help people take a step closer to Jesus
Lead pastor opportunity
Learn MoreThank you for taking the time to learn more about gracespring and the opportunity to serve as our next Lead Pastor!
For more than 40 years, God has been remarkably faithful to this church. Through seasons of growth and change, gracespring has become a community of people who love Jesus, value His Word, care deeply for one another, and want to help people take meaningful steps of faith.
As we enter this next chapter, we do so with gratitude for where we have been and genuine anticipation for what is ahead. We are not simply looking to fill a position. We are seeking a pastor who will shepherd, teach, equip, and lead gracespring into the future.
We hope this page gives you a meaningful picture of who we are, where we are headed, and the kind of pastor we are praying for.
—The Elder Team
gracespring is a multi-generational church in Southwest Michigan committed to Scripture, authentic relationships, meaningful worship, and bringing the hope of Jesus into the places where we live, work, and play.
On any given Sunday, you'll find people across generations and stages of faith worshiping together—from those who have called gracespring home for decades to those walking through our doors for the first time.
We want to be a church where people can come to know Jesus, grow in their relationship with Him, find genuine community, and discover how God has uniquely equipped them to participate in His work.
Helping people take a step closer to Jesus
We believe following Jesus is a lifelong journey. We want to help people know and understand God's Word, grow in a relationship with Jesus that increasingly shapes the way they live, and put their faith into action in their homes, relationships, workplaces, and communities.
Head. Heart. Hands.
A growing relationship with Jesus shapes what we know, transforms who we are, and changes how we live.
Average Sunday attendance
Approximately 1,000+
Membership
546 Members
Baptisms
50+ baptisms over the past year
Financial Health
Debt-free with strong financial stewardship
History
Serving Southwest Michigan for 40+ years
Leadership
Elder governed with a passionate ministry staff
Theology
Bible-centered, Gospel-focused
Community
Multi-generational with ministries serving every stage of life
One of the things people often notice first about gracespring is the genuine sense of community.
This is a church where generations worship together, people stay after services to talk, volunteers take real ownership of ministry, and relationships extend well beyond Sunday morning.
We care about doing ministry well without losing the relationships, authenticity, and dependence on God that matter most. And while gracespring is a larger church, we want people to be known, cared for, challenged, and given meaningful opportunities to participate.
One way we encourage people to feel known is through joining a group--a LifeGroup, a Connect Group, a Common Interest Group. We believe there is a place for everyone!
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We believe this is a significant season in the life of gracespring.
We are grateful for a strong foundation: a committed congregation, experienced leaders, financial stability, and a clear mission.
At the same time, we don't believe the future should simply look like the past.
As we look ahead, we are asking what it means to faithfully live out our mission in a changing community and culture. We want to continue becoming a church that reaches people, develops disciples, raises up leaders, invests in the next generation, and serves our community well.
Our next Lead Pastor will have the opportunity to build on what is already strong while helping gracespring clarify where we are headed and courageously take our next steps together.
This is an opportunity to honor a rich history while helping shape what comes next.
gracespring is located in the Kalamazoo area of Southwest Michigan—with a population of 175,000 within 15 miles, this is a community large enough to offer many of the opportunities and amenities of a city while still feeling accessible and connected.
The region is home to established neighborhoods, growing communities, universities and colleges, strong school systems, arts and culture, local businesses, and major employers. Lake Michigan, trails, inland lakes, parks, and outdoor recreation are all within easy reach.
Kalamazoo is also within driving distance of Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Detroit, while offering a pace and cost of living that make it a place where individuals and families can put down roots.
And this area is much more than where our building is located. It is where we are called to live out our mission.
We want gracespring to be a church that genuinely loves Southwest Michigan, serves it well, and helps more people take a step closer to Jesus.
Ministry here is shared.
Our Lead Pastor will join staff who care deeply about gracespring, bring a wide range of gifts to ministry, and are accustomed to leading collaboratively.
We believe ministry is shared, and our Lead Pastor will be surrounded by leaders who are ready to contribute, grow, and carry responsibility together.
Leadership here is prayerful.
Our Elders are committed to shepherding the congregation, protecting the mission and theological integrity of the church, and providing wise leadership for the future.
The Lead Pastor serves as one of our Elders, bringing pastoral and organizational leadership while sharing in the Elder Team’s collective responsibility for the direction of the church.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is gracespring searching for a Lead Pastor?
Our current Lead Pastor, Bryan Tema, has sensed the Lord’s direction to step down from the Lead Pastor role, creating the opportunity for gracespring to prayerfully seek who God may be calling to lead the church into its next season.
Where are we in the search process?
Our Elders and Search Team are actively engaged in the search. We are committed to being thoughtful and thorough as we consider candidates and determine next steps.
What denomination is gracespring?
gracespring Bible Church is a non-denominational, Bible-centered church. Our beliefs and theological commitments are outlined in our Statement of Faith, available in the resources below.
How do the Lead Pastor and Elders work together?
gracespring is Elder-governed. The Lead Pastor serves as an Elder and partners closely with the rest of the Elder Board to provide spiritual and organizational leadership for the church. We value trust, accountability, collaboration, and shared discernment.
Is the search process confidential?
Yes. We understand that exploring a pastoral opportunity can require significant discretion. Initial inquiries and conversations will be handled with care and appropriate confidentiality.
How can I express interest?
You can submit your résumé along with a brief introduction using the button at the bottom of this page. You are also welcome to contact our Search Team with questions before formally applying via the same button.
Want to get to know gracespring better? These resources offer a fuller picture of our beliefs, leadership, ministries, and life together.
If, as you've learned more about gracespring, you sense God may be inviting you to explore this opportunity, we'd be honored to begin a conversation.
Whether you're ready to submit your information or simply have questions about our church, every inquiry will be handled with care and confidentiality.
