The purpose of Grace Bible Church is to win the lost to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to edify believers in the things of Christ and His Word.
Staff
Get to know our pastoral staff here. Then come say “Hi” on Sunday!
Nathan Hykes
Senior Pastor
Doctrine
Click on a subject below to learn more about what we believe and teach at Grace Bible Church.
We believe the Bible is the verbally inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. As God’s complete written revelation to man, it is our supreme and final authority in all matters of doctrine, faith, practice, and life.
II Timothy 3:16-17
We believe in the one, true God revealed in the Bible and eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Mark 12:29 | Matthew 28:19
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is truly God and truly man and as such lived a perfect, sinless life. He died on the cross, the sacrifice for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father to intercede for His own.
Matthew 1:20-25 | Philippians 2:5-11 | Colossians 1:13-20
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person of the Godhead, not an impersonal force. It is His work to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell and empower the believer for godly living and service.
We are not in sympathy with the modern charismatic movement with its emphasis on speaking in tongues as an evidence of the Spirit’s fullness, that healing is always God’s will, and that all Christians are to be blessed with material wealth. Such an emphasis is contrary to Scripture.
John 16:7-15 | I Corinthians 13:8-10 | Ephesians 5:18
We believe that man was created in the image of God and in innocence from which he fell by voluntary sin. The result of his sin is physical and spiritual death, a condition that is passed by birth to all of Adam’s race. Only by trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary can a person be forgiven and possess eternal life.
Genesis 1:26-27 | Romans 3:10, 23 | Romans 5:12-21
We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, pre-tribulation, and pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ, which is known as the Rapture of the Church. At His coming in the air the righteous dead shall be raised first, and the living Christians shall be transformed to be like Christ, without tasting death, and shall rise to meet the Lord in the air. We also believe in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth with His saints at the end of the seven year tribulation. Christ will then establish His Kingdom on earth for a thousand year reign of righteousness and peace.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 | John 14:3 | Revelation 20:4 | Luke 21:34-36
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead. The saved dead are raised to everlasting conscious blessedness and shall forever be with the Lord. The unsaved dead are raised in everlasting conscious condemnation and torment in the Lake of Fire (Hell).
I Corinthians 15:51-57 | 1 Thessalonians 4:17 | II Thessalonians 1:7-9 | Revelation 20:11-15 | Revelation 21:1-8
We believe the Church is made up of all those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ since the day of Pentecost, and that it is distinct from Israel. The Scriptures describe the Church as the Body and Bride of Christ, and of course, He is the head and the Bridegroom. Every believer should unite in membership with a local congregation of believers for the purpose of worship, service, edification, and the propagation of the Gospel.
Ephesians 5:23-32 | Hebrews 10:25 | Matthew 18:15-20
We believe that there are two ordinances — believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These acts are an outward witness to indicate an inward work of grace. As such they are not to be viewed as sacramental, for they do not impart grace to the participants. They are rather acts of obedience to the Lord’s commands.
After salvation, the believer should follow the Lord in baptism. It is to be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and the believer’s union with Christ in these events.
The Lord’s Supper is to be observed by believers to remember the Lord’s death and in anticipation of His promise to come again.
Matthew 28:19 | Romans 6:1-6 | I Corinthians 11:23-34
We believe that marriage was instituted of God for one man and one woman to be so united until death alone parts them. The Scripture is clear both to heterosexual and homosexual relations.
As to heterosexual relations, whether pre-marital or extra-marital, both are clearly forbidden by God.
As to homosexual relations, whether man with man or woman with woman, both are a violation of God’s Word as it is given in both the Old and New Testaments.
Genesis 1:27 | Genesis 2:21-25 | I Corinthians 5:7 | 1 Corinthians 6:9 | I Corinthians 7:2-5 | Romans 1:21-28 | Matthew 18:15-17 | Leviticus 18:20, 22-24
Missions
In addition to supporting multiple longterm missionaries, it is our desire as a church to support individuals in our congregation as they serve on short term mission trips. Many have already participated in short term mission trips to a multitude of locations, including Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, New Mexico, New York, Nicaragua, Paw Paw, WV, Peru, Romania, Texas, and Sierra Leone.
Ministries
Children
Birth - 6th Grade
The purpose of our children’s ministry is to introduce children to salvation through Jesus Christ and to teach and train young believers how to live effectively for Christ. We aim to reinforce biblical truths so that they have a solid Christian foundation to grow upon as they mature into adulthood.
Click on an age group to learn more about our children’s classes.
Our nursery is available Sunday mornings, so you can leave your little one safely with our volunteers while you enjoy the service.
At Preschool Church on Sunday mornings, your children will hear a Bible lesson, learn memory verses, do crafts, sing, and play games.
This class is also open on Wednesday evenings while parents participate in the prayer service.
On Sunday mornings in Junior Church, 1st – 5th graders enjoy Bible lessons, learning Bible verses, singing, and a continued story (usually about missionaries or outstanding Christians). Special days also include games, crafts, or worksheets. At Christmas, the children perform a Christmas play for the congregation.
On Wednesday evenings, 1st – 6th graders participate in Kid’s Bible Club, where they have a song time, active games, and a Bible lesson. Children also work in a devotional workbook during class time and are instructed how to use the Bible. They have at least three fun nights and outings each year.
Youth
7th - 12th Grades
The purpose of the GBC Youth Ministry is to equip young men and women through biblical teaching and loving discipleship to be passionate followers of Christ in all areas of life. Recognizing that God has given parents the role of disciplers, we seek to equip parents to have meaningful relationships with their teens as they seek to lead and model in a Christ honoring way.
The GBC Youth Group consists of a growing and vibrant body of believers in 7th – 12th Grades. We meet every Wednesday, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Our activities can be summarized as “Gathering. Growing. Going. Together.” Our time gathering and growing together on Wednesdays includes Bible study and discussion, prayer, games, and fellowship with others. Our time going includes monthly activities with a spiritual emphasis and local service projects, both inside and outside the church walls. Through all of this, we seek to build unity as we grow in our relationships with God and others as we serve him together.
Some of our favorite activities have included tubing at Whitetail and an overnighter at Camp Tohiglo, bowling, corn mazes, and many dodge-ball games! Our service projects have included leading a GBC Evening Service, yard clean-up for elderly church members, caroling to shut-ins, and volunteering at the local Rescue Mission and other local ministries.
Ladies Fellowship
Adult Women
The purpose of the Ladies’ Fellowship is to study biblical topics related to women, to learn more about our missionaries and to pray for and support them, and to fellowship with other women.
The Ladies’ Fellowship is open to all adult women, and meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month from September through May at 7:00 PM. Meetings include Bible study, prayer time, and refreshments.
All money collected goes to missions. Through offerings in the past, many missionary needs have been satisfied, including: 1) seeds, printing costs of lessons, and Bibles for the Manubu tribe in the Philippines, 2) a computer for a mountain pastor and medicine for a pastor’s wife in Peru, 3) Bibles for a group in the Philippines, 4) camp fees for children in South Africa, 5) nursery equipment for a church in Quebec, and 6) Christmas bags for widows, widowers, and singles.
Retired Men
Adult Men
The Retired Men’s Group began in 2014 when one of our men had a vision for what could be accomplished in a short amount of time if a group of men was organized for the purpose of completing projects around the church facilities. The group meets at 8:15AM. on the first Tuesday of every month.
Have you ever wondered how that burned out light bulb got replaced or how the door that didn’t work well is suddenly working or who trimmed that tree… and the list goes on. The retired men likely made these repairs. They are men who love the Lord and have years of experiences that we are now using as we endeavor to keep the Lord’s house in good repair.
While the morning’s purpose is to accomplish work projects around the church, the men may also enjoy a time of prayer and fellowship or an occasional donut, as well. Any man or teen who has a “First Tuesday” morning free is welcome to join the group whenever his schedule allows.
A.L.I.V.E.
Adults Living In View of Eternity
35-55
The purpose of this group is to provide fellowship opportunities that will strengthen our resolve to live our lives in a way that will honor Christ.
A.L.I.V.E. is an adult fellowship group for those who are 35 to approximately 55 (or not quite ready to enter the S.A.L.T. group). It includes those that are both single and married. Activities typically take place on Friday or Saturday evenings at least once a quarter (although sometimes more often).
Picnics, bonfires, game nights, Random Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt, and dinner out are just a sample of the activities held. Activities vary…some include families; others are just for the adults.
S.A.L.T.
Seasoned Adults Living Triumphantly
55+
The purpose of S.A.L.T. is threefold: 1) To give all seniors a chance to fellowship, 2) To inform seniors of new ideas, trends and laws pertinent to their age group, and 3) To be a source of spiritual enrichment.
S.A.L.T. meets the third Tuesday of each month from March to December. No meetings are held January and February due to possibility of bad weather. Meetings are from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. They consist of a beginning activity, a fine home-cooked meal, and the main program.
Some past topics have included hobbies, antiques roadshow, genealogy of Bible translations, master gardener programs, and the annual County Fair.
Counseling and Care
Everyone
The pastoral staff gladly welcomes individuals to approach them in order to seek biblical and godly counsel. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you desire biblical guidance about a particular area in your life.
The Shepherd’s Staff is a ministry branch of Grace Bible Church that offers support and encouragement to those who are shut-ins, hospitalized, new mothers, or are grieving. We desire that this ministry will be a special blessing in the lives of the people that it reaches.
History
After much prayer and seeking the will of the Lord, a new church building was erected for the congregation of Grace Bible Church. The first services were held in the new building on November 11th, 1984.
Contact
We’d love to hear from you!
717-597-4284
church@mygracebible.com
Grace Bible Church
2327 Hoffman Road
Greencastle, PA 17225