The Grace Brethren Investment Foundation has recently approved financing to assist the Marysville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, in constructing a new worship facility. The 16,000 sq. ft. building will be situated on 20 acres of land (owned free and clear by the church) at 17240 Amrine Wood Road in Marysville and will include a sanctuary/gymnasium, children’s ministry classrooms, a youth room, rooms for toddlers and infants, a gathering space, office space, kitchen, restrooms, mechanical rooms, and room for storage.
“The church has grown each year (since her start in June of 2002),” says Clancy Cruise, senior pastor. “We are averaging 700 this year with bumps up to 800 and 900 on holidays. Giving is strong, as indicated by the fact that we have reached our campaign goal of pledges totaling $1,226,500 over three years,” he adds.
“Out of 270 families in the church, we have had 226 make a three-year commitment,” Cruise continues. “Over the years by God’s grace, dozens have responded to the Gospel and been baptized. We have witnessed over 200 first-time decisions and 300 baptisms since we started the church. Through the years we have prayed hard, served faithfully, grown well and grieved deeply. Through it all we are wiser, and more united than ever. With that wisdom and unity, it is time to build a church home and make room for more to come to know Jesus!”
“I have counted it a privilege these past years to have worked with the Marysville leaders on a new project that will impact their community and beyond for Christ in spectacular ways,” emphasizes Ken Seyfert, of the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation. “It has been quite encouraging to see how step-by-step the process unfolded, as the unified church waited patiently and prayed intently to the Lord. Significant, too, will be the outreach to young families in the area, as there is a heavy emphasis on children’s and youth ministries as part of the project.”