On Spiritual Holiday – The Grove Church

The roots of The Grove church start in the fall of 2000 when a group of high school and junior high kids met in the backyard of a Tempe home for worship and prayer. They quickly outgrow the home as parents and friends joined. After several nomadic growth moves this band of 200 in 2002 secured their current 20 acre site.

By 2006, after herculean sacrifices by this band of Jesus followers, they took possession of a three building campus of 30,000 sq feet. And the morning we attended they announced the purchase of an additional 2 ½ acres for parking. Hum, maybe Barack, Bernanke and Wall Street could learn from these young spiritual entrepreneurs.

Getting into and out of the Grove is a bit of a challenge. Only half of a divided Gilbert Rd is usable and leaves only one way to enter and exit the church. At the speed that the City of Chandler moves it could be months before completion, so factor that into your drive.

The architecture of the worship center is multipurpose. Metal cages around the projectors and three point half circles were a dead giveaway. The stage area was unique from other churches we have visited. It sports a “Pier 1” look and feel. I’m guessing it might be their African mission mindedness. Lead pastor, Palmer Chinchen is the son of a missionary couple who started the African Bible Colleges (ABC). They also send teams from the church to this African mission.

The theme of this church is Love God, Grow Together and Serve the World.

Their doctrinal statement is standard evangelical mom and apple pie. They recognize two sacraments, water baptism and communion. The week we were there they didn’t serve communion; perhaps it is a monthly practice. A receptacle at the back of church is available for tithes and offerings. While one visit may not show how they walk out doctrine, their favorite books can give insight in how doctrine is assimilated.

Worship is loud, rock and very upbeat. The worship leader encouraged us to clap our hands while he demonstrated by clapping over his head. In the middle of the worship the leader had us read Romans 12:1,2 three times and ponder what we were reading. These scriptures would form the basis for Pastor Palmer’s sermon.

After the worship Pastor Palmer took his spot on the stage sitting beside and slightly behind a little round table. This Sunday he would introduce his twin brother who is still very active with ABC. They shared some touching stories of growing up in Africa. One in particular dealt with the native’s reaction to the young twin white boys. It seems twins are bad luck and the second born is considered very evil. Pastor Palmer is the second born. We all laughed along with the two brothers.

Sermons are topical rather than expository. The week we were there they began a new series, “A few things happened on the way to Jerusalem.” The sermon title was, “Your Brain on God.” It tied in with the Romans worship reading about renewing the mind to think after God’s thoughts. The Pastor first applied the gospel plow in Luke 4:16-18,21 & 24-30. He told personal stories of how God changed the way he thought which affected his anger issues. He illustrated how attitudes affect our outlook by reading from one of his children’s favorite books titled, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Good illustration. We could all track with his emphases on Jesus the healer of my moods and wrong attitudes. The sermon ended in Philippines 4:4-9 on how we need to think in Christ. He then concluded with practical advice: watch your diet and exercise, be a lifelong learner, hang out with friends, do less for self and more for others, pray and meditate on the scriptures.

If you are looking for upbeat worship, practical sermons and a young church, give The Grove a try.