PASTOR: BEN RAKEThank you so much for inviting us onto your computer. We are here because of Jesus, Who loves us far beyond our understanding! It is my prayer that you are also aware of His great love for you! I was born 65 years ago, a PK (preacher’s kid), and, you’re right, some of us are the worst-behaved kids around! He has forgiven me, and I praise Him! In answer to seven years of praying, literally, He brought my wonderful helper, Linda, into my life and marriage, and has given us six great blessings (five daughters and one son)! Additional wonderful blessings include 18 grandchildren and one more on the way!
The Lord has always put children and young people on our hearts, and I am thrilled that Forest Grove’s youth ministry and van outreach are growing enthusiastically! Every effort is made to function as a family, minimizing the myth of a generation gap among us! Whoever you are, whatever your age, we would love to help you to know Jesus and help you to know His love, mercy, and grace.
We want Jesus to have the pre-eminence, and want to praise and glorify Him! He has blessed me far beyond what I deserve for nearly 50 years in the ministry, and He continues to bless with a total of about 130 worshipers in the Saturday Night Alive (7 p.m.), 8 a.m. Early Worship, and Morning Worship, at 10:30. We are happily praising, worshiping, and serving because of His great love until He returns for us! We hope to see you now, or at that great event! May the Lord continue to bless you!
Love in Him, Ben
YOUTH PASTOR: JOE RYNERSON"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." JIM ELLIOT
I love that quote. It displays so clearly where our focus in this life should be. We all should gain that which we can not loose.
My name is Joe Rynerson. I am the Youth Minister here at Forest Grove Christian Church. I am a 50 year old Youth Minister, which may seem a little odd. I went to Southeastern Christian College in 1979 then finished up at EKU. I retired in 2005 from the Lexington Fire Department after nearly 20 years as a firefighter. After my retirement, I was blessed to be able to serve in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and New Orleans, rebuilding houses damaged by the hurricanes. Shortly after that, I was invited to help in Jamaica with the work there. God miraculously opened the door for me to be able to go with the Forest Grove crew. That was my first short term mission trip and it was great.
God has called my family and me to the work at Forest Grove and we are excited to be here. It was a stretch to say that I was prepared to be a Youth Minister, but God is providing in my weakness. Pray that God will continue to open doors so we can effectively reach more of the youth in Clark County.
Joe
SECRETARY: TRISH McCUDDYGod has tremendously blessed me by providing a place for me here at Forest Grove for the past 25 years. This is a very loving church family that will warmly welcome you the moment you enter the church doors. They have always been a blessing to me and my family.
In Hebrews 13:5 it says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Amazing! He loves us that much and more! He stays by us throughout our entire lives, even when we make the wrong choices. If we have invited Him into our lives, it is easier to be content no matter what may come. Of course we will experience some very rough waters, but clinging to Him makes the calm water return, that we may continue to swim until He comes to take us home.
If you have wandered into this website by accident, don’t be so sure it is an accident. Christ may be working in your life through what you may read or see here. We look forward to seeing you at one of our services soon. May God bless you daily.
Trish