Our Story
And the Two Became One
Fellowship Bible Church came from the merging of two churches: Faith Bible Church and City Grace Church.
Faith Bible Church has it's lineage go back over 100 years. FBC was the byproduct of a church merger between Grace Bible Church & Faith Church 80 years ago. Faith had seen growth through lead Pastor Tim Terhune alongside Worship & Student Pastor Jason Lemp. Prior to both pastors retiring and moving, they helped lead the transition with the City Grace Church merger.
City Grace Church was originally a Filipino Church plant in Royal Oak, MI in 1996 as United International Christian Church. Over the years, UICC had seen great growth and reach to the Filipino and local community. Founding Pastor Ruel Navarro left for Virginia Beach, VA to church plant. At that time, Johnny Best was called to be Pastor in which he led through a renewed call in both vision & mission thus becoming City Grace Church.
Faith Bible Church has it's lineage go back over 100 years. FBC was the byproduct of a church merger between Grace Bible Church & Faith Church 80 years ago. Faith had seen growth through lead Pastor Tim Terhune alongside Worship & Student Pastor Jason Lemp. Prior to both pastors retiring and moving, they helped lead the transition with the City Grace Church merger.
City Grace Church was originally a Filipino Church plant in Royal Oak, MI in 1996 as United International Christian Church. Over the years, UICC had seen great growth and reach to the Filipino and local community. Founding Pastor Ruel Navarro left for Virginia Beach, VA to church plant. At that time, Johnny Best was called to be Pastor in which he led through a renewed call in both vision & mission thus becoming City Grace Church.
Our Vision
We are a people who belong to God and to one another to advance Christ's glory in the world.
Our Mission
We live out our vision through intention: Centered on God, Shaped in Community and Sent on Mission.
Centered on God
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Through the renewing of our minds, we desire to align our entire life to bring Glory God and to become more like Jesus. God’s Word is foundational in helping us understand who God is and who we are in Him. The Holy Spirit is instrumental in empowering us to live the life we are called to live in both practice and witness.
Through the renewing of our minds, we desire to align our entire life to bring Glory God and to become more like Jesus. God’s Word is foundational in helping us understand who God is and who we are in Him. The Holy Spirit is instrumental in empowering us to live the life we are called to live in both practice and witness.
Shaped in Community
1 Peter 4:8-11 (shortened) - “Above all, love each other deeply… offer hospitality… use gifts to faithfully serve others… so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
Christians are instructed over 50 times in the NT on how they are and are not to treat one another. We believe that discipleship is best formed not in rows but in circles; happening in everyday life among everyday people where grace is required.
We desire to use our time, talents and treasures to build others up and allow others to use theirs to to build us up. We seek out authentic relationships and friendships where people are valued not because of what they bring to the table but because they bear God’s image. Because of that, we don’t use people to build our ministry but use ministry to build people.
Christians are instructed over 50 times in the NT on how they are and are not to treat one another. We believe that discipleship is best formed not in rows but in circles; happening in everyday life among everyday people where grace is required.
We desire to use our time, talents and treasures to build others up and allow others to use theirs to to build us up. We seek out authentic relationships and friendships where people are valued not because of what they bring to the table but because they bear God’s image. Because of that, we don’t use people to build our ministry but use ministry to build people.
Sent on Mission
Matthew 28:19-20 - “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Christ has invited us to join Him in helping others meet, know and follow Jesus as both Savior and King.
We choose to organize and live out our lives knowing that Jesus has called us to live with Gospel intentionality in every area of our lives. We seek to bless our neighbor both near and far so that Jesus is magnified and worshipped in the hearts of mankind.
Christ has invited us to join Him in helping others meet, know and follow Jesus as both Savior and King.
We choose to organize and live out our lives knowing that Jesus has called us to live with Gospel intentionality in every area of our lives. We seek to bless our neighbor both near and far so that Jesus is magnified and worshipped in the hearts of mankind.
Our Structure
His local Church
ELDERS
Fellowship is organized through the spiritual leadership of a team of Elders. Our elders share the responsibility of spiritual care and leadership. Our Lead Pastor is also an equal among the Elders.
DEACONS & DEACONESSES
Deacons and Deaconesses at Fellowship head up and lead each of our ministry teams. They are known as Team Leaders.
Our Network
Converge MidAmerica | Southeast | Caribbean
BETTER TOGETHER
Fellowship Bible Church is part of Converge MSC. Converge is made up of autonomous churches that share the same DNA, vision, and values. Like a family, each church is governed independently and has its own unique personality that fits its neighborhood, but is connected strategically and relationally with the other Converge churches. We believe that God’s main mode of spreading the gospel is through the local church, and we have a vision to start & strengthen churches across the Midwest and beyond.