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We are a church that believes in loving God, living consistently, looking for opportunities and leveraging those opportunities for Christ.
Mission & Core Values
Our Mission
Grace Fellowship Church is a local body of Bible believing Christians, committed to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and working together in love to glorify God through meaningful worship, faithful witness to unbelievers, and Biblical teaching and practical training to help believers mature in their faith.
Our Core Values
Salvation – We are committed to the proclamation of the Gospel at home and around the world. The Lord Jesus Christ died that mankind may have the forgiveness of sin. He rose again that whosoever would believe in Him would have eternal life.
Sensitivity – We are committed to being culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally sound. We want to know people personally and minister to their needs individually. This includes an environment built upon dignity, courtesy, and mutual respect for all.
Spirituality – We will teach God’s Word, pray faithfully and do all we can to help Christians grow into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Servanthood – We are servants of the Most High God. All we have belongs to Him. We will demonstrate servanthood to those in our church and community, by using our spiritual gifts, talents, personalities and all He has given us to minister to one another.
Sincerity – We will be a congregation that manifests sincerity through honesty, integrity and transparency before God and in all of our interpersonal and business dealings.
Our History
1953
The idea of Grace Fellowship Church is formed during a prayer meeting as a non-denominational church to be located in Ephrata, PA. The following Sunday morning, May 3rd, 53 people meet in the basement of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hess’s home at 1021 W. Main Street, Ephrata for the first service. When the church is officially organized, 66 individuals are named as original incorporators and witnesses with one additional witness. Rev. Rodney J. Lutz is the first pastor. A house was transformed on South State Street into a church auditorium and Sunday School rooms with a dedication service on Nov. 8th.
1958
Groundbreaking starts for the new church building to be located at 822 Pointview Avenue. The new church building is completed in the Fall with a week of dedication services held on Nov. 9 – Nov. 16. The building cost $46908.15. GFC sends its first missionary, David (Skip) and Elaine Hornberger, to Africa.
1966
Rev. Donald Weltmer becomes the church’s 2nd Senior Pastor.
1968
The church building is expanded by adding the educational wing producing an L-shaped building containing a nursery, pastor’s study, combination library-classroom and five classrooms. Dedication service for the addition was held on May 26th.
1976
Rev. Karl Kloppman becomes the church’s 3rd Senior Pastor.
1995
Rev. Frank Rice becomes the church’s 4th Senior Pastor.
2003
Rev. Jim Hertzler joins the church as Associate Pastor. GFC celebrates its 50th anniversary with a banquet at Weaver’s Banquet Facilities on Oct. 25.
2018
Pastor David Johns becomes the church’s Associate Pastor.
2020
Pastor Dan Alban becomes the church’s 5th Senior Pastor.
2023
Tyler Patrick Lewis becomes Student Ministry Pastor.