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CARE GROUPS

In addition to our regular weekend services and youth meetings, Grace believes that the heart of growing believers is shown to us by the disciples of the New Testament.  While corporate worship and teaching are the centerpiece of any church, it doesn't end there.  The disciples and the growing body of the early church were made up of many home ministries.  Normally, in the corporate worship setting of a regular service, the teaching is "broadcast" -- the Holy Spirit speaks to believers in largely a one-way impartation, using the pastor as the means.  However, teaching and growth as believers in every day life is bi-directional, and it is important that we get together to share what we've learned, what the Spirit has revealed to us, as well as to use these opportunities to encourage one another.  Grace uses home-based care groups to accomplish the same things that the early church did.  We encourage you to seek out one of our care groups and participate -- whether you attend our regular services or not.  Here are the currently active care groups headed by our members:

CARE GROUP #1: Pastor Tom & Lana Sutherland - 7:00pm Wednesday
For fourteen years Tom has been Associate Pastor at Grace.  Prior to entering the ministry, he was a Criminal Investigator for the Del Rio Police Department.  Lana is the owner of, and real estate broker for, Sutherland Realty and also ministers with the Praise & Worship team.  The Sutherlands are founding elders of Grace and have been in Del Rio since 1981.  Both Tom and Lana served in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1984, stationed at Laughlin AFB.  Their daughter, Katie, 22, is married to Keivon Liburd and they now reside in Allen, Texas.  Their son, Joey, 15, is a sophomore at Del Rio High School and is the bass guitar player for the Praise & Worship team.  Karen, the youngest at 13, is a sixth grade student at Radiance Academy.  Tom and Lana's care group meets at their home, located at 3806B Veterans Blvd.

CARE GROUP #2: Troy & Jennifer McGonagil - 7:00pm Wednesday
Taking the helm of the care group originally begun by Jack & Barbara Plyler, Troy & Jennifer will hold care group meetings at their home at the Willowood Apartments, 1001 Bedell Ave, in apartment 13. They can be contacted at 775-8636.  Managing to be successful in business, raise their four children -- Neal, Michele, Allen and Jared -- and be part of the Grace music ministry, Troy & Jennifer live a Christ-centered life and understand who they are as God's children.  Miracle upon miracle has been manifest in their lives and they are excited to bless and be blessed as leaders of this care group.

CARE GROUP #3: Elder Tony & Stephanie McKinney - 7:00pm Wednesday
Tony & Stephanie McKinney have been members at Grace Community Church since spring of 1996. Tony and Stephanie, along with their daughter Aliyah and two sons, Khayri and Jamal, came to Del Rio when Tony was on active duty assigned to Laughlin AFB in December 1995. Tony retired in 1999 and decided that Del Rio was going to be their home “until the Lord says otherwise”. Tony and Stephanie are both civil service employees at Laughlin AFB and they have been very active citizens in the community since their stay. They have been CARE Group Leaders with Grace Community Church since 1999. They have both been volunteer chaplains at the local GEO Detention Center. Stephanie is a published author with her first book titled “NEW AGE (Notorious Entities Warring Against God’s Excellence) and currently working on her second book. She is also an anointed evangelist and gifted singer. Tony is a licensed chemical dependency counselor and has enjoyed being a volunteer presenter for the topic of substance abuse prevention in the community of Del Rio. They are very family oriented and in the midst of being community volunteers, they are yet very involved and committed to the success of raising three young adults of their own.  Their care group meets at their home, located at 210 Warbonnet Trail.  They can be contacted at 774-2604.

CARE GROUP #4, "Business & Professional": Pastor Eddie and Myrtice Eskew - 7:00pm Wednesday
Pastor Eddie and his wife Myrtice founded Grace Community Church.  Both of the Eskews have extensive experience in business and have followed well-founded Biblical principles for operating and growing a business.  Their group meets at their home at 206 Peacepipe and they can be reached at 313-2061.

CARE GROUP #5: Pastors Mike & Dot Steed - 7:00pm Tuesday
Pastors Mike and Dot Steed have been faithful members of Grace Community Church since 1990. Pastor Mike is currently employed by Laughlin Air Force Base and spearheads the Nursing Home Ministries, and serves the youth along with his wife Dot.  Pastor Dot has been employed by Grace Community Church as an Associate Pastor/Youth Pastor since February, 2000. She also is senior vice president of Val Verde Training Center Inc., a community outreach organization, under the umbrella of Grace Community Church.  Pastors Mike and Dot’s Care Group meets Tuesday’s night at 7:00 PM, in their home located at 105 Medicine Bow Trail. Everyone is welcome. They have two sons, Michael “J” ,18, a freshman at Angelo State University and John Gabriel, 14, a freshman at Del Rio Freshman school.  They can be contacted at 774-5755.

CARE GROUP #6, "Ladies Care Group": Pat Acosta - 7:00pm Tuesday
Another of our specialized care groups, the Ladies Care Group focuses on the application of the Word in the lives of godly women.  The encouragement, teaching and growth of all believers is important, but there is considerable value in being able to edify women spiritually, preparing them for challenges that are often unique to women.  Pat's care group meets at 120 Jamie Way, and she can be contacted at 768-0766.

 CARE GROUP #7, Clemente & Thelma Lopez - 7:00pm Wednesday
Our latest Care Group, starting October 3rd!  As our church grows we're excited that more members with a hunger for digging into the Word step up to host a more one-on-one extension of the body of Christ.  As the Apostles did, Clemente and Thelma open their home to people who seek to study in depth the Word taught each week as well as fellowship with others.  Their group meets at 102 Kim Drive, and can be contacted at 422-9428.