New name, pastor installed at Saving Grace Church of The Brethren
The long-standing North Fort Myers Church of the Brethren has a new name – Saving Grace Church of The Brethren.
Located at 16921 Pacific Ave., across from Wal-Mart, the church has long served the community, but it now has a new name, new look and new focus.
The Rev. Robert Bob Chapman was formally installed Sunday.
“It was now time for a name change,” he said. “The church was seen in the neighborhood one way, and we want to be seen in a different way. When people used to come here to church, they just came to church. I now want them to have a reason to come.”
Chapman said a main reason for the name change is the church’s message.
“We preach the saving grace of Jesus Christ, that’s why it became part of the name,” he said. “The fact is that we put a great emphasis on prayer here – that will make a difference.”
The church is starting to see growth, and Chapman hopes that his pastoral style will bring even more new members.
“They (members) treat me like I am one of them. They don’t put me on a pedestal,” he said. “When I came to the church I asked them what they expected of their pastor, and we’ve worked together to that new point.”
Chapman’s open door policy is popular with local members. Originally from Ohio, he attended college in Indiana.
“I’m not seminary trained like many pastors are,” he said. “I did on-the-job training that the Church of The Brethren has. It’s a three-year training.
“I don’t want my ministry to be one of those places where you find your pastor unapproachable,” he said. “We have an open door policy here. I want people to know they can come in and talk.”
While studying, Chapman held several different jobs, including managing a Wal-Mart.
“One of my claims to fame is that I did an in-house marriage in a Wal-Mart Store,” he said. “We made a wedding environment in the garden area.”
Married with four children, Chapman lives in Port Charlotte and came from a church on Pine Island.
Members of the North Fort Myers location come from many areas, including North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and even Naples. Residents of Pine Island also are members.
Church administrator Teresa L. Beardmore was instrumental in the changes.
“We have spent a lot of time talking about a new beginning here. All the clean up and other improvements in the church is part of the new beginning,” she said.
Some of the members involved in the restoration include Bernice Davis, Ron Cordier and Harry Davis.
There are a lot of seasonal residents that they are looking forward to seeing. Beardmore said the church calls them “snow angels.”
“I also think it was time for us to move forward with a name change and new mission statement,” she said. “The congregation had to vote on it in September, and it was well accepted.”
“We’ve spent all summer cleaning the church – put on a new face lift,” Beardmore said. “We just wanted to change it for the neighborhood.”
Worship services are at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. Bible study is at 6 p.m. Wednesday. For information, call 997-3488.