Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

Grace-Christian-Fellowship

Full Text:

Celebrating 15 Years Of Christian Fellowship

(with photo)

BY JAN HOWARD

Grace Christian Fellowship is commemorating the 15th anniversary of its

founding.

Pastors Barry and Sheila Fredericks founded Grace Christian Fellowship in June

of 1984, shortly after their graduation from Rhema Bible Training Center in

Tulsa, Okla.

The church, located at 174 Mt Pleasant Road in Newtown, has been growing

steadily since then and now numbers about 250 parishioners. It is an

interdenominational organization affiliated with the Rhema Minstrial

Association International, a group of churches worldwide.

"It's a full gospel church, it's spirit filled," Pastor Sheila said this week.

The Fredericks moved to Brookfield in 1972. When they were called to the Rhema

Bible school in 1982, they did not sell their home, but rented it, because,

Pastor Barry said, "We knew we wanted to come back here."

In 1984 they came back with their three children, a dog and a cat. They began

the church two weeks later.

The Fredericks were both drawn to the Rhema Bible Training Center because of

its teachings, Pastor Barry said. "It was a real blessing to have my wife

there," he added.

"It was wonderful to share it together," Pastor Sheila said. Stressing that

her husband is the head of the church, she added, "It's a wonderful privilege

to work together."

"It is a tremendous honor to see people and help them," said Pastor Barry of

his ministry. "They call us a `word church' because we are teaching the word

of God. There was great emphasis at the Bible school on God's word.

"God is the only hope this world has," he continued. "The only thing that can

change a life is Jesus Christ."

The Fredericks are having a billboard prepared for their church that will

read:

"CAUTION

Upon entering this church, you will

experience the presence of God.

...We cannot be held responsible

for changed lives!!"

"When we founded the church 15 years ago, we started with nine people," Pastor

Sheila said. "Five of them were from other churches to wish us well."

At that time the church was renting the main room of what was then the Essex

House for its Sunday morning and evening services. The building, once a

catering facility, had been built in the late 1950s. It had also served as a

meeting place for the Knights of Columbus.

In 1986, the church rented and renovated the lower level, creating a

sanctuary, classrooms and church office. Members of the church did much of the

renovation work.

The upstairs, which once housed two apartments, has been renovated into a

youth room, kitchen and offices.

The church purchased the former Essex House on Christmas Eve in 1991 from

Nicholas Hayes for $425,000.

On May 4 the church held its commemorative anniversary service a month early

because the Rev Rick Renner, who as a traveling minister and teacher had

visited the church for 13 years, would be able to be the speaker and take part

in the church's celebration.

"In 1991, he felt God wanted him to go to Russia," Pastor Sheila said. "He and

his family moved to Latvia and started a Bible school. He is now pastoring the

first church built in Russia in the last 70 years.

"We support him as part of our missionary outreach, and he was going to be

here. He was part of the life of this church for 13 years. People love him,

and he's doing tremendous work over there," she said.

Pastor Sheila said Rev Renner, a Greek scholar, is reaching millions with a TV

program he began in Russia.

During the church's recent picnic, the Fredericks received a big surprise from

their parishioners.

Halfway through the annual June event, which was begun years ago to mark the

anniversary of the church's founding, the Fredericks were each presented with

a package. Hers contained a small airplane, his a pair of shorts. They were

puzzled as to the meaning of the gifts until a parishioner asked Pastor Barry

what kind of shorts they were.

Bermuda shorts.

"They gave us a trip to Bermuda," Pastor Sheila said. "We went there on our

honeymoon 28 years ago. We always wanted to go back. We tried for several

years but never made it. We were just overwhelmed. It's set for September."

Pastor Sheila said when Grace Christian Fellowship was ten years old, the

congregation sent them to Israel.

Recently, the Fredericks had another trip on their minds. They were busy,

along with their parishioners, with fund-raising efforts on behalf of the

youth group's upcoming trip to Costa Rica.

"Costa Rica has taken up so much effort that we never thought of it," she said

of the Bermuda trip. "Everyone's been so generous. They said it was for 15

years of love and dedication to the Lord and service to His church. It is the

sweetest, nicest, kindest gift anyone could give."

The Fredericks have presented a weekly television ministry, The Family Matters

to God , on Fridays at 6 pm on Charter Cable Channel 21 for the past five

years. The program focuses on strengthening family relationships.

Sunday morning worship at Grace Christian Fellowship is at 8 and 10 am. On

Wednesdays, there is Bible study at 7:30 pm. On Thursday nights, a prayer

meeting is held at 7 pm, except on the last Thursday of the month. A Friday

Holy Ghost and healing service takes place on the last Friday of the month at

7 pm.

The church also offers nursery care, children's church, a women's and men's

fellowship and youth ministry.

The pastors' son, Adam Fredericks, is youth pastor, and Christopher Caton

serves as church administrator. They are also graduates of Rhema Bible

Training Center.