Grace Road Church | Rochester, NY

• Kevin Maloney
• Mar 11, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church 

God called me to plant Grace Road by giving me a desire to see the Gospel preached to Rochester, and by allowing me to suffer through the better part of a year with undiagnosed lyme disease. It was in the dark nights with non-functioning nerves and fevers that God humbled me and made my calling clear.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage? 

We had about 10 families from a sending church, and they brought their friends. I would advise guys in the core phase to spend lots of time planning, writing doctrine and vision, and developing leaders.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)? 

Our biggest challenges came from Christians opposed to our mission and style, and continue to come from there.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network? 

I attended the northeast bootcamp in 2004, and then went to Ed Marcelle as soon as I was convinced I was called to plant in 2009. He has been a great friend and coach through the process.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant? 

Go slow.

How do you pastor your family? 

Date nights with Debbie, Prayer and Bible reading daily (most days) with the kids.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Driscoll's Confessions of a Reformission Rev.

How can we pray for you? 

Pray for love for family first, for the furtherance of the kingdom in Rochester.

Church Profile: Grace Road Church
Launch Date: September, 2009
Location: Rochester, NY  

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Grace Road exists to bring Gospel change to Rochester through word and deed.

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically in your church? Of evangelism? 

We believe community is essential for spiritual growth, and this is lived out in our Grace Groups. We believe evangelism is best carried out in the context of loving relationships, which happens naturally as Christians love their neighbors.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church? 

God continues to draw people to himself all around us.