Grace Baptist Church celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Memorial Day
weekend in May 2009. We had a wonderful celebration of God’s grace in a
combined worship service at Hylton High School followed by a picnic on
the grounds back at the church. As part of the celebration we asked the
body of Grace to write down testimonies of what God has done in their
lives and the lives of their families through the ministry of the
church so that we could attach them to a “Thankful Tree” for all to
see. To share these with the church, we have attached many of the
messages of gratitude below.
Congratulations
on 25 years of ministry. In the late 1980's my wife Linda and I came to
Grace Baptist Church and joined shortly after. Many important events
happened to the Smiths during our 10 years at Grace. We made many
lifelong friends.
Our young daughter Gabrielle,
was one of the first children in the youth ministry and is still to
this day is a committed Christian and active in our current church.
In 1991 when our triplets, Hannah, Micah and Isaac were born, our small
house was turned upside down and our schedules haven't slowed since.
The Grace family jumped right in and helped make our suddenly large
family more manageable. I remember walking out of the nursery on Sunday
mornings after church was over with the three small babies in my arms
then one by one, first to Mary Lou Beard, then to Kristi Johnson and
then JoAnn McConnell until they were out of my arms and being loved on
by the women of Grace.
One of my fondest memories of Grace is when I was accompanied by nine
other Grace men to the Promise Keepers event in Boulder, Colorado in
1993. John Coburn, John Hill, Allan McConnell, John Reale and his two
sons Joe and Rob, Joel Reynolds, Jack Rickman, Alan Stanley and myself
came back energized and the Grace men's ministry became stronger. Of
those ten men, six became preachers.
Our memories are many from the years at Grace and we cherish them all.
I thank God for GBC and the role that we played in its development and
the role it played in our development.
May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Don and Linda Smith
Greetings
to all, my best wishes for a great day and I wish I could be with you.
Grace Baptist Church, and especially Charlie Chilton who served as its
pastor while I was there, made a difference in my life and drew me
closer to my Lord and Savior. In addition, I know that the lives of
many others were changed and I strongly believe the entire area
profited greatly from the actions and influence of Grace. Like the
Sandy Creek North Carolina Separate Baptist Church, Grace Baptist
Church has sent it preaching sons throughout the region and the Good
News is still spreading over the area. I hope and pray you will keep up
the good work. I congratulate Pastor Tim and all members of Grace both
for what it has done and for what it is doing. I pray God's richest
blessing on you all.
Edwin C. King
Upon returning to the Nothern VA area in 2005, Grace
Baptist Church became our place of worship and later my workplace as
the Director of Children's Ministry. More than that though, Grace
became our home; its people truly our family. I thank God for the
opportunity and incredible privilege to share His love with your
precious children- whether teaching, counseling , or just being totally
silly with them! The memories created at Grace have blessed me beyond
words and will remain with me forever. Though now living in
Charlottesville, we still think of Grace as home and are grateful we
continue to be woven into the fabric of GBC. We celebrate 25 years of
God's provisions with you all and look forward to being a part of
celebrations to come!
What Grace Baptist has meant to us:
Growing in faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Reconciliation with other denominations of faith and color
Accepting our responsibility within the body of Christ
Compassion for our BASIC (Brothers And Sisters In Chains) around the world who suffer persecution for their faith
Extending a helping hand through the Shower Ministry to the homeless and hurting souls in Woodbridge
Linda and Steve Reed
I initially joined GBC in 1990, and my husband and I
were married there by Pastor Charlie in 1995. Grace has been a place of
refuge over the years, providing priceless, supportive Christian
fellowship and spiritual guidance. Our family has truly been blessed by
Grace.
Mylinda, Rick, Hailey, Sean, and Lily Green
We were so blessed to be a part of GBC from 2003-2005.
I’ll never forget the warm friendly atmosphere we encountered when we
first started visiting, the dynamic creative worship experience and the
sound biblical preaching and teaching we found drew us in. Truly we
haven’t found any fellowship at a church like we had at Grace. I
especially appreciate and will always remember all the help that so
many members extended to us during the birth of our first child. I’ll
also never forget all the loving warm goodbyes we encountered as we
left. Lastly I will remember GBC as a church full of faith and attended
by many prayer warriors. Surely GBC will make a big difference in the
kingdom of God. God bless you all as you celebrate anniversary 25!
With love and many happy memories,
Nancy Martin (William, Myles and Chloe Martin)
A Special Invitation
God works through Grace Baptist in an extraordinary way. Don’t ever
underestimate the saving “Grace” of inviting someone to this body on
any given Sunday. Ten years ago, Christy Humston and her mom, Marie,
invited me to Grace when I was at the beginning stages of a separation
and impending divorce. Only 33 years old, married to my college
sweetheart with a new baby boy… I thought my life was wonderful. When
our son turned two, my husband left us for another, deciding not to be
married anymore. On a dime, my life & family were broken – a new
normal. Broken-hearted and hopeless, I snuck into the back row by
myself one Sunday on the Humston’s invitation. Pastor Charlie preached
that morning on family forgiveness – and played a scene from the movie
“Step Mom” with Julia Roberts. There were times I knew God was speaking
only to me! He absolutely found a way to me through the Humstons and
through Grace Baptist. With Pastor Charlie’s guidance and a lot of love
from the church body – my healing began. Ten years later, my son and I
find the joy in every day because we know how quick life can change;
and I help other women going through divorce and becoming single-moms.
God sends Christians to help other Christians, and he uses Grace
Baptist to speak to His children. It’s a most special place. May God
continue to bless the Humstons for reaching out… and congratulations to
the body of Grace Baptist on 25 years of healing, serving, loving and
celebrating. Keep going!
Kerri Elizabeth Herrity
There is no measure to the significance of the Body of
believers at Grace Baptist Church for me and my family. First, after
leaving a church full of wolves that lacked the true love of Christ,
our Lord and Great God brought my mother and me to 14242 Spriggs Road..
The welcome and genuine concern for people attracted me as I saw the
fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in the relationships between the
believers, as I was yet a non-believer. As the Holy Spirit was
beginning to draw me and ultimately open my eyes to the beauty of the
holiness and righteousness of Christ, I received foundational
discipleship from those entrusted to teach and lead, namely Dwight and
Kathy Roblyer.
During this time, the Lord Jesus Christ used Pastor Charlie Chilton to
preach the gospel of redemption and forgiveness to my Dad, Lee Jackson,
who, by the grace of our kind and loving God, freed him from the power
of sin also. GBC gave my Dad discipleship, counseling and an avenue for
which to use his gifts - which were many, in every room of the
building. It was there that in joyful obedience, I took part in
Believer's Baptism; it was there that I married my wonderful godly
husband, Jeramy. And it was there that we also celebrated my Dad's life
and return to Christ two years ago, praise the Lord! And it was there
that my Mom received comfort and aid as she began her new life alone
with Christ.
GBC will always hold a special, eternally significant occupation in the
role it played as Christ drew me to Himself. And for that I am
overwhelmed with gratitude and express my congratulations with warm
sincerity as you celebrate this momentous occasion!
"For this I reason, I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus
which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease
giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers, that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray
that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know
what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of
His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of
His power toward us who believe." Ephesians 1:15-19
Grace be multiplied among you,
Meggan (Jackson) Anderson
Our association with Grace started in 1990 when my
Filipino wife Frieda was standing in front of a fireworks stand at the
Miniville Giant parking lot. A tall white dude came up behind her and
started talking in her native language. It was Pastor Charlie inviting
us to his church, Grace Baptist. We told him we were Catholics but
thanks for the offer. We took the card home and put it in the drawer of
the night stand. Two years later Frieda's mother came to live with us.
She went to a Methodist church in Manila and we were told the closet to
a Methodist in the Philippines was a Southern Baptist church in America.
We went to the drawer and pulled out Pastor Charlie's card and we would
drop her mother off at Grace and then go on the Mass and pick her up on
the way home. Mother missed her church back home and in the summer of
1995 went back to the Philippines. A year later she died and when
Frieda came back from the funeral she was devastated and wanted someone
religious to talk to. We pulled the card out of the drawer again and
went to see Pastor Charlie. I went along to support my wife and in the
process of going to Grace we finally found Christ and gave our lives to
Jesus at the Christmas Eve Service, 1996. One year later we were in Ed
Blackwell's Bible study, nursery school for the toddlers, teaching
disciple classes and serving as a deacon for ten Grace families. God
truly blessed us but we were living in Stafford and God called us to
Mount Ararat Baptist church were we teach a Sunday morning Sunday
school, a Thursday night Small Group and are directors for the SPARKS
(K - 2nd grade) AWANA program. God has truly blessed us because of the
love and encouragement of Grace Baptist Church.
That's our story and we are sticking to it. We plan on attending the
festivities on 24 May. God bless you and Grace and may it serve the
Lord till He returns.
Bill and Frieda McHale
What do a burning bush, a road to Damascus and the people of Grace Baptist have in common? They
are avenues that God has used in His calling out process. When I was
approached to teach youth Sunday School at Grace back in 1987 I had no
idea what all the Lord had in store for me and my family. As the church
grew my responsibilities changed from youth teacher to youth director
to a part-time paid position and with each step God was continuing to
speak to Debbie and me through the people of Grace. As I reflect back
on the last sixteen years since leaving Grace and heading into
full-time ministry, Grace will always be home. You challenged me,
nurtured me, loved me and allowed me to get my feet wet in ministry.
Thank you for always being a body that exemplifies Grace. My prayer is
that God will continue to use and bless the body of believers known as
Grace.
Danny Quirin
I am grateful for the Holy Spirit's leading me out of
the church I attended to Grace Baptist through our youngest daughter
Kara. The conversion was not just one of changing churches, but also of
going from a secular to a born-again Christian through the teaching,
preaching, and nurturing of Pastor Charlie Chilton.
Larry Springer
Dear GBC Family
I will always remember a message where Pastor Charlie told us that
children spell love T-I-M-E. That has always stayed with me as Leslie
and I raise our 4 little Millicans.
Thank you GBC for all your love and encouragement
Brett & Leslie Millican
Congratulations Grace for 25 years of giving to God
the praise He is worthy of through so many venues of worship in word
and song, Sunday School, fellowship and ministry in the community. We
were so very glad to have been a part of the Grace Family during Pastor
Charlie's and Fay's ministry and Joe Long afterward. Sorry we cannot be
there to celebrate with you at this time. Our prayers and best wishes
for your future.
Raymond and Marlene Wareham
Diane and I congratulate Grace Baptist Church on
celebrating its 25th anniversary. This church has meant so much to both
of us in our Christian growth. As we look back on our years at Grace,
we have so many memories of good experiences and close friends. Grace
has taught us what Christian love is about and the need to share His
love with others.
We regret that we will not be able to celebrate with you on May 24th,
but you may rest assured that we will be thinking about you and praying
that your next 25 years will be as great as the first 25 years. I know
our Lord has great plans for you.
Bob & Diane Gray
Our remembrance of Grace Baptist Church will always be
precious memories of its people and especially of "Pastor Charlie," who
embodied the spirit of Christ's love for everyone. We were members of
Grace during the period of 1990-1998. Wanda and I shared the joy of its
fellowship in the choir, orchestra, and the many trumpet offertories I
played. As Chairman of Deacons, I was humbled by the servant's heart of
those who sacrificially served and gave themselves for Kingdom work. I
was privileged to shovel the first dirt in the groundbreaking of the
new classroom building and participate in its funding. We remember the
annual dumping of the membership roll at the end of the year and
signing a new covenant each January. I especially remember Jane
Crawford, music director, and all the music presentations along with
the startup of the first "praise band" and service. My best memory is
the gathering of many churches at Hylton Memorial Chapel to celebrate
our unity in Christ and Pastor Charlie holding up the crucifix around
his neck and saying to everyone, "we are all part of the family tree."
Blessings,
Dwight & Wanda Graupma
Dear Grace Family,
Congratulations on marking 25 years of being a different kind of church.
I always felt lucky to have the opportunity to work for and with you.
My time at Grace was one of the best times of my life. I often try to
answer this question: What makes Grace so unique?
The best I can come up with is to borrow from Joe Long. One day, Joe
took me on a tour of Quantico. Joe was working on the Heritage Center
for the Marine Corps. I asked him why all Marine posts are “bases” as
opposed to the “forts” that the Army has. It didn’t take Joe long to
answer that it indicates a different way of thinking. Forts are places
where people shut themselves away, protect and fortify. Bases are a
beginning point, a springboard, for people to go out and do things. I
have always thought of Grace as a base rather than a fort and it makes
all the difference in the world.
The thing that struck me at the time was that Grace was a church that
did things. When I started at Grace, I spent a lot of time praying that
I could lead in a positive direction, like I needed to be an agent of
change. It wasn’t long before I spent a lot more time praying that I
could keep up with a group of people dedicated to doing their faith. I
caught on quickly that if you were looking for a church just to talk
about your faith and gather once a week, Grace wasn’t for you.
Grace took the mystery out of finding your niche of service. People
like Buck Darling, Miriam Owens and Gary and Kathy McCullough showed me
more about who Jesus is by doing what needed to be done. Whether it was
hauling mulch, roofing houses, repairing playground equipment or
providing a hot meal and clean clothes to folks down on their luck,
they did it cheerfully. It was no mystery for Buck, Miriam, Gary and
Kathy to notice the people that God put all around them. Noticing
people and acting on it was one of the things at which Grace excelled.
People were not an inconvenience, but an opportunity.
So if you were willing to take your faith off the church grounds and
raise a few blisters, Grace was a base for you. Over and over again,
Grace has proven to be a place for people to learn how to do their
faith. Those same folks have taken that mentality to other places and
other people. Grace Baptist Church has a tremendous legacy and a lot to
be proud of. Grace has a track record to be celebrated, nurtured and
grown. But most of all, Grace has a history of being a starting point
for people to go out and do things because of their faith in Jesus.
Thank you for the opportunity to spend time with you. Grace was a
special time in my life and did more in a short time to shape the
person I’ve become. Your trust and friendship means the world to me.
Allison and I are just a few weeks away from our son’s due date and are
disappointed that we can’t be with you for the celebration. Please
accept our love and best wishes on your anniversary. Well done.
Yours Most Sincerely,
David Kizzia
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