Two Year
Ministry Plan

Nick and Annie VanWingerden have been serving in Grenoble, France since 2008 with Impact France, focusing on connecting with college students at the University of Grenoble. In 2018, the VanWingerdens partnered with Aurélien and Chloe Lang and planted the Grenoble East Church. They have seen consistent engagement over the past few years, especially with young people.

In 2021, the VanWingerdens became connected with Grace Church through Nick’s parents, who are members at our Harrison Bridge campus. Nick and Annie are now serving partners, and we were excited to send an exploratory team of staff members to Grenoble in January. The team got to spend time with both the VanWingerdens and the Langs, see what their ministry looks like, meet people from their church, and grow in understanding of the culture in Grenoble. They also shared resources from Grace that can help this young church as they seek to equip the believers under their care.

The VanWingerdens face unique challenges in Grenoble, but there are also unique opportunities to share the gospel. There are over 500,000 people in the city of Grenoble—fewer than 1600 of them are Christians who make up less than 16 evangelical churches. Because the area is largely unchurched, these churches desire to support one another. Also, because the University of Grenoble is a high level research university, there is a strong international presence in the city, which provides opportunities to connect with people from all over the world. Please join us in praying that God would continue to use Nick, Annie, and their fellow believers to build a coalition of like-minded churches to reach the Grenoble metro area.

Here are some ways you can pray for the VanWingerdens and our partnership with their ministry:

• Pray for the growth of their student ministry
• Pray for leadership development among the men in the church
• Pray for continued relationships and support between local churches
• Pray that we would be responsive to the Holy Spirit as we consider the future of mission trips and other opportunities for partnership.

To get regular updates from the VanWingerdens and learn more about their ministry, click below.

Grace currently has seven serving partners—covenant members who serve full-time in missions and are actively involved at Grace Church.

One of these partners is Aimee White, a member of the Powdersville campus who founded JC Cares. JC Cares is a ministry that empowers people in need to walk in dignity through biblical counseling, discipleship, and meaningful work. Aimee recently shared the story behind the founding and mission of JC Cares and how they are working to see the economically disadvantaged flourish as they turn the page from past pain, bondage, and mere survival to a new chapter of healing, freedom, and fruitfulness through Jesus Christ. Click the video below to hear Aimee’s story. To learn more about our serving partners at Grace, click below.

Nick and Annie VanWingerden are missionaries serving in Grenoble, France, and we are privileged to support and partner with them. Like most typical post-Christian European countries, France has great spiritual needs. Its proximity to North Africa and immigration have changed the landscape both ethnically and religiously. The VanWingerdens and their local church can connect with young people from all over the world. They are seeking to reach the least reached peoples where they are most reachable to make an impact for God's Kingdom.

Facts about France and Grenoble:

• 1.6% Christian
• 9.6% Muslim
• Strong spiritualist influence
• Grenoble is home to France’s third largest university, founded in 1339
• Over 60,000 university students and 3,000 researchers are in the city

The work that Nick and Annie are part of is necessary, developing the relatively few Christ followers that already exist and reaching those who have never heard. Through their church community, they want to give students an opportunity to hear the truth of the gospel by exposing them to God's Word and Christian community. After a year sabbatical and experiencing much of the Grace culture, the VanWingerdens are now serving partners. We are committed to monthly financial and prayer support, but even more so, hope that we can send teams of Grace members to come alongside them in special seasons of ministry opportunity.

As we begin this partnership with an exploratory team in January, please pray for God’s guidance to give us discernment for the future. If you would like to receive the VanWingerdens’ newsletter, email [email protected]. To hear more of their story, click the video below.

One of our serving partners is David’s Table, an organization whose mission is to demonstrate the love of Jesus to adults with disabilities and their families by creating community, connecting to resources, and making disciples.

Last month, David’s Table held their annual family camp! For two days, 275 people—campers, their families, and volunteers—came together to get away from the daily grind of life, draw closer to God, and connect with one another. Each camper had a buddy so parents and caregivers could have space to build community with each other. Campers heard teaching on the amazing story of God’s love, while parents and caregivers learned more about God’s all-sufficient grace. And of course there was also plenty of free time so families could participate in activities including go-karts, swimming, paddle boarding, arts and crafts, and more!

We are thankful to be a small part of supporting David’s Table, and we are excited to see how God will continue to use this ministry to bless individuals with special needs and their families. To learn more about David’s Table, click below.

Grace currently has six serving partners—covenant members who serve full-time in missions and are actively involved at Grace Church.

One of these partners is Skeeter Powell, a member of the Pelham campus who founded David’s Table. David’s Table is a ministry that exists to demonstrate the love of Jesus to adults with disabilities and their families by creating community, connecting them to resources, and making disciples. Skeeter recently shared an update about the context and mission of David’s Table, how they are working to disciple those with disabilities in our community, and how we can pray for them. Click the video below to hear Skeeter’s story. To learn more about our serving partners at Grace, click below.

Grace currently has six serving partners—covenant members who serve full-time in missions and are actively involved at Grace Church.

One of these partners is Rob Allen, a member of the Anderson campus who serves as a chaplain for Army ROTC at Clemson University as part of Frontline Leadership. Frontline Leadership is a ministry that provides leadership development and authentic community for ROTC cadets by fostering heart-level change through the tangible application of the gospel. Rob recently shared an update about the context and mission of Frontline Leadership, how they are working to disciple the next generation of leaders, and how we can pray for them. Click the video below to hear Rob’s story. To learn more about our serving partners at Grace, click below.

One of our serving partners is Mary Ezzell, a member of our Grace En Español Taylors campus. Mary is leaving soon to work with our partners in Nicaragua, Christ For the City International. We are so thankful for Mary’s heart for missions and hope you will join us in prayer for her and those she will be serving in Nicaragua. Click the video below to hear her story about some of the unique challenges she has faced and the peace God has provided. To learn more about our partnerships in Nicaragua, click below.

Grace currently has three serving partners—covenant members who serve full-time in missions and are actively involved at Grace Church.

One of these partners is Kristin Fisher, a member of the Taylors campus who oversees the ministry of She Is Safe in Myanmar. She Is Safe is an organization that works to equip young girls and women who are at high risk of slavery as well as rescue and restore those who have been enslaved. Kristin recently shared an update about the context and mission of She Is Safe, how they are working to be the hands and feet of Jesus to families in Myanmar, and how we can pray for them. Click the video below to hear Kristin’s story. To learn more about our serving partners at Grace, click below.

Grace currently has three serving partners—covenant members who serve full-time in missions and are actively involved at Grace Church.

One of these partners is David Miller, a member of the Taylors campus who is the Operations Manager for Child Freedom Coalition—an organization that works to end child slavery and generational poverty through rescue operations, long-term care, and education. David recently shared an update about the context and mission of Child Freedom Coalition, how they are working to be the hands and feet of Jesus to children in South Asia, and how we can pray for them. Click the video below to hear David’s story. To learn more about our serving partners at Grace, click below.