmond – Opportunity for Sharing
Universities are places of great diversity, and at VCU, there are thousands of international students – many from countries where the Gospel of Christ is restricted to varying degrees. Some never meet someone who has trusted Christ as Savior. Particularly during the holiday season – VCU has several matching programs that pair families or individuals with interested internationals. Many here at Grace have welcomed students into homes for holiday dinners, activities, and weekend home stays. Would you consider welcoming a student into the life of your family? From the Word of God, we know that with His blood, Jesus the Lamb of God has purchased for God men from every tribe, language, people, and nation. Welcoming a student into your life in the name of Jesus is a glorious way to participate in the mission of God as a whole family. If you would like to participate, email Vanesa at vanesaminnick@gmail.com. “All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” (Psalm 86:9)
MISSIONARIES
Missionaries all around the world are supported by Grace Bible Church to preach the gospel in the name of Jesus Christ. We are tremendously grateful for the eternal rewards of their ministry and give God all the glory for the work He is doing through them.
NOTE: Due to the social/political situation in some countries, the names of some missionaries have not been displayed. If you would like a complete listing, contact the Church Office by telephone at 804.378.6722.
Paul and CARMIÑA Adams
OPEN AIR CAMPAIGNERS
Paul and Carmiña Adams are members at GBC. They serve full-time with Open Air Campaigners, an evangelistic, open-air ministry of preaching the Gospel to lost people and mobilizing the body of Christ to evangelize. Paul’s ministry involves training and leading evangelistic outreach teams from GBC and other churches to various locations around the world and regularly preaching the Gospel on college campuses.
MATT AND ELLEN BJERK
BIBLICAL MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE
Matt and Ellen Bjerk, serve with Biblical Ministries Worldwide in Croatia. They have a two-fold ministry: evangelism/church planting—spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping establish churches in areas of Croatia where there is little or no effective gospel witness; and assisting other missionaries in Europe with the communication needs of their ministries.
DENIS AND MYLENE COBAR
EXALTING CHRIST MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Denis serves in the community of Loma De Luz, Honduras, church planting and serving as the Chaplain of the Hospital. He regularly teaches and preaches in the local church plant and teaches on the local radio station. Mylene is meeting with small groups of girls to study the Bible together. Denis leads a pastoral training class teaching and discipling the young Christian men in the village.
CHRIS AND KRISTIN DECKERT
The JESUS Film Project
Chris and Kristin Deckert work with the The JESUS Film Project; a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Chris heads up a Research Department for an initiative to translate 865 unreached languages into the JESUS Film. He leads a team researching and prioritizing these new languages for translation teams while meeting with Bible translation agencies to facilitate the translation of the Gospel of Luke. Contact Chris at: Chris.Deckert@jesusfilm.org
JIM AND CAROLYN DOWDY
WORD OF GRACE SEMINARY (MEXICO CITY) - IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Jim joined the faculty of the Word of Grace Bible Seminary in Mexico City in September 2007. He currently teaches Expository Preaching in the second year of the Seminary program. The men in class are eager to study God’s Word and prepare to serve Him. The Dowdys are now living in South Carolina, but still work in ministry with the Mexico Seminary and churches, as well as the Seminary Extension in El Salvador. Most recently, a new seminary extension work has begun in Southern Peru, in training pastors primarily who live in the Cotahuasi Canyon. Contact them here to receive their most newsletter: jimandcarolyndowdy@gmail.com.
EKKLESIA AFRIKA
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH, NAIROBI, KENYA
Ekklesia Afrika is a ministry overseen by Emmanuel Baptist Church that works to equip the church in Africa by providing access to theological resources through publishing, informal theological training, and hosting conferences and events.
JOSE CARLOS AND RAQUEL MARTINEZ
NEZA CHRISTIAN CHURCH, MEXICO CITY
Jose Carlos came off the mission field in Puerta Vallarta, MX to receive further pastoral training - attending The Master’s Seminary and living in Los Angeles, CA. He completed his Master of Divinity degree in May of 2018 and his Master of Theology in 2022. His family has now returned to Neza Christian Church in Mexico City, to serve the Lord in ministry there as a pastor and seminary teacher.
JEREMY AND JENNY PITTSLEY
GRACE BAPTIST MISSION, NAIROBI, KENYA
Jeremy serves as an Associate Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church and instructor at Nairobi Institute of Reformed Theology. He has a burden to bring quality, biblical, church-based theological education to the churches of Kenya as he teaches and trains African Pastors.
Abraham and Jenica Ramos
SOLI DEO GLORIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH & THE EXPOSITOR’S ACADEMY, DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES
Abraham Ramos is an associate professor at The Expositors Academy and a pastoral intern at Soli Deo Gloria Christian Church in the Philippines. He completed the Master of Divinity degree in May 2024 at the Master’s Seminary and seeks to train and equip indigenous pastors in his local church and other churches in the Philippines. He and his wife Jenica, also help strengthen and support a church plant that is very close to where they live.
ALFREDO AND BETTY TABARES
GOSPEL MINISTRIES TO CHILDREN - JUAREZ, MEXICO
Alfredo and Betty minister to the children of Juarez, Mexico proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus in churches, missions, communities, and homes. Ministries include: After-School Bible Clubs, Summer Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, Children’s Rallies, Teacher Training, Evangelism through Face Painting, Fair & Rodeo Evangelism. They are involved in a building project for the Juarez Outreach and Training Center. To give toward that, contact Grace Bible here. Contact Alfredo: tabsalf@yahoo.com
BILL AND JUDY WITTMER
BIBLICAL MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE
Bill and Judy, along with seven of their nine children, arrived in the Republic of Ireland in August 2018, after several years of preparation and the Lord’s provision of support. They are currently living in County Kerry on the southwest coast, while building connections and seeking to move to Portlaoise (an hour southwest of Dublin) with a desire to tell the people of Ireland of Christ in word and action. Please pray for them, and contact at bwittmer@biblicalministries.org.