Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide lasting answers to the many difficulties that must be faced today, as well as in the future.

History

For thirty-five years prior to the formation of the Grace Brethren Church in Mount Vernon, Ohio, there were numerous attempts by various pastors to begin a work in the community. In 1981 Pastor Roger Bartlett (1951-1998) of the Mansfield, Ohio Grace Brethren Church was holding a weekly Bible Study at Cooper Industries, (now Rolls-Royce). He then enlisted the help of a fellow theological student, Pastor John E. Bryant, who assumed the vision and founded the new church on September 19, 1982 with a charter membership of 17. The fledgling church first met in rented school facilities, (Pleasant Street Elementary School), and following the first year moved to the Senior Citizens Center in the heart of town. In June of 1990, the Dan Emmett Grange Hall at the North edge of town became available and was purchased by faith. Thirty-five people comprising the congregation voted to purchase the building without the use of a bank loan. Ten weeks later the sale was completed when freewill offerings totaling over $40,000.00 had been given. Remodeling took place during the next year as offerings continued to flow in for each successive phase. The building was then dedicated on October 20, 1991 with over 200 people from Central Ohio in attendance.

Five additional acres of property adjoining the building were purchased in 1992 and another 1.3 acres added in 1998. The acreage now totals in excess of seven prime acres awaiting future development. In 1993 a Theological Practorium was established within the church to train local Grace Brethren men for the ministry. The church celebrated the commencement of it’s first two graduates on July 25, 1999.  Pastor Gordy A. Harmon graduated from the Practorium in July of 2000 and was formally Ordained into the ministry on August 13th. He serves the Mount Vernon Church as Associate Pastor. On August 11, 2002 Pastor Shawn Ostrander joined these practorium graduates and was ordained into the ministry. He began serving as the Senior Pastor of the Jenners, Pennsylvania Grace Brethren Church in December of 2002.  On October 2, 2005 Pastor Christopher J. Hinshaw was ordained into the ministry and he was called to be the Senior Pastor at the Elkhart, Indiana Grace Brethren Church June 25, 2006

Nearly 100 regular worshippers of all ages attend weekly services. This growing church is strongly committed to the Lord’s Great Commission of carrying the gospel into the community as well as to training young men for pastoral leadership. There is a strong marriage, family, children, youth emphasis in the church.

The church staff includes John E. Bryant, Senior Pastor and President of the Theological Practorium, and Gordy A. Harmon, Associate Pastor and Dean of the Theological Practorium.