Sunday School - 9:30am // Worship Service - 10:30am

Purpose
Grace Training Center (GTC) is a local church based equipping center designed to train leaders for the work of ministry in order to faithfully serve the Lord and Master of the Church, Jesus Christ, by entrusting sound doctrine “to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Distinctives

Gospel-Centered. The title “Grace” is meant to keep the focus upon the gospel of Jesus Christ in His redemptive work. Since the gospel is the apex of the word of truth and Christ is the sum of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 1:6; 2:2-3), it is GTC’s commitment to remember Jesus Christ in all our studies. Apart from the gospel, we cannot understand the Word of God (1 Cor 2:1-16) and apart from the gospel we cannot grasp the meaning of the Word of God (Luke 24:27,44-48), consequently, GTC is committed to considering Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

Leadership-Discipleship. GTC is committed to gospel-centered leadership. As we look at Christ’s ministry with the disciples, Paul’s ministry with Timothy, or even the Father’s relationship with Christ in his incarnation, we readily observe that strategic learning occurs in the context of ministry-discipleship. Thus, in view of Matthew 28:18-20, GTC purposes to teach through discipleship. What does this look like in the class setting? Students are required to build an analytical outline of their reading, develop theological questions, and grapple with personal and ministry related application. Classes are set up so that the students interact from their outlines with the student body and class instructor. In this way, the instructors disciple in the context of discipling and teach in the context of teaching. Since GTC is committed to training leaders, it is appropriate for students to demonstrate growth in teaching and discipleship under the oversight of their instructors in the class-room setting. It is our desire for GTC students to be used in the progress of the gospel in their local church as a forth-coming generation of deacons, elders, pastors, ministry leaders, and missionaries.

Ministry-Training. There is an old adage that says, “See one. Do one. Teach one.” Or in the gist of Colossians 1:9-10, knowledge applied leads to knowledge increased. The word “training” in GTC is a reminder that students are indeed being trained for ministry in the context of ministry. GTC expects students to immerse themselves into the ministry of the local church. First year students are asked to “court” assigned ministries within the local church that are pertinent to their focus of study. Furthermore, students are asked to interview the respective ministry leader and spend a month serving in each ministry. The seasoned students will demonstrate leadership character by providing ministry leadership in a particular area of ministry related to their study emphasis. For the mutual benefit of the church as well as the student, students will submit ministry evaluations as well as personal evaluations denoting strengths and weaknesses and offering solutions.