As a church family, we continue to be in awe of God’s sovereign presence throughout the pastoral transition. We are excited to announce Josh Duncan was affirmed Sunday, April 30, as our next lead pastor by a unanimous vote! We have enjoyed getting to know Josh and his wife Jennifer over the past few months, and hearing more of his vision for The Grove. Josh’s passion is to see people become and grow as disciples of Jesus.
We will forever be grateful for the work and vision of Scott Sparks, who planted The Grove almost eight years ago, and has faithfully served as lead pastor until now. Scott’s humility, love for Jesus, and desire to see The Grove successfully enter its next season of ministry leadership has been an inspiration of faith to us all. Scott and his wife Penny will continue to be involved at The Grove through the summer months.
A MESSAGE FROM JOSH
My family and I are so thankful for the prayers, conversations, and encouragement we have already experienced in our short time with The Grove. I’m so thankful for Scott’s leadership and example of humility throughout the transition process. God has clearly demonstrated His presence in this transition, and I know He will continue to lead our church forward. I’m looking forward to leading us in the journey God has laid out for this church family as we seek to BE His church in this community. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God’s dreams are always bigger than ours, so let’s all ask God to prepare our hearts and minds for what He has in store as we enter this next season of ministry!
Serving Him Together,
Josh Duncan
Click here to read more about Josh’s background, experience and family.
A MESSAGE FROM SCOTT
I am pleased to announce that on Sunday, April 30th The Grove Church elected my good friend Josh Duncan as lead pastor by a unanimous vote. This was the culmination of a six month pastoral transition process. One of the greatest joys of my life has been serving as The Grove’s founding pastor. Over the last seven and a half years, I, along with Penny and our three sons, have watched God do things only he could and have made friendships that will last a lifetime. We are deeply grateful that we not only helped build a community but that God and you gave us the space to be ourselves in it.
My prayer has been that when the time came for transition that we would be able to experience a smooth transfer to The Grove’s next lead pastor. God has answered in ways that are greater than I could have hoped or imagined. Josh Duncan is a humble and kind servant leader who has the gifts and passions to lead The Grove into its next season. Josh, his wife Jennifer, and their sons Kaden and Kolton are excited to develop friendships and share the good news of Jesus with our communtiy.
I can’t wait to see how God is going to transform lives through The Grove in the future. Thank you for loving me and my family well. Thank you for welcoming Josh and his family with kindness. May we all continue to experience and share the deep, wide, high, and long love of Jesus.
Scott Sparks