But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
2025 marks a special milestone for The Grove as we celebrate our 100-year anniversary. The story of The Grove is a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness. Our theme for this year is “Witness His Power,” inspired by Acts 1:8, where Jesus promises, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This verse reminds us that God builds and preserves His Church — not through human strength, but through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.
As we reflect on a century of ministry, we recognize the undeniable evidence of God’s power at work. We’ve witnessed it in countless lives transformed by the Gospel here in Riverside and across the globe. Just as the apostles saw God’s power in raising Jesus from the dead, we’ve seen His Spirit move among us, building and sustaining The Grove over the past 100 years. This legacy compels us to carry the Gospel to new places, answering the call to be witnesses of His power in our own Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
This brochure includes $1,000,000 in projects that embody God’s love in action. These projects are not just acts of service; they are opportunities to experience the power of the Gospel. Whether helping train ministry workers, supporting new church plants, sending out Global Partners, offering humanitarian relief, or rescuing people from sex trafficking, each initiative is a tangible expression of God’s transforming power. Through these efforts, we are confident that people will witness the life-changing power of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
This call to witness His power extends far beyond these projects. It is a daily call for each of us. Wherever God places us — in our homes, schools, workplaces, or neighborhoods — we are called to be living testimonies of His power, love, and redemption. As we align our hearts with Jesus, His power flows through us, enabling us to serve, love, and shine His light in even the darkest places.
This year, let us press forward, knowing our efforts are not in vain. We have seen His power over the last 100 years, and with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will continue to witness His power in this next year in even greater ways. May we carry the Gospel forward and always remain a church Being Changed by God to Reach All People.
Daniel Bishop, Lead Pastor
Tom and Carol Lance Endowment Fund
Supporting the Next Leaders of the Church
For the past 50 years, Pastor Tom and Carol Lance have faithfully served The Grove Community Church. Pastor Tom has led as Youth Pastor, Executive Pastor, for 26 years as Senior Pastor, and now Pastor Emeritus. Carol has led as the Women’s Director, Director of Pastoral Support, and now Small Groups Director. Both have played such an integral part in shaping The Grove, and their faithfulness to follow where the Lord leads, in many ways, is the reason The Grove is what it is today. It is difficult to estimate the impact their leadership has had over the years, but to know them is to be inspired to follow Jesus more closely and to give God glory. They have truly embodied what it means to be changed by God to reach all people.
One significant way they have lived out this vision is by training future church leaders, both at The Grove and in other churches around the world. Tom is affectionately known as “Coach” by those who have benefited from his guidance as he gracefully pushes and leads individuals to become all God desires them to be. Hundreds of people have entered and remained in ministry because of his guidance and care.
Today, there is a growing need for church workers around the world as an older generation begins to retire. As Jesus tells us, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). As we seek to fill this need, we remain committed to equipping future leaders at The Grove and churches worldwide. One essential part of this is solid biblical training. Many of The Grove’s pastors have received amazing biblical training through California Baptist University’s School of Christian Ministries.
This year, to continue this investment and honor Pastor Tom and Carol’s legacy in developing church leaders, we are excited to partner with CBU in establishing the Tom and Carol Lance Endowment Fund. Through a $125,000 contribution from The Grove, along with matching funds of $125,000 from the university and $250,000 from a generous CBU donor, this endowment will begin at $500,000. Scholarships from the endowment will go toward individuals from The Grove following a call into local church ministry to ensure these future workers receive this important training.
Residency Program
Training and Sending
Part of The Grove’s DNA is to continually invest in the next generation of leaders within the church. One of the ways we accomplish this is through our Residency Program. The goal of this program is to develop and sharpen the giftings God has already given His workers as we help prepare them for the task He is calling them to. This residency is for leaders who want to either church plant, help restart a struggling church, or be sent out as Global Partners to bring the Gospel to all nations.
Two years into the program’s existence, we are very excited to be sending out our first graduate, Grantham Wash! This is a huge moment as we strive to invest in the next generation of church leaders.
Grantham and his wife, Abbey, have been commissioned by The Grove to lead the revitalization and relaunch of a six-member church in London. They have already begun the work and are getting settled into their new roles. Another part of the residency’s vision is to help the graduates in the beginning stages of the work they are called to. This year, in addition to supporting the Residency Program, funds from the Love Offering will go toward setting up the Wash family for success in their first year of ministry. This includes obtaining visas required for the work, helping with housing needs as they get settled, two e-bikes for transportation, and biblical commentaries for Grantham’s study. In addition, we will help their new church purchase essential materials such as new Bibles, as well as audio and visual upgrades in speakers, a soundboard, and media presentation equipment.
We are very excited to send some of our best as they embark in this important work and to see all God does in the Residency Program this coming year!
Mobilization Through the Pipeline
Equipping the Next Global Partners from The Grove
The Mobilization Pipeline at The Grove, established two years ago, is designed to train and send new Global Partners. Its core mission is to assist individuals who feel called to global missions by providing them with a structured process to explore and pursue their calling.
Since its establishment, the initiative has made significant progress. A formal process was created to guide and support those sensing a call to missions, giving them a clear path to follow. The introduction of the Mission of God Class has also been a key accomplishment, offering education on God’s heart for all nations and equipping individuals interested in overseas missions. For those wanting to continue, the next step is joining a Reach Group, a ten-week discipleship intensive, where individuals can gain more experience and training in sharing the Gospel.
Additionally, the Pipeline process has been developed to systematically train, equip, and send out Global Partners, ensuring they are well-prepared for the mission field. One of the most innovative efforts has been the creation of “9-month Groups,” in which prospective Global Partners live in neighboring apartment complexes, train together, evangelize to their neighbors, and gain practical experience in sharing the Gospel.
In the coming year, The Grove’s Mobilization Team will continue offering the Mission of God Class, providing more people within The Grove the opportunity to learn about God’s heart for the nations. They will also prepare a new group to participate in the next “9-month Group,” further expanding the reach and impact of the initiative. Additionally, the team will focus on sending out the next wave of Global Partners.
Looking ahead to our next 100 years, The Grove remains committed to mobilizing its believers to fulfill the Great Commission, reaching the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) with the transformative message of the Gospel.
New Global Partners
A Growing Partnership
Church Planting in Northern Uganda
For the past ten years, The Grove has partnered with Gulu Bible Community Church (GBCC) to plant churches in Northern Uganda, where we’ve witnessed incredible growth and community transformation.
This journey began in 2006 with a simple desire to support children in Uganda through World Vision, bringing clean water and physical care. By 2012, many in our congregation were giving generously to this region, so we sought to come together with a clear plan of how best to serve this country.
Around the same time, we met Pastor Martin Onen and his wife, Hope, who led an exciting network of churches in Northern Uganda. These churches were strategically planted to combat the spread of radical Islam. Their passion for church planting and sharing the Gospel inspired our next steps. In 2014, we supported GBCC in planting churches in Anaka and Lira. Later, our partnership expanded to Adjumani and Kitgum, near some of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
For each church plant, we provided five years of support as they installed local pastors and developed self-sustainability projects like farms and storehouses. Adjumani, in particular, features a thriving church, a training center for local pastors, and a farm that teaches self-sustainability practices. These four church plants, in total, have multiplied, planting five of their own churches!
The exciting news is that in 2025, we will be supporting GBCC in planting a fifth church in the mountainous town of Moyo, and we are eager to see how God will move in this new location!
Our connection to Northern Uganda is more than just planting churches — it’s about relationships. Over the years, many Grovites have participated in treks to serve, build, and connect with these amazing communities. We’re honored to be a part of this ongoing story of faith and community, and we’re excited to see how God grows this partnership to keep bringing hope, love, and transformation to Northern Uganda.
Responding to God’s Voice
Having experienced the life-changing power of knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior, we align our hearts and lives to Witness His Power. God has laid before us some amazing opportunities. How will you respond?
Love Offering Goal = $1,000,000
On the weekend of November 16 and 17, 2024, we will receive the 2025 Love Offering that is dedicated to accomplishing these initiatives. Falling short of the goal will simply mean that the most important projects get funded, but others will have to wait. $1,000,000 is a big goal, and it will take the commitment and faith of the whole Grove family, plus God’s power and provision, to make this happen. We invite you to be a part of what we believe God will accomplish this year by giving in faith toward these opportunities.
One-time Pledge
As you pray about making a gift to the 2025 Love Offering, there are two options you might consider. The first is simply making a one-time gift. This gift can be made on the weekend of November 16 and 17 or any time up to December 31, 2024.
12-month Pledge
The second option is to make a Faith Pledge to give over the next 12 months. You can complete a Faith Pledge Card and put it in the offering, or you can pledge online. This is a commitment to give based on your faith that God will enable you to give even if you don’t see how today. Many have found this method to work best and discovered they can actually give more when they give systematically. It is a spiritually stretching experience.
FAQ’s
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We are asking everyone to consider making a Love Offering gift over and above their regular giving. Regular giving (tithe) is used to fund normal church operations and ministries. The Love Offering will fund these special opportunities that are unique to The Grove.
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During the weekend services on November 16 and 17, 2024, The Grove will receive the Love Offering. You may make a gift at that time or any time through the remainder of the year. Each year, many in our church family choose to make a Faith Pledge and give periodically over the next 12 months. There is more information on the Faith Pledge Online Form.
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The amount of your gift is a personal decision that should be made after seeking God in prayer. It is between you and God. We encourage you to depend on God’s ability and power to provide when you give rather than just your own ability. Experiencing His power to help you give is a faith-building event.
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When you give, please select “Love Offering” from the drop-down menu. Donations by mail can be labeled as “Love Offering.” This will make sure it is recorded correctly when received.
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In addition to giving online, you may mail a check to the church office or place your gift in the offering box at the end of an in-person service. You may also use The Grove App with your smart phone or click here to make a one-time gift or to set up a schedule to give periodically.
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As the name indicates, this is a step of faith, trusting God to provide as you stretch beyond what you can give comfortably and commit to a future amount God places on your heart. A Faith Pledge depends on God to provide for you, enabling you to fulfill the pledge. You can click here to make a pledge online, or pledge cards will be available at the Welcome Counters.
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In 2024, we were able to fulfill every opportunity because of your faithful and generous giving. We believe that in 2025 God will help us do that again. If we do fall short, the Board and staff will prioritize the projects, deciding which projects will move forward and when. Every effort will be made to complete as many of the projects as possible with the funds provided.
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If you have additional questions about the Love Offering, please contact us by emailing or by calling (951) 571-9090.
Walk Worthy
Praise God for the 47 ways He was faithful through our 2024 Love Offering!
Only because of the Gospel can we joyfully live out our vision of Being Changed by God to Reach All People. And we pray we will remember to walk “worthy of the Gospel of Christ… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27).
We trust that God will continue to move in ways that only He can move so that all people in Riverside and around the world will Walk Worthy of the Gospel!