Last Wednesday, our staff had an online chapel in which we discussed the events surrounding George Floyd’s murder. We shared stories about how we’ve experienced and witnessed discrimination and racism in our own lives, and this led to a time of prayer for our staff, our church family, and for the global community. We feel incredibly blessed to be in a space where we can both reveal and listen to one another’s difficult experiences. As in all things, our hope and prayer is that we can continue fostering a space where different perspectives can be expressed freely, in a safe and healthy way.

We VALUE diversity and different perspectives and want you to know that SHEPHERD’S GROVE is a place where anyone and everyone is welcome. We believe that Jesus will make our lives much better, and we aim to be one body under the Name of our powerful and almighty Savior. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” This verse eloquently uses the image of the human body to depict the Church. The Body of Christ is made up of many different members, all of whom beautifully display differences in nationality and race, gender, physical and intellectual ability, and social status, but we are all united under the banner of the love of Jesus. Because He is our head, we are supernaturally connected to one another and each of us is invaluable to the other. 

We love you, church family, and we are blessed to hear your stories. We strive to create a safe place for your heart to call home, and we are praying for you, and for our nation, always!