Grace Communion Church (Inland Empire)

Lot's in a Name

A member of our church in Canada explains why our church changed its name from Worldwide Church of God to Grace Communion International.

This appeared in "The Mainstreeter," an urban newspaper in Ottawa East, Ontario, Canada.

'Our God Is a Missionary God'

Nearly five years ago a small group from Glendora and Rancho Cucamonga churches heard a talk by noted evangelical scholar and leader the Reverend John Stott, author of “Basic Christianity” and other classics. Here is a summary of his remarks.

"When I think of evangelism or mission work I think of the quote that 'evangelism is merely one beggar telling another where he got bread.'

"Today mission is out of favor. Hostility to the Gospel is growing. Pluralism — a multiplicity of beliefs — is the pop ideology of the day. The independent validity of all religions is highly touted; evangelism is often seen as intolerance or arrogance.

"'What right have you to intrude into other’s beliefs?' people ask today. 'Leave me alone.'

"I agree that some attitudes have been and are arrogant and even imperialistic, but…"

The Gospel According to
Iron Man

When I was 9 years old, my (single) mom had to undergo a serious operation at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, New York.

However, I couldn't go upstairs to visit her, as I was too young, so I had to wait in the lobby. My brother Don gave me money to buy something to read, in the gift shop, so I bought two comic books, both of which had Iron Man stories in them.

In one of them, some circus animals had broken loose, and Tony put his armor on to help restore order. However, to his shock and amazement, some children nearby became more afraid of him, in his original grey armor, than the animals running free!

Stark's grey metal armor, forged in the war-torn jungles of southeast Asia, was unsuitable to the new life he was called to, which, in spite of his best efforts, only served to heighten his isolation. Iron Man's awareness of his sudden isolation reminded me of my own at that time, and, although I drifted away from any real interest in the character, I did feel a special bond to him.

Welcome

Welcome to our home page. Grace Communion Church is a fairly new church plant. We started on March 21, 2004. Our goal is to be a relevant family-oriented church.

Grace Communion Church is anything but static. We are now near you. Our original Inland Empire church plant may be moving back to Fontana soon. Stay tuned.

"We just don't let any grass grow under our feet," chuckles pastor Neil Earle, "Years ago I read in seminary that the churches need to recapture the dynamic, pilgrim status of the early church which met in houses or anywhere people can gather. Well, that's us. We fit the bill for offering all kinds of churches in all kinds of places for all kinds of people."

Volunteers Susan Earle (left) and Verna Brown serve at the 70th annual Grape Harvest Festival in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Click to enlarge.

This activist group plans to run another Grape Harvest lit table in Rancho. With drugs and gangs making their presence felt in the Inland Empire the Cops and Clergy network needs to reach the public about how to respond. This may well be our community service theme this year.

For church location call Neil Earle at 626-256-4919 or email him.