Missionaries

We are blessed at Grace Community Church to be partnered with a such a diverse and gifted group of people, who are reaching the world for Christ. Our goal is to be united with them-- heart, mind, soul and body-- underpinning their ministries, attempting to "Hold the Ropes" of support.

Hawthorne - South East Asia
Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, McLean Hawthorne graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Mathematics and returned to Montgomery to teach mathematics at the High School level. After receiving Christ as his Savior and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Mclean moved to Pensacola, FA. in 1975 to attend Liberty Bible College. During that time he spent a tour on the Indian subcontinent where he received confirmation of his call to ministry in that part of the world. Today the Hawthorne's are veteran missionaries to South East Asia. McLean travels extensively throughout South East Asia as a teacher, ministering in Bible Schools, Churches and Church Camps. The Hawthorne's are motivated to fight the powers of darkness over the people and have met the challenge of ministering among a multi-racial population made up of those from Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds. Visit their organizations website at www.gme.org.

Minton - USA, Iraq, South East Asia
After nearly 19 years with Mercy Ships, Jack and Cherie Minton have stepped out in God to establish a new work in His name. Hope Force International's initial focus is to provide rapid disaster response and relief for those in need around the world. This ministry sweeps into an area struck by natural or man-made disasters to provide food, medical supplies and treatment as well as grief counseling and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jack served as Senior Vice President of International Operations at Mercy Ships, Cherie served as the Training Director for the International Operations Center in Texas. Now together, with their gifts and experience, God is using them as a Force of Hope around the globe. Visit their website at www.hopeforce.org.

Okorie - Nigeria

Emma Okorie recognized the call of God on his life during the civil war that ravaged his homeland of Nigeria. As a young man he began to preach the Gospel of Christ and witnessed the move of the Spirit as people were saved, healed and delivered by the power of God. Since then the Lord has called the Okories to serve internationally with a 5-fold ministry anointing. As an Evangelist, Emma has taken the Good News across Nigeria and parts of the USA and Europe. As an Apostle, God has raised over 100 churches (over 25,000 strong), 3 Hospitals, and a number of schools and training centers thru Living Word Ministries in Aba City, Nigeria, as well as churches in Europe and the United states including 3 churches in Baltimore, MD. area. Signs and Wonders follow the dynamic preaching and teaching of both Emma and Chinyere's pulpit ministry, as the lame walk, the sick are healed, and the demonized are set free. The Okories have also impacted and mentored church leaders and movements around the globe with the simple message of faith and the power of God.

Thurston - Europe

Brad Thurston, the son of missionary parents, raised in Beirut, Lebanon, studied theology in the U.S. at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Following 2 years of pastoring in North Central, Pennsylvania, Brad moved to England as an evangelist where he met and married Janet Bell of Fife, Scotland in 1979. Since 1981, Brad and Jan have been working in Germany planting new churches and discipling leaders. Jan's ministry, especially among young women, is widely appreciated. In 1990 Brad founded Globe Europe Missions Agenc in which he serves as president. Their responsibilities include: recruiting, sending and caring for European missionaries abroad, building relationships to sending churches, training church leaders in missions, helping develop missions programs and policies, planning and conducting missions conferences, and assisting in church planting and evangelistic crusades in various countries around the world. Brad and Jan are life-long missionaries, who have multiplied their gifts many times over by raising up and sending out more than 40 missionary families from Globe Europe Missionary Evangelism to such places as eastern Europe, Africa and Central America. Visit their website at www.globeeurope.org.

Wood - South East Asia, Europe, South Africa

Dirk Wood founded Arise & Shine Evangelistic Association in February 1987 with the help of many Filipino nationals. It has grown to include evangelism; crusades; training and nationals in evangelism, Schools of Bibliology; a Christian school for K-12; radio programs; feeding programs; medical care for the poor, a fellowship of ministers; a Theological Seminary and an accreditation center for Bible School. Several missionaries now work with the ASEA team. God called Dirk to carry and ASEA vision to London, England, and moved there in 1993. Dirk has preached the Gospel message to thousands who have gathered to hear in some of the most popular tourist spots. In 1996 a 100yr old pub was purchased in central London and converted into The London Outreach Center. Recently, they began an evangelistic outreach in South Africa in one of the most dangerous spots on earth. Over the years, Dirk and those he has raised up have won thousands of souls to Christ. Arise, shine, for the light has come the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Visit their website at www.arise-shine.org.