ENCOUNTER is part of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren churches. To view ENCOUNTER's history as a new church plant of Grace Church in Powell, OH, visit the pastor's blog - encounterblog.blogspot.com

Below you'll find the history of our fellowship of churches. Grace Brethren was new to many of us who have come from a variety of backgrounds. Here is a snapshot of how we came to be!

Grace Brethren churches are self-governed. We cooperate with each other by merging prayers, people and money to do the work of missions and evangelism at home and overseas, college and seminary work, youth programs and Christian education.

Grace Brethren churches were born with a passion to see people become followers of Christ, not just on Sundays, but every day!

When Alexander Mack and those with the same convictions began the first Grace Brethren Church in Germany in 1708, they applauded the Reformation, but also cheered for more! They wanted even more of a return to the Scriptures. They also desired more of an emphasis on personal salvation and the public identification of believers with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and their work of grace in salvation. They wanted a return to the biblical command to be baptized as a symbol of one's identification with Christ. With a belief in the integrity of God's Word, they searched the Bible for principles for daily living. "If the Bible teaches it, then let's do it," was their goal.

Today, several hundred Grace Brethren congregations seek to have that same conservative stance in theology while being progressive in method and love. Sunday is a very important day as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Grace Brethren Churches emphasize the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the building up of believers in our services of praise and worship. The important ministry of encouraging believers happens not only when our church meets as a body, but as it is lived out as we serve Christ and others throughout the week.

Our concern to have self-governed churches went back to the 1708 initiation, as well as the New Testament. As the new church began in Schwarzenau, Germany, Mack and others were determined to follow their biblical convictions. Unreasonable pressure from state churches sent them sailing to America in 1719. As Grace Brethren Churches grew in America, they were characterized by a firm belief that the Bible was given to people by God, flawlessly! They trusted what they read and taught. They enjoyed observance of trifold Communion, and emphasized public identification with Christ by triune immersion baptism. Now 40,000 members strong, Grace Brethren churches reach from New York to Hawaii and from Alaska to Florida. Our early commitment to helping others find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ resulted in the start of Grace Brethren Foreign Missions, with over 120,000 members in Africa, Europe, Central and South America, and the Orient. As this fellowship of churches grew, other organizations were formed to assist the local churches: Grace Theological Seminary and College, located in Winona Lake, Indiana; Brethren Missionary Herald Co., publishing books and materials; and GBC Christian Education, providing national programs for youth and training for church workers. New Grace Brethren Churches are formed by established churches, the vision of church districts, and another assisting organizations.