Grace Community Church makes its debut in Tiffin

A church 80 years old is making its initial splash in the Tiffin area this weekend, as Grace Community Church's Tiffin campus officially opens Sunday, Sept. 29. Grace, which has its main campus in Fremont and also has a campus in Northwood, is a Biblically-driven church with a contemporary style. "We exist to challenge everyone to discover a relationship with Jesus Christ," said Zach Pinkerton, campus pastor. "We also challenge our church family toward positive relationships in their families, the church and in our community." Grace's Tiffin campus, located at 1515 South County Road 1 near the Seneca County Airport, will offer services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. It offers child care for children birth age until fifth-grade, and also offers Fuse Student Ministries, which meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Siundays with A.J. Lewis, student pastor. There is also a young adult ministry starting at 7:15 p.m. Sunday with Mike Miller, young adult pastor, leading the way. Pinkerton said the church is excited to make an impact. "We believe that a church should be a part of their local community," Pinkerton said. "We have already helped out with farmers markets, the Tiffin Cross-Country Carnival and other events around town. We want to people to associate our church as a community church. The experience is a neat one for Pinkerton, whose father, Kevin, is the lead pastor at Grace's Fremont main campus. The two are working hand-in-hand in their ministry. "We have a lot of fun together," said Zach, who spent the past 10 years in youth ministry. "One thing that is helpful to both of us is the fact we can be brutally honest with each other. He tells me what I do well and what I need to work on, and I am able to do the same with him." Grace's Fremont campus has always had a nice contingent from Tiffin, and a campus in Seneca County is a dream come true for church leaders. "We felt like we could make a bigger difference in the Tiffin community if we had a church home located there," Zach Pinkerton said. "I felt God's call to help launch this campus a couple years ago, and we have been slowly building until this point." Leadership searched for a building for more than a year, and they settled on the current location. Pinkerton's most important role, he says, is to prepare for each week's message as teaching and learning directly from the Bible is paramount to Grace's mission. But it comes with a contemporary vibe and relaxed atmosphere. "We understand that we are not the only church in Tiffin," Zach said. "I think the thing that sets us apart in this area would be our style, not that other styles are wrong or bad. We welcome everyone to come out and check us out, just as you are. Feel free to grab a cup of coffee or iced tea and enjoy the service." More information can be found at ohiograce.com.