Our Mission
We exist to reach our community with the Gospel, and to disciple them into becoming devoted followers of Jesus.
Our Story
Union Grove was formed in 1946 with just eleven men and women. Since its inception, Union Grove has had a vision of reaching people with the Gospel and see them become devoted followers of Jesus.
The church was led by nine different pastors until Dr. Harold Fletcher became senior pastor in 1963. Under Dr. Fletcher's influence, the church took off. Under Pastor Fletcher's leadership, a parsonage was built (1964), the present auditorium was built (1969), the first educational building was completed (1971), a balcony was added to the auditorium (1972), a gymnasium was built (1975), a wing was added to the auditorium to expand its seating capacity (1979), and then a second educational building was completed in 1987. God led Dr. Fletcher to start Union Grove Christian school in August of 1975 to further the mission that God has called us to in reaching our community with the good news of the Gospel. UGCS was first started as a preschool, and then they added a grade each year to where now they run over 550 students preschool through 12th grade. Since it's beginning, God has allowed us to reach so many kids with the Gospel.
Dr. Fletcher retired in 2001, and UG extended a call to Pastor Ken Harris to serve as their 11th pastor. Under Pastor Harris' leadership, the church continued to grow in which led to the purchase of 30 acres a quarter of a mile from the existing property for future expansion. Pastor Ken led faithfully until the Lord called him home to Heaven in 2021.
After Pastor Harris' passing, UG extended the call to Pastor Josh Evans to serve as their 12th pastor. Pastor Josh joined the team on August 1, 2021. Since coming in August of 2021, God has used Pastor Josh to see continued growth in the church.
Dr. Fletcher retired in 2001, and UG extended a call to Pastor Ken Harris to serve as their 11th pastor. Under Pastor Harris' leadership, the church continued to grow in which led to the purchase of 30 acres a quarter of a mile from the existing property for future expansion. Pastor Ken led faithfully until the Lord called him home to Heaven in 2021.
After Pastor Harris' passing, UG extended the call to Pastor Josh Evans to serve as their 12th pastor. Pastor Josh joined the team on August 1, 2021. Since coming in August of 2021, God has used Pastor Josh to see continued growth in the church.
God has had His hand on our church over the years, and we are confident that He will continue to have His hand on us in the years to come. The road has not always been easy, but He has always been faithful. We are praying and believing God that great days are ahead for Union Grove.
our beliefs
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word. It is God's revelation of Himself to man to teach us how to live and bring Him glory.
(II Tim. 3:16; I Peter 1:21)
(II Tim. 3:16; I Peter 1:21)
The Trinity
We believe that there is one, and only one God who exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father is the supreme ruler over all things. God the Son (Jesus) came to earth as the God-man, born to the virgin Mary, and paid the penalty for our sins. God the Holy Spirit indwells the believer at conversion and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
(I John 1:1-2; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90; John 14:7; Romans 8:14-27)
(I John 1:1-2; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90; John 14:7; Romans 8:14-27)
The Gospel
We believe that the Gospel is the good news that in spite of us being dead in our sin, God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to live a perfect life on our behalf and die the substitutionary death to pay for our sin.
Sin / Salvation
We believe that because of Adam's sin, all people are born with a sin nature that seperates us from God. Jesus died in our place to pay for our sin debt and offer us eternal life. This free gift is what reconciles us with the Father and is offered to everyone.
(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-9; Acts 16:31)
(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-9; Acts 16:31)
The Church
We believe that the church is a body of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith. The purpose of the local church is to bring glory to God and it's mission is to reach the nations with the Gospel and to teach them how to become devoted followers of Jesus.
(I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; Matthew 28:19-20)
(I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; Matthew 28:19-20)
Baptism
We believe that baptism by immersion is a church ordinance that represents a person’s public declaration of what Jesus Christ has done in their life.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 3:6; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21)
(Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 3:6; Acts 2:38-41; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21)
For our complete statement of faith, click here.
our pastors
Grady James
Children's Pastor
David Ivarson
Students and Outreach Pastor
For a complete staff listing, click here